Disclaimer: All things Harry Potter belong to J.K Rowling. I don't own any of this and as much as I love reading HP, wouldn't want to be in charge of writing the real thing so cheers! (yes I said cheers)

kateydidnt and Romm– thanks for the heads up on the telepathy reading problem and for putting it so...diplomatically– you're right, it wuz reallllllly annoying. It was originally with each on a separate line but uploading it must have messed it up – I'm still getting use to the necessary formatting and all. It should be fixed now though.

Ibozun and danniegirl85– thanks so much for the encouragement and hope you like the next chapter. Hopefully it won't be too much the same, but it is your traditional dimension travel, post-voldy fic w/ a twist so as long as you all like I'm happy.

The Great Sarini – thanks for the support and a beta reader is still needed so if you would it would be great. Not sure how that works though, other than a second reader is really useful, do you? (I hope) Love your story!

So sorry about the long wait but I got pneumonia, still do in fact, and wasn't allowed near my computer for almost a week. Grrrr. This chapter is a little too slow, long and doesn't go too far for my tastes but this is what it was and on antibiotics I'm in no state to write a new one, so here it is. It should pick up in the next chapter, which I promise will be within the next 2 days.

"regular speech"

~ telepathy/mindspeech ~

'thoughts'

***Last Chapter***

"Hello Headmaster, we have a few questions to ask you."

Later...

In all his years he had never seen Sirius Black struck speechless before. Yes...this year was going to turn out to be very eventful indeed.

*****

Chapter 4

Up in the headmaster's office:

******Normal POV******

The three newcomers to this strange place were seated around the fireplace in the plush, red and gold armchairs they had conjured upon arrival, debating how to deal with this situation, whatever it was, as they waited for the headmaster and two of their 'family members' to arrive.

On the outside, all looked calm and composed, as if merely relaxing and waiting for a nice fireside chat, which, in a sense they were. Internally, however, the gears were running a million miles a second.

~Okay, first thing first. How, in Merlin's name, are Sirius, Charlie, and Dumbledore, not to mention the rest of them, alive? ~ (ron)

Hermione had been quietly pondering the question of how all of this was possible since they had first realized they were not in what they considered their own reality anymore. She had come up with a theory that while obscure and, before this, highly implausible, was the only idea that fit.

~I think....we are in another dimension~

~Another what!~ Ron exclaimed

~Dimension~ Harry replied calmly and pensively. ~She said dimension, and a crazy as it sounds, I think she is right.~

~Your both nutters~ Ron commented with a shake of his head ~Another dimension, what is this the Twilight Zone?~

Hermione gave an exasperated sigh ~ Think Ron, it's the only plausible explanation. We obviously haven't traveled in time, because they all appear to be the same ages they would have been had they not been killed, not to mention I don't think Charlie or Sirius were ever Professors. The only other possibility is we're all dead, but they seem to have no clue who we are, so that rules that out, and I doubt magic works the same way in the realms of the dead. Therefore, that leaves an alternate dimension, which is what I believe this to be. Dumbledore once speculated on their existence in reference to the Mirror of Erised as well as some of the other veils in the Department of Mysteries. In his younger years, before he defeated Grindewald, Dumbledore was an Unspeakable. He spent several years doing extensive studies into the veils in the Department of Mysteries, and unless I'm mistaken ...~

~Which you never are~ grumbled Ron

Sending a mental glare at Ron she continued ~ Then according to the paper he wrote on his findings, some of them led to alternate realities. Dumbledore believed that they were previous attempts to open portals to those other dimensions and that they were mostly unsuccessful or unusable because a permanent portal created too much disturbance between dimensional fields. In order to be successful one would have to access channels of pure magic that flow between the fields and use that like a tunnel. However, such access could only be temporary and would require an almost unprecedented amount magical power...~

~Which is exactly what was used to bring us here ~ Harry continued for her ~ And our passage through the plane of magic would account for our inability to use it - we were essentially part of it, and therefore couldn't use it as we normally would.~

Hermione beamed at him ~ Exactly. Do you agree now Ron? ~

~I get it, I get it. And I do agree. But when on earth did you have the time to read Dumbledore's dissertation on this and by Voldy's nose hairs why and how?~

They had started swearing on Voldy using insults and pet names for him somewhere around what would have been their 6th year, trying to get rid of all the fear that was associated with the name and just for practice so they'd be really good at insulting him when they met him face to face...again.

~ For History of Magic, of course. I can across it when I was researching Dumbledore for our individual projects in 5th year on wizarding heroes and found the idea fascinating. That particular paper had been edited to remove any secrets of the Department but when I asked he gladly gave me a copy to peruse. He's a brilliant writer...~

~Yes Hermione, we know, we studied every word of his 12 uses of dragon blood with you, remember?~ Ron cut her off before she went on a ramble as she often did in terms of books.

~And we both found it very useful and educational and are very thankful for your good influence 'Mione~ Harry added, feeling the emotional tremors that always preceded a good scolding. ~And it is good for us you read that dissertation or we'd be clueless as to what's going on. I honestly didn't think everything would fall into place anytime soon, but at least we know roughly what happened.~

~I still have no idea on the mechanics of how he did it, but I intend to find out. The energy needed was so enormous I can't even begin to think how he did it, and he must have spent decades. Gods I miss his brilliant mind. ~ Hermione said with wonder and sadness

Ron, trying to dissemble the melancholy tone this conversation was heading towards, highlighted the obvious irony of her last comment. ~ Well, if you two are right you won't be missing him for long seeing as he'll be on his way up to his office in about 5 minutes.~

~Look like Albus finally found a way to grant our wish like he always promised. I always thought he was just trying to keep up the hope~ Harry whispered, sending a wave of love and appreciation over the bond that was echoed back at him by both.

Every New Years after he had become their mentor, it had been a custom to ask their greatest wish or dream. Each time it had been that all of this had never happened and that Voldemort was long dead and forgotten, but in lieu of that they would settle for Voldemort getting his ass kicked by them and banished to hell so that everyone could live their lives in peace. Dumbledore had always just whispered after, "One day." His wish had been for them to be happy and to be the children they never had the chance to be. Beyond all idea of the possible, it was looking like maybe they had all got their wishes thanks to him, at least in part, for they could never simply be children anymore.

Finally, Hermione broke their reminiscing, realizing the shortness of their time alone before Albus, a version of Albus at least, was too appear.

~Well regardless of this we have to decide what we are going to do.~

~Um, Hermione, aren't we here to do that – you know talk to Dumbledore?~ (ron)

~Yes, but we have to decide how much, and what, to tell them. I...also think we have to prepare for the fact that this Dumbledore might not be the same as the one we knew. The same with Charlie and Sirius. I mean, they didn't seem to recognize any of us, so it's possible that we don't exist here.~

Both Ron and Harry froze at that comment. That was something the two of them had never even considered as all possible scenarios of what was to come ran through their heads. Here Sirius might not be Harry's godfather, and Ron might not even be part of the Weasley family here....speaking of which.

~Mmmm, 'Mione...what happens if we do exist? I mean, none of us look at all like we used to , so its possible they wouldn't recognize us even if we did.~ (ron)

~Welllll...I guess we'll have to deal with that when we find out then.~ Hermione replied, shocked at the possibilities. ~ We do have to decide now what we want to tell them. How we got here is...well I think we should tell the truth in that regard, but how much else? I...I don't think I'm ready to retell everything about the war. And I know I'm not ready to relive all the deaths.~ She got tendrils of consent and agreement from both and knew they felt the same.

Harry finally came to a decision. ~ I think that we should tell them of the war, and of their deaths, but no detail. If they ask we'll simply tell we're not ready. I think they should agree. I also don't think we should tell them of the blood bond yet. It'll bring up too many questions that we're all not ready to handle. ~

Ron nodded, and took charge, already sorting and selecting the many plans spinning out in his head. ~ Okay. 'Mione, for the moment you talk most. You're best at remembering details and keeping them all in consideration. We don't want unnecessary slips. And if we're to keep the bond secret we should use mainly verbal speech from now on when other people are around, except when we need to discuss one of our oh so many secrets, to keep our stories straight. If they start pushing too hard for our past just start asking them about parallels in this world. Eventually we'll all have to sleep and that way we can post-pone it indefinitely. The only problem in the immediate future I can see is getting Sirius and Charlie to trust us, even marginally. Dumbledore shouldn't be a problem since he holds the wards and Hogwarts would have picked up the on your projections 'Mione. As far as I know it has yet to make a mistake, so Dumbledore should trust it implicitly, even if he isn't satisfied with our explanations.~

Smiling slyly, Harry replied switching to verbal speech as Ron had suggested, his voice still slightly scratchy from disuse, "I don't think Sirius will be a problem."

Both gave him an odd look before realization hit them. Of course! It was so simple.

"Well that settles it. I'll tell only a brief overview with some major editing." Hermione said, clearing her throat slightly and conjuring glasses of water for all of them. None of them had talked much over the past month, only using their voices when giving order or inspirational speeches to the troops. With a small wave of sympathy and regret she added, "Sorry Harry, but I'm probably going to have to focus mainly on background, especially yours."

He winced mentally but resignedly. "I understand 'Mione. Better that than the rest. And at least you'll be telling the truth rather than the trumped up lies that are always printed."

Ron grinned, "Yeah mate, but the problem is the truth is a hell of a lot more interesting and fame conducive than most of the fiction. Specially when you add in us and the training."

"Wow, big word Ron, it's not my fault 'may your life be interesting' is the worst curse in the universe and was apparently with me in mind. And 'Mione, skip most of the damn training if you will, or downplay our power at least until we get their full trust and find out how welcome we really are. You'll shock 'em enough with our first four years at Hogwarts without even starting on our later escapades." Harry growled out with a glare.

"Of course Harry, and I think that covers all our immediate worries. You know what to do if your not sure about saying something." Glancing quickly at the closed door she added, "And just in time too."

Ron and Harry both glanced at the door as well, nodded, and all of them schooled their features, resuming their original silence. One of the first things they had learned and perfected through long practice had been outwards impassiveness – never give your enemy anything to read, and regardless of who was about to enter the room, they still almost never dropped that mask except between themselves, where it was pointless anyway.

Within ten seconds of Hermione's final comment the door opened and in walked a twinkling Dumbledore, and a still confused but rather suspicious Charlie and Sirius.

~Twinkle, twinkle little star...~ hummed Harry who promptly received a mental slap from Hermione over their collective mental giggles.

~I thought we agreed to only talk this way when we had something important to say you prat~ (mione)

~Well, it just popped in my head, and while Dumbledore probably wouldn't mind, I didn't think it appropriate before he even knew our names~ Harry sulked.

~Well try to keep the peanut gallery to a minimum then, okay? I have to actually talk here and you two have to pretend to pay attention and add your two cents every once and a while.~ Mione rebuked.

Dumbledore sat down across from them with no more than a raised eyebrow at the chairs, and Charlie and Sirius followed his lead, strangely silent for the two of them. For over a minute they sat in silence as both parties scrutinized the other, but while Dumbledore, Sirius and Charlie were trying to evaluate the level of danger and the origins of the three visitors, Harry, Ron and Hermione were trying to figure out how different the other three were from their dimensional counterparts.

Dumbledore looked exactly the same as he had before the war. He had that timeless look, the constant and all-knowing twinkle, and, in their opinion, far too brightly colored robes. Sirius was noticeably younger-looking, not nearly as worn and the haunted look that was always lurking in his eyes was gone, replaced for the moment with suspicion. Charlie looked exactly the same, only with a few different scars. Both, to their amusement , were wearing robes of professors.

~Ooooo, that'll be great to tease them about once we know them a bit better. Sirius, a teacher? I think this Dumbledore finally went off his rocker.~ snickered Ron.

~Maybe so, but hush now, I think Sirius is about to blow his top at us. He doesn't look too happy.~

And Sirius wasn't. His eyes had narrowed increasingly since he had sat down and were now tiny slits. Hermione had picked up a very complicated combination of annoyance, wariness, and indignance that was all coming to a head. Sure enough, a second later he had sat upright and practically shouted, "Who the hell are you, how in Merlin's name did you get up here without Dumbledore, and what gives you the right to talk to the Headmaster like you did in the Hall?"

******Dumbledore's POV*****

Dumbledore and the two professors the young woman had named on her way out of the hall hurried to his office by way of the normal hallways. After the scene in the Great Hall they had only paused to finished their suppers before leaving for the meeting with the three strangers. Dumbledore was very anxious to find out who they were and why they were here. He was even more curious as to how they knew the way to his office, or at least appeared to, as he had been the Headmaster of Hogwarts for many years now, and a teacher before that, and did not remember ever meeting any of the three, though they all looked familiar somehow.

He also was interested to know how they knew Sirius and Charlie, as the two seemed to have no clue who the three young people were. All in all, they were a complete mystery outside of knowing that they meant know harm and seemed to have a great loyalty to him and the castle. Hogwarts reaction to the girl's empathic projection had been astounding. Apparently all three of them, or just the girl had at that point allowed Hogwarts one hell of a reading of intents and essence, because the castle's attitude turned immediately motherly and intensely protective of the three, more so than he had ever felt towards any of her 'children' before. Whoever they were, they had Hogwarts complete confidence and trust, and therefore his on a conditional basis. It had been a long time since the war, but that did not mean the Dark Arts had vanished, quite the contrary, and danger comes in all forms, even the most trustworthy.

As he turned the corner that would bring him right in front of the gargoyle that guarded the entrance to his office, he opened his mouth to invite the three inside, but much to his astonishment, there was no one there, so he closed his mouth and touched the gargoyle, which instantly sprang aside. They might as well wait for them up in his office, which would give them a chance to discuss how to deal with the strangers and Hogwarts didn't seem to think they were wandering around lost.

However, he got an even greater shock as he opened the door only to find the missing guests seated around his fireplace in six chairs that had definitely not been there when he had last left his office. They were nice chairs though. Reminded him of some he had had many years back in one of his living rooms.

'Must remember to ask them about them after we finish our conversation. It's time for some new furniture and they fit perfectly with the décor...oh, and of course I must ask how they got in here without the password.' He thought as he led Sirius and Charlie over and sat down in the one directly opposite from the three, while the other two took a seat on either side. 'Wonderfully made too. Much better quality than I would expect from someone their age, although their ages would be only speculation on my part.' He thought as he studied them, noticing their carefully masked faces.

One the left was the redhead whose hair was easily as bright as Charlie's, if not brighter. It was short and the ends of his hair glinted for a moment, almost as if on fire. He was tall and well built, with the body of a fighter. On one side of his face down the line of his jaw ran a long, narrow scar. His eyes were strangely dark. He lounged almost lazily in the chair, but Dumbledore was not fooled. Should a threat arise he would be just as fast in retaliation as his two companions.

In the middle sat the girl, back straight, legs crossed, but oddly fitting there and looking comfortable despite the careful scrutiny. She was short in height and slight in stature, but her battle robes revealed the presence of sculpted, finely toned muscle in at least her arms. She had long, wavy brown hair that was tied up high in back. Here eyes were an amber shade, but slitted like a cat's. She looked back with mild speculation that he had no doubt was a strategically revealed emotion as it was mirrored on both of the faces of the young men. There was no indication of the deeper emotions he had glimpsed when they had first entered the Great Hall, and none of the usual mannerisms of the young.

On the right, was black-haired young man who had spoken in the Hall. His hair was long and pulled back at the nape of his neck loosely. On either side ran a single streak of silver. His eyes were a brilliant emerald green that Dumbledore had only ever seen on Lily before, and much like many people said of his own eyes, they seemed to take in everything and know all. Of the three his aura held the most power. His posture was one so innocuous Dumbledore barely gave it a passing glance, yet he seemed at home here.

At that thought Hogwarts gave him a friendly nudge, causing him to chuckle slightly to himself. 'I guess that's a subtle signal to get on with it.' He thought. But he needn't have worried, because Sirius seemed to have found his tongue again and was more than ready for answers. As the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dumbledore figured Sirius did have a great deal to be concerned about when faced with these three and no more information.

"Who the hell are you, how in Merlin's name did you get up here without Dumbledore, and what gives you the right to talk to the Headmaster like you did in the Hall?" Sirius finally burst out, eyes narrowed in suspicion.

'Well,' though Dumbledore with amusement, 'Sirius never was one for tact and at least he got out two of the most pressing questions. This should be entertaining. Nevertheless...'

Dumbledore turned with a mischievous twinkle in his eye and gently rebuked Sirius, "Now Sirius, they were very polite, if abrupt in the Hall, and they are our guests. As such a little more tact might be appropriate hmm? But you do bring up very good points." Sirius sulked a moment before once again turning a suspicious gaze on the three youngsters...youngsters? No, that didn't fit very well, but soon he'd have a better way to think of them. Honestly, sometimes Sirius acted as if he was still a student, but a better defense teacher he'd be hard pressed to find unless it was another marauder or Moody, so his emotional swings were well worth it and quite amusing most of the time. Now turning to look welcomingly slightly expectantly at the three newcomers he decided it was time to start the conversation properly.

"My name is Albus Dumbledore and as Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry I would like to welcome you on behalf of the staff and Hogwarts herself, who seems to have taken a liking to you. These are Professors Sirius Black and Charlie Weasley, our resident experts on Defense Against the Dark Arts and Care of Magical Creatures respectively. But no doubt you already knew that as you specifically asked to speak to us. Would you care to introduce yourselves?"

Glancing slightly at the young men on either side of her as if in affirmation of something, the young woman spoke up radiating sincerity to the room.

"I think, sir, that it would be better if we first told you how we came to be here."

Well that was an unexpected response, but it sounded like she intended to answer in due time and the how or rather where, they had come from was still rather high on his list of questions so....uh oh. Damn that man and his temper.

Sirius had gotten up and had his wand pointed at the young woman.

"I think, miss, that it would be better if you first told us who you are and where your allegiances lie." He growled.

*****Sirius's POV*****

As soon as he got over his shock, Sirius had become rather worried. The three strangers had been dressed in full battle gear, and were very powerful. In his time, Sirius had become one of the best Aurors in the Ministry before taking a break to come teach at Hogwarts, and these three were raising all his hackles. They weren't acting threatening, but their mannerisms were enough to raise warning flags. Albus's actions were also concerning as he switched from distrust and worry to welcoming and open in a matter of seconds after the black-haired man had spoken. Sirius trusted Albus implicitly, but even he could be hoodwinked and was often far too trusting. Their cheeky mannerisms were far too much of an act and the question still remained as to not only how they knew him and Charlie, but even more concerning, how they had gotten into the headmaster's office as Albus had obviously not told them the password.

He conceded that he shouldn't have started with such a hostilely and accusatory phrased question, but the tension and their obvious amusement towards them had gotten to him. They were the visitors and they acted as if they owned the place. His enhanced senses from his animagus form picked up several strange but partly familiar scents, but more disturbingly a lot of cold steel. The girl smelled distinctly of vanilla and cinnamon, but with strong feline overtones and he noticed with a start her cat-like eyes. The other two were just as peculiar. They were a possible threat and he needed to know right now who they were and what they intended.

Voldemort had been gone for many years but that didn't mean the balance of forces had shifted entirely to good, and Aurors were still in plentiful need, with cults of Dark Arts practitioners often led by ex-Death Eaters to be found far more than he would have liked. Now they were refusing to answer a question as simple as who they were, meaning they had something to hide.

The girl was projecting sincerity, but he was too far-gone in suspicion to register or believe it, not having the obscure background knowledge of empaths that Dumbledore did.

He glanced over at Albus who looked like he was about to give his consent for the conversation to follow their choice of direction and then at Charlie who appeared deep in thought. If they suddenly turned hostile it was three on three and he had no estimation of their skills other than they moved with a lazy grace of many years of training. Well, if Albus wasn't going to take action, he would and tact be damned.

Smoothly he lifted himself from the chair and drew his wand in one motion, pointing it directly at the girl who had spoken.

"I think, miss, that it would be better if you first told us who you are and where your allegiances lie." He growled.

*****Normal POV*****

Looking at the wand pointed directly at her, Hermione sighed mentally.

~Oh dear. I thought he'd react like that. I just didn't really want to announce our names to them in case we do have counterparts here, especially since Charlie and Sirius have such close ties to both of your families.~ (mione)

~No duh, Hermione. He's my brother. But your right, I think they both would already have tried to hex us to oblivion if we had claimed to be ourselves and they knew differently....Although Charlie is oddly calm for himself, even if he always was the most even tempered of all of us. So what do we do now? Put him in a body bind, stick him to the roof and then try to convince Dumbledore were as harmless as bunnies?~ (ron)

~ Let me deal with him. He's my godfather after all. Hermione, keep projecting at him. He's just too worked up to register it all. ~ Harry replied unconcernedly.

~Like normal~ grumbled Hermione but with affection.

Harry shifted a bit in his chair, drawing Sirius's attention to him before speaking. "Sirius, chill. Our allegiances always have been and always will be with the light." As he said this some of the tension in Sirius's body drained away, but he didn't remove his wand.

~Keep it up Harry, my projections are just starting to break through~ (mione)

Harry smiled gently before getting a wicked gleam in his eye, "And if you're a patient little doggy, you'll find out all in due time. I solemnly swear to you that we aren't up to any evil mischief. However, if you wish to know who we are that urgently we will gladly tell you, on the condition that you hear us out first before attacking again."

At his last comments Sirius had been taken fully off guard and had nearly dropped his wand, turning his body and full attention towards Harry. After all, how on earth would a complete stranger know of his animagus form and the marauders' password? However, the shock was not going to end there, as Harry knew as soon as he recovered Sirius would be more suspicious than ever if he didn't do something quick.

Using the marauders' secret hand talk, Harry signed to him that all was safe and they were friends. He then followed it up with a verbal order of "Sit down, Padfoot." In his state of shock Sirius didn't even think of disobeying. No one but the four marauders had known their sign language, and they had made it so complex it was virtually impossible to break. Simple and second nature one you knew it, but innocuous and confusing if you didn't. Harry knew that until the start of the second war, the two remaining marauders had told no one of it. However, as stealth and secrecy became an even greater concern in the second war, they had revealed it and taught it to the higher ranks of the order, including Harry, Hermione and Ron. Harry hoped that his knowledge of it would be enough of a shock and later proof of his identity to placate Sirius. It certainly seemed to be working at the moment.

~You dork~ Hermione sent laughing at Sirius's brilliant imitation of a fish ~ You shocked him so much his brain's shut off and I still can't project. Guess there's no need for it now. Brilliant Harry, although I still don't think it the best idea to tell them straight off who we are. Oh well. There's no avoiding it.~

Hermione took a deep breath before looking Dumbledore in the eye.

"As Harry here said, Albus, we will gladly tell you our names, although it may come as a bit of a shock."

~You do know you just changed from sir to Albus in under five minutes right?~ (ron)

~Oh shut up and let me finish. Albus always one for cliff hangers but I know for a fact the other two hate it...although I'm not sure how conscious Sirius is of anything else right now.~

"My name is Hermione Granger. The redhead to my right, your left, is Ronald Weasley, or Ron," she said glancing at Charlie who showed astonishment, his first reaction of the night, before looking back at Dumbledore, continuing, "and the raven-haired joker to my left is Harry Potter...We believe we are from an alternate reality."

Thump! Sirius had fainted.

~That dog is never going to live this down if I have anything to do with it.~ (harry)

*****Dumbledore's POV*****

Dumbledore had a feeling he had seriously missed something in the black- haired boy's conversation with Sirius, but whatever it was it had certainly been effective. He couldn't remember ever seeing Sirius calmed down so quickly after going into a rage, much less a suspicious one. Of course, shocked to submission might be a better description, but regardless it did the job. And it looked like he was going to get the answer to his first question...ah yes here it was, as the girl looked him straight in the eye. For the moment she had stopped projecting but just radiated calmness.

"As Harry here said, Albus, we will gladly tell you our names, although it may come as a bit of a shock." She said pausing.

'So the black haired boy on the right was named Harry, but Harry what? And Albus? Well it certainly seemed a lot less forced that that sir before, but she seemed to know him quite well...and I doubt Sirius can get any more shocked, even if it is a nice turn of events from him normally doing the shocking.'

"My name is Hermione Granger. The redhead to my right, your left, is Ronald Weasley, or Ron," she continued.

'Ah. Maybe I was wrong about not being anymore shocking, and it does explain the request for Charlie who,' after a quick glance shared by the girl, 'seems to be taking it quite well.'

But she wasn't done, "and the raven-haired joker to my left is Harry Potter. We believe we are from an alternate reality."

'Well that does it. Definitely takes the cake for the most original and surprising story I've heard in the last decade.'

Thump.

'Oh dear, guess I really was wrong about Sirius's capacity for being shocked even more. And what lovely material for blackmail. But first thing first.'

"Enervate"

"James? I dreamt Harry was alive and ...holy shit!" Sirius awoke from his faint with a vigor after a slow start and jumped back up. "But you're dead? How...why... all of you...Hermione...dead...but you know...so – impossible!" He finished in a huff.

"Ah yes, I think we should have them start from the beginning don't you Sirius? Alternate Dimension you say? How?" Dumbledore question calmly but quite interested. After all, he had spent several years theorizing on the subject and had been considering returning to it once he found some more free time.

Once again the flickers of true emotion crossed their eyes briefly before vanishing, and the girl, who had apparently been chosen as their spokesman answered. "We aren't quite sure, but from what we do know, it involves you, a whole lot of power and a spell in a language I have never heard of. So far we know nothing else other than we are definitely not in our own reality and things seem very different. The how of everything leading up to the spell...well that is a very long story."

"How intriguing." Dumbledore replied.

'Looks like in their world I continued my research after all, although why send these three students on what is obviously a test run rather than myself I have no idea. Hmm. The girl has also stopped projecting other than radiating that calm, but that seems to be part of her normal aura. I wonder why. Their shields are less too. Either they feel they are not needed or they are getting tired. Oh, of course they're tired. They just dealt with an angry Sirius and traveled across dimension. I must be getting senile in my middle age. Better keep this short. I have to know a little more about them before sending them off where they might run into students, but if they are who the say they are, and I have no reason to doubt and all the reason to believe them, then letting them go before the full story shouldn't be an issue other than to my curiosity. Tomorrow's Saturday so we have two full days to exchange information.'

"Well, in about an hour and a half or so I will be late for a date with my hot cocoa, so why don't you tell us at least the beginning, or the end, and we'll continue tomorrow. No doubt you have many questions as well," Dumbledore smiled at them.

However, Charlie appeared not to be so easily convinced.

"How do we know you are telling the truth about your identities. Two of you are all supposed to be dead, and while I never knew Harry, Hermione looked and acted very different and you," he said pointing at Ron, "are nothing like my brother except for your hair." He seemed apprehensive, and almost fearful to question them, not so much from fear of what they might do, but of what all of this would mean, and it was understandable.

All of the teachers had loved Hermione's brilliance and enthusiasm, and while she had never gotten along with Ron, had always been especially close to Charlie and Hagrid who had befriended her in her second year when her house had been constantly teasing her for being such a bookworm. She had always had a way with animals and Charlie and Hagrid had picked up on it and let her come down to Hagrid's hut or Charlie's office to work in peace or simply talk whenever she needed it. Charlie had taught her how to properly ride a broomstick and Hermione had on several occasions helped Hagrid with research and legal defense preparations when he or his 'gentle creatures' had got into some rough spots. Her death in the car accident a year ago had hit them all hard.

But thinking of Charlie and his animals...that did explain his current behavior. He, of all of them had probably recognized the most the presence of something familiar in them, but he had also sensed the danger they could pose. He was treating them much like his dragons, observing and then approaching with caution.

Ron, as far as they had last noticed as they left the Great Hall, was alive and well and stuffing himself to the brim as usual. And Harry...well Harry was the hero of the wizarding world. So Charlie's apprehension was definitely warranted. Sirius had not made a comment since his last splutter, obviously deciding to just wait and see what happened rather than make a fool of himself a third time, or jump to more conclusions.

"Well, you could use Veritaserum on one of us, but we don't necessarily know that you will only use it to identify who we are, so that is out of the question. The next best choice would be to use a certain phoenix to verify our truths."

Almost as if on cue, Fawkes popped into the office, and flew over to drop a letter in Dumbledore's lap before landing on his perch.

'Always one for dramatics that one. Wonder who its from. Probably James...ooohhh...James. He'll have to be notified of this development, but only later after all of this is confirmed.'

"Hullo Fawkes," Harry greet the bird fondly, who abruptly left its perch and greeted Ron and Hermione before landing on Harry's shoulder and giving him a friendly nudge. "It's been a long time." Running his fingers lightly through the ruff of feathers at the phoenix's neck Harry looked at Dumbledore. "We're old friends. I guess even crossing dimensions doesn't change somethings."

'Definitely must remember to have a conversation with that bird eventually.'

"And," continued Ron, directing his speech at Charlie, "I believe that should clear up the little problem of trusting our allegiances. I assume, since you are the Care of Magical Creatures Professor and seem to be very similar to the Charlie I knew, that you know of the magical properties of a phoenix, one of them being an inborn ability to tell lies." This was obviously said for Sirius, in case he was not so well informed, as this was not his area of expertise.

'I wonder how they all know of this, as its one of the less utilized abilities of a rare creature, but then again, if they know Fawkes so well...'

Harry, who seemed to have the closest bond with Fawkes addressed the phoenix, almost trilling himself. "Fawkes, would you please confirm for your master and these two fine gentlemen our identities and our suspected origins after we state them?"

The phoenix looked him in the eye and...well there was no other way to put it...cooed. Almost as if a mother would to a child.

'Yes, must have a conversation with that bird. And soon.'

The boy repeated their identities and it was followed by a long note of phoenix song that left no question as to the truth of the statement. Then in the silence he thanked the bird, which then returned to its perch once more, preening.

"Harry?" croaked Sirius, looking at him in shock and longing. The poor man, like James and Lily, had never really gotten over the loss of little Harry, and Sirius had always felt responsible in some way.

Harry simply smiled and nodded. He looked like he was about to say something more, but he never got the chance because at that moment the door burst open due to what proved to be a very angry Snape and deputy headmistress with several students trailing along. Unfortunately for them, they forgot to knock.

*****Normal POV*****

Thanks to Fawkes their introduction had gone much smoother than anticipated. Dumbledore had taken them at face value, but knowing Dumbledore that was little surprise after all the hints they dropped. They were all slightly surprised at the warmth of their greeting from Fawkes, seeing as this was a different dimension, but it was not unwelcome and probably due to what he read in their hearts, the same technique he used to read lies.

In the silence following the confirmation of their identities, the three discussed briefly their next course of action.

~Well that was certainly easy, and I'm amazed that we haven't been inundated with lemon drops yet, but I suppose that's what tomorrow's for. He'll definitely need a lot more processing time then. Harry, I know how much you want to talk with Sirius, and you Ron with Charlie, but I think we had better just give a brief overview of the spell and the moments before and save everything else for tomorrow. I'm exhausted.~ Hermione sent with relief, slurred by her extreme tiredness. A brave front was fine for company, but masking her thoughts from the other two was far too tedious, and they always knew anyways.

Ron, picking up on the fact that she had stopped projecting altogether and that he and Harry were also nearing the same level of exhaustion, examined the three more closely and quickly agreed with Hermione's conclusion, regardless of his emotional reluctance. ~ Our magic levels are getting far too low. If we don't rest soon we'll be out for a week. The spell from traveling seems to still be drawing from our magic reserves a bit. I didn't notice before because of the shock from arrival. It is gradual and seems to be slowly getting less and less. It should stop entirely in a few hours. Normally we would never notice it, but with our reserves already being on the last rung the pull is enough that if we don't sleep soon to replenish it will use up all we have, and it will take far longer to build up again. Don't use magic unless you have to and 'Mione, hurry it up. Harry, Sirius just croaked at you. Reassure him and then tell him you'll talk to him tomorrow.~

Harry signaled his consent with a tired thought and opened his mouth to tell Sirius just what Ron had suggested, but before he could do anything else the door to the office banged open and several people rushed into the room. Several very angry and hostile people.

War changes people. A lot. But the biggest change is often in one's reactions. They are immediate, and any hostile startlement tends to result in an act first, talk later scenario.

Harry, Hermione, and Ron were not even a week separated from what had been the greatest war of the century, and the three of them had been right in the thick of it as the leaders. Needless to say, a door being blasted open by unknown angry and threatening presences did not end in a calm how do you do.

The three of them, so involved in their conversation and the situation at hand, had not kept an eye on the stairway to the office. Neglectful and something they would berate themselves for later, but a task that they had rarely worried about in the past as the headmaster's office when put on high security alert was about as safe from enemy intrusion as a high security vault in Gringotts. Therefore, they had no warning, nor any inclination as to who the newcomers were, other than their emotions, which were definitely not friendly.

Therefore, before anyone could even blink, the three had leapt from their chairs and fired off nearly 15 curses at the 7 intruders. As the first through the door, McGonnagal ended up stunned, disarmed, and bound to the cloak rack with her own ears and hair that had turned bright pink and orange and grown extremely long so as to bind her arms and legs as well. Snape, the second to enter the room, was disarmed and in a full body-bind, floating in midair with his legs and arms tied in knots as if they had become a straightjacket (you know, what they put on crazy people). The five students who had come in afterwards were all merely disarmed, stunned and surrounded by a cage of fire.

~Oh Merlin, realllllllllllllly shouldn't have done that.~ (harry)

~No shit Sherlock. Now we'll all be out for at least a week. Our magic levels are almost at zero.~ (ron)

~We just hexed Minerva and Severus to oblivion! Aren't you the least bit worried about what they'll do to us when they get free?~ (mione)

~Mione, that is the least of our worries, now sit down and shut up so you don't faint on the floor. Must keep some dignity after all. I have to balance out our power levels a bit and open some channels. Harry, god damnit, why do you have to use the stupid prank hexes every time you duel, especially now, they drain more the less power you have you idiot. Ug. Screw the damn composure, just make sure you look like you didn't mean it before you pass out and try to do it comfortably so we don't wake up with random aches we don't need or in a dungeon.~

This conversation took under five seconds, whereupon the three turned around and looked slightly sheepishly at Dumbledore before they collapsed into the chairs. Hermione and Harry lost consciousness a second later. Ron, resisting, finished manipulating what little remained of their magic and then gave final brief instructions to Dumbledore.

"Sorry bout them, it might take a bit to get rid of it all, but I don't have enough energy to undo it alone. We're all out of reserves, long story. Just put us in a guest room, or the hospital wing if you must, but don't do anything else until one of us wakes, it might be a little dangerous otherwise. Cheers!"

'Thank God I used the least number of hexes and still have a brain enough to remember this or we'd be waking up to a very unwelcoming crowd I suspect.' He thought just before he too blacked out.

Looking around at the 10 unconscious and incapacitated people that now adorned his office, Dumbledore sighed.

"Oh dear what a mess. Sirius, would you please start working on freeing Minerva and Severus as I daresay you have the most experience with prank- like spells. Charlie, if you would please get to work on Ms. Potter, both Mr. Weasleys, Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Zabini, I will return shortly after seeing our guests to the hospital wing to help. They certainly seem to know their defense. Well, I suppose we'll have to wait until they wake up to find out more, such polite young people." He levitated the three teens onto conjured stretchers and carefully stepped around the melee of hexed students and teachers, keeping up a running commentary to himself. "Brilliant use of the stretching curse there, and I do think Minerva looks rather stunning in pink don't you? Poppy will most definitely be rather put out by not being able to examine her patients but there's nothing for it. I'll have to loan you some of my bunny and unicorn pajamas as well. Those hospital ones are simply disgraceful, especially for guests..." and his voice faded out as he descended the stairs with the three stretchers trailing behind.

Charlie and Sirius, who had immediately gotten to work on the teachers and students shared a look.

"That man is bloody insane."

"Yes," grinned Sirius, nodding sagely, "But in a good way of course," before they burst out laughing at both Dumbledore and the state of Snape and McGonnagal, who had no doubt forgotten about the three guests in their rage at something the twins and Aurora had done.

Sobering up at the thought of the guests, Sirius came to a sudden revelation of reality, "What on earth are James and Lily going to say?"

*************************

Wow. I more than doubled the number of words, and on lots of drugs too! I'm so excited.

Well, I know Sirius and Charlie were a little...off, but I think at the time I was having a hard time managing more than 4 or 5 characters at once. In the next chapter they get better and Harry, Ron, and Hermione get more of separate personalities. More is explained and it's a lot more fun and mischief.

Squeaks and lemon drops to all my reviewers and plz keep the suggestions coming and any problems.

After 3 more chapters I'll be at the end of my mostly prewritten stuff so I'll be starting polls, etc. to see what y'all think is the best course of action as I'm a highly indecisive writer.