By: HiBob
Disclaimer: All rights and privileges of these characters belong to JK Rowling.
Claimer: I still hate writing disclaimers, but I get the feeling that it's expected of me. I feel the same way about paying taxes.
INTRODUCTION
When I first began writing fan fiction, I tried my hand at a multi-chapter story which I listed as The Traveler Stone. It was nine chapters long, and ended rather abruptly. After a second attempt, I adopted the habit of writing the story completely before I began posting. I found that I was writing my stories in reaction to the reviews, instead of concentrating on the story line. The first resulting story following this decision was Hogwarts in the Middle, and it was well received. As a result, I have kept to this policy.
This is a revised version of The Traveler Stone, based upon the notes I had made, then discarded. The bulk of the story, in the earlier part is similar but not completely the same as the original story. The later half is altered significantly. I think it is a major improvement over the original story, but only my reviewers can tell me that.
If you have not read the original version, don't feel that you should. I am keeping that story posted for those few who are curious and would like to compare them.
To me, the written word is a living thing, and how well we write shows how much we have grown. (And before anyone else says it, I still have a lot of growing to do).
This story takes place during GoF at an unspecified time between the First and Second Tasks.
*
Chapter One: The Traveler Stone
Dudley Malfoy 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. He had overheard two teachers talking about the 'Traveler Stone' being hidden in one of the rooms.
Dudley 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, they made Dudley feel like an amateur. But then, they did have two years experience on him. He had the advantage, however. He knew that they knew about the stone but they were not aware that he did. Now, all he had to do was to slip back to Slytherin House and get his brother. The Malfoys would be more than a match for the Weasley twins.
Quickly and quietly, Dudley 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. After he felt it was safe, he removed his cloak, folding it up and putting it in the pocket of his robes, a special pocket he had made for that purpose.
Dudley mused 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. It would be fun trying to puzzle it out. Draco was very good at figuring out how things worked, while Dudley was good at figuring out how to use them. The Traveler Stone could be a great find.
He had not been paying attention to his surroundings when Dudley suddenly realized that something was not right. He looked around carefully, but saw nothing out of place. Then he noticed it. An old closet he had passed. There was a faint reddish glow 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
"I love rainy sundays" Dudley said to himself.
The door was locked, of course. On the other hand, Dudley 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. "Alohamora," 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,' he thought as he reached out and grabbed 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 learn what might have been." Just as suddenly as he had frozen, Dudley could move again, and when he opened his hand the jewel was gone.
Dudley 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," Dudley called out, running up to the man, "I found something."
"What did you call me?" Snape demanded in anger.
"Uncle Severus," Dudley said meekly, his fear creeping into his voice.
"You will call me Professor or Sir, and nothing else," Snape said furiously. "Who do you think you are to speak to me like that?"
Young Malfoy was confused. This wasn't the way his uncle normally acted. Afraid for no reason he could understand, the fourteen-year-old boy carefully formed his next words.
"I thought I was, uh, Dudley Malfoy, 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?" Dudley asked in relief.
"No," Snape replied, "I was looking for someone else." As they walked he asked, "Where are your glasses?"
"What glasses?"
"Never mind," Snape said, and they kept walking.
*
"What is it, Severus?" Dumbledore asked, looking up at the Potions Professor and the black-haired boy.
"I found this boy wandering the halls," Snape said, "He appears to be under the delusion that we are related."
"I'm sorry, Headmaster," Dudley said, "I don't understand what is happening. Professor Snape was my uncle this morning."
"Then something must have changed from this morning," Dumbledore said in a pleasant voice. "Did anything happen to you today that was unusual, Harry?"
"Excuse me, Sir?"
"Did anything unusual happen?"
"Yes sir, but I meant, I mean, I thought you called me Harry."
Dumbledore looked concerned, and said, "Did I? I apologize. I mistook you for someone named Harry Potter. Do you know him?"
"No sir. I've never heard the name before," Dudley said. Then he remembered the words that he had heard. "I found something, Headmaster, a red jewel, and when I touched it . . ."
Dumbledore looked up in surprise and understanding. "We call it the Traveler Stone," he explained, "and now I know what has happened, my boy. I am afraid I must ask who you are."
"Dudley Malfoy, Headmaster."
"Merlin's Beard," Snape exclaimed, "Albus, is this possible? Is he telling the truth?"
"Mr. Malfoy is here, Severus. It must be possible. You do understand the implications." Dumbledore looked at the boy carefully as if he were trying to memorize his features, and asked him, "You are aware what has happened, Dudley, that you are no longer in your own world."
"Yes, Headmaster," Dudley replied, "but it is a bit frightening to hear you say it."
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 bring Draco 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."
"Of course, Albus," Snape said, and left hurriedly.
"Would you care for some tea, Dudley?" Dumbledore offered.
"Yes, please," Dudley said, "and thank you, Sir. It is good to know that some things have not changed."
Dumbledore returned the boy's smile, and noticed that he was beginning to relax. "Which house are you in, Dudley?" Albus asked in a conversational tone.
"Slytherin, of course," Dudley said, then after a pause added, "Is Uncle Severus still Head of House?"
"Yes he is, but in this world he is definitely not your uncle," Albus said with an encouraging smile.
"I did notice, Sir," Dudley said with a polite laugh, "but may I ask, is Father here?"
"Your father?" asked Dumbledore in a puzzled voice, "Why would Lucius Malfoy be here?"
Dudley responded, "Sir, in my world he teaches here. Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Interesting," Dumbledore said. "In our world your father is at Malfoy Manor. But if you don't mind, I would like to know how he came to the school."
"It was before the beginning of term, my third year," Dudley said. "I suppose I should tell you exactly what happened, Sir. We were in Diagon Alley shopping. I felt someone touch my shoulder, and then everything went dark. 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 and shouted at him, drawing my own wand. We shouted our curses at each other at the same time."
Dudley told the headmaster 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 himself James, said my father was a good man but he could not hold out much longer. He said they would help me but that I should hurry to Father. As I stumbled forward, 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 the rest of the family was 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."
"Dudley, if I understand you correctly, Lord Voldemort was restored to his body, and your father fought him?" Albus asked, amazed at what he had been told.
"Yes sir," Dudley answered. "We had nothing when we arrived here. Voldemort launched an attack on us, and our estate with all our holdings was destroyed. You offered Father a teaching position to keep us from having to accept charity." Dudley paused, and added in a soft voice, "He appreciates that more than you realize."
"I'm sorry to hear about your family's misfortune," Albus told the boy, "but it is reassuring to know that family means so much to your father."
"Yes, Sir. Father's relationship with Voldemort had become strained after the Dark Lord had seized the Philosopher Stone . . ."
Dumbledore was startled to here that statement, and Dudley paused in curiosity. "In our world," the headmaster explained, "Voldemort was thwarted in his attempt to steal that very stone, and it was destroyed."
"You are fortunate, Headmaster," Dudley told him, "The aurors succeeded in destroying the Philosopher Stone as well, but at great cost. Lord Voldemort had already prepared enough of the Elixir of Life to sustain himself until he could restore himself completely."
"Mister Malfoy, I must ask you this, and please answer me carefully. When you touched the Traveler Stone, you were not merely put in this world, you were exchanged for your counterpart, who apparently had touched the stone at the same moment. What will he find when he gets there?"
"I think I understand what you are asking, Sir," Dudley said. "I don't know what your world is like, but I am sure you are not facing the problems we have. To be blunt, Sir, we are at war. Hogwarts still operates as a school but it is more like a fortress. It is one of the few safe places left."
Dumbledore listened to what the boy told him, and said, "I must ask you to be careful with what you say while you are with us, Dudley. You should know that while we are facing dangers here, we are not in as serious a situation. What you say could have an unforseen impact on our world."
Dudley nodded in agreement, "I know that, Headmaster. The first thing we are taught at school is to not speak about certain things. I learned early that your office is one of the few places we can talk openly."
There was a knock at the door, and Professor McGonagall entered the office. Behind her were Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley.
"Please seat yourselves," Dumbledore said to the new arrivals, as he waved his arm and caused five chairs to appear.
"Is something . . ." Hermione began but was interrupted.
"Please, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said, "I will explain everything shortly. I am only waiting for . . . Ah, here they are now."
Professor Snape ushered Draco Malfoy into the room, depositing him into the chair next to Dudley. Dudley smiled and patted Draco on the shoulder in reassurance.
"Why did you do that?" Ron asked in confusion.
"Because he's my brother, you stupid weasel," Dudley answered with a sneer.
"This is going to be fun, Albus. I can't wait to start," Snape said with a frown.
Dumbledore cleared his throat, "Pardon me, everyone, but this is not Harry Potter." He motioned to Dudley, who stood up.
"Permit me to introduce myself, My name is Dudley Malfoy, fourth form, Slytherin House." Looking specifically at Ron, he added, "My friends call me Dudley, please feel free to call me Mr. Malfoy."
Ron began to get angry, despite his surprise, but one glance from Dumbledore kept him quiet. The Headmaster started to explain about the Traveler Stone but was immediately interrupted by Draco.
"Are you saying, sir, that there is another world somewhere where he is my brother?"
"Yes," answered Snape, "and I, unfortunately, am your uncle."
Draco groaned.
"If I may continue," Dumbledore said, "Dudley Malfoy, in his own world, came upon the Traveler Stone, and touched it. As a result, he has traded places with Harry Potter."
"Professor," Hermione asked, "Couldn't he touch the stone again and return home?"
"Alas, my dear. If he were to touch the Stone while in our world, he would be trapped here permanently, and Harry would be lost to us."
"There's no fear of that, anyway," Dudley volunteered. "The Traveler Stone disappeared after I touched it. I have no idea where it is now."
"No, it didn't," Dumbledore corrected, "It is merely that I have hidden the Stone in a different place than my counterpart in your world."
"Then how can he get back to his world?" Hermione asked, confused
. Dumbledore explained. "In all known cases, the subjects involved returned at some indistinct time, usually within a week but sometimes it would happen months later. In rare cases, the subject never returned to his own world. Experts on the subject agree that his counterpart had probably died and could not return. As Dudley is here with us, we can only assume that Harry also touched the Traveler Stone and is now having a similar conversation with . . . me."
As everyone came to terms with what happened, Hermione turned to Dudley and asked, "Harry, sorry, Dudley, where are your glasses?"
Dudley glared across the top of the cup of tea he was drinking. "I don't wear glasses," he sneered, "what makes you think I did, Miss Braniac?"
"Don't talk to her that way," Ron yelled. "We're your friends."
Dudley yelled back, "What makes you think I would want to be friends with a red-haired worm?"
"Nice phrase," Draco said.
"Shut up, Malfoy," Hermione shouted.
"Mudblood," both Dudley and Draco yelled back. Then they looked at each other and laughed.
Turning to Dumbledore, Draco said, "I like him, Professor. Can we keep him?"
"Perhaps everyone would like a round of detention instead of continuing this conversation?" Professor McGonagall offered.
As the students quieted, Dumbledore suggested, "It might be useful if we were to compare notes, find out what we have in common with Dudley, and what is different. It would help him fit in."
"Yeah, right," muttered Ron.
Ignoring the remark, the Headmaster asked Dudley to explain his family relationship.
"Well, Sir. I've already told you that Draco is my brother, and I'm sure it will be no surprise to anyone when I tell you that I was adopted."
"If I may interrupt," Severus Snape said with extreme politeness, "Could you explain how it is that I am your uncle." Snape then glared Ron Weasley into silence when the boy started to make a remark.
Dudley smiled warmly at the Potions Professor. "It happened when Father broke ranks with Voldemort."
"Father is involved with Voldemort? You have to explain that first," Draco insisted.
"I won't go into any details," Dudley said, eyeing Professor Dumbledore, "but it was obviously because of me. As it happened, our Aunt Rose followed us to Hogwarts. She had been recently widowed."
"Lucky for her," Draco muttered, "Here, she's still stuck with that idiot Grandfather forced her to marry."
"Please, Draco," Dudley said politely, "Do you always have to interrupt with some remark. I can never have a decent conversation with you around."
"But you make my Aunt Rose sound so sad."
"She wore black for almost an entire day."
"That would be like Aunt Rose," Draco admitted. "How did that skinflint die?"
"No one could prove anything but it was rumored that he was poisoned," Dudley answered, and both boys turned to look at a surprised Snape. "It wasn't you, Uncle," Dudley quickly added with a grin. "She didn't even know you then."
"And I married this woman?" Snape asked.
"It was literally a whirlwind courtship, Uncle, um sorry, Sir. The two of you married shortly after the beginning of term last year. Cassie was the flower girl."
"Cassie?" Severus asked.
"I suppose you don't call her that. Cassandra, my sister," Dudley said, then looked at Draco and added, "our sister."
As an awkward silence grew, Dumbledore said, "Dudley, you should know. In this world, Draco is an only child."
"I'm sure it is our loss not to know her, Dudley," Snape said, putting a consoling hand on his shoulder.
The conversation was interrupted by Ron's laughter.
"What's so funny?" Dudley asked, biting off the word, weasel.
Ron was saved by Professor McGonagall's intercession. "You should know, Mister Malfoy, that in our world, Professor Snape and Harry Potter do not get along. It is ironic to find the two of you as relatives."
"That is an understatement," Snape added. "Harry Potter is always running around this school causing mischief. Too many times he has come to class unprepared. And he has an attitude of total disregard for authority." Snape realized he was almost yelling, and forced himself to calm down. "I am happy to say he is nothing like you have shown yourself to be, Dudley. Please don't let my words upset you."
"Yes, Sir," Dudley said, and quickly turned away, rolling his eyes. This was definitely his uncle. He looked up to see everyone else giving him a bemused smile. "Excuse me, Headmaster," he said to change the subject. "In my world, Father teaches at this school, but you mentioned that he is not here. Who teaches that course?"
"That would be Professor Moody," Albus told him. "Do you know him?"
"Only by reputation, Sir. He was a famous auror in his time, and is now retired."
"He is here this year to help us out," Dumbledore explained, "because of the Tri-Wizard Tournament."
"Ahh," Dudley said smiling, "I had heard from Father about plans to revive the competition. It's wonderful that you've actually done so. Who represents Hogwarts?"
"You do," Draco said with a wicked grin.
"Me? How?"
"We think you slipped your name in." Draco laughed.
"You tried as well. Didn't you?" Dudley asked
Draco paused, and the smile became a frown. "Dudley, we aren't friends in this world, much less brothers. Here, I like you as much as Snape does."
Dudley blinked his eyes as he digested what Draco told him. It seemed impossible. His brother, his best friend, was his enemy. He could not understand it.
"I'm sorry," Draco said softly, and brushed some nonexistent hair out of his eyes.
"Remus Lupin was our Defense Professor last year," Hermione said, and received an appreciative look from Dudley for changing the subject. "Have you heard of him?"
"I have," Dudley admitted, "but not as a teacher. He was the first werewolf cured by the potion Uncle Severus developed. Uncle received the Order of Merlin for that." He smiled proudly when he said that last part.
Albus noticed the uncomfortable look on Severus' face and quickly asked, "Dudley, I believe you said your father started teaching here last year. Who taught the Defense Class before he came here?"
"It was Sirius Black, Sir." Dudley answered, "Please tell me you have heard of him?"
"We have," Dumbledore said with a nod of his head. "But you should know. In our world he is your Godfather . . ."
Dudley's eyes lit up in awe. "The Minister of Magic is MY Godfather?" His smile wilted as he saw the Headmaster avoid looking at him. No one else would look at him except Draco who smiled weakly and shrugged his shoulders, "Dudley, uh, um . . ."
"What is it?" Dudley asked, trying to imagine the worst possible things. Carefully, he asked, "He's not in Azkaban, is he?"
"Well, NO," Draco said, "He escaped."
"Are you telling me that the Minister of Magic is actually an escaped convict?" Dudley asked in disbelief.
"He's also your Godfather," Draco reminded him, then smiled wickedly again. "I understand the two of you are very close."
After the two Slytherins stopped laughing (helped along by the two Gryffindors looking very annoyed), Dudley asked who had taught the class instead.
"Our second year we had Gilderoy Lockhart," Ron mentioned.
"I've never heard of him," Dudley replied.
"You're lucky," almost everyone answered.
Trying not to laugh, Dudley asked who taught their first year. Hermione Granger answered with a frown.
"You had Useless as a teacher?" Dudley asked in amazement. "In our world, Quirrell was made Assistant Groundskeeper. He was a charity case." Then his look darkened, and he said, "except at the end. Someone found a use for him."
"That someone had the same use for him in this world, as well," Dumbledore said, "Some things are not that different."
"I am curious," Severus Snape asked at one point. "How did Sirius Black become Minister?"
"Partly because of his capture of an escaped prisoner," Dudley said, smiling at the irony. "The murderer, Peter Pettigrew."
"What happened, Dudley?" Dumbledore asked when the boy went quiet.
"You should know, Sir, that Pettigrew managed to get away before he could be returned to Azkaban. And it was my fault. I did it in a moment of compassion, but then, I also had other things on my mind."
Dudley gave Weasley a pointed look and, from his reaction, understood that there was another similarity between their two worlds. Apparently Potter had let Pettigrew escape, because he was more concerned with saving his friend's life.
*
"It is time to eat," Dumbledore told everyone. "It would be best to conclude our discussion at this point. I hope, Mister Malfoy, that this has been of help to you."
"It was surprising," Draco said, then stopped when he realized he was not the Malfoy being referred to. He smiled with amusement at his new brother, and let him answer.
"I will agree with Draco," Dudley admitted, "You've told me a great deal that seems almost impossible." He paused. "Wait. I've had a thought. Where do I go during holiday?"
"You spend the summer with your aunt and uncle, the Dursleys," Dumbledore explained.
"They're alive? My parents are alive!"
"Vernon and Petunia Dursley are not your parents in this world," McGonagall told him, "but they do have a son named Dudley."
"They don't like you either," Draco added helpfully.
"Dudley?" Professor McGonagall asked, "We're sorry to shock you, but . . ."
"I understand, Professor. But in my world, they did love me."
"Dinner calls," Dumbledore reminded them. "Dudley, feel free to use your discretion when you talk to anyone. I will not ask you to hide who you are. But I must ask you to take your meals with the Gryffindors."
"But why, Sir? I didn't do anything wrong."
Albus looked more bemused at the reactions from Dudley's remark, than from the remark itself. Severus smiled and Draco laughed, while Minerva and her two students gave withering frowns.
"It is not you, my dear boy. Your counterpart is in Gryffindor, and should he suddenly return, he would be heavily distraught to find himself in Slytherin."
"Then he'll be sleeping in Harry's bed?" Ron asked, in a not very happy voice.
"He will be taking Mister Potter's place in all things, including the classes he goes to, and which house he stays in. And please stop groaning, Dudley. It is not the end of the world."
"If you say so, Headmaster," Dudley answered doubtfully.
"I'll show you where the Great Hall is," Draco offered, and grinned at Dudley's annoyed response.
"Draco, this is terrible," Dudley said as they walked down the hallway, with Weasley and Granger behind them. "Do you know what I've walked into? You aren't my brother. You don't like me. My sister doesn't even exist. Uncle Severus hates me. My original parents are alive but they hate me. My only other relative is an escaped murderer. And on top of that, I'm in Gryffindor."
"If it's of any help, Father hates you as well."
"This Harry Potter must be a complete failure."
"He is," Draco agreed, "he's nothing like you at all."
"That's not true," Ron shouted, then added cheerfully. "Dudley, you're going to love it here, taking Harry's place. Harry's the most popular guy in school."
"And you and the Weasel are best friends," Draco supplied.
"We are?" asked Dudley, letting the thought drearily sink in.
"Yes," added Hermione, "the two of you are inseparable."
"You mean the three of us," Ron amended. They watched in amusement as Dudley groaned. Then Dudley surprised them by laughing.
"Do you know," he explained, "at this moment, in my world, Draco probably has his arm around Harry Potter and is telling him, 'Don't worry, I am your brother and I will take care of you.'"
All four were still laughing when they entered the Great Hall.