Potter Manor
Euphemia Potter didn't let Dumbledore give his opinion on the matter, "Dotty." A small 'pop' was heard, a small, well dressed elf was standing next to Euphemia, "Yes Mistress Potter." "Please have the other house elves prepare the guest rooms across from James. And retrieve our family healer." The elf bows and leaves with a 'pop'.
Fleamont stayed silent watching his wife until now, "Albus, we'll be using the floo in your office. James and Sirius will help get them situated. They will be back tonight."
The Headmaster knows there is no changing the Potters' mind. Once Euphemia puts her foot down, that's it. Dumbledore nods his head towards Madam Pomfrey. She prepares Draco for transport through the floo network. It is the safest method for someone with this severe of injuries.
Draco was brought out of his potion induced slumber by the matron, "Mister Malfoy. We need to get you ready for transport. Mr and Mrs Potter are taking you and your friend in." Draco drowsily acknowledged the matron with a nod. Madam Pomfrey transfigures the cot into a stretcher with restraints, traveling by floo can jostle him loose. Carefully lifting him from the frame, levitating him out of the hospital wing, surrounded by the Potters', Ron and the Marauders.
First class of the day has started so there were very few students in the halls on the way to the Headmaster's office. The few students who did see the group moving through the castle did a double take of the person on the stretcher. Whispers could be heard, "Is that Lucius Malfoy?" "What happened?" "What are the Potters' doing with a Malfoy?" If it wasn't for the fact that Lucius Malfoy graduated a few years ago, they would have thought it was him, which is causing a bit of confusion.
Entering the headmaster's office with a stretcher was a little tricky but they managed. Mr Potter went through the floo first, followed by James, and Sirius. Remus is staying behind so he can take notes for them. Madam Pomfrey and Draco are next, the matron is to make sure the stretcher stays steady as it can. Dumbledore told Ron to inform him when Draco woke to set up an Order meeting before Ron was whisked away in green flames.
Mrs Potter glared at the Headmaster, "If you put any of these boys in mortal danger, I will personally escort you to Azkaban on grounds for child endangerment. Some have been sent there for far less. Consider yourself warned." Euphemia has lost her patience with the Headmaster, not waiting for a response and stepping into the floo.
When Euphemia exited the floo into her receiving room, she was greeted by her husband. He embraced her, hugging her tightly resting his cheek on the top of her head, "The boys are helping our guests get situated. Greensworth is seeing to Malfoy." They both stood in silence for a moment before he exhaled deeply, "If they were sent back to this time with the war gaining traction now, I fear this war is far from over. If their last hope was to send those two back in time, then we need to make preparations for worst case scenario now, not later." Euphemia nods in agreement then pulls back a little, sighs, "Let's go check on the boys. See if they need anything."
They made their way up to the second floor of the East Wing. James and his friends have their bedrooms in the East Wing, while their parents are in the West Wing. Potter Manor is what one would consider homey. It is quite large, but it does not feel that way. The halls are decorated with paintings of various landscapes, not the normal ancestral portraits most pureblood families are known for. They have their own gallery on the third floor in the East Wing. The cream colored walls coordinate nicely with the dark hardwood floors. James would slide across the floor in just his socks when he was a child. He only stopped after he almost tumbled down the stairs after a fresh layer of polish. The Dining hall, Sitting room, Fleamont's study, and Library are located on the first floor. Euphemia has a Tea room on the third floor in the West Wing. It is her own private sanctuary. Each wing has seven bedrooms with their own bathroom.
When the Potters' house elf Dotty appeared in Healer Greensworth's office requesting he accompany her to Potter Manor, he did not expect this. William Greensworth has been a healer for the past ten years, after retiring as a DMLE Curse-breaker. He had seen too many witches and wizards die from being hit with irreversible curses, so becoming a healer with a curse-breaker background has been quite beneficial for St Mungo's. Healer Greensworth was shocked and appalled by the injuries this boy sustained. Granted the matron of Hogwarts knows what she is doing, however, the residual dark magic lingering is suffocating. Greensworth is surprised the boy is still alive.
Draco is lucky he didn't lose his left eye. Four jagged, angry-red claw marks start from above his browline to his sharp jawline. Two of the marks lay over his eye, again he was lucky he didn't lose it. His pupil still responds to stimuli but his iris has lost some color, looking closer to light grey instead of silver like his right eye. The claw marks on his chest have broken open. Instead of the blood flowing steadily, it was seeping through his bandages. They will take longer to heal than his face since they are much deeper. Closer inspection of Draco's chest, you can see an older scar in a criss-cross pattern. The bandages used to bind Draco's torso were soaked in Murlap and Ditany to treat his chest as well as his back. The two inch, deep cuts forming the words 'Blood Traitor' will be slow healing. But with the bandages and cushioning charms Draco should have minimal discomfort laying on his back.
The injury to his left forearm is troublesome. Seeing the Dark Mark firsthand, Greensworth knows simply cutting it away won't remove the dark magic attached to said mark. Time will only tell if Draco can expel the dark magic and regain mobility in his arm when several layers of tissue, muscle and tendons have been cut away.
Healer Greensworth was in the process of applying new bandages smeared with Murlap when Ron stood at the foot of the king-sized bed. "It's a good thing he's right handed." Ron couldn't take his eyes away from Draco's forearm, "He hated that thing. Never wanted it in the first place but he would do anything to protect his mother. This war has cost him everything." The adults stayed silent, letting his words sink in. "If you excuse me, I'm going to see what all Hermione has sent us with." Ron steps out of the room and into the one given to him.
Euphemia sat on the other side of the bed next to Draco, "Is he inflicted with Lycanthropy?" She brushes a few strands of Draco's hair off his forehead. "We'll know tonight. I didn't see any bite marks. It also depends on who attacked him." Greensworth vanished the empty potion bottles and soiled bandages.
In a strained, raspy voice, "It was Greyback. He can partially shift outside of the full moon. What's going to happen now?" Draco tries to stay awake. Euphemia reassures him, "One of our boys, Remus, he was bitten very young by Greyback. Fleamont and I, as well as James and Sirius know what to do on and around the full moon. You're in good hands." Draco gives a small smile, the potions making him a little loopy, "Professor Lupin. He always was my favorite Defense Professor." Draco drifts into a dreamless sleep. Greensworth and Euphemia were surprised to learn Remus was a professor in the future.
In the room next door, James and Sirius sit Indian style on the floor watching Ron empty some of the contents of a tiny, purple beaded bag. So far he has pulled out and resized two trunks, a small library, and enough potions to stock the hospital wing at Hogwarts for at least six months. "Mate? How deep does that bag go?" James asked. "Um. There's a tent, some cauldrons and Phineas Black's portrait. Hullo sir." Ron reaches in the bag, pulls the portrait out and resizes it.
"Where are we?" Phineas yawns, and stretches. "Potter Manor, sir. I'm James and this is Sirius Black." James introduces them both. Phineas looks at James then Sirius recognizing them from their visits to the Headmaster's office, "What year is it?" "1977 sir." Sirius remembers his mother going on about Headmaster Phineas Black while looking at his portrait. "Sir? Please don't go to your other portrait. Mother tends to rub elbows with the wrong sort." Phineas holds up his hand to interrupt the boy, "I have no intention of seeking out that vile woman. Spending time conversing with Miss Granger has helped me see beyond a turned up nose. Besides, disowning you for not following him was uncalled for. We Blacks may be a little crazy but family is family. I'm just relieved to be out of that damn bag." All the boys laugh a little. "Would you mind placing me somewhere quiet?"
James stands, "I'll go ask father." "Ask me what?" Fleamont quietly steps into the room, gazing at the scattered belongings. "Where to place Phineas Black's portrait? He was inside that beaded bag. He requested to be placed somewhere quiet." James points out the portrait. "Either my study or your mother's Tea room. There's no other portraits in there." Patting James on the back, Fleamont watches him levitate the portrait out of the room.
Turning back to the room, Fleamont asks, "What is all this?" Ron is opening one of the trunks, seeing it has mostly black clothes, 'definitely Draco's'. "Our friend took it upon herself to pack enough to sustain Draco and I for at least a year. Well, if we had to go on the run again." Throwing that last remark out caused Fleamont to close his eyes, take a deep breath, and try to calm down. "This war should never have gotten to that point. As much as it pains me to say this, I'm glad you two showed up. Maybe it will finally get the Order off their ass and do something instead of waiting to react." Running a hand through his hair Fleamont calls for Dotty to prepare lunch for everyone. He leaves the boys to return to his study. After the day he had, he needed a stiff drink.
Hogwarts
James and Sirius returned to Hogwarts right when dinner was ending. Walking into the Great Hall to find Remus and Peter the chatter quieted down. Sitting down next to their friends and snagging some dessert. "I see the whole school knows. What have you heard?" James quietly asked Remus and Peter. "Some speculate Lucius Malfoy was on the grounds and he got attacked. There's even rumors a werewolf wandered from the Forbidden Forest and attacked two students." Remus filled them in on what he had heard. Peter nodded his head in agreement.
Lily was sitting with her friends Marlene McKinnon, Mary McDonald, Alice Fortescue, and Dorcas Meadowes when James sat next to her. She did not tell her friends and dormmates what happened last night. "Potter?" Lily whispered to James. "How are they?" James' shoulders sag a little, he was hoping she just wanted to talk to him. "Ron is fine, tired but fine. Draco on the other hand. Bedridden for the next two weeks. We were told not to let anything about them get out." James and Sirius were told not to reveal too much, besides Remus, Peter and Lily. It could put everyone in more danger if Voldemort knew about the boys from the future. Peter only found out after finding James' bloody uniform on the floor in their dorm room during a free period, so Remus told him what he missed after he fell asleep.
James has been chasing Lily since third year, always going above and beyond when he would ask her out only to get repeatedly rejected. So when Lily leaned over and spoke to him civilly, he considered it a win even though the subject matter was quite serious. Given the solemn expression on James' face, Lily couldn't help but wonder, "James, are you alright?" James set his fork down and swallowed before speaking, "After what happened last night, I can't help but think we're not safe anymore. Not even here at Hogwarts. Draco and Ron have been through Hell and they're the same age as us. Them showing up last night, and then my mum took them in without hesitation. She also told the headmaster that if any of us come to harm because of this war she would personally escort him to Azkaban." Lily stared at James open mouthed. She always believed Dumbledore knew what's best and would always protect his school and the students. To hear he may be somehow responsible for children being involved in this war is shocking.
The Marauders left the great hall in a group to prepare for the full moon. The boys can tell Remus is agitated and irritable so close to moonrise. Waiting until almost curfew to head out to the Shrieking Shack using the map so they won't get caught. Peter shifted into his rat form and hit the notch on the Whomping Willow, freezing it for a moment, letting the others crawl through the opening. The opening led to a tunnel connected to the Shrieking Shack. Once inside, Sirius, James and Peter shifted into their animagi forms and waited for Remus to shift into a werewolf. The Marauders spent most of the full moon chasing each other around the shack or napping.
By sunrise the four teenage boys were exhausted. James, Sirius and Peter went up to their dorm after escorting Remus to the hospital wing. The boys fall asleep before their heads hit their pillows.
Order Headquarters
That Friday Night
Albus Too many middle names Dumbledore waited patiently for the rest of the Order of the Phoenix to arrive. The Weasleys' were hosting the Order tonight. They try not to have meetings in the same place twice in a row if they could help it. This tactic prevents someone outside the Order from finding their location. The meeting was called to discuss any news in regards to Death Eater activity. Recently a muggle woman was found dead by way of the killing curse. She lived alone, in a small, delopitated home near Little Hangleton. There were no signs of a break in or a struggle. The woman's neighbors stated she was a street walker, and she didn't have any relatives or friends.
Arthur and Molly Weasley just put their three children to bed when the final member of the Order arrived. Dumbledore scanned the many faces in the small, crowded dining room. Alastor Moody, Benjy Fenwick, Edgar Bones and his wife, The Prewett brothers, the Potters, Caradoc Dearborn, and Aberforth Dumbledore. Arthur Weasley had recently joined the Order, his wife however, is not an official member due to their children. Albus was a little surprised his younger brother Aberforth was in attendance since they did not get along. The effects of this war has caused them to set aside their differences in order to fight against Voldemort. The tension in the air was quite heavy, not only with the Dumbledore brothers in the same room, but with the severity of the meeting.
Albus cleared his throat, "In light of recent events, we have come to a point in which we need to decide what steps need to be taken to protect our loved ones. The death of this Muggle woman was not a coincidence. She had no family or friends to speak of. The state in which she was found leads me to believe she knew her assailant. Is this about right, Moody?" Alastor Moody being the lead Auror investigating the woman's death, "That is correct Albus. Also, the location of her home near the Riddle home in Little Hangleton could not have been a coincidence." Edgar Bones and Benjy Fenwick nod their heads in agreement. There was something more to this muggle's death, she was targeted for a reason. Finding out why will hopefully help them figure out what Voldemort is up to.
"There is also another matter we need to discuss. However, it is prudent that what is revealed tonight, does not leave this room." Dumbledore assertively states. Giving a moment's pause so everyone could understand the severity of the situation.
Fleamont Potter interrupted everyone's inner monologue, "Something else happened earlier this week, I am not sure who all knows. Those immediately involved have been trying to keep it from getting out to the public. After curfew Monday night, two teenage boys appeared beaten, and bloody on the fifth floor inside Hogwarts." Whispers could be heard speculating what happened. Fleamont continues, "After speaking with one of the boys, we have learned they have travelled from the year 1998. Before they arrived in our time they were battling Death Eaters inside Hogwarts. The other boy is lucky to be alive. He was mauled by Greyback, and has Blood Traitor carved into his back." "The poor dear. What are their names?" Molly asked with tears in her eyes.
Fleamont leans forward in his chair to place his elbows on the table, his face unreadable. "That bit of information is why none of the conversation is to leave this room." He cast a glance towards the Weasleys. "Their names are Draco Malfoy and Ronald Weasley." "WHAT!?" Molly stood up so quickly her chair knocked into her brother Gideon Prewett. Both her and Athur's face have blanched, "Is he the one that.. That?" Arthur trailed off, not able to finish asking the question. The Weasleys' are known as Blood Traitors to the wizarding world.
Fleamont held up his hand to quiet the others, "It was the other boy, Draco Malfoy. Ron explained that Draco was marked at sixteen to protect his mother. But after she was tortured to the point of losing her mind and then murdered by his father, he switched sides. He gave the Order information that would have been critical in his defeat if they believed him. Unfortunately the Order pretty much slammed the door in his face because of his past transgressions and he was a Malfoy."
"Who was in the order in their time? Because I don't believe any one of us would turn him away." Edgar Bones knew Lucius well enough to know he was too prideful to turn away from Voldemort. To hear his son was treated horribly, because he was a Malfoy just sat wrong. "Ron did not give the names of their current Order members. Him and his friends weren't even members yet. He did tell us that Albus gave one of their best friends a task that he must do on his own. So logically, Ron went with him. As well as a Muggleborn witch, Hermione Granger. The three of them were on the run for over a year trying to accomplish this task before being captured by snatchers and taken to Malfoy Manor. That was also the same night Draco switched sides. He escaped with those three after killing his father. I'm sure there's more to the story, Ron feels Draco should fill in the blanks when he wakes up."
Fleamont stopped to get his emotions under control, Euphemia reassured her husband by patting him on the arm before he continued, "If we do not end this war soon then their future will not change. When Draco wakes we will schedule another meeting to figure a plan of action. I will not sit on the side lines just to have children the same age as my son fight on the front line. It should not be their fight. The children should be concentrating on their NEWTs, not whether they're going to survive another day. James and Sirius are thinking about joining the Aurors after graduation for crying out loud! Do we really want this war to be in full swing by then?!" Fleamont's voice getting louder and more distraught by the end.
Moody couldn't agree more, "I say we drill them for every bit of information they can give us. They already altered the future by showing up, might as well use it to our advantage. Before the next meeting we should also figure out a backstory for them. Hide them in plain sight and within reach." That last bit was directed towards Albus, who nods his head. "This meeting adjourned for now. I will send an owl disclosing our next location once I get word that Mr Malfoy is awake." Dumbledore stood to leave, "Until then." He left through the floo before anyone could respond.
Aberforth spent the entire meeting watching everyone, especially his brother. He saw that sparkle in his eyes get brighter. Knowing Albus, he's going to use everyone and take the credit. He clears his throat before anyone else leaves the room, "I for one don't trust my brother. I agree that this war needs to end. However it should be done smartly. Albus wants the wizarding world to worship him as the greatest wizard to ever live. Those boys are nothing more than pawns to him."
Euphemia gathered her handbag and clasped her husband's hand, "You know, that is the same thing Ronald said when we first met him in the hospital wing. Albus wanted to silence him about where, or more of when they came from. Ronald knows the consequences that come with time travel and yet he still told us." Euphemia gazes at Molly, "He is definitely a Weasley, stubborn and brave to a fault. Perhaps we should meet at our home next Saturday evening for dinner. Even if Draco is not awake, we can still converse with Ronald."
The remaining members of the Order came to an agreement to meet next Saturday without Albus to come up with the boys backstories, as well as figure out their next course of action. Everyone returned to their homes with the same statement and questions on their minds. Excluding the Headmaster may be a risky move, however, he has shown no initiative to fight Voldemort. If Dumbledore really wanted this war to end, he could face Voldemort himself and be done with it. Letting inexperienced children go up against him and his followers is only asking for everyone to be slaughtered. Where is he when Hogwarts is under siege? Where are the rest of the adults, not just Order members? When exactly did everything go wrong?
Fleamont went to check on the two time travellers and found them talking in Draco's room. "Oh good, you're awake. Are you in any pain?" Draco was propped up in a semi-sitting position with pillows. "It's bearable sir. Mostly itchy." "Well, that's good to hear. You weren't expected to wake for at least another week. Greensworth is an excellent healer. I know Madam Pomfrey knows how to do her job, but she doesn't usually see injuries this extensive. Greensworth stayed with you Monday night to make sure you wouldn't shift and tear everything open. He did run some tests on your blood after returning to St Mungo's though. You are mildly inflicted with Lycanthropy. You won't shift but he will have some werewolf-like tendencies."
Ron and Draco look to each other, then Draco snickers. "So mood swings, red meat on the bloody side, and an overbearing urge to protect everyone close to me." Fleamont runs his hand through his hair before rubbing the back of his neck, "Sounds about right. You two know someone like that I take it?" They both look down in shame before Ron answers, "My brother Bill. He was attacked by Greyback as well." Fleamont exhales heavily through his nose, "The Order will be meeting next Saturday here for dinner without the Headmaster. Dumbledore is slowly losing everyone's trust. We, the Order, all agreed to not let him stand in the way of ending this war. I said it once and I will probably have to repeat myself later, children should not be on the front lines." He stops to take a deep breath before he makes himself angry, "Alright, if you two need anything feel free to call Dotty. She's our personal elf, the others take care of the house and grounds. Goodnight Ron, Draco." Fleamont walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
"How are you really feeling?" Ron suspected Draco wasn't entirely honest with Mr Potter. He shifts his body on the bed to face Draco completely. "Besides being in the past, I guess I'm glad to be alive. At the same time I know I don't deserve to be. I had so many opportunities to get away from him but I was a coward." "Well now is our chance to change that. Harry and 'Mione must have planned to send at least one of us back. With you here, the Order can get a glimpse of what the Death Eaters were up to. 'Mione even wrote lists of all the known deaths, Death Eaters, Horcrux locations, and all that. We can literally put a stop to this war before James and Lily are killed. Stopping that one event alone would change everything." Ron turns a shade of purple that could match Hermione's bag.
Draco flinches when he tries to get comfortable, "You're right. I hate to admit it, but you're right. We can help end this. I am scared that we will not be able to get back to our own time. Or even if we should go back. I mean, I'm sure you want to go back, but I have no real reason to. I'm afraid that the moment I step into our time, I will be hunted as a Death Eater." Ron looks over his shaking, overwhelmed friend, "I can almost guarantee you won't be treated like a Death Eater. Too many of us saw what was done to you. And with everything you tried to do for the Order, even when they stopped listening you tried to help. That says a lot about how far you've come. From being the snot-nosed spoiled prat hiding behind your father to fighting alongside us. We used to hate each other. Now, we can at least tolerate each other." That got both the boys laughing.
Ron gets up from the bed, stretches and yawns, "I'm knackered. I'll see you in the morning Malfoy." Draco grabs the pillow on the top and scoots down until he is comfortable, "Goodnight Weasley." Ron had already changed into sleepwear after a long, hot shower before checking on Draco. He climbs into the large King-size bed, going over what Draco said, 'Does he really want to return to when they came or make the best of when they are?' He'll figure that out later, sleep is overtaking him.