Author's Note: Yes, this story is placed sometime around the end of book 4.
OOOOOOOO
"You've got to be kidding…"
There was a definite note of panic in Daniel's voice as he stared at the roaring fire in the fireplace.
The room they'd been brought to was a fairly good sized room that was filled with comfortable chairs and couches and tables that were obviously set around for kids to do homework at. Arthur, Minerva and Sirius – in dog form – had led them up several staircases, and then had stopped in front of a large portrait with a fairly chunky woman who was watching them cheerfully. Her eyes widened when she looked at Jack, and even as Minerva started to mention something about a password, the woman in the portrait curtseyed deeply to Jack.
"Blood calls to blood," she said when she met his gaze once more. "And it's wonderful to have one of Godric's own here. Pass into the room, Cousin."
Jack had frowned, but thanked her, and the portrait swung aside suddenly, revealing the room they were now in. Minerva had gestured for Jack to lead them in, a slight smile on her stern face.
"What was that all about?" Daniel asked.
"The Fat Lady's portrait guards the Gryffindor common room – and dormitories." Minerva told them as Sirius hopped through the portal and it swung closed behind them. "She was Godric Gryffindor's great niece – making her his cousin somewhat removed. She, of course, recognized the relationship immediately."
"Oh."
Daniel had looked at Jack to see what he thought of that, but O'Neill was just as withdrawn as he had been since they'd met up after the tour, and he obviously didn't want to discuss it.
And now they were standing in front of the fire – and they were supposed to just walk on into it with a handful of some sort of powder.
Weasley smiled.
"It won't burn, I promise."
"What do we say?" Teal'c asked, reaching his large hand into the pot of powder. "I will go first and demonstrate to Daniel Jackson and O'Neill that it is safe."
Teal'c had read the Histories, and knew what to do.
"Just step into the fire, throw down the floo powder and say 'Dena's apartment'," Arthur said, glad he wasn't going to have to push them into doing this. "And you'll end up there. Then just move out of the way and wait for us."
Teal'c did as he was told, stepping into the fireplace calmly and looking at O'Neill and Daniel – who were the two that definitely needed convincing. He threw the powder down, and in his deep voice clearly gave his destination. An instant later he vanished.
"Wow…"
Daniel stepped up to the fire, looking around, but he didn't see Teal'c anywhere.
"Where did he go?" Jack asked.
"Dena's apartment," Minerva said. She smiled, and looked at the others. "Who's next?"
"I'll go," Arthur said, stepping forward and repeating the process that Teal'c had. A moment later he was gone as well.
Sam looked at Jack and Daniel, and then stepped forward.
"Guess I'm next."
"I'll go next, Carter," Jack said, unwilling to allow her to do something until he was sure it was safe.
He stepped up, took a handful of the powder and stepped into the fire, pretty much expecting to get fried – even though he'd seen that it was safe.
"Dena's apartment," he said, throwing the powder down. The flames roared up around him and he was suddenly spinning like crazy – and was glad he hadn't had anything to eat yet that day. There was an odd sensation of being moved, and then he was coming to a stop, and fell forward out of the fireplace – only to find that he wasn't in the common room any longer. Now he was in a small and neat apartment.
Strong hands took hold of him and pulled him to his feet, and Teal'c's brown eyes were watching him.
"Are you uninjured, O'Neill?"
"Yeah." He rubbed the arm that he'd landed on, and moved aside as he'd been told to. "I'm fine. You?"
"I am as well."
Arthur smiled.
"That wasn't so bad, now was it?"
"I can think of better ways to travel…"
"But not quicker," Weasley said. "There's nothing faster than the floo network."
Before Jack had a chance to say that maybe quicker wasn't always the best, there was a slight cracking noise, and Carter was suddenly tumbling out of the fireplace, looking just as disheveled as Jack had felt – and just as dizzy.
Jack stepped forward and pulled her to her feet.
"You okay?"
She looked a little green, but she nodded.
"Yes, sir…"
"You sure?"
She smiled.
"Just let me catch my breath – and my lunch."
"You had lunch?"
As she started to answer, there was another crack, and Daniel was suddenly tumbling out of the fireplace as well, glasses in one hand and the other hand reaching out to catch himself. It didn't work, of course, since he was as dizzy as the rest of them, and Jack and Sam both reached down and helped him to his feet.
"Oh… that wasn't fun…" he complained as he sat up, checking to make sure his glasses were intact before putting them back on. "That wasn't fun at all…"
"Are you okay?" Sam asked.
"Considering I was just propelled through a fireplace…?"
"Yeah."
"Fine. Thanks."
A moment later, Minerva emerged from the fireplace as well – proving to them that with a little practice it didn't have to be quite as bad as they had made it out to be. By then, Daniel had been helped to his feet, and they were all more or less back in control of their stomachs.
"Everyone here?" She asked, counting noses. "Good. I was hoping no one would end up someplace else."
Before she could explain that, she headed for the door, and Daniel and Jack both scowled and looked at Sam.
"What did she mean by that?"
Sam flushed a little, and shrugged.
"If you don't clarify where you're going – or if you mispronounce it – there's always the chance you'll end up in the wrong fireplace…"
"And then what?" Jack asked.
"I don't know, sir. I guess she would have had to come looking for you or something…"
Jack frowned again, and Daniel brushed some soot off the rear of his slacks – luckily they were dark so no one would notice.
"The next time some evil wizard kidnaps us, Jack," he said as they headed for the door, "We're driving home."
"Amen."
