Ron sat in the empty Headmaster's office, looking around. Dumbledore had gone to check on something, stating that he would be back in a while. Ron had been waiting for a few minutes before he got really bored. He was about to go touch the Sorting Hat when the door opened. Dumbledore bustled in and sat behind the desk. The old man smiled at him. "Lemon drop?"
"Sure!" Dumbledore looked a bit shocked at having someone finally accept his lemon drops, but handed Ron one nonetheless.
"Now then," Dumbledore began. "We seem to have a problem. I was just down with Professor Flitwick, discussing Time Turners. It seems what I feared is true."
"What?" Ron asked.
"Time Turners of this era are not as powerful as they obviously are in your time. They only have the ability to travel a few hours, or at most a couple of days." Dumbledore explained. "I'm afraid... your stuck here until we can find a way to get you back. There are probably spells that can be used, but I'm wary of attempting them. The Ministry of Magic keep close tabs on such things."
"Then what am I suppose to do?" Ron asked, frantic. "I'm in my last year at school, I need to study!"
"It would be much too difficult to explain your sudden appearance in classes, I'm afraid." Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I suppose we could allow you acces to the library and let you independantly continue your courses. If you are still here at the end of the year, I will allow you to take your NEWTs. How will that be?"
"Sounds fine!" Ron smiled. "So, er, I'm staying with the Gryffindors?"
"If you want to. Though, a warning, those four a quite the troublemakers." Dumbledore said.
"Oh, heh, I can handle that." Ron grinned. If only Dumbledore knew the things Ron had done through his six years at Hogwarts.
"One last thing before you go." Dumbledore leaned forward, suddenly serious. "Don't speak of the future to anyone. You can talk about it, yes. But no important information. Even the slightest phrase can end up disrupting the future."
"Okay." Ron agreed. He bit his lip nervously. He knew that was going to be the difficult part. He knew too much about those around him, and Ron wasn't best known for his secrecy.
"Another thing, you won't be able to come to the Great Hall for meals, so I'm giving you access to the kitchens." Ron immediately perked up.
"Now listen up, Ronnie." Sirius said, draping his arm over Ron's shoulders.
"Uh, it's Ron."
"Right, Ronnie, there is something you need to know if your going to hang out with us, okay?" Ron gulped and glanced at the other three boys looking at him intently. They all sat out by the lake, it being a glorious Saturday.
"And that would be...?" Ron asked.
"There are certain people here that you can not associate with." Sirius told him in a, well, serious tone."And I'm sure you can guess, if the future is anything like today. Slytherins. They are alright enough, now that Lucius Malfoy is gone. They don't have their disgusting pride anymore. But there is still one left that I take it upon myself to play with."
"You really should leave Snape alone, Padfoot." Remus commented from behind yet another book. Ron's eyes widend.
"Snape? He's here?" Ron squeeked. Of coruse he's here, idiot! Ron reprimanded himself. He went to Hogwarts, too.
"You know him?" James asked.
"Unfortunetly."
"Well, looks like another to join the We Hate Snivilous Club." Sirius grinned.
"Sirius, you know darn well the club was dismantled." Remus said, closing his book. "After McGonogal kept us from handing out the pamplets, we couldn't get enough members."
"I say we re-start it. The W.H.S. shall rise again! After all, we need to torture him on into adulthood!" Sirius told them. "Why, I bet Snape woudln't know what to do if we didn't play a prank on him once a week at least."
"It's not what he would do, it's what you would do." Remus replied. "Maybe get a life, hmm?"
"Ah, Moony, not that again." Sirius whined.
"We are graduating in less than a year, Sirius-"
"And we need to prepare for the future." The other three finished. Ron laughed lightly. Remus glared at them a moment, then glanced over at James and breaking into a smirk. Upon looking at Harry's future father, Ron held in a giggle. He was attempting the impossible by running his hands through his hair to straighten it and tugging at his robes.
"Uh-oh." Sirius muttered, leaning close to Ron. "Here comes Miss Head Girl and enter's what I like to call Whipped-Prongs."
"I am not!" James hissed, before standing and dusting off the back of his jeans. Ron and the others stood as well and Ron nearly fell back when he saw who was comming. At first glance, it look just like Ginny. Except he couldn't see many freckles, and when she came close enough, he saw green eyes. James smiled as the girl stopped near them. "Hello, Lily."
"Hi, James." Lily replied, eyeing him up and down.
"H-How are you today?" James stammered.
"Told ya, whipped." Sirius muttered out of the corner of his mouth. Ron stiffled a laugh and Remus shot them a look.
"James, I've been meaning to talk with you... Could we go somewhere alone?" Lily asked. James' eyes widened to the size of a house-elves, and like one he followed her obediantly back to the castle. When he was out of site, Sirius broke down cackling.
"That boy is in deeper than he will admit!" Sirius crowed. Remus shook his head and went to pick his book up.
"Wonder what she wanted." Peter mused.
"Who cares?" Sirius broke into a wide grin. "Look who comes our way!"
"Oh no." Remus said under his breath. A few meters away from their tree a boy in all black trudged past. Ron immediately reconigsed the Black hair and large nose.
"Snivilous, what a pleasant suprise!" Sirius called. The Slytherin stopped, his back stiffening. "Care to join us for a spot of tea? Or do you have a date with a shampoo bottle? I say, it's about time!"
"I am out of here before this goes too far." Remus told them, gathering his books and heading for the castle. Ron hesitated, then out of a sudden want to spend time with the young version of hsi future professor, followed Remus toward the school.