by Hibob
Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns all of the characters, even where the names have been changed to confuse the ignorant.
Warning: GOF spoiler
Del had heard the rumors. Something secret was hidden within Hogwarts walls. That was nothing new. There were probably a hundred secret things hidden at Hogwarts. But this secret was one that could be found. Del had overheard two teachers talking about the 'traveler stone' being hidden in one of the rooms. He was not noticed as he listened in on the conversation. (It pays to have an invisibility cloak.) Nor were the Weasley twins noticed. With their ability to hide in dark corners made Del felt like an amateur, but then they did have two years experience on him. He had the advantage though, he knew that they knew about the stone but they did not know that he did. Now, all he had to do was to slip back to Slytherin and get his brother. He and Draco would be more than a match for the twins. He slipped away and ran up the first staircase he came to. It would do no good if he were followed, even by accident, so he deliberately headed back on a roundabout path,
Del removed his cloak after he felt it was safe, folding it up and putting it in his coat pocket. He was musing about the traveler stone. The idea of being able to go anywhere was an enticing thought even though he had no idea how it would work. He had not been paying attention to his surroundings but he suddenly realized that something was not right. He looked around carefully for a couple of minutes to no effect. Then he noticed it, An old closet he had just passed. There was a faint reddish light along the bottom of the door. It was so faint that if there had been any light from outside he would have never been able to spot it. "Thank God for rainy sundays" he said to himself.
The door was locked, of course. On the other hand, Del was a wizard with a wand. Carefully looking around to make sure he was alone, he took out his wand and pointed it at the door. "Alohomora," he said as softly as he could, and the door opened. His heart raced as he looked inside the closet. Floating in the air about four feet off the ground was a small red jewel, shining with a soft inner glow.
'Draco will love this,' Del thought as he reached out to grab the jewel. Suddenly, he froze, unable to move. At the same moment a voice spoke in his head, "Come, Traveler, to learn what other path might have brought you here. Cross over to another plane and see what might have been." Just as suddenly as he had frozen, Del could move again, and when he opened his hand the jewel was gone.
Del slammed the door closed and ran as fast as he could to Slytherin House, trying to control his fear the entire time. He was almost to the entrance when he saw Professor Snape coming the other way. "Uncle Severus," Del called out, running up to the man, "I found something." "What did you call me," Snape demanded in anger? "Uncle Severus," Del said meekly, his fear creeping into his voice. Snape became furious, "You will call me Professor or Sir, and nothing else. Whom do you think you are to speak to me like that?" Del was confused. This wasn't the way his uncle normally acted. His fear reaching a peak, he spoke softly. "I thought I was Del, uh, Dudley, Sir, and that you were my Uncle, Severus Snape."
Snape looked at the boy and slowly nodded. "Well, Professor Dumbledore wants to speak with you right away." "Then you were looking for me," Del asked. "No," Snape replied, "I was looking for someone else." As they walked Snape asked, "Where are your glasses?" "What glasses?" asked Del in return. "Never mind," said Snape, and they kept walking.
Dumbledore looked up at Snape and the black-haired boy. "What is it, Severus?" The Potions Professor explained how he had discovered the boy coming out of an old closet, and the short conversation that followed. Smiling at Del, the headmaster asked him to sit down and explain what had happened. Del quickly told about overhearing the two teachers, although he did not say how. It was obvious from his smile, however, that Dumbledore already knew. The boy then explained about how he found the stone and touched it. Dumbledore looked at Del carefully as if he were trying to memorize his features. "You are aware what has happened, Dudley, that you are no longer in your own world." "Yes, Headmaster," Del replied, "but it is a bit frightening to here it said. But if you please, sir, call me Del." When the Headmaster arched an eyebrow, he explained, "A friend of mine began calling me that. When her little brother tried to say my name it came out as Del, and the nickname stuck."
Dumbledore quickly wrote a message on a piece of parchment. When he had finished,, he waved his wand. The parchment disappeared in a flash of light. He then looked up at the Potions Professor. "Severus," he asked, "Please fetch Mr. Malfoy to my office, I have already contacted Minerva. It would be best to have those most affected by what has happened to be the first to hear the explanation."
When Snape had left, Dumbledore offered Del a cup of tea, which the boy gratefully accepted. After a pause, he asked, "Is my father here, also?" "Your father?" asked Dumbledore in a puzzled voice, "Why would Lucius Malfoy be here?" Del responded, "Sir, in my world he teaches here, Defense Against the Dark Arts." Dumbledore added, "Del, in our world your father is still at Malfoy Manor. But, if you don't mind, I would like to know how he came to be at the school."
"It was just before the beginning of term," Del said, "We had gone to the World Quidditch Finals, Ireland vs. Bulgaria. Ireland won, by the way. That night, after the match, the Death Eaters had a demonstration, but father made us stay in the tent. We listened to him this time, and it was as I lay in bed that I was attacked.
"I awoke in a cemetery with my hands tied to a gravestone, my right arm bleeding. Lord Voldemort was shouting at my father about how I was the heir of his enemy and, to prove his loyalty, my father must kill me. Instead father used his wand to release me. He told me to run, then turned to attack the other Death Eaters. As I was running, I turned around to see Voldemort raising his wand. I stopped running and shouted at him, drawing my own wand. We shouted our curses at each other at the same time."
Del told the two men about the battle of wills between the Dark Lord and himself, and how he barely won. He then related how the spirits of those killed by Voldemort came out of the wand and promised to help him. "One of them, who called herself Lily, said my father was a good man but he could not hold out much longer. She said they would help me but that I should hurry to him. As I stumbled toward father, I noticed everyone appeared stunned by what had happened. Father used the chance to grab me, and apparated with me back to the Manor, where mother and Draco were already waiting.
"Father called all the servants, telling them all contracts were cancelled, and handed out any piece of clothing available to the house elves to free them. He then told everyone to flee as quickly as possible. We were the last to leave, using floo powder to get to Hogsmeade Tavern. From there we ran to Hogwarts. We barely made it, Sir, they were right behind us."
"We had nothing when we arrived here. Voldemort launched an attack on us, and our estate with all our holdings were destroyed. You offered him a teaching position to keep us from having to accept charity. Father appreciates that more than you realize." Del said those last words in a soft voice, showing his appreciation as well.
Dumbledore took in everything Del had said, offering his regrets at what had happened. Then added, "While we are facing dangers here, we are not in as serious a situation in our world. What you have said could have an unfavorable impact on our world." Del nodded in agreement, "I know that, Headmaster, the first thing we are taught at school is to not talk about certain things. I learned early that your office is one of the few places we can talk openly."
A short time later, Del received a shock when Professor McGonagall entered the office with, of all people, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasel. Del received another surprise when Granger gave him a small wave. Then he became confused when she became confused by his reaction.
As the new arrivals seated themselves, the door opened again. This time Professor Snape entered with Draco. "Harry, What's he doing here," hissed Ronald. At this, Del lost his temper. "Because he's my brother, you stupid weasel," he shouted. Now, Draco was confused. Confusion clearly was the emotion of the moment.