A/N: I have corrected several errors today. Rose Zeller has been given back her proper name, and Roger Davies is now back in Ravenclaw. I have to learn to stop writing after midnight on work days.

I have to make note of Romm's review. It brings to mind a wonderful youth of watching my favorite show.



CHAPTER THIRTY TWO: TIME RUNS OUT


"Are you still teaching your classes?" Hermione asked, when she and Malcolm were alone in the library.

"Why not?" Malcolm said. "Umbridge is convinced that nothing is going on. I know she looks through the window into the classroom on an irregular basis, but she never looks inside."

"But she doesn't trust you at all? How have you been able to get away with it?"

"Dewey. She's convinced that he'll tell her anything I do that I not supposed to. You know what's stupid. He snitches on me about anything that isn't related to the class."

"And he does that to show her he can be trusted."

"He does it because it's fun."

Hermione was confused, but admitted to herself that they were talking about Dewey. "Then why does he keep the secret about the class."

Malcolm gave her a funny look. "What do you mean? Something like that, it's family. He knows I'm doing it to spite Umbridge. You should understand that."

Hermione began to say no, then stopped. "Family?" Understanding came in a flash. "But he would tell your mom in an instant if he thought you would be punished."

"Right."

"And if it were Reese, instead of Umbridge, he would tell anybody."

Malcolm wavered. "It depends. If he thought Reese would get the worst of it, he might keep his mouth shut."

Hermione smiled. "But Umbridge acted against you, and Dewey automatically took your side."

"Yeah, that's about it. We both picked up on her attitude the first day we saw her. I knew she would hate us anyway, so I told Dewey how to act. Since he gets to be mean to me when people are around, he went for it."

"You planned this from the first day?"

"Not all of this. Dad made me promise to help keep Nob safe. That's how we got involved in all of this."

"Wizard's promise?"

Malcolm nodded. "The same thing. I promised my Dad and it was something important, to us anyway. I had it all worked out. Once Umbridge took over, we would arrange a hearing, but then I was talking to Dobby and had a better idea, and a faster one. Nob is safe now from anybody trying to take him away, but that left me worse off with Umbridge than I had planned. You do know that I am relieved from taking any classes?"

"That is common knowledge."

"Did you know that I've been forbidden to take any classes?"

"Forbidden?"

"As of this morning. Umbridge told me immediately after breakfast. All I am supposed to do is sit in her classroom and make sure everyone reads. Until recently, she only showed up for three classes of her own, including yours. Defense class is the biggest joke in the school. Except for the first years, and a few second years who came by to talk, no one has been in that classroom for months. And Umbridge didn't bother to notice."

"I can't believe that," Hermione said. "She's not that stupid."

"She's that arrogant. She refuses to believe how everyone really sees her. Even that girl from Ravenclaw that snitched on you didn't tell. Why should she give up a free period?"

Hermione nodded. "And Malfoy and his friends didn't tell either. They're only taking advantage of the situation."

Malcolm smiled. "Doesn't that make you feel better?"

"No. Your cousin is still . . ."

A lone firework came flying into the library at that point, a remnant of the display the twins put on in honor of Umbridge's promotion. Malcolm went to the door and held it open, while Hermione caused a small breeze to blow it back outside.

When he sat down again, Malcolm told her, "Do you know what I do now? I sit in her class and watch her sit in the class watching the kids sit in the class."

"How are you dealing with it?"

"I'm thinking I'll talk to Fred and George. They've always been good for ideas."

"Then classes are over?"

"For a while. Dewey's working on Umbridge, with a few choice comments about what I'm good for."

Madam Pince came over to the table. "Malcolm, the," she paused as a distasteful look crossed her face, "the headmistress wants to see you."

Malcolm smiled at Hermione, who rolled her eyes.

*

"Hem. Hem. Malcolm, have you done as I have asked?"

"Yeah," Malcolm admitted. "Madam Pomfrey gave me a potion that will prevent, um, induced illness. It only lasts for an hour but she warned me that it has a couple of side effects."

"And that is?"

"Did you ever smell a dungbomb?"

Umbridge raised her eyebrows. "I regret to say that I have. Why?"

"Well, that's the side effect. You can make the students take the potion but they smell, um, bad the whole time."

"And the other side effect?"

"It's age specific. She has plenty for the first years. Below a certain age, they can take the potion almost immediately, but she needs a week to age the potion for the second years, two weeks for the third years, and so on."

Umbridge thought briefly. "Tell Madam Pomfrey to keep making the potions for the first years, and I will test them. If they are satisfactory, I will tell her to make the potions for the other classes."

*

Malcolm stood waiting in the DADA classroom with ten vials of a revolting looking potion. Headmistress Umbridge sat at her desk smiling maliciously as the first year Gryffindors entered the room. One by one, he distributed each potion, while Umbridge observed to make sure it was consumed. Almost immediately, a horrible odor filled the room.

"Hem. Hem. Malcolm, you may monitor this class. I," she coughed twice, "have my official duties."

Umbridge walked out of the room.

Malcolm looked at the class. "Most of you should remember what to do."

Matthew Zeller grinned and grabbed hold of his nose. "I do not smell a thing." Nine other student followed his actions and the air cleared almost instantly."

"The question is," Malcolm said, "do you want to continue with classes. It will be dangerous, and I can't guarantee that classes will occur on a regular basis."

One by one, the students pulled out their wand and set them on their desks as they took their seats.

"Today, we will talk about offensive spells. You may want to take notes. I'll be describing the most common hexes and their counter curses. If there is time, I'll give you some practical experience. The hexes I will be discussing are . . ."

*

"Malcolm?" Fred asked.

"They worked."

"And?" George asked.

"They taste terrible. You really have to work on that part."

"That should be no problem," George admitted.

"Now that we know the Weasley Stinker works as a potion," Fred concluded.

*

Two weeks later, Hermione was in the library, when Malcolm joined her.

"You're teaching again?"

"Yeah. Umbridge liked Madam Pomfrey's potion so much she's having me monitor the second years again as well."

"Madam Pomfrey's potion?"

"Yeah, Fred and George managed to make their Weasley stinker into a potion, but it tastes terrible. They're still working on that part of it."

"How many vials did they have?"

"They only had fifty, but I used most of them to show Umbridge that it works. Now I give the kids lemon juice since she watches from the other side of the door."

"That constitutes an act of fraud."

"Any student may complain at any time that I did not give him or her the proper potion."

Madam Pince ordered them to be quiet when they started laughing.

"Speaking of the Twins'," Hermione asked, "have the first years been using any of their, um, products?

"Of course not. That's why Dewey suggested it."

"It was Dewey's idea?"

"Yeah, protect yourself against something that isn't happening. It helps keep the teacher, I'm sorry, the headmistress on her toes."

"Do you need any help?" Hermione offered.

"Well, I've already thought about giving them a final and grading them. To let them know exactly where they stand. I can handle the written test, but I'll need help giving them the practicals."

"And I'll be doing my OWLS. Sorry, Malcolm."

"I'll work it out. I'll need to ask them first."

"And if they say no?"

Malcolm cocked his head curiously. "I don't think they will. It's funny, but I think they want to continue with the game. I know they like learning the spells, but I think they like the danger of it. You know. They might get in trouble for doing what they're supposed to be doing."

"In my first year," Hermione admitted, "I would have refused on principle. It is funny when you think about it, because you are the one with principle."

Malcolm shook his head. "I don't want to hear about how much I've matured."

Hermione grinned. "You are the proof that principle and maturity are not dependent upon each other."

"Thank you. I think."

*

Malcolm checked the hallway carefully before he closed the door.

[I am officially Paranoid.]

He turned around and addressed the Hufflepuffs. "Did any of you have a chance to practice the Jelly Legs curse." He pointed his wand at the boy on the floor who was trying to crawl into his chair and called out the counter curse. "Did anyone practice before coming to this class?"

Amid the quiet laughter, Malcolm pointed to Rose Zeller and another girl. "Choose who goes first, and the other stand in the middle of the cushions I've piled over there."

"Sir?" one of the students pointed at the door.

"Hey, Malcolm," ten year old Dewey said as he walked into the classroom.

"What are you doing here? You're supposed to be in school."

"There was a suspicious fire. We had a half day." Dewey looked up angrily, "I didn't do it."

"Fine. You're innocent until proven guilty. What do you want?"

Dewey shrugged his shoulders. "Peeves said you were here. I thought I'd say hi."

Malcolm frowned. "You thought you'd bother me in class."

"Yeah, the toad lady gets mad when I show up."

[I know they're laughing. I'd laugh too if I didn't have to deal with Dewey.]

"Malcolm, are you the teacher?"

"Yeah, Dewey. I'm the teacher. The toad lady didn't want to stay."

Dewey's face lit up. "Can I help you teach?"

Malcolm smiled. "Sure you can. Class, we will be testing our curses on my little brother, so grab your wands. Dewey, stand against the wall over there so everyone has a clear shot."

Dewey fled the room as quickly as he had entered.

[And I called him stupid.]

EJ and Amber were walking down the hallway trying to think of a good reason for being late to class when Dewey barreled into them.

"Dewey?" EJ asked. "Why are you running? What happened?"

"They didn't follow?" Dewey asked, and looked back to see if anyone was coming. "Malcolm was teaching a class and he was going to make everyone curse me."

"Malcolm doesn't teach any classes," EJ told him. "He's only sitting there to watch them read."

"But they were standing up and holding their wands." Dewey was puzzled. "Then Malcolm isn't a teacher?"

EJ shook his head.

Dewey grinned. "Then that means he's not supposed to teach. And I know who to tell."

EJ and Amber watched as Dewey quickly ran off. They looked at each other quizzically, then walked to the DADA classroom. EJ saw everyone sitting there, reading as usual, and opened the door to see what was really going on."

"That was good, Mitchell. Now try the counter curse," they heard Malcolm say. He turned around. "Come in and close the door."

Once they were inside, Malcolm turned and cast the counter curse on Mitchell's partner then turned back. "I need you to promise not to tell anybody."

Amber stared in awe. "You are teaching!"

"He's a great teacher, too," one of the girls offered. "You won't tell, will you?"

EJ's eyes went wide. "I don't have to. Dewey is going to."

"WHAT?" Malcolm asked calmly.

"We didn't know. We told him you weren't a teacher and he ran off saying he knew who to tell."

Malcolm thought furiously, "He'll probably tell Snape. I need help. Vector might know what to do. Look, I've got to go."

"Wait a minute," EJ said. "Where are you going?"

"Professor Vector. She should know have to handle this. If Umbridge hears about this, and believes Little Dewey, we're all dead."

"Will it work?"

"Somehow it will," Dewey said, and they looked to see the first year Slytherin standing there.

"And why are you here?'

"I wanted to watch, so I ditched my class. I know what's going to happen but I never knew how. Like with Nob getting adopted."

"Well, I'm not wasting any time," Malcolm said, and told the class they were dismissed. He then transformed and flew out of the window and up to the floor where Professor Vector had her office.

[It's a lot faster than taking the stairs.]

As he changed back and turned the corner to the corridor where her office was, he saw Dewey. His younger brother was looking back at him. Dewey was scared at first but quickly smiled as he realized that Malcolm could not stop him in time. Dewey opened the door of the office and ran inside, slamming the door closed behind him.

Malcolm paused as he realized that Dewey ran into Vector's office. He then ran as quickly as he could, to surprise Dewey before his brother realized that the Arithmancy Professor would not help him.

With more force than necessary Malcolm opened the door wide and stepped in. The door made a thud as it hit something and bounced back. There was the sound of glass breaking followed by a flash of light.

"Come in Malcolm," Professor Vector said calmly. "I was telling Dewey not to hide behind the door but he doesn't like to listen."

Malcolm looked behind the door but saw no one there, although there were pieces of broken glass on the floor. He noticed that one shard seemed to be sticking in the wall as it rested on the doorstop.

"It is a false wall," Vector said calmly. "With a very interesting device behind it. Don't put your hand in there unless you want to join your brother."

Malcolm turned around slowly. "There's a time machine behind that wall?"

"I wouldn't call it a machine, but yes. A simple doorstop keeps the door from hitting the wall, and the glass case is enchanted to feel like wood. The false wall is there for general use. It is usually very convenient."

"And Dewey?"

"He had a couple of minor cuts, and a bad case of shock when I found him, but he recovered quickly."

Malcolm shook his head. "It was my fault after all."

Vector nodded. "Yes it was, now that I know what happened. Why didn't you open the door in the normal fashion."

"I, well, I, you see," Malcolm stammered.

"You wanted to give your little brother a scare."

Malcolm nodded. "I thought it would be funny. He was . . ."

"He told me," Vector said.

"Was I right?" Dewey said from the doorway. EJ and Amber looked on from behind him

"Completely," Professor Vector said. "I owe you one Chocolate Sundae on our next trip together to Diagon Alley."

Malcolm almost laughed. "Then that's how you knew about my teaching the class."

Vector smiled with him. "And five minutes after meeting Dolores Umbridge, I eagerly awaited the chance to help you. I fear she is not very well liked."

EJ and Amber, their curiosity piqued, decided that it would be easier to explain why they did not show up for class then to explain why they were late. They followed Dewey into Vector's office to find out what had happened. As Professor Vector was explaining things to Malcolm, Amber noticed the glass on the floor. She looked behind the door and saw the same piece of glass leaning on the doorstop, the one that looked to Malcolm like it was sticking out of the wall.

"What is it," EJ asked, putting his hand on her shoulder.

"It's a false wall," Amber said, and stuck her hand through it to show him.

Everyone turned as there was another flash of light.

"What happened?" Dewey asked in surprise.

"EJ and Amber," Malcolm said in surprise and shock. "They weren't here when Professor Vector explained about what's behind the wall."

"Yes," Sinistra said. "She noticed there was a false wall and stuck her hand in there. She was such a foolish girl." The Professor arose and walked over to a small fireplace mounted at the same height as her desk. She threw powder into the flames and then put her head inside. "Darling, it happened."

"I told you it would be today," a man said from the other end.

"And you were right, as usual."

"Are the children still there?"

"I think they're too curious to leave."

"Then tell them," the man said, "and bring them home for dinner."

Professor Vector pulled her head out of the fireplace and the flames returned to normal. "EJ was always a character," she laughed. "He never even thought about how the two of you might feel. After all, for you it only happened two minutes ago.

Malcolm's jaw dropped. "Amber?"

"After all these years," she said in mock surprise, "you still remember my name. Yes, Malcolm. I knew that you were teaching that class because Dewey told me, fifteen minutes ago, when I was walking down the hallway with EJ. If we weren't late for class, none of this would ever have happened, at least not to EJ or myself, but I don't think you want a lecture on time theory. Please sit down. We have a great deal to talk about, and now I finally can."

Malcolm and Dewey sat down in the chairs that suddenly appeared, and Amber paused briefly to repair the glass door to the cabinet behind the false wall. "Shall I begin with the great revelation, or simply tell you the story of my life."

"The Great Revelation," Dewey said. Malcolm thought briefly and nodded his head.

"Wonderful," Professor Vector said. "EJ will be upset that he won't see your reactions, but I will tell him in glorious detail."

"And the great revelation is?" Malcolm asked.

"Hal was always my favorite grandchild." She smiled widely as both boys stared at her. "You boys realize of course that your father is a Squib. It was sad. He had such an open attitude. His parents finally erased his knowledge of magic and let him live his life as a muggle, and I think we all agree he's happier because of it."

"Wait a minute," Malcolm said. "You mean that I've been going to school with my Great-Grandfather?"

"And your Great-Grandmother."

"How far back in time did you and EJ go?"

"Seventy years is a nice round figure, we'll leave it at that. Remember, dear, for a wizard I'm only middle aged." Amber smiled again. "Now for the simple history lesson. EJ and I appeared in this very room in the early part of this century, much to the surprise of the Arithmancy Professor at that time. We explained what happened to us, and he was very understanding. He made it a point to suggest we not tell him our real names. I changed my last name to Smythe, but EJ had to ask about the name Vector. No one had heard of it, and he adopted that as his last name to attract the attention of anyone who might know . . . well, as it turned out, anyone who knew me."

"What was Dumbledore like?" Malcolm dared to ask.

"He wasn't there at the time. He didn't start teaching until some ten years after I graduated. I met him casually but I never told him my secret. He only found out after he became headmaster and reviewed the official records. I proud to say that I had already obtained my position, and did not owe it to any other circumstance than my own ability."

Dewey raised his hand. "Are you going to be sentimental about everything? I just want to know what happened."

"Dewey, shut up and let her talk," Malcolm said.

Amber smiled. "Don't yell at him, Malcolm. Instead tell him who he inherited that attitude from."

Malcolm grinned. "Yeah, Dewey. You inherited your attitude from Great-Great-Grandfather Binns."

Dewey swallowed hard. "You mean . . . Professor Binns?"

"Yes, dear," Amber said. "It's seems that my oldest boy married his youngest granddaughter. I have a picture of him. He gave it to me when he saw the family picture of you and your brothers."

Dewey took the proffered picture and stared in surprise. He saw himself, but in old fashioned clothes and holding an ancient broomstick that still looked new. "I'm doomed," Dewey cried.

"No you're not," Malcolm said consolingly. "Just don't ever become a teacher."

Professor Vector cleared her throat. "I was thinking that we might prefer to finish this discussion over dinner, if either of you are interested?"

"You mean in the Great Hall?" Dewey asked. "With everyone looking at us?"

"No, you silly boy. I mean at my house. I think I can sneak you out of here and get you back without serious problem. That is if you would like a home-conjured meal."

"Sure," Malcolm agreed readily, "but could I look at that device?"

"I don't see why not." Professor Vector walked over and removed the case from the hidden closet. As she slowly opened the case she gave them a warning. "The only safe places to touch the device are the two handles to carry it, and the knob and dial which adjust the amount of time that is traveled."

"When was this made?" Dewey asked.

[That really is a stupid question. It's a time machine. It could have been made, um, anytime.]

"That's not important," Malcolm said. "Amber, what are you doing with this machine."

"It's an ongoing project for EJ. He thought that the Professor for ancient runes might understand what the buttons are for. Unfortunately, these are not 'ancient' runes."

"But what are you trying to do?"

"We're trying to turn it off," Amber answered.

"That's easy," Malcolm said. "Let's do safety first." He turned the knob to the plus sign, meaning the future, and adjusted the dial to the lowest amount of time. "Sixty three seconds?"

The professor shrugged her shoulder.

"Anyway," Malcolm explained. "This rune here is the symbol for a stop sign. It obviously is the button to push to turn it off." Malcolm pressed the button and disappeared in a flash of light."

"I guess he was wrong," Dewey commented.

There was a knock on the door, and Hermione Granger entered. "Professor Vector, I'm sorry to bother you but I was told that Malcolm was here."

"You've just missed him, Dear, but you might want to wait. He'll be back in a minute."

*

"There he is," the old man said as he spied Malcolm. "Come give your Great-Grandfather a hug."

"This is extremely embarrassing," Malcolm said as EJ grabbed him in a bear hold.

"This is a cool house," Dewey said as he looked around the living room with it's assortment of devices displayed atop the various bookshelves. He walked over to the window before EJ could give him a hug, and looked out over the ocean from the top of a craggy cliff. "This is great."

"We moved here after your Grandfather went across the water," EJ explained. "Except for our youngest, the rest of our children moved there as well."

"I've met most of them," Malcolm said angrily. "They don't think much of my dad, and they hate my mom."

"Too true," EJ admitted. "When your father was a boy, we had high hopes for him but he never developed any real ability for magic. My son and his wife were disappointed, and they failed to keep it hidden. I think I was the only one who thought it cruel that they removed his knowledge of magic. They never forgave me for trying to interfere."

"Did they make Dad forget his name, too? After all, I'm his son and his father is your son, but my name isn't Vector."

"That isn't it at all," Amber said as she came out of the kitchen. "It seems that Vector didn't sound like a good American name. Your grandfather took his wife's maiden name. It was a business move."

Malcolm laughed. "Was he in Slytherin by any chance?"

EJ nodded. "He was, which shows that Dewey is also following in a family tradition."

Dewey looked over from the window, "Then he should be proud of me? Why didn't he say something to us?"

"Your mother," EJ explained. "She was not very popular with the family, and now that they know her background it could be a long time before they talk to any of you. Your Grandfather was never a good friend of the Malfoys."

"Dinner is ready," Amber called out and ordered everyone into the dining room.

As Malcolm stood up, he asked another question. "Where do you work? You were here when we arrived and then Amber prepared dinner. I was curious."

"I'm an Unspeakable, Malcolm. Do you know what that means?" Malcolm nodded. "And Amber and I usually trade chores, but because I remembered the correct date she has to prepare the meal today."

Amber smiled. "That is something you should appreciate. EJ is industrious but his meals tend to be . . . bland."

Malcolm smiled as EJ gave Amber a mock frown, then he eagerly attacked the meal in front of him.

*

Malcolm stretched out as he heard his Great-Grandmother call. Sleeping in a house on the edge of the ocean was very relaxing, and he waited for the second call before he got up. He dressed in his robes, which were freshly cleaned, and walked into the kitchen where Dewey was cheerfully eating breakfast.

"Isn't it early?"

"For school, yes, but EJ has already left for work, and I need to finish some of my work before classes begin. I was rudely interrupted yesterday. You were expected but you were still rude."

"It was Malcolm's fault," Dewey said cheerfully.

"It was your stupid idea to hide behind the door," Malcolm pointed out.

"Like I told you to slam the door open."

Amber smirked. "Now I remember why I regretted having children."

[It WAS Dewey's fault.]

After breakfast was done, Amber gathered what she needed and ushered the boys to the fireplace, arriving at the school moments later. They walked with her toward her office when she suddenly stopped. "Whatever is that smell?"

Malcolm nodded. "It's water? It smells like a damp . . ."

"It's a swamp," Dewey shouted as he pointed ahead of them.

"This is a problem," the Arithmancy Professor said. "Malcolm, could you fly to my office and get my record book. I think I will do my preparation work in the Great Hall."

"I'll meet you there," Malcolm said as he changed and flew across the swamp.

As they walked back to the main entrance Dewey asked about the swamp. Amber smiled. "I expect you will have to ask Fred and George Weasley."

"How do you know they did it?"

"If you look carefully at the rocks in the bottom of that first pool of water, they make out the traditional rune sign for Twins."

"I'm having breakfast again," Dewey said excitedly. "I'll even sit with the Gryffindors."

Amber squeezed his shoulder affectionately. "Please let me know everything you find out."

*

"Mail"s here," someone called out.

"It's just Malcolm," someone else called out and they went back to eating.

Malcolm flew to the teachers table, landed on the floor beside Amber and changed back.

"Thank you, Malcolm," Vector said as she took the book from him. "You may return to your table." As Malcolm walked away she turned to Professor Snape and said, "He has a lot of his Grandfather in him."