Summary: Harry, Ron, and Hermione have prepared themselves for the tough road ahead. They have set their minds and hearts to the task ahead – but are they really ready? What happens when the mysterious R.A.B. decides they aren't – and sends them to prepare for the trials ahead, without their consent? A little time travel madness ensues! MWPP and the Trio.

Disclaimer: Obviously all the wonderful characters and names belong to the illustrious J.K. Rowling. I could only hope to be half the author she is, but here's my humble work of fan fiction anyway.

Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger were on the move again. It had been two months since Dumbledore's death. Since then, Harry had come of age, he and Ron had passed their apparition test and they had all had one final glimpse of normality at Bill and Fleur's Wedding, before hitting the road the next day.

They had been searching for Voldemort's horcruxes since leaving school, not wanting to lose a moment. They had a lead on Hufflepuff's Cup and had been following a trail of supposition and guesswork for a month. Finally, in Romania, they found it. There were in the mountains, very near the dragon reserve where Charlie worked. After fighting off several vampires (who had been trailing them across the country on Voldemort's orders) and getting past many complex spells (thanks to Hermione), they had the cup in hand. Harry had immediately destroyed the horcrux, not wanting to take any chances of losing this piece of Voldemort's soul. Harry and Hermione were both weakened from the effort, and were counting on Ron to help them get out of the mountains safely. Just as they reached a switchback, a dark hooded figure stepped into the path.

"Well, well, well – and here I thought I was the only one after the Dark Lord's horcruxes. I see you have already destroyed the one in Hufflepuff's cup. No matter – the sooner this is done the better I suppose."

"Who are you?" demanded Harry, wand out and ready to fight.

"Think of me as a friend. I too despise the Dark Lord, and seek to destroy him for what he has done."

"Are you – R.A.B?" asked Hermione tentatively.

The man in the shadows chuckled. "Indeed I am, although I generally prefer to go by my name, not my initials. And you are Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley."

"How do you know who we are?" Harry asked, sounding braver than he felt.

"I have been watching you for some time Harry Potter. I have something for you." The man tossed an object in the air, which glinted in the wand light, and Harry caught it easily. Harry looked down. I'll be damned.

"As you can see I have recovered Slytherin's locket, and with a bit of cunning destroyed the snake as well…."

"Why are you doing this?" Ron asked the man who refused to step into the light.

"I have my reasons. Suffice it to say they are as genuine and meaningful as your own. I, however, do not consider Dark Magic beneath me to accomplish the task at hand."

"We don't need your help," said Harry defiantly.

"No, I don't expect you do," replied the man calmly. "I realize now you will be the one to ultimately bring down the Dark Lord, as it should be. But I don't know if you are ready. Are you?"

"When the time comes, I will be," stated Harry coldly.

"Yes. I think time is exactly what you need. I think a year should suffice. When the time is right, you will return to where you need to be –"

The cloaked figure aimed his wand at them.

"What are you doing?" yelled Ron.

"Give my regards to the old man, Harry Potter." The man took one step into the light, and they could see his face: the shining grey eyes, high cheekbones, and dark, dark hair that reminded Harry so much of Sir –

"Averto Aetas!"

And with a flash of bright orange light, Harry, Ron and Hermione were gone.

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"Welcome, welcome to another year at Hogwarts…."

Four mischievous Gryffindors were huddled together, talking under their breaths.

"Dumbledore gives nearly the same speech every year," whined a short, chubby boy with watery eyes.

"Yeah, I sure am going to miss it," replied his charming but pale skinned, amber-eyed comrade.

"So gents, what's our annual, and sadly last, beginning of the year prank going to be?" asked a handsome young man with night dark hair and grey eyes that sparkled, causing many girls nearby to giggle uncontrollably.

"I dunno mates," replied a messy haired, bespectled young man beside him. "You know how Lily hates it when we prank."

"Ooooh, Lily hates it when we prank, " mocked the devilishly handsome Sirius Black in a girlishly high (yet strangely still adorable) voice.

Before anyone could respond, a sudden gust of wind blew through the Great Hall, and a bright orange light glowed overhead. Suddenly three teens were falling through the illusionary sky, screaming as they fell about 15 feet, before landing with a painful (and painful sounding) THUMP on the ground in the middle of the great hall.

The Marauders all looked at each other as if to say 'Did you do that?'

At first the new arrivals were just a tangle of limbs and groans, as the rest of the hall fell silent. Then one of them spoke.

"Bloody hell, I feel like I've beaten repeatedly by a Bludger!"

"Hermione, are you all right?"

"Yes, Harry, I'm fine. You?" inquired a petite brunette with bushy hair.

"I think I bruised a rib, but otherwise I'm okay." Replied a messy haired, lanky young man, wincing and holding his side.

"Hey, thanks for asking me!" a red headed boy stated indignantly.

"Oh, sorry Ron, you all right mate?"

"Peachy," came the sarcastic reply.

While this conversation had been taking place, the Trio had yet to notice their surroundings, as they were currently still picking themselves up from their apparent stint at skydiving.

"Ahem," Dumbledore cleared his throat, surprised and confused by the sudden appearance of three more teenagers, but still highly amused by their choice of entrance.

The three teens turned instantly, wands drawn and wary looks on their faces. Many students were surprised and impressed at the speed of their response.

"Dumbledore?" asked the dark haired boy, barely above a whisper.

They gaped at their former headmaster in shock. Then the girl began to hyperventilate. "Oh god, we're dead aren't we?"

"Thankfully not," replied Dumbledore cheerfully, "However, I would like to inquire as to who you are and how you came to be at Hogwarts."