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!
Forty-five minutes later the four, no five, of them were standing in front of the gargoyle that guarded Dumbledore's office, four of them being forced by the fifth to listen to a horrible telepathic rendition of "They're always in the way" by Vixen about long whiskers and facial hair.
Aurora, who had found her tongue again, was still bouncing all over the place with ideas for the prank shop and questions left and right. Harry, Hermione and Ron happily fired off suggestions for the shop, having more than their share of experience with the twins in their world, but remained tightlipped on anything to do with their past, knowing going back over it once would be hard and obnoxious enough. Aurora's babbling was as much an attempt to dispel the tension as it was from interest. They had all erected their emotional masks again and become oddly silent and emotionless, even between themselves.
"'Mione, you don't happen to know the password do you?"
"Why would I know it Harry?"
"Well, I was kind of hoping Madam Pomfrey had told it to us and I just wasn't listening. As you know I have kind of developed a very effective mechanism for tuning her out."
"Yes, well unfortunately she either forgot to tell us the password or Dumbledore wants to see how we got up the last time."
"The last time?" asked Aurora curiously.
"When we first arrived. I think he was more than a little surprised to find us waiting in his office rather than in front of it or lost, especially when he hadn't given us the password. He didn't even offer us lemon drops!"
Her eyes glinted with amusement at the thought of a surprised Dumbledore. "And how did you get in then? Can't you just do whatever it was again to let us in?"
"Well...there is a trick that would let us in, but it hurts the gargoyle and sets off all sorts of alarms. It's not worth it. Last time Hogwarts let us in. It seems this time she's not so inclined."
"Oh well. Guess its back to the old guessing game." Hermione sighed.
"Yes, he seems to take unique pleasure in seeing how long it takes everyone to guess the passwords. At least its always candy, but the problem is that this time we don't know what he's used in the past so we have twice as many to guess." Harry
"Just how many times have you all been to the headmaster's office before?" Aurora questioned.
"Far too many," grimaced Hermione with distaste. Even if the last hundred times she'd been up there it was to use her own office and she'd long ago chosen to become something of a wretched rule breaker simply by becoming friends with Harry, the number of times they had been 'called' to the office for other reasons stuck badly in with the prefect in her.
"Well that makes four of us," Aurora chirped, "and I, unlike you, do happen to know many of the past passwords he's used so start worshipping the ground I walk on." She declared cheekily.
"Ah, the wonders of the Potter family – always in trouble whether creating it or being chased by it," drawled Ron.
~You do know when you do that you sound disturbingly similar to Snape, right?~
"You know when you do that you sound disturbingly similar to Snape," commented Aurora, verbally echoing Harry's comment almost word for word. "You know who Snape is right?"
~Scary.~ (ron)
~Definitely.~ (mione)
Harry just glared at them "Unfortunately yes. Now on with the password game."
"Well, so you know the next time, as I get the feeling there will be one, in the past three years he's had Lemon Drop, Blood Pop, Droobles Best Blowing Gum, Chocolate Frog, Cockroach Cluster, Smarties...uh.... Willy Wonka's Everlasting Gobstoppers, Sherbert Lemon, Pepper Imps, Sugar Quills....ummm....ah yes, Fizzing Whizzbees, Toothflossing Stringmints, Ice Mice, Ton Tongue Toffee and Nerds. Those are the one's I was lucky enough to encounter at least. He seems to change them every 2-3 weeks or so and," she checked behind her at the unmoved gargoyle, "unfortunately for us he never uses the same one twice."
"Don't we know it. Well, he hates Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, so we don't have to worry about all the flavors."
"Thank Voldy's grave" mumbled Hermione remembering the time Sirius had somehow gotten brief control of the office and had insisted on using the flavors of the beans as his password but refused to tell anyone what it was. When a candy pretty literally has every flavor from strawberry to toenail clippings it can take a while to guess the right password. It turned out to be dog treats. Go figure – a dog related password from a dog animagus, regardless of the fact that he hated the things with a passion.
Aurora gave her a weird look at the expression she used but didn't say anything.
"So, try any of the twins'...and your other creations. Canary Creams." Harry suggested.
Nope. No luck.
"Right, Purple Snurples." No
"Lizard Lozenges." Guess not.
"Nosebleed Nugats." No again.
"Fainting Fancies." Or not.
"Oh. I have it! We just tested them the other day. Ghostly Gobblers!"
The gargoyle gave a small bow and then sprung aside. They all heaved a sigh of relief and climbed the stairs to the office door. Harry knocked twice and the door sprang open to reveal eight people sitting around the hearth in the chairs they had conjured two weeks before. Dumbledore had apparently conjured more in the same design, and Harry amusedly noted the very subtle rearrangement of the room and conjuring of an extra chair for Aurora, although he doubted anyone other than Hermione and Ron had. To the side were four people, one an easily recognizable and renowned auror and friend of their world, known affectionately as Mad Eye Moody. These were most likely guards, although for who it was yet to be seen.
The moment Aurora stepped through the door she was greeted with an exasperated exclamation from a woman who could only be Lily Potter.
"Aurora Potter! What did you and the twins do this time to get all of us called in here to meet with the Headmaster no less? Getting an owl from Professor McGonnagal every other week is bad enough but now you cause your father and I to come here for a meeting simply for a silly prank. This must end NOW!" roared the red-haired woman, emerald eyes blazing.
As she ranted she was moving constantly more forward, causing Aurora to back up into Ron.
At that moment yet another enraged red-headed woman, but one with an even more familiar and dear face, decided it was the perfect time to berate her 'idiotic' twins, of whom she'd seen a flash of their hair behind Aurora.
"And you, Fred and George, should know better. This is not the first time I've been called in here and I told you" She began, voice rising as she stood up and turned around, only to stop mid-sentence, realizing that the red-headed young man was not Fred or George, but a stranger altogether, although he looked oddly familiar. If anyone, he looked most like Ron.
"Oh dear, my deepest apologies young man. I thought you were one of my twins. Horrible troublemakers they are." she said blushing a brilliant shade of Weasley red.
"No problem at all Mrs. Weasley, no harm done. I've become well acquainted with them and heartily agree with your assessment although I tend to view it a little differently as I am not the one trying to control them." Ron assured her, thoroughly enjoying his mother blushing on account of berating him for something he didn't do for once – or rather something other than what he had done.
~Well, looks like Dumbledore decided not to tell them why they're here, although I don't think it was for our sakes or security so much as him wanting to see the full range of reactions. That and test how long Sirius can keep a secret with out keeling over or exploding. Charlie looks to be doing rather well, but Sirius I think is about to hemorrhage.~ speculated Harry
~I'm actually impressed he kept it this long.~ marveled Hermione ~He's radiating so much excitement and tension he feels like a Dumbledore in a candy story.~
~Ouch. Sorry 'Mione. I'm tryin' to shield as much as possible.~ Ron sympathized.
~Yes, well right now I think we need to rescue Aurora – Harry, you mother is a scary woman when she's mad, and righteously indignant makes her hard to reach. You know your whole family and people you come into contact with entirely too much are extremely annoying. They all seem to be able to block or override me.~ Hermione grumbled
~Well, Aurora's problem is an easy fix~ Harry said, seeing her being pulled over to a chair by her ear by his...mother. ~And I'm sure we'll find a way to fix your little problem as well eventually.~ he teased.
~You little brat! You know. You know exactly why and you aren't telling me! Oh, I'll get you mister. Just you wait~ She said sending all sorts of embarrassing images his way which he deftly blocked.
'Must find out how he does that' Ron thought, wincing internally at some of the images. 'After all, I'm supposed to be the magical manipulation expert here.'
Meanwhile, Lily hadn't slowed down. "I can't believe you Aurora. Your brother's a prefect and well on his way to Head Boy but you are risking breaking the detention record you father and Sirius set! Honestly."
"That's my girl!" chimed in James and Sirius only to be silenced by Lily's glare.
"I think you have made more trips to the Headmaster's office in one year for trouble than I did in 7 for good behavior! I will NOT tolerate this kind of behavior from you. You are a young lady not a hooligan. And Sirius, YOU are a PROFESSOR. You should be punishing her rather than encouraging her. It's not like she need any more of it," directing a scathing look at James who, along with Sirius looked properly abashed...for the moment. Lily was turning red now, and as she paused to get a breath Harry stepped in.
"Actually Mrs. Potter, you are all here because of us. Aurora is here simply because she came to visit us in the hospital wing and was kind enough to accompany us to the headmaster's office. We had wanted to meet her and apologize for hexing her accidentally when we first met here – we were simply overly startled."
Harry finished and winked slightly at Aurora who was sending him a grateful look as Lily relinquished her grip on Aurora's ear allowing the girl to sit.
~Harry ssssayss to tell you that you welcome. After all, what are big brothersss for if not to get you out of trouble.~ Vixen sent to her.
"Oh." Lily looked a little put off by her now wasted rant, much like Hermione normally would. A second later though she had recovered fully, and her eyes narrowed, turning to Aurora once more. "This is not finished, as you were obviously brought up here for a reason when you first met this young man and I am getting tired of owls from the school saying you did this or that." Aurora paled again slightly but didn't look too concerned. I mean after the bombshell Harry was about to drop on them she doubted her mother would remember until she had cooled down quite a bit more.
Turning back to Harry with still slightly narrowed eyes, not sure if she like someone who openly admitted to hexing her only and very troublesome daughter not matter how accidental, but her demeanor and emotional emissions were much more welcoming . "And who would you be then?"
"They would be the reason we are all gathered here today. But first, Lemon drop anyone? I always find them wonderful appetizers to breakfast" Dumbledore said calmly, extending a bowl of his precious lemon drops, offering to any takers.
~Oh no. Not the lemon drops. I assume these are the ones laced with calming potion? Or do you think the ones with cheering charms?~ Harry asked speculatively as he and the others took their seats again.
~Well, we are supposed to have breakfast and some food and calming potions don't mix well, so cheering charms probably.~ Hermione replied.
~Hmm, don't feel like being high at 8 am, so I think I'll pass~ Harry deadpanned.
~Definitely.~ she agreed.
~Nice crowd~ commented Ron slightly nervously as they were waiting for Dumbledore to realize no one would go anywhere near the dreaded lemon drops. Everyone here had far too much experience with that.
~Yes, Mr. And Mrs. Weasley, my dad and my mum, Sirius, Charlie, oh goody - aurors and strangers lurking in the background, McGonnagal...~
~Why McGonnagal?~ Harry pondered.
~Because she's the deputy headmistress, it's silly for Dumbledore to exclude her when she'll have to know anyways.~ Ron supplied easily.
~Deep Ron. I wish there weren't so many people here, although all of them are probably pretty necessary.~ Harry said wistfully
~Yes, well at least more than half of them don't know who we are yet so we'll get some peace and quiet at first and then some good entertainment.~
~Might come sooner than we think.~ Giggled Hermione with a quickly glance towards Sirius.
He looked like a three year-old who had to take a tinkle. He was biting his lip, twiddling both thumbs, bouncing his legs, and squirming. Quite impressive restraint for him actually.
Finally realizing no one was going to take him up on his offer Dumbledore cheerfully popped another into his mouth and placed them on the table. "Oh well, more for me. In that case, Kibbles?" A moment later a house elf in a rainbow tea cosy appeared.
"Yes Master Dumbly sir? What can Kibbles do for you?"
"Everyone, this is Kibbles." He introduced politely before turning back to the matter at hand. "Kibbles, will you please bring the breakfast I asked you to prepare for us all?"
"Of course Master Dumbly sir!" He squeaked before leaving with a pop. Seconds later trays appeared in front of everyone as if on an invisible table.
"Excellent. Dig in all, there will be plenty of time later for introductions." And with that Dumbledore began eating as if in the Great Hall with nothing more important to do than iron his socks later on.
~That man really needs to join a program. One day he's gonna turn himself colors just to make everything look more cheerful.~ Grumbled Harry, cautiously prodding his green eggs and ham with a fork to make sure everything was dead.
~Oh, and beware the sausage ~ warned Ron ~ I modified it a bit, but there's still a cheering charm that could cheer a Dementor on it~
After thirty minutes, several anti-cheering charms, and far too much of Dumbledore's idea of small talk, all the trays disappeared with the empty plates and Dumbledore clapped his hands.
"Alright, first a wonderful morning to you all! Now, on to why you are all here. I think introductions are in order." To Harry, Ron and Hermione he added, "I hope you don't mind, but I invited everyone who I felt was immediately applicable."
"I agree with your assessment, and if there are any problems with information we'll be sure to tell you late,." Harry affirmed.
~Yes, like half of the real story, not that we intended on telling much of that half anyways.~ snickered Ron. As an afterthought he added ~ Oi! Harry, what's with the speech, you sound like Percy the Pompous Git?`
Harry just ignored him.
"Wonderful. I, much to my surprise this morning when I woke up in my own body yet again, am Albus Percival Wulfric Ignatius Dumbledore, Order of Merlin First Class, Supreme Mugwump, Chief of the Wizengamot, and most importantly, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
*******
~I'm going to kill him~ growled Harry irritably. The formal introductions just put him in a realllllly tight spot.
*******
Minerva merely rolled her eyes "Minerva McGonnagal, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and Professor of Transfiguration."
"Arthur Weasley, Head of the Department for the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts" He declared proudly.
********
~Hey, Dad got a promotion! Cool~
*******
"Molly Weasley, wife of Arthur Weasley and mother to 7 wonderful redheaded children." She looked lovingly at Charlie who smiled tolerantly back.
*****
~Wow, yeah lots of redheads between our two families Harry.~
~And the cheering charms are giving me the creeps~ added Hermione ~ Everyone's real emotions are amplified and then brightened. Really weird.~
********
"Charlie Weasley, Professor of Care of Magical Creatures"
"James Potter, Minister of Magic, Order of Merlin Second Class"
*******
~You're Dad's Minister of Magic?~
~Better than Fudge any day~
~Definitely~
*******
"Lily Potter, Head of Experimental Charms research division at the Ministry"
"Aurora Potter, 7th year student at Hogwarts, partner in crime to the talking monkeys spawned by Mrs. and Mr. Weasley," she gave them a fond look which was returned, "and keeper for Gryffindor A team"
********
~What's with the whole A team thing?~
~Honestly, isn't it obvious that since the twins are here and probably didn't fail 3 or 4 years in a row there are at least 10 years at Hogwarts. Therefore more than one team is necessary per house so people have enough of a chance to participate.~
~Oh~ Ron commented weakly. Just once he wanted her to not have such a logical answer or just be wrong.
********
"Sirius Black, Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Auror on a year's leave."
*********
~And the curse of the one year Defense teachers continues~ remarked Harry dryly ~I guess even in alternate dimesions some things are inescapable.~
********
"Jason Kenderson, Unspeakable, accompanying the Minister"
"Oliver Wood, Auror, accompanying the minister"
*******
~Looks like he got over his Quidditch craze~ Hermione noted approvingly to Harry and Ron's distress. They had to break her out of her delusion eventually.
*******
"Mendel Stormlight, Auror, here accompanying the Minister" The three took note at this as he had been a Death Eater, a late recruit and not well- known, but you never can tell.
From the shadows in the corner drifted the last voice, "Alastor Moody, Head Auror, retired until recently, here at the request of Headmaster Dumbledore."
At the jumps of many people in the room, Ron coughed something that sounded suspiciously like "Constant Vigilance."
However, any humor the three found soon dissipated, because it was now their turn. Much to Harry's dismay, they also found that were sitting in order of rank, strictly speaking, as well as the likely amount of shock they would give the audience.
**********
~Ah well, guess the fun couldn't last forever. Might as well get this over with. At least we can tone it down a bit.~ Ron sighed.
**********
"Ron Weasley, formerly of the Hogsmeade army, Tactical Officer and Keeper of the Strategic Maps, member of the Order of the Phoenix. I suppose now ex- Joint-Protector and Keeper of the Wards at Hogwarts." Before he could stop altogether though a few last words escaped his mouth, most definitely without his approval. "Order of Merlin First Class."
************
~Well there goes the cheering charms~ sighed Hermione, half out of relief and half from trepidation of now having to receive possibly even a greater mix of emotions.
~Damn the stupid spell that accompanies that award. You would think traveling dimensions would have freed us of that no?~ Ron grumbled
~Like things are ever made easy~ sighed Harry resignedly. ~At least you could leave off all of the Generals and Heads of all those titles, not to mention the stupid second in command of the Light forces thing, among others. I have a compulsion on me to say General. You would think that after Dumbledore died that spell would have dissolved.~
~Well, if you hadn't been so stubborn...~ Hermione reasoned.
~Might I remind you that you were just as bad and you do have a compulsion to say your bit about being the Head of Research and Strategic Developments, since you, like I did, tried to refuse the position. Ron was the smart one and just conceded.~
~Urg. Yeah, forgot about that,~ Hermione winced, ~ but Ron also got to see him force the other positions on us before he was given the choice.~
~True. Guess I should be greatful the compulsion is only to say General, and not everything else~
************
At the end of Ron's introduction the room erupted into a cacophony of 'whats', 'that is not my son' and wands being drawn. The three of them simply sat there, confident in their renewed power levels and reflexes as well as Dumbledore that nothing permanent or even remotely damaging would happen. Dumbledore finally calmed everyone down enough to address them.
"Please let them finish, and then all will be explained." Dumbledore said authoritatively, although his eyes were twinkling with suppressed amusement. Yes, he had most assuredly planned this to see their reactions, although he too was suppressing some surprise, most likely at the titles- well, more where that came from. He nodded at Hermione to continue.
She took a deep breath and then dove in. "Hermione Granger, formerly of the Kraken division, Research and Strategic Developments....H-h-head, member of the Order of the Phoenix , ex-Joint Protector and Keeper of the wards of Hogwarts and Order of Merlin First Class."
This time there was a stunned silence, almost as if a silencing spell had been placed on the room.
**************
~Well, that went better than expected.~ Hermione said, starting to project calm and reassurance to the rest of the room, which was in shock.
~Next up is me. Lets just hope they're too shocked by our names to remember the titles~
~Fat chance, but you're a good sweet talker so you'll manage to get out of it just fine.~
*****************
"General Harry Potter, Battle, Deployment and Recruitment divisions, member of the Order of the Phoenix, ex-Joint Protector and Keeper of the wards at Hogwarts, and Order of Merlin First Class." after he finished he tilted his head slightly at a quiet hissing and looked properly abashed. "And this lovely lady around my neck here is Vixen, one of my familiars."
That caused a silence so loud they all thought they were in a black hole. The reactions were definitely interesting though. Sirius and Charlie were languidly sitting in their chairs trying not to laugh, but also a little disconcerted at the titles, Order of Merlins and the fact that they had held the wards of Hogwarts together at, at most, the age of 18, as was Dumbledore. Moody still had his wand trained on them. Molly and Arthur looked confused. McGonnagal's eyes were so wide they thought they might pop out and her lips were drawn into a tight line. James looked like a statue. Lily was staring at Harry as if she was seeing a ghost, which, if he really was Harry, he should be. The three ministry aurors and unspeakable were simply sitting there observing. Aurora was sitting stoically, contemplating just how much there seemed to be to her brother and his friends.
James was the first one to break the silence, "If this is a joke it is a poor one." He said stiffly.
"It's no joke James." Sirius confirmed, all eyes turning towards him. At James's look of disbelief he continued with an ironic half-smile, "I'm serious. (I know, I had to though) I would have told you sooner but Master Dumbly there didn't want us to," with a jerk of his head.
"I'm not saying I trust them" he said and Harry knew he was missing something here, "But they really are who they say they are. He, they, know things they never would otherwise and Fawkes confirmed it. I tried to break into the hospital wing like this imp here did to find out more for you, but couldn't." Sirius, for once, looked entirely serious
"It's true Dad, Mum. He, I...well just look at him!" Aurora amended. She wanted to stay as far away from the topic of Vixen as possible so she didn't slip. "He has our eyes, and he looks a lot like Dad, just more Auror/Sirius style." That was unusual – Aurora rarely defended people unless she really like them and her vehemence indicated that, but she had only known them for a matter of hours, if that.
At his parents questioning glance Charlie nodded his head as well and added his two cents, "Phoenixes can't lie or be duped when specifically asked to function as a simple lie detector, and Fawkes confirmed it. I believe them, but like Sirius was thwarted in my invasion attempts so can't tell you anything more."
Dumbledore smiled tolerantly and drew attention to himself. "They are indeed who they say, and I think they are the best ones to tell us more. Furthermore, if you look you will see resemblances to, at least, our Hermione and Ron that are too close to be faked, and I believe Moody could confirm the lack of spells or potions on them to achieve that."
Moody nodded from the side, his eye spinning rapidly, most likely from their many layered auras. "They are who they appear to be, although their auras are highly unique."
"How? How is this possible?" James asked guardedly with all the force of Minister and war hero behind it, taking his wife's white knuckled hands into his. Harry was a touchy spot for all of them and he did not appreciate being possibly duped into false hope again, not to mention the fact that claiming such high titles falsely were crimes.
************
~I know I said Hermione should talk, but in this case I think Harry might be most appropriate~ Ron suggested ~We need directness and passion, something Harry has gotten rather good at.~
Harry mentally blew a raspberry at him before launching into a very short explanation.
************
"Well, as Sirius, Charlie and Albus, Professor Dumbledore, know we believe we are from another dimension, one where I lived and Voldemort sort-of died."
*********Lily's POV*********
Lily wanted to jump out of her seat and run over and hug him, but the tightening of her husband's hand around hers made her stay put and give him her support. He had always felt responsible for Harry's death – that there was something more he could have done, something about Peter he should have noticed even if though there was nothing more anyone could have done at the time.
'Well, shame the cheering charms are no longer of use. Could have used them about now. Shock always disables the ones combined with food. Dumbledore should have had us eat during introductions, although then there would have been a serious choking hazard. He knows that anyways.' She thought wryly.
She looked over at the Arthur and Molly. She was overjoyed to finally get the chance to meet Harry. Her Harry. In fact she could hardly think it was all so overwhelming, but this had to be even stranger for Arthur and Molly who had a son Ron, but who seemed to be nothing like this boy at all. Ron was...well....not like the rest of the family. Closest to Percy in fact, only lazier and completely disregarded the rules for his own benefit. His ambition outrivaled his loyalties, but Arthur and Molly still stood by him. If anyone consulted Lily however, he was a spoiled brat. This Ron hadn't talked almost at all yet, but he seemed content to just stand in the back ground and had a kind prescence.
The most interesting thing was the titles and his little comment at the end. How does someone 'sort –of' die? Harry a General? He wasn't more than 18! And all of them had an Order of Merlin First Class that they definitely hadn't wanted to announce. This Ron was definitely very different. And Hermione Granger. Dumbledore had once commented to Lily before her death that Hermione was much like Lily – almost identical except for looks of course. It was no surprise that Hermione had been working in a Research and Development field for whatever war they had obviously been involved in, but to be the Head....not even graduated from Hogwarts...amazing! Ron and Hermione had hated each other, although she had gotten on well enough with Aurora. Very odd combination.
No one had moved or spoken since Harry's last announcement. Charlie and Sirius had also known already, and she was going to have a long talk with that dog about keeping family secrets from her, but they seemed reluctant to do anything. Aurora seemed as confused as they all did, and Lily suspected that she had just found out a lot of information as well. Her only daughter was definitely hiding something about the three newcomers, something she had just recently accepted as otherwise Lily never would have picked up on it – pranking had its perks in being able to hide secrets.
'Note to self: drill Aurora for any and all new secrets as soon as possible.'
Dumbledore was undoubtedly just waiting to devour and twinkle at their reactions. What an infuriating man.
'Well, I guess it is up to me to do something before we all freeze in place forever or Moody curses us all.'
She patted her husbands hand comfortingly and then extracated herself from his grip standing up. She walked over to the young many who called himself Harry, who stood up as she approached.
'He's so tall!'
Out of the corner of her eye she saw her husband tense, but ignored it. This needed to be done. If Dumbledore, Sirius, Charlie, and Aurora all said it was true, then it probably was and she wanted to do this – in fact she couldn't wait.
"Welcome to our world Harry. It's wonderful to meet you." Then she gave him the hug she had been itching to give him ever since Dumbledore said he really was Harry Potter." The speech was a little formal yes, but it seemed to fit and she wasn't up to anything more than coherent thought.
He tensed when she first wrapped her arms around him, but quickly relaxed and almost reverently returned the hug.
She then repeated the process with Ron and Hermione. This seemed to break the ice for everyone else, and Molly, Arthur, McGonnagal and James all got up and welcomed the three as well, the men and McGonnagal each shaking the hands of the three and Molly giving each one of her big hugs which each returned enthusiastically and much more naturally than they did her hug, she thought slightly dejected. It was silly, but she couldn't help but wonder why since as Harry's mom she should know his friends as well as Molly would.
'Am I a bad mother to him? Do we hate each other?'
She couldn't really tell, they were all so...controlled. Actually they reminded her of Severus in many ways, just without the sneer.
Her thought processes were interrupted as the welcoming finished and everyone sat back down. She was amused to see Moody still had his wand out. James still looked slightly on edge and unconvinced, but she knew he'd loosen up after a time. Peter's betrayal had changed him, he was very untrusting and while he still acted like a child a lot, his responsibilities and experiences as Minister made him even more stubborn and skeptical. Everything would work out just fine.
**********Normal POV *************
Harry had been shocked when his mother had hugged him. It was foreign and unusual, yet strangely familiar, no one ever having hugged him other than Sirius, Ron, Ginny, Hermione and Mrs. Weasley, and only Mrs. Weasley on a regular basis. He felt like he was surrounded in a blanket of warmth. Then it had hit him. It was his mother hugging him. So he tentatively returned the hug he had wished for ever since he could remember, his mind floating off in his own little world of happiness. He hadn't known what else to do.
Mr. Weasley and McGonnagal's greetings had been strangely formal to all of them, having known Mr. Weasley as their father or surrogate father and McGonnagal as their teacher and later close friend and ally.
Harry had been saddened slightly by his father's reception of him, but he saw Sirius's encouraging look over his father's shoulder and felt Hermione and Ron send him waves of reassurance and relaxed a bit. They always made him feel better. Hopefully his father would loosen up once he knew more. He still missed Sirius's hugs and conspiratorial looks too. 'Guess that progression is still to come as well' he thought.
Mrs. Weasley's greeting made them all feel as if they had never left home, as if she had never....well they couldn't think about that right yet. They had to stay composed.
Dumbledore had that look on his face that made you want to slap him. The amused and all-knowing smirk that seemed entirely innocent.
Once they had all settled in their seats again Dumbledore took the lead again. "Well, that was a wonderful...reunion of sorts. Alastor. I believe there is no need for alarm or such avid vigilance here. I promise you are all entirely safe at the moment. And yes, in Lily's words, welcome to our world Harry, Hermione and Ron, I think we all forgot that the other night. I believe it is now time for us to share information as I'm sure your as curious of to how the circumstances of this world came to be as we are of your world. That, and I'm intensely curious as to the exact how and circumstances of you arrival here."
**************
~And the fun begins, Hermione your on.~
~I think we should require a blood contract or at least a confidence spell for now. I mean, other than Wood, Stormlight and Kenderson, who we could send out, we or Dumbledore have already trusted everyone with far more important secrets or issues, but its safer until we know more, and lets just say any press leaks might make me try and kill someone I'd rather not.~ Ron suggested grimly. After their fourth year and all of their slander on Harry, and later Ron and Hermione as well they all hated the press with a passion.
~Well, lets go with a magical binding then, I don't want Aurora as young as she is having to do a blood contract.~
*************
All eyes had turned to stare at the three of them once more as Hermione opened her mouth projecting confidence and assurance. "We'll be happy to share information, and are even eager to, but first if you could draw up for us a 2nd degree Contract of Confidence indicating that all parties shall be unable to discuss or impart information passed on here to anyone not already having this information or without the permission of the giver."
Thinking of the skepticism they were likely to endure she quickly made a decision. "Also include a truth clause please."
**********
~Just like you 'Mione – make even more work for yourself and us. Careful there – no slips.~
~I know that Ronald, but at least this way I don't have to worry about convincing everyone of the truth of my words. Understatement is a great art, have no fear.~ She assured him confidently.
The truth clause ensured that everything said would be truth. That couldn't be corrupted without the use of a rather long dark magic ritual that had to be perform after the contract was signed, something they obviously had no time to do so it would be very convincing. Bending the truth was very acceptable though, and all three of them, Hermione and Harry especially, were very good at it.
Just once he'd like to be right, but this time it was fine to be wrong Ron supposed.
********************
Dumbledore nodded at her and got to work setting up the binding for the contract, which appeared on his desk moments later. A Contract of Confidence held the signer to its precepts and agreements by binding their magic to the contract through a touch of the wand. Theoretically no one should be able to violate it, but should someone find a way, depending on the strength and importance of the contract they would be punished through their magic. A first degree contract would inflict on someone something like reverse veritaserum, so that the person could only speak lies about anything important. A second degree contract would trigger a select memory charm on the perpetrator and discoverer of the information and the perpetrator would fall victim to a very specific silencing hex that removes one's mouth and could only be undone by the one who made the contract. If it was violated through writing their hands would disappear as well. A third degree contract would remove one's magic entirely and permanently silence the perpetrator.
As Dumbledore was preparing the contract Hermione sent an apologetic look around the room at the few hurt and other suspicious faces she explained, "it's not that we don't trust you, it's just that we've learned the need for caution, however unnecessary and some of our information is rather shocking and sensitive, or simply stuff we would rather not be well known. Its common procedure for us." She said, holding up her right palm as proof, marred by lines indicating frequent use of blood contracts. "I figured Dumbledore would be the best choice for this and that blood would be a little extreme. Anyone who doesn't wish to sign can leave."
"No need to apologize girl, Constant Vigilance I always say – I'm glad to see someone else agrees with it as well." Moody said in his gravelly voice, coming up behind Dumbledore and signed the contract with his magical signature.
He passed the document to Harry who quickly tapped his wand to the parchment to bind his magic to the contract and it passed around the entire circle. James, Harry was interested to see, gave them all an approving glance at the contract, and Harry couldn't help but wonder how they were alive and he wasn't. Had Peter still become a traitor?
The contract finally reached Dumbledore again and he closed it with a final spell and sent it to one of the many contract slots in his archives.
"Perfect. Now how did you all manage to jump dimensions? I assume I was in someway involved."
Hermione nodded her head. "Yes, you had a great deal to do with it actually. For everyone who doesn't know, Albus, sorry, Professor Dumbledore spent several years studying specific veils in the Department of Mysteries having to do with interdimensional travel. He could probably explain it better, but that is unimportant at the moment. However, what is important is that he came to believe that there were two problems with those veils: one, that they were permanent, and two, that they did not have sufficient power or direction. So, firstly I must ask you Professor, have you yet developed a spell here that would allow one to travel dimensions?"
"No, I haven't gotten around to it, although I was considering working heavily on it after my retirement."
"Ok. Well in our world during the war, based on your original research we found a way to make use of the different planes of existence in various ways – difficult but possible and highly useful. You, I suspect, although I do not know for sure, took our discoveries there and in what little free time you had adapted them to dimensional portals. The effects we experienced in the portal on the way here correspond very closely to the effects of interplanar travel that our familiars and allies described or exhibited. The spell used an immense amount of power that was stored in three talismans" she held hers out to him which he took and examined, "that each of us have, and our own power reserves. That is the chief cause of our magical exhaustion. The runes on the talisman, although I am not a master of all forms, are unlike any I have seen before but do bear a slight resemblance to both those used by Merlin and those of the elves."
***************
~Knowing him that's exactly what they are- a blend of the two and so bloody convoluted no one could ever figure them out.~ commented Ron who received a slap.
**************
Dumbledore did not look up from his inspection of the talisman, but nodded his agreement. "Are all of these talismans identical?"
The whole room was silent and staring – the scary thing was Ron, Harry, Lily, James and the Unspeakable were all actually following what was being said.
"No, I believe they are different."
"May I see them?"
"Of course."
Harry and Ron handed their talismans over to Dumbledore who conjured a floating surface in front of him to inspect them all on.
**************
~What do you think he wants them all for?~ Harry asked interestedly.
~No idea on that one, but when put together their signatures all change, and merge, so it probably is in relation to their function. They all must be present for their real function to reveal itself.~ Ron said.
~I'm not sure, but I think they might be the key to which world we went to and how our familiars came as well. I was looking at mine earlier and there is A LOT of runes encrypted even for interdimensional travel – not that I know much about that.~
~I'd say we know more that just about anyone else other than Dumbledore.~
~Yes, but my knowledge is so superficial compared to ...~
~Get on with it!~ chorused Ron and Harry
~Well, I think they specify things like Harry's parents being alive and no Voldemort etc. To travel to any dimension I would assume would simply require a verified portal spell with more power and a slightly different direction than the planar ones. But this, to me at least, is a dream come true- our dream come true. I think those are a record of all the wishes we once had for our lives.~
~It would be just like Albus, and it makes sense 'Mione.~
~Yeah, especially with the way the power signatures alter. You're brilliant, but I think the explanation needs finishing now.~
~Not quite yet~
****************
"Well, to make a long story short, we joined hands with each of our talismans in our left hands, and chanted the spell you gave us, thelthun anuath riaga alan, that is in no language I know or have heard, which is a lot. Not even seconds later we were falling through a portal where none of our magic worked and when we exited everything was as if we had never been in it, our spells functional and all, but our surroundings looked as if some important, landscaping events had never taken place."
*************
~Landssscaping? You call the dessssstruction of over half the Forbidden Foresssst by Voldemort'sssss army landsssssscaping?~ Vixen spoke her incredulously
~Yes and don't forget the crumbling and explosion of a good portion of Hogwarts into rubble. We simply thought it was time for a change so we started a war.~ Harry joked morbidly.
~I'll keep that method of ssssspring cleaning in the back of my mind the nexxxt time I get sssssick and tired of you. It'ssss rather effective.~
*************
"Thelthun anuath riaga alan." Dumbledore whispered as if remembering something long forgotten. "It roughly means 'a life-path changed in peace.' It is unlike any other language on the planet as it is not from this planet or dimension. It is a good thing we made up that contract." He said with a smile. "I assume from what you have said that you at least, Hermione, have read the edited version of my dissertation on my studies of the portals. Well, part of what was said there is untrue. There was one portal that was slightly functional. It was unable to transport items or things, but when someone of another dimension attempted to open a similar portal, it did allow us to communicate. The understanding of this language was a sort of gift. The language for spells has great potential power, but it is...unstable. I never found a spell with which it would work. The power, and even the meanings of words change with emotion and with to whom they are said at what time. I doubt that this spell, with the same talismans recharged and you three using them would work again."
Everyone, including Hermione, was taken aback at the revelation's details, but not so much at the fact that Dumbledore could speak a language no one in this dimension knew – after all , it was Dumbledore.
*************
~Definitely fits him. Cryptic, virtually non-existent language that swings around and plays tricks but is extremely powerful and near impossible to manipulate or figure out. I think it was made for him.~ Harry noted.
***********
"The talismans I believe are the codes for coming here are tailored to each of you, but that could take a very long time to figure out as I too cannot read the runes other than try and find similar parallels to them in those used by Merlin and the elves here – as you correctly recognized their roots." Hermione got the 'I told you so look' in her eyes and Harry and Ron knew they were in for a good hour of well deserved gloating in the near future, coupled with even more theories.
"I do have a few questions about your story but those can wait until after we answer a few of yours about this world. We did agree to trade information." Dumbledore finished.
**************
~Yey! A break for my mind. Harry, you're our interrogator so interrogate.~
"Alright, I think we can read up on most of the more obscure aspects but we would like to know some important facts. First off, what is the status of Voldemort here? I assume he's not doing so well as your defenses are rather weak and lax." McGonnaga, the Weaselys and the guards accompanying James other than Moody all winced at the name.
~Why couldn't at least that stupid fear have changed.~ moaned Harry.
~Yes, well at least your parents, sister and Sirius are unafraid. More people in one room than we ever got at the beginning.~
***************
Everyone looked to James for that answer. He looked at his 'son' slightly surprised and a little wistfully. "Voldemort is dead and has been for 17 years."
"How?" Harry asked, his heart giving a little jump at the knowledge that he would not have to face Voldemort again, or even deal with the aftermath of a recent war. A war in which he had caused the deaths of so many....
Once again James answered, only this time after a very long pause. He still didn't trust Harry and his two friends, but this was his death after all. He deserved to know. Taking a deep breath he spoke in a hollow voice with a distant look, as if reliving it as he probably was. "He died on October 31, 1981 when Peter, "he spit the name laced with hate and Sirius growled, "our Secret Keeper, revealed our location to Voldemort. Peter, little powerless Peter help Voldemort disable Lily and I. So stupid we were, and...then Voldemort...he wanted to..." James was struggling so much he couldn't continue so Lily continued for him, her voice slightly choked.
"He wanted us to watch as he killed you and then make James watch as he raped and tortured me before killing him too, or at least that's what he said. Voldemort cast the Avada Kedavra on Harry, but something went wrong and it apparently rebounded back on him. Harry survived that as far as I could tell, but Voldemort was dead. The magical backlash freed us from our bonds and began to destroy the house, but as we were going to get Harry, Peter got him first, and said that if we let him go he would spare Harry. As he was backing away he fell, and..." she closed her eyes in pain, "the knife slipped killing Harry." she finished and began to silently cry.
James reached an arm around Lily and held her to him, lost in his own memory. They hadn't spoken of the nights events in such detail to anyone other than Dumbledore and Sirius. Even Aurora only knew the rough outline. She was shocked as well and looked on concernedly at her parent whom she could do nothing to help. The whole room, sat quietly, remembering that night when their world had been freed.
Aurora may have been unable to help, but Hermione could and did, unable to see the two of them suffering like that and Harry's obvious distress over their grief for him. Harry had a guilt complex the size of the Milky Way and had had lots of opportunity to try and blame himself, and Hermione didn't want to have to deal with yet another piece added to the unending tower. She unobtrusively got up and walked over to kneel next to Lily where she placed a hand on hers and carefully sought out the emotions of the two grieving parents tied to that memory and expanding her shields placed a temporary block on them, rerouting the emotions into herself. The emotions were too strong to simply suppress, not to mention Lily's natural resistance to suggestion made that option impossible. She would deal with that problem later, but for now it would snap them out of the loop. And she was right it did. As Hermione returned to her seat, Lily stopped crying and while still looking sad was composed and calm, as was James. James sent her a thankful look that she acknowledged with a smile.
Score: 1 for Hermione 0 for animosity increasing mistake goblins (figurative ones of course)
Dumbledore, sensing asking them to finish would be a bad idea and seeing the remaining questioning looks decided to specify some of the details following those events for them. "Harry, as a baby, essentially destroyed Voldemort, although no one knows how. A strange cut was found on his head where Voldemort had fired the spell at Harry in the shape of a lightening bolt." He looked at Harry speculatively, "Exactly like the one on your forehead. It was speculated for a while that Voldemort was not truly dead, as weak traces of his magical signature can be found leaving Godric's Hollow as well as entering, but they die several blocks away. It has since been concluded he is truly gone."
*************
~So the award goes to Peter in the bedroom with a knife!~ snarled Harry sarcastically.
~Yep, you were just as much of a freak in this world as you are in ours mate. Sorry there.~ Ron commiserated with him.
~Oh hush Ron, and I hardly think you life is a game of Clue Harry. That would be far too simple. However I do think it interesting that Voldemort here is fully dead and appears to have completely died at the same time you did. ~
~Looks our theory on how Voldemort survived is on its way to fact.~
~And I think you'll have to explain how you survived Harry.~
~Nope. I am sooooooooo not going over my story. You are doing that my dear Artemis. Remember?~
~Oh alright.~
**************
"And the Death Eaters? Peter?" He asked each with great distaste.
Moody answered this one. "Peter Pettigrew was sentenced to life in Azkaban and given the Dementor's Kiss. Many of the other Death Eaters escaped prosecution by claiming to be under the Imperius curse and the Minister of the time unfortunately let them get away with it. Recently there have been cults of ex-Death Eaters resurfacing and rumors of an existing 'heir'. The Death Eaters cults, one of them known to be led by Lucius Malfoy have been causing small problems and are real, but we are handling them. The rumors of the heir are unconfirmed and if they are true this 'true heir' will not be any threat for at least another 20 years as he is supposedly only a baby that one of the Death Eaters took form its parents."
***********
~Great. More fun for us, and is Moody delusional? Riddle opened the Chamber of Secrets at 16 with no issues and had been planning it since he was 12.~
~Yes, but most people here probably don't know that. The only reason that is common knowledge in our world is you Harry.~
~Still. Age, after a point, makes no difference on level of evilness – just power and look at us.~
~True. Find out how I died.~ Hermione asked with insatiable curiosity. Honestly, the girl was asking about her own death. Shouldn't she be the least bit apprehensive or creeped out?
********
"How did Hermione die?"
Charlie's turn. "Car accident last year with her parents." He said with remorse remembering the incident. They had had a fight over her being allowed to spend the summer helping him with dragons in Romania. He had said it was too dangerous and she had said it was her decision.
**************
~Sorry 'Mione~ Ron said, sending her a wave of comfort and love along with Harry after sensing her emotional wave of regret at not getting to see her parents again. They had died the same way in their world just after Dumbledore had been lost to them.
~Yeah, I'll always have you guys though.~ She sent back assurance that she was okay.
~Anything else immediate~ Harry asked, not being able to think of any other pressing questions at the time. After all, it was a lot to take in in one day and they still could ask other questions later. He wanted to get their explanations over with.
~Not at the moment.~
***********
"I think that's all the question we have for now. Voldemort," everyone winced again, "was our main concern." Harry pretended to look to Ron and Hermione for confirmation who gave it. The mood changed from one of sadness to eagerness- it was now time to find out about these newcomers.
"Wonderful." Dumbledore smiled at them, "Now I have a few questions first and then everyone else can ask you some. When Hermione was explaining everything about how you arrived she didn't seem to know for certain much about how you came here. I would like to think my other self would have described everything about this method of travel so that you could return and tell him all about it. In fact, you didn't seem to even be sure you had traveled dimensions. 'My' choice of words for the spell is also rather unusual – I myself would never have chosen them : a life-path changed in peace. This begs the question why didn't I travel with you or tell you all this and what prompted my choice of words for the spell. Do you know?"
They all paled at this question and Hermione started to shake almost imperceptibly under a flashback. They hadn't expected to have to deal with questions about Dumbledore yet or the war. They had planned on giving their early background and avoiding the issue, saying they weren't ready.
***********
~Shit!~ exclaimed Ron ~ She just channeled Lily and James's grief. She was shielded and stopped after they let go of the memory but it allowed the memory to override her normal mental shields. You explain, I'll knock her out of it. It's not a bad one.~
~Right, just make it discreet, and do it the old fashioned way - I don't want to get into our powers too much – dreamwalking would take far too much explanation.~
***********
Harry steadied himself and replied flatly, "You're dead. You didn't accompany us or tell us anything more because you are dead and we were never meant to return. You told us the spell with your dying breath."
*********
~Hah! Got her with that time of Voldysmurf as a purple and green polka- dotted house elf.~
~Yes you did and thanks.~ Hermione laughed
~No problem, just don't do that again too soon or well be pulled in too.~
~Of course not!~ she replied indignantly ~ Just a slight case of emotional override – I'm prepared now~
~Right. Now the question is how do we snap Dumbledore out of it?~
*********
Whatever answer Dumbledore had expected to the question, Harry's answer was obviously not that. His mouth was actually hanging open. Harry wished he had a camera.
His jaw closed with a snap and everyone, despite the seriousness of the answer given looked highly amused. "Well then," Dumbledore said, trying to regain his composed image and state, "I think you should all start from the beginning then and explain how this, you, everything came about." He popped one of his lemon drops into his mouth hurriedly and visibly perked up. "We have all day after all. Lemon drop anyone?"
*************
~Back to his old tactics~ Harry observed dryly.
At that moment they all thought the same thing – New things happen all the time, but somethings never change.
************
Well that's it. Hope to get another one out by Saturday. Sorry again for the long delay.
More Weasleys next chapter – promise!
Plz review.
Forty-five minutes later the four, no five, of them were standing in front of the gargoyle that guarded Dumbledore's office, four of them being forced by the fifth to listen to a horrible telepathic rendition of "They're always in the way" by Vixen about long whiskers and facial hair.
Aurora, who had found her tongue again, was still bouncing all over the place with ideas for the prank shop and questions left and right. Harry, Hermione and Ron happily fired off suggestions for the shop, having more than their share of experience with the twins in their world, but remained tightlipped on anything to do with their past, knowing going back over it once would be hard and obnoxious enough. Aurora's babbling was as much an attempt to dispel the tension as it was from interest. They had all erected their emotional masks again and become oddly silent and emotionless, even between themselves.
"'Mione, you don't happen to know the password do you?"
"Why would I know it Harry?"
"Well, I was kind of hoping Madam Pomfrey had told it to us and I just wasn't listening. As you know I have kind of developed a very effective mechanism for tuning her out."
"Yes, well unfortunately she either forgot to tell us the password or Dumbledore wants to see how we got up the last time."
"The last time?" asked Aurora curiously.
"When we first arrived. I think he was more than a little surprised to find us waiting in his office rather than in front of it or lost, especially when he hadn't given us the password. He didn't even offer us lemon drops!"
Her eyes glinted with amusement at the thought of a surprised Dumbledore. "And how did you get in then? Can't you just do whatever it was again to let us in?"
"Well...there is a trick that would let us in, but it hurts the gargoyle and sets off all sorts of alarms. It's not worth it. Last time Hogwarts let us in. It seems this time she's not so inclined."
"Oh well. Guess its back to the old guessing game." Hermione sighed.
"Yes, he seems to take unique pleasure in seeing how long it takes everyone to guess the passwords. At least its always candy, but the problem is that this time we don't know what he's used in the past so we have twice as many to guess." Harry
"Just how many times have you all been to the headmaster's office before?" Aurora questioned.
"Far too many," grimaced Hermione with distaste. Even if the last hundred times she'd been up there it was to use her own office and she'd long ago chosen to become something of a wretched rule breaker simply by becoming friends with Harry, the number of times they had been 'called' to the office for other reasons stuck badly in with the prefect in her.
"Well that makes four of us," Aurora chirped, "and I, unlike you, do happen to know many of the past passwords he's used so start worshipping the ground I walk on." She declared cheekily.
"Ah, the wonders of the Potter family – always in trouble whether creating it or being chased by it," drawled Ron.
~You do know when you do that you sound disturbingly similar to Snape, right?~
"You know when you do that you sound disturbingly similar to Snape," commented Aurora, verbally echoing Harry's comment almost word for word. "You know who Snape is right?"
~Scary.~ (ron)
~Definitely.~ (mione)
Harry just glared at them "Unfortunately yes. Now on with the password game."
"Well, so you know the next time, as I get the feeling there will be one, in the past three years he's had Lemon Drop, Blood Pop, Droobles Best Blowing Gum, Chocolate Frog, Cockroach Cluster, Smarties...uh.... Willy Wonka's Everlasting Gobstoppers, Sherbert Lemon, Pepper Imps, Sugar Quills....ummm....ah yes, Fizzing Whizzbees, Toothflossing Stringmints, Ice Mice, Ton Tongue Toffee and Nerds. Those are the one's I was lucky enough to encounter at least. He seems to change them every 2-3 weeks or so and," she checked behind her at the unmoved gargoyle, "unfortunately for us he never uses the same one twice."
"Don't we know it. Well, he hates Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, so we don't have to worry about all the flavors."
"Thank Voldy's grave" mumbled Hermione remembering the time Sirius had somehow gotten brief control of the office and had insisted on using the flavors of the beans as his password but refused to tell anyone what it was. When a candy pretty literally has every flavor from strawberry to toenail clippings it can take a while to guess the right password. It turned out to be dog treats. Go figure – a dog related password from a dog animagus, regardless of the fact that he hated the things with a passion.
Aurora gave her a weird look at the expression she used but didn't say anything.
"So, try any of the twins'...and your other creations. Canary Creams." Harry suggested.
Nope. No luck.
"Right, Purple Snurples." No
"Lizard Lozenges." Guess not.
"Nosebleed Nugats." No again.
"Fainting Fancies." Or not.
"Oh. I have it! We just tested them the other day. Ghostly Gobblers!"
The gargoyle gave a small bow and then sprung aside. They all heaved a sigh of relief and climbed the stairs to the office door. Harry knocked twice and the door sprang open to reveal eight people sitting around the hearth in the chairs they had conjured two weeks before. Dumbledore had apparently conjured more in the same design, and Harry amusedly noted the very subtle rearrangement of the room and conjuring of an extra chair for Aurora, although he doubted anyone other than Hermione and Ron had. To the side were four people, one an easily recognizable and renowned auror and friend of their world, known affectionately as Mad Eye Moody. These were most likely guards, although for who it was yet to be seen.
The moment Aurora stepped through the door she was greeted with an exasperated exclamation from a woman who could only be Lily Potter.
"Aurora Potter! What did you and the twins do this time to get all of us called in here to meet with the Headmaster no less? Getting an owl from Professor McGonnagal every other week is bad enough but now you cause your father and I to come here for a meeting simply for a silly prank. This must end NOW!" roared the red-haired woman, emerald eyes blazing.
As she ranted she was moving constantly more forward, causing Aurora to back up into Ron.
At that moment yet another enraged red-headed woman, but one with an even more familiar and dear face, decided it was the perfect time to berate her 'idiotic' twins, of whom she'd seen a flash of their hair behind Aurora.
"And you, Fred and George, should know better. This is not the first time I've been called in here and I told you" She began, voice rising as she stood up and turned around, only to stop mid-sentence, realizing that the red-headed young man was not Fred or George, but a stranger altogether, although he looked oddly familiar. If anyone, he looked most like Ron.
"Oh dear, my deepest apologies young man. I thought you were one of my twins. Horrible troublemakers they are." she said blushing a brilliant shade of Weasley red.
"No problem at all Mrs. Weasley, no harm done. I've become well acquainted with them and heartily agree with your assessment although I tend to view it a little differently as I am not the one trying to control them." Ron assured her, thoroughly enjoying his mother blushing on account of berating him for something he didn't do for once – or rather something other than what he had done.
~Well, looks like Dumbledore decided not to tell them why they're here, although I don't think it was for our sakes or security so much as him wanting to see the full range of reactions. That and test how long Sirius can keep a secret with out keeling over or exploding. Charlie looks to be doing rather well, but Sirius I think is about to hemorrhage.~ speculated Harry
~I'm actually impressed he kept it this long.~ marveled Hermione ~He's radiating so much excitement and tension he feels like a Dumbledore in a candy story.~
~Ouch. Sorry 'Mione. I'm tryin' to shield as much as possible.~ Ron sympathized.
~Yes, well right now I think we need to rescue Aurora – Harry, you mother is a scary woman when she's mad, and righteously indignant makes her hard to reach. You know your whole family and people you come into contact with entirely too much are extremely annoying. They all seem to be able to block or override me.~ Hermione grumbled
~Well, Aurora's problem is an easy fix~ Harry said, seeing her being pulled over to a chair by her ear by his...mother. ~And I'm sure we'll find a way to fix your little problem as well eventually.~ he teased.
~You little brat! You know. You know exactly why and you aren't telling me! Oh, I'll get you mister. Just you wait~ She said sending all sorts of embarrassing images his way which he deftly blocked.
'Must find out how he does that' Ron thought, wincing internally at some of the images. 'After all, I'm supposed to be the magical manipulation expert here.'
Meanwhile, Lily hadn't slowed down. "I can't believe you Aurora. Your brother's a prefect and well on his way to Head Boy but you are risking breaking the detention record you father and Sirius set! Honestly."
"That's my girl!" chimed in James and Sirius only to be silenced by Lily's glare.
"I think you have made more trips to the Headmaster's office in one year for trouble than I did in 7 for good behavior! I will NOT tolerate this kind of behavior from you. You are a young lady not a hooligan. And Sirius, YOU are a PROFESSOR. You should be punishing her rather than encouraging her. It's not like she need any more of it," directing a scathing look at James who, along with Sirius looked properly abashed...for the moment. Lily was turning red now, and as she paused to get a breath Harry stepped in.
"Actually Mrs. Potter, you are all here because of us. Aurora is here simply because she came to visit us in the hospital wing and was kind enough to accompany us to the headmaster's office. We had wanted to meet her and apologize for hexing her accidentally when we first met here – we were simply overly startled."
Harry finished and winked slightly at Aurora who was sending him a grateful look as Lily relinquished her grip on Aurora's ear allowing the girl to sit.
~Harry ssssayss to tell you that you welcome. After all, what are big brothersss for if not to get you out of trouble.~ Vixen sent to her.
"Oh." Lily looked a little put off by her now wasted rant, much like Hermione normally would. A second later though she had recovered fully, and her eyes narrowed, turning to Aurora once more. "This is not finished, as you were obviously brought up here for a reason when you first met this young man and I am getting tired of owls from the school saying you did this or that." Aurora paled again slightly but didn't look too concerned. I mean after the bombshell Harry was about to drop on them she doubted her mother would remember until she had cooled down quite a bit more.
Turning back to Harry with still slightly narrowed eyes, not sure if she like someone who openly admitted to hexing her only and very troublesome daughter not matter how accidental, but her demeanor and emotional emissions were much more welcoming . "And who would you be then?"
"They would be the reason we are all gathered here today. But first, Lemon drop anyone? I always find them wonderful appetizers to breakfast" Dumbledore said calmly, extending a bowl of his precious lemon drops, offering to any takers.
~Oh no. Not the lemon drops. I assume these are the ones laced with calming potion? Or do you think the ones with cheering charms?~ Harry asked speculatively as he and the others took their seats again.
~Well, we are supposed to have breakfast and some food and calming potions don't mix well, so cheering charms probably.~ Hermione replied.
~Hmm, don't feel like being high at 8 am, so I think I'll pass~ Harry deadpanned.
~Definitely.~ she agreed.
~Nice crowd~ commented Ron slightly nervously as they were waiting for Dumbledore to realize no one would go anywhere near the dreaded lemon drops. Everyone here had far too much experience with that.
~Yes, Mr. And Mrs. Weasley, my dad and my mum, Sirius, Charlie, oh goody - aurors and strangers lurking in the background, McGonnagal...~
~Why McGonnagal?~ Harry pondered.
~Because she's the deputy headmistress, it's silly for Dumbledore to exclude her when she'll have to know anyways.~ Ron supplied easily.
~Deep Ron. I wish there weren't so many people here, although all of them are probably pretty necessary.~ Harry said wistfully
~Yes, well at least more than half of them don't know who we are yet so we'll get some peace and quiet at first and then some good entertainment.~
~Might come sooner than we think.~ Giggled Hermione with a quickly glance towards Sirius.
He looked like a three year-old who had to take a tinkle. He was biting his lip, twiddling both thumbs, bouncing his legs, and squirming. Quite impressive restraint for him actually.
Finally realizing no one was going to take him up on his offer Dumbledore cheerfully popped another into his mouth and placed them on the table. "Oh well, more for me. In that case, Kibbles?" A moment later a house elf in a rainbow tea cosy appeared.
"Yes Master Dumbly sir? What can Kibbles do for you?"
"Everyone, this is Kibbles." He introduced politely before turning back to the matter at hand. "Kibbles, will you please bring the breakfast I asked you to prepare for us all?"
"Of course Master Dumbly sir!" He squeaked before leaving with a pop. Seconds later trays appeared in front of everyone as if on an invisible table.
"Excellent. Dig in all, there will be plenty of time later for introductions." And with that Dumbledore began eating as if in the Great Hall with nothing more important to do than iron his socks later on.
~That man really needs to join a program. One day he's gonna turn himself colors just to make everything look more cheerful.~ Grumbled Harry, cautiously prodding his green eggs and ham with a fork to make sure everything was dead.
~Oh, and beware the sausage ~ warned Ron ~ I modified it a bit, but there's still a cheering charm that could cheer a Dementor on it~
After thirty minutes, several anti-cheering charms, and far too much of Dumbledore's idea of small talk, all the trays disappeared with the empty plates and Dumbledore clapped his hands.
"Alright, first a wonderful morning to you all! Now, on to why you are all here. I think introductions are in order." To Harry, Ron and Hermione he added, "I hope you don't mind, but I invited everyone who I felt was immediately applicable."
"I agree with your assessment, and if there are any problems with information we'll be sure to tell you late,." Harry affirmed.
~Yes, like half of the real story, not that we intended on telling much of that half anyways.~ snickered Ron. As an afterthought he added ~ Oi! Harry, what's with the speech, you sound like Percy the Pompous Git?`
Harry just ignored him.
"Wonderful. I, much to my surprise this morning when I woke up in my own body yet again, am Albus Percival Wulfric Ignatius Dumbledore, Order of Merlin First Class, Supreme Mugwump, Chief of the Wizengamot, and most importantly, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
*******
~I'm going to kill him~ growled Harry irritably. The formal introductions just put him in a realllllly tight spot.
*******
Minerva merely rolled her eyes "Minerva McGonnagal, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and Professor of Transfiguration."
"Arthur Weasley, Head of the Department for the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts" He declared proudly.
********
~Hey, Dad got a promotion! Cool~
*******
"Molly Weasley, wife of Arthur Weasley and mother to 7 wonderful redheaded children." She looked lovingly at Charlie who smiled tolerantly back.
*****
~Wow, yeah lots of redheads between our two families Harry.~
~And the cheering charms are giving me the creeps~ added Hermione ~ Everyone's real emotions are amplified and then brightened. Really weird.~
********
"Charlie Weasley, Professor of Care of Magical Creatures"
"James Potter, Minister of Magic, Order of Merlin Second Class"
*******
~You're Dad's Minister of Magic?~
~Better than Fudge any day~
~Definitely~
*******
"Lily Potter, Head of Experimental Charms research division at the Ministry"
"Aurora Potter, 7th year student at Hogwarts, partner in crime to the talking monkeys spawned by Mrs. and Mr. Weasley," she gave them a fond look which was returned, "and keeper for Gryffindor A team"
********
~What's with the whole A team thing?~
~Honestly, isn't it obvious that since the twins are here and probably didn't fail 3 or 4 years in a row there are at least 10 years at Hogwarts. Therefore more than one team is necessary per house so people have enough of a chance to participate.~
~Oh~ Ron commented weakly. Just once he wanted her to not have such a logical answer or just be wrong.
********
"Sirius Black, Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Auror on a year's leave."
*********
~And the curse of the one year Defense teachers continues~ remarked Harry dryly ~I guess even in alternate dimesions some things are inescapable.~
********
"Jason Kenderson, Unspeakable, accompanying the Minister"
"Oliver Wood, Auror, accompanying the minister"
*******
~Looks like he got over his Quidditch craze~ Hermione noted approvingly to Harry and Ron's distress. They had to break her out of her delusion eventually.
*******
"Mendel Stormlight, Auror, here accompanying the Minister" The three took note at this as he had been a Death Eater, a late recruit and not well- known, but you never can tell.
From the shadows in the corner drifted the last voice, "Alastor Moody, Head Auror, retired until recently, here at the request of Headmaster Dumbledore."
At the jumps of many people in the room, Ron coughed something that sounded suspiciously like "Constant Vigilance."
However, any humor the three found soon dissipated, because it was now their turn. Much to Harry's dismay, they also found that were sitting in order of rank, strictly speaking, as well as the likely amount of shock they would give the audience.
**********
~Ah well, guess the fun couldn't last forever. Might as well get this over with. At least we can tone it down a bit.~ Ron sighed.
**********
"Ron Weasley, formerly of the Hogsmeade army, Tactical Officer and Keeper of the Strategic Maps, member of the Order of the Phoenix. I suppose now ex- Joint-Protector and Keeper of the Wards at Hogwarts." Before he could stop altogether though a few last words escaped his mouth, most definitely without his approval. "Order of Merlin First Class."
************
~Well there goes the cheering charms~ sighed Hermione, half out of relief and half from trepidation of now having to receive possibly even a greater mix of emotions.
~Damn the stupid spell that accompanies that award. You would think traveling dimensions would have freed us of that no?~ Ron grumbled
~Like things are ever made easy~ sighed Harry resignedly. ~At least you could leave off all of the Generals and Heads of all those titles, not to mention the stupid second in command of the Light forces thing, among others. I have a compulsion on me to say General. You would think that after Dumbledore died that spell would have dissolved.~
~Well, if you hadn't been so stubborn...~ Hermione reasoned.
~Might I remind you that you were just as bad and you do have a compulsion to say your bit about being the Head of Research and Strategic Developments, since you, like I did, tried to refuse the position. Ron was the smart one and just conceded.~
~Urg. Yeah, forgot about that,~ Hermione winced, ~ but Ron also got to see him force the other positions on us before he was given the choice.~
~True. Guess I should be greatful the compulsion is only to say General, and not everything else~
************
At the end of Ron's introduction the room erupted into a cacophony of 'whats', 'that is not my son' and wands being drawn. The three of them simply sat there, confident in their renewed power levels and reflexes as well as Dumbledore that nothing permanent or even remotely damaging would happen. Dumbledore finally calmed everyone down enough to address them.
"Please let them finish, and then all will be explained." Dumbledore said authoritatively, although his eyes were twinkling with suppressed amusement. Yes, he had most assuredly planned this to see their reactions, although he too was suppressing some surprise, most likely at the titles- well, more where that came from. He nodded at Hermione to continue.
She took a deep breath and then dove in. "Hermione Granger, formerly of the Kraken division, Research and Strategic Developments....H-h-head, member of the Order of the Phoenix , ex-Joint Protector and Keeper of the wards of Hogwarts and Order of Merlin First Class."
This time there was a stunned silence, almost as if a silencing spell had been placed on the room.
**************
~Well, that went better than expected.~ Hermione said, starting to project calm and reassurance to the rest of the room, which was in shock.
~Next up is me. Lets just hope they're too shocked by our names to remember the titles~
~Fat chance, but you're a good sweet talker so you'll manage to get out of it just fine.~
*****************
"General Harry Potter, Battle, Deployment and Recruitment divisions, member of the Order of the Phoenix, ex-Joint Protector and Keeper of the wards at Hogwarts, and Order of Merlin First Class." after he finished he tilted his head slightly at a quiet hissing and looked properly abashed. "And this lovely lady around my neck here is Vixen, one of my familiars."
That caused a silence so loud they all thought they were in a black hole. The reactions were definitely interesting though. Sirius and Charlie were languidly sitting in their chairs trying not to laugh, but also a little disconcerted at the titles, Order of Merlins and the fact that they had held the wards of Hogwarts together at, at most, the age of 18, as was Dumbledore. Moody still had his wand trained on them. Molly and Arthur looked confused. McGonnagal's eyes were so wide they thought they might pop out and her lips were drawn into a tight line. James looked like a statue. Lily was staring at Harry as if she was seeing a ghost, which, if he really was Harry, he should be. The three ministry aurors and unspeakable were simply sitting there observing. Aurora was sitting stoically, contemplating just how much there seemed to be to her brother and his friends.
James was the first one to break the silence, "If this is a joke it is a poor one." He said stiffly.
"It's no joke James." Sirius confirmed, all eyes turning towards him. At James's look of disbelief he continued with an ironic half-smile, "I'm serious. (I know, I had to though) I would have told you sooner but Master Dumbly there didn't want us to," with a jerk of his head.
"I'm not saying I trust them" he said and Harry knew he was missing something here, "But they really are who they say they are. He, they, know things they never would otherwise and Fawkes confirmed it. I tried to break into the hospital wing like this imp here did to find out more for you, but couldn't." Sirius, for once, looked entirely serious
"It's true Dad, Mum. He, I...well just look at him!" Aurora amended. She wanted to stay as far away from the topic of Vixen as possible so she didn't slip. "He has our eyes, and he looks a lot like Dad, just more Auror/Sirius style." That was unusual – Aurora rarely defended people unless she really like them and her vehemence indicated that, but she had only known them for a matter of hours, if that.
At his parents questioning glance Charlie nodded his head as well and added his two cents, "Phoenixes can't lie or be duped when specifically asked to function as a simple lie detector, and Fawkes confirmed it. I believe them, but like Sirius was thwarted in my invasion attempts so can't tell you anything more."
Dumbledore smiled tolerantly and drew attention to himself. "They are indeed who they say, and I think they are the best ones to tell us more. Furthermore, if you look you will see resemblances to, at least, our Hermione and Ron that are too close to be faked, and I believe Moody could confirm the lack of spells or potions on them to achieve that."
Moody nodded from the side, his eye spinning rapidly, most likely from their many layered auras. "They are who they appear to be, although their auras are highly unique."
"How? How is this possible?" James asked guardedly with all the force of Minister and war hero behind it, taking his wife's white knuckled hands into his. Harry was a touchy spot for all of them and he did not appreciate being possibly duped into false hope again, not to mention the fact that claiming such high titles falsely were crimes.
************
~I know I said Hermione should talk, but in this case I think Harry might be most appropriate~ Ron suggested ~We need directness and passion, something Harry has gotten rather good at.~
Harry mentally blew a raspberry at him before launching into a very short explanation.
************
"Well, as Sirius, Charlie and Albus, Professor Dumbledore, know we believe we are from another dimension, one where I lived and Voldemort sort-of died."
*********Lily's POV*********
Lily wanted to jump out of her seat and run over and hug him, but the tightening of her husband's hand around hers made her stay put and give him her support. He had always felt responsible for Harry's death – that there was something more he could have done, something about Peter he should have noticed even if though there was nothing more anyone could have done at the time.
'Well, shame the cheering charms are no longer of use. Could have used them about now. Shock always disables the ones combined with food. Dumbledore should have had us eat during introductions, although then there would have been a serious choking hazard. He knows that anyways.' She thought wryly.
She looked over at the Arthur and Molly. She was overjoyed to finally get the chance to meet Harry. Her Harry. In fact she could hardly think it was all so overwhelming, but this had to be even stranger for Arthur and Molly who had a son Ron, but who seemed to be nothing like this boy at all. Ron was...well....not like the rest of the family. Closest to Percy in fact, only lazier and completely disregarded the rules for his own benefit. His ambition outrivaled his loyalties, but Arthur and Molly still stood by him. If anyone consulted Lily however, he was a spoiled brat. This Ron hadn't talked almost at all yet, but he seemed content to just stand in the back ground and had a kind prescence.
The most interesting thing was the titles and his little comment at the end. How does someone 'sort –of' die? Harry a General? He wasn't more than 18! And all of them had an Order of Merlin First Class that they definitely hadn't wanted to announce. This Ron was definitely very different. And Hermione Granger. Dumbledore had once commented to Lily before her death that Hermione was much like Lily – almost identical except for looks of course. It was no surprise that Hermione had been working in a Research and Development field for whatever war they had obviously been involved in, but to be the Head....not even graduated from Hogwarts...amazing! Ron and Hermione had hated each other, although she had gotten on well enough with Aurora. Very odd combination.
No one had moved or spoken since Harry's last announcement. Charlie and Sirius had also known already, and she was going to have a long talk with that dog about keeping family secrets from her, but they seemed reluctant to do anything. Aurora seemed as confused as they all did, and Lily suspected that she had just found out a lot of information as well. Her only daughter was definitely hiding something about the three newcomers, something she had just recently accepted as otherwise Lily never would have picked up on it – pranking had its perks in being able to hide secrets.
'Note to self: drill Aurora for any and all new secrets as soon as possible.'
Dumbledore was undoubtedly just waiting to devour and twinkle at their reactions. What an infuriating man.
'Well, I guess it is up to me to do something before we all freeze in place forever or Moody curses us all.'
She patted her husbands hand comfortingly and then extracated herself from his grip standing up. She walked over to the young many who called himself Harry, who stood up as she approached.
'He's so tall!'
Out of the corner of her eye she saw her husband tense, but ignored it. This needed to be done. If Dumbledore, Sirius, Charlie, and Aurora all said it was true, then it probably was and she wanted to do this – in fact she couldn't wait.
"Welcome to our world Harry. It's wonderful to meet you." Then she gave him the hug she had been itching to give him ever since Dumbledore said he really was Harry Potter." The speech was a little formal yes, but it seemed to fit and she wasn't up to anything more than coherent thought.
He tensed when she first wrapped her arms around him, but quickly relaxed and almost reverently returned the hug.
She then repeated the process with Ron and Hermione. This seemed to break the ice for everyone else, and Molly, Arthur, McGonnagal and James all got up and welcomed the three as well, the men and McGonnagal each shaking the hands of the three and Molly giving each one of her big hugs which each returned enthusiastically and much more naturally than they did her hug, she thought slightly dejected. It was silly, but she couldn't help but wonder why since as Harry's mom she should know his friends as well as Molly would.
'Am I a bad mother to him? Do we hate each other?'
She couldn't really tell, they were all so...controlled. Actually they reminded her of Severus in many ways, just without the sneer.
Her thought processes were interrupted as the welcoming finished and everyone sat back down. She was amused to see Moody still had his wand out. James still looked slightly on edge and unconvinced, but she knew he'd loosen up after a time. Peter's betrayal had changed him, he was very untrusting and while he still acted like a child a lot, his responsibilities and experiences as Minister made him even more stubborn and skeptical. Everything would work out just fine.
**********Normal POV *************
Harry had been shocked when his mother had hugged him. It was foreign and unusual, yet strangely familiar, no one ever having hugged him other than Sirius, Ron, Ginny, Hermione and Mrs. Weasley, and only Mrs. Weasley on a regular basis. He felt like he was surrounded in a blanket of warmth. Then it had hit him. It was his mother hugging him. So he tentatively returned the hug he had wished for ever since he could remember, his mind floating off in his own little world of happiness. He hadn't known what else to do.
Mr. Weasley and McGonnagal's greetings had been strangely formal to all of them, having known Mr. Weasley as their father or surrogate father and McGonnagal as their teacher and later close friend and ally.
Harry had been saddened slightly by his father's reception of him, but he saw Sirius's encouraging look over his father's shoulder and felt Hermione and Ron send him waves of reassurance and relaxed a bit. They always made him feel better. Hopefully his father would loosen up once he knew more. He still missed Sirius's hugs and conspiratorial looks too. 'Guess that progression is still to come as well' he thought.
Mrs. Weasley's greeting made them all feel as if they had never left home, as if she had never....well they couldn't think about that right yet. They had to stay composed.
Dumbledore had that look on his face that made you want to slap him. The amused and all-knowing smirk that seemed entirely innocent.
Once they had all settled in their seats again Dumbledore took the lead again. "Well, that was a wonderful...reunion of sorts. Alastor. I believe there is no need for alarm or such avid vigilance here. I promise you are all entirely safe at the moment. And yes, in Lily's words, welcome to our world Harry, Hermione and Ron, I think we all forgot that the other night. I believe it is now time for us to share information as I'm sure your as curious of to how the circumstances of this world came to be as we are of your world. That, and I'm intensely curious as to the exact how and circumstances of you arrival here."
**************
~And the fun begins, Hermione your on.~
~I think we should require a blood contract or at least a confidence spell for now. I mean, other than Wood, Stormlight and Kenderson, who we could send out, we or Dumbledore have already trusted everyone with far more important secrets or issues, but its safer until we know more, and lets just say any press leaks might make me try and kill someone I'd rather not.~ Ron suggested grimly. After their fourth year and all of their slander on Harry, and later Ron and Hermione as well they all hated the press with a passion.
~Well, lets go with a magical binding then, I don't want Aurora as young as she is having to do a blood contract.~
*************
All eyes had turned to stare at the three of them once more as Hermione opened her mouth projecting confidence and assurance. "We'll be happy to share information, and are even eager to, but first if you could draw up for us a 2nd degree Contract of Confidence indicating that all parties shall be unable to discuss or impart information passed on here to anyone not already having this information or without the permission of the giver."
Thinking of the skepticism they were likely to endure she quickly made a decision. "Also include a truth clause please."
**********
~Just like you 'Mione – make even more work for yourself and us. Careful there – no slips.~
~I know that Ronald, but at least this way I don't have to worry about convincing everyone of the truth of my words. Understatement is a great art, have no fear.~ She assured him confidently.
The truth clause ensured that everything said would be truth. That couldn't be corrupted without the use of a rather long dark magic ritual that had to be perform after the contract was signed, something they obviously had no time to do so it would be very convincing. Bending the truth was very acceptable though, and all three of them, Hermione and Harry especially, were very good at it.
Just once he'd like to be right, but this time it was fine to be wrong Ron supposed.
********************
Dumbledore nodded at her and got to work setting up the binding for the contract, which appeared on his desk moments later. A Contract of Confidence held the signer to its precepts and agreements by binding their magic to the contract through a touch of the wand. Theoretically no one should be able to violate it, but should someone find a way, depending on the strength and importance of the contract they would be punished through their magic. A first degree contract would inflict on someone something like reverse veritaserum, so that the person could only speak lies about anything important. A second degree contract would trigger a select memory charm on the perpetrator and discoverer of the information and the perpetrator would fall victim to a very specific silencing hex that removes one's mouth and could only be undone by the one who made the contract. If it was violated through writing their hands would disappear as well. A third degree contract would remove one's magic entirely and permanently silence the perpetrator.
As Dumbledore was preparing the contract Hermione sent an apologetic look around the room at the few hurt and other suspicious faces she explained, "it's not that we don't trust you, it's just that we've learned the need for caution, however unnecessary and some of our information is rather shocking and sensitive, or simply stuff we would rather not be well known. Its common procedure for us." She said, holding up her right palm as proof, marred by lines indicating frequent use of blood contracts. "I figured Dumbledore would be the best choice for this and that blood would be a little extreme. Anyone who doesn't wish to sign can leave."
"No need to apologize girl, Constant Vigilance I always say – I'm glad to see someone else agrees with it as well." Moody said in his gravelly voice, coming up behind Dumbledore and signed the contract with his magical signature.
He passed the document to Harry who quickly tapped his wand to the parchment to bind his magic to the contract and it passed around the entire circle. James, Harry was interested to see, gave them all an approving glance at the contract, and Harry couldn't help but wonder how they were alive and he wasn't. Had Peter still become a traitor?
The contract finally reached Dumbledore again and he closed it with a final spell and sent it to one of the many contract slots in his archives.
"Perfect. Now how did you all manage to jump dimensions? I assume I was in someway involved."
Hermione nodded her head. "Yes, you had a great deal to do with it actually. For everyone who doesn't know, Albus, sorry, Professor Dumbledore spent several years studying specific veils in the Department of Mysteries having to do with interdimensional travel. He could probably explain it better, but that is unimportant at the moment. However, what is important is that he came to believe that there were two problems with those veils: one, that they were permanent, and two, that they did not have sufficient power or direction. So, firstly I must ask you Professor, have you yet developed a spell here that would allow one to travel dimensions?"
"No, I haven't gotten around to it, although I was considering working heavily on it after my retirement."
"Ok. Well in our world during the war, based on your original research we found a way to make use of the different planes of existence in various ways – difficult but possible and highly useful. You, I suspect, although I do not know for sure, took our discoveries there and in what little free time you had adapted them to dimensional portals. The effects we experienced in the portal on the way here correspond very closely to the effects of interplanar travel that our familiars and allies described or exhibited. The spell used an immense amount of power that was stored in three talismans" she held hers out to him which he took and examined, "that each of us have, and our own power reserves. That is the chief cause of our magical exhaustion. The runes on the talisman, although I am not a master of all forms, are unlike any I have seen before but do bear a slight resemblance to both those used by Merlin and those of the elves."
***************
~Knowing him that's exactly what they are- a blend of the two and so bloody convoluted no one could ever figure them out.~ commented Ron who received a slap.
**************
Dumbledore did not look up from his inspection of the talisman, but nodded his agreement. "Are all of these talismans identical?"
The whole room was silent and staring – the scary thing was Ron, Harry, Lily, James and the Unspeakable were all actually following what was being said.
"No, I believe they are different."
"May I see them?"
"Of course."
Harry and Ron handed their talismans over to Dumbledore who conjured a floating surface in front of him to inspect them all on.
**************
~What do you think he wants them all for?~ Harry asked interestedly.
~No idea on that one, but when put together their signatures all change, and merge, so it probably is in relation to their function. They all must be present for their real function to reveal itself.~ Ron said.
~I'm not sure, but I think they might be the key to which world we went to and how our familiars came as well. I was looking at mine earlier and there is A LOT of runes encrypted even for interdimensional travel – not that I know much about that.~
~I'd say we know more that just about anyone else other than Dumbledore.~
~Yes, but my knowledge is so superficial compared to ...~
~Get on with it!~ chorused Ron and Harry
~Well, I think they specify things like Harry's parents being alive and no Voldemort etc. To travel to any dimension I would assume would simply require a verified portal spell with more power and a slightly different direction than the planar ones. But this, to me at least, is a dream come true- our dream come true. I think those are a record of all the wishes we once had for our lives.~
~It would be just like Albus, and it makes sense 'Mione.~
~Yeah, especially with the way the power signatures alter. You're brilliant, but I think the explanation needs finishing now.~
~Not quite yet~
****************
"Well, to make a long story short, we joined hands with each of our talismans in our left hands, and chanted the spell you gave us, thelthun anuath riaga alan, that is in no language I know or have heard, which is a lot. Not even seconds later we were falling through a portal where none of our magic worked and when we exited everything was as if we had never been in it, our spells functional and all, but our surroundings looked as if some important, landscaping events had never taken place."
*************
~Landssscaping? You call the dessssstruction of over half the Forbidden Foresssst by Voldemort'sssss army landsssssscaping?~ Vixen spoke her incredulously
~Yes and don't forget the crumbling and explosion of a good portion of Hogwarts into rubble. We simply thought it was time for a change so we started a war.~ Harry joked morbidly.
~I'll keep that method of ssssspring cleaning in the back of my mind the nexxxt time I get sssssick and tired of you. It'ssss rather effective.~
*************
"Thelthun anuath riaga alan." Dumbledore whispered as if remembering something long forgotten. "It roughly means 'a life-path changed in peace.' It is unlike any other language on the planet as it is not from this planet or dimension. It is a good thing we made up that contract." He said with a smile. "I assume from what you have said that you at least, Hermione, have read the edited version of my dissertation on my studies of the portals. Well, part of what was said there is untrue. There was one portal that was slightly functional. It was unable to transport items or things, but when someone of another dimension attempted to open a similar portal, it did allow us to communicate. The understanding of this language was a sort of gift. The language for spells has great potential power, but it is...unstable. I never found a spell with which it would work. The power, and even the meanings of words change with emotion and with to whom they are said at what time. I doubt that this spell, with the same talismans recharged and you three using them would work again."
Everyone, including Hermione, was taken aback at the revelation's details, but not so much at the fact that Dumbledore could speak a language no one in this dimension knew – after all , it was Dumbledore.
*************
~Definitely fits him. Cryptic, virtually non-existent language that swings around and plays tricks but is extremely powerful and near impossible to manipulate or figure out. I think it was made for him.~ Harry noted.
***********
"The talismans I believe are the codes for coming here are tailored to each of you, but that could take a very long time to figure out as I too cannot read the runes other than try and find similar parallels to them in those used by Merlin and the elves here – as you correctly recognized their roots." Hermione got the 'I told you so look' in her eyes and Harry and Ron knew they were in for a good hour of well deserved gloating in the near future, coupled with even more theories.
"I do have a few questions about your story but those can wait until after we answer a few of yours about this world. We did agree to trade information." Dumbledore finished.
**************
~Yey! A break for my mind. Harry, you're our interrogator so interrogate.~
"Alright, I think we can read up on most of the more obscure aspects but we would like to know some important facts. First off, what is the status of Voldemort here? I assume he's not doing so well as your defenses are rather weak and lax." McGonnaga, the Weaselys and the guards accompanying James other than Moody all winced at the name.
~Why couldn't at least that stupid fear have changed.~ moaned Harry.
~Yes, well at least your parents, sister and Sirius are unafraid. More people in one room than we ever got at the beginning.~
***************
Everyone looked to James for that answer. He looked at his 'son' slightly surprised and a little wistfully. "Voldemort is dead and has been for 17 years."
"How?" Harry asked, his heart giving a little jump at the knowledge that he would not have to face Voldemort again, or even deal with the aftermath of a recent war. A war in which he had caused the deaths of so many....
Once again James answered, only this time after a very long pause. He still didn't trust Harry and his two friends, but this was his death after all. He deserved to know. Taking a deep breath he spoke in a hollow voice with a distant look, as if reliving it as he probably was. "He died on October 31, 1981 when Peter, "he spit the name laced with hate and Sirius growled, "our Secret Keeper, revealed our location to Voldemort. Peter, little powerless Peter help Voldemort disable Lily and I. So stupid we were, and...then Voldemort...he wanted to..." James was struggling so much he couldn't continue so Lily continued for him, her voice slightly choked.
"He wanted us to watch as he killed you and then make James watch as he raped and tortured me before killing him too, or at least that's what he said. Voldemort cast the Avada Kedavra on Harry, but something went wrong and it apparently rebounded back on him. Harry survived that as far as I could tell, but Voldemort was dead. The magical backlash freed us from our bonds and began to destroy the house, but as we were going to get Harry, Peter got him first, and said that if we let him go he would spare Harry. As he was backing away he fell, and..." she closed her eyes in pain, "the knife slipped killing Harry." she finished and began to silently cry.
James reached an arm around Lily and held her to him, lost in his own memory. They hadn't spoken of the nights events in such detail to anyone other than Dumbledore and Sirius. Even Aurora only knew the rough outline. She was shocked as well and looked on concernedly at her parent whom she could do nothing to help. The whole room, sat quietly, remembering that night when their world had been freed.
Aurora may have been unable to help, but Hermione could and did, unable to see the two of them suffering like that and Harry's obvious distress over their grief for him. Harry had a guilt complex the size of the Milky Way and had had lots of opportunity to try and blame himself, and Hermione didn't want to have to deal with yet another piece added to the unending tower. She unobtrusively got up and walked over to kneel next to Lily where she placed a hand on hers and carefully sought out the emotions of the two grieving parents tied to that memory and expanding her shields placed a temporary block on them, rerouting the emotions into herself. The emotions were too strong to simply suppress, not to mention Lily's natural resistance to suggestion made that option impossible. She would deal with that problem later, but for now it would snap them out of the loop. And she was right it did. As Hermione returned to her seat, Lily stopped crying and while still looking sad was composed and calm, as was James. James sent her a thankful look that she acknowledged with a smile.
Score: 1 for Hermione 0 for animosity increasing mistake goblins (figurative ones of course)
Dumbledore, sensing asking them to finish would be a bad idea and seeing the remaining questioning looks decided to specify some of the details following those events for them. "Harry, as a baby, essentially destroyed Voldemort, although no one knows how. A strange cut was found on his head where Voldemort had fired the spell at Harry in the shape of a lightening bolt." He looked at Harry speculatively, "Exactly like the one on your forehead. It was speculated for a while that Voldemort was not truly dead, as weak traces of his magical signature can be found leaving Godric's Hollow as well as entering, but they die several blocks away. It has since been concluded he is truly gone."
*************
~So the award goes to Peter in the bedroom with a knife!~ snarled Harry sarcastically.
~Yep, you were just as much of a freak in this world as you are in ours mate. Sorry there.~ Ron commiserated with him.
~Oh hush Ron, and I hardly think you life is a game of Clue Harry. That would be far too simple. However I do think it interesting that Voldemort here is fully dead and appears to have completely died at the same time you did. ~
~Looks our theory on how Voldemort survived is on its way to fact.~
~And I think you'll have to explain how you survived Harry.~
~Nope. I am sooooooooo not going over my story. You are doing that my dear Artemis. Remember?~
~Oh alright.~
**************
"And the Death Eaters? Peter?" He asked each with great distaste.
Moody answered this one. "Peter Pettigrew was sentenced to life in Azkaban and given the Dementor's Kiss. Many of the other Death Eaters escaped prosecution by claiming to be under the Imperius curse and the Minister of the time unfortunately let them get away with it. Recently there have been cults of ex-Death Eaters resurfacing and rumors of an existing 'heir'. The Death Eaters cults, one of them known to be led by Lucius Malfoy have been causing small problems and are real, but we are handling them. The rumors of the heir are unconfirmed and if they are true this 'true heir' will not be any threat for at least another 20 years as he is supposedly only a baby that one of the Death Eaters took form its parents."
***********
~Great. More fun for us, and is Moody delusional? Riddle opened the Chamber of Secrets at 16 with no issues and had been planning it since he was 12.~
~Yes, but most people here probably don't know that. The only reason that is common knowledge in our world is you Harry.~
~Still. Age, after a point, makes no difference on level of evilness – just power and look at us.~
~True. Find out how I died.~ Hermione asked with insatiable curiosity. Honestly, the girl was asking about her own death. Shouldn't she be the least bit apprehensive or creeped out?
********
"How did Hermione die?"
Charlie's turn. "Car accident last year with her parents." He said with remorse remembering the incident. They had had a fight over her being allowed to spend the summer helping him with dragons in Romania. He had said it was too dangerous and she had said it was her decision.
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~Sorry 'Mione~ Ron said, sending her a wave of comfort and love along with Harry after sensing her emotional wave of regret at not getting to see her parents again. They had died the same way in their world just after Dumbledore had been lost to them.
~Yeah, I'll always have you guys though.~ She sent back assurance that she was okay.
~Anything else immediate~ Harry asked, not being able to think of any other pressing questions at the time. After all, it was a lot to take in in one day and they still could ask other questions later. He wanted to get their explanations over with.
~Not at the moment.~
***********
"I think that's all the question we have for now. Voldemort," everyone winced again, "was our main concern." Harry pretended to look to Ron and Hermione for confirmation who gave it. The mood changed from one of sadness to eagerness- it was now time to find out about these newcomers.
"Wonderful." Dumbledore smiled at them, "Now I have a few questions first and then everyone else can ask you some. When Hermione was explaining everything about how you arrived she didn't seem to know for certain much about how you came here. I would like to think my other self would have described everything about this method of travel so that you could return and tell him all about it. In fact, you didn't seem to even be sure you had traveled dimensions. 'My' choice of words for the spell is also rather unusual – I myself would never have chosen them : a life-path changed in peace. This begs the question why didn't I travel with you or tell you all this and what prompted my choice of words for the spell. Do you know?"
They all paled at this question and Hermione started to shake almost imperceptibly under a flashback. They hadn't expected to have to deal with questions about Dumbledore yet or the war. They had planned on giving their early background and avoiding the issue, saying they weren't ready.
***********
~Shit!~ exclaimed Ron ~ She just channeled Lily and James's grief. She was shielded and stopped after they let go of the memory but it allowed the memory to override her normal mental shields. You explain, I'll knock her out of it. It's not a bad one.~
~Right, just make it discreet, and do it the old fashioned way - I don't want to get into our powers too much – dreamwalking would take far too much explanation.~
***********
Harry steadied himself and replied flatly, "You're dead. You didn't accompany us or tell us anything more because you are dead and we were never meant to return. You told us the spell with your dying breath."
*********
~Hah! Got her with that time of Voldysmurf as a purple and green polka- dotted house elf.~
~Yes you did and thanks.~ Hermione laughed
~No problem, just don't do that again too soon or well be pulled in too.~
~Of course not!~ she replied indignantly ~ Just a slight case of emotional override – I'm prepared now~
~Right. Now the question is how do we snap Dumbledore out of it?~
*********
Whatever answer Dumbledore had expected to the question, Harry's answer was obviously not that. His mouth was actually hanging open. Harry wished he had a camera.
His jaw closed with a snap and everyone, despite the seriousness of the answer given looked highly amused. "Well then," Dumbledore said, trying to regain his composed image and state, "I think you should all start from the beginning then and explain how this, you, everything came about." He popped one of his lemon drops into his mouth hurriedly and visibly perked up. "We have all day after all. Lemon drop anyone?"
*************
~Back to his old tactics~ Harry observed dryly.
At that moment they all thought the same thing – New things happen all the time, but somethings never change.
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Well that's it. Hope to get another one out by Saturday. Sorry again for the long delay.
More Weasleys next chapter – promise!
Plz review.
