Chapter 1

It was just my luck to get thrown back in time. I hadn't exactly been expecting it - because really? What sane person would? - but when I some seconds later found myself surrounded by what looked to be architecture from some fifty years ago, I wasn't as surprised as I thought I would've been when putting myself into a similar scenario. It was like some of my feelings were numbed, and so I wasn't as hysteric as one would believe. No, as the settings around me morphed from asphalt and tall, imposing skyscrapers into cobalt streets and houses made of simple wood and plain bricks, I merely stood there, mouth agape (and though I would never admit it; some drool pooling in the corner).

I didn't feel any fundamental differences, just the nauseous feeling that settled in the pit of my stomach, refusing to give in. I felt like barfing but forcefully held it in, not wanting the acid flavor to be tasted in my mouth, making the situation any worse than it already was.

Between my struggle of keeping the contents of my stomach from leaving my body and the confusion that came with being placed in a new environment, I couldn't quite focus on what as going on around me. Therefore, the sound of a blaring honk startled me so badly I jumped a little, starting to turn around to face the cause of the noise, when I found that my balance was quite of, leaving me to stumble, before falling to the ground in what seemed to be one motion. It happened so fast and I grimaced at the pain that my bottom endured.

Ignoring the shouting of the angry man inside of the old-model-car, I struggled to stand up, placing my feet firmly on the stone and focusing. Looking up, I felt there was something majorly off, but it took some time before I could properly point my finger at it.

Everything looked a lot bigger - the cars, the people, the houses, and it felt as if I was smaller. Which I, some seconds later to that, found out was exactly the case. Removing myself from the bustling road in order to not be run over, I stumbled to the sidewalk, spotting my reflection in a store window.

I nearly tripped again. Making sudden gestures at the window, I made sure that who I saw was really me and I felt the panic within me rise, only to be calmed again by whatever was keeping me from freaking out. Pinching myself, I didn't wake up and pinching myself again definitely didn't help. My arm now sore, I settled for studying myself closer.

I was a lot shorter - due to being in another body. The girl in the window reflection was young, still a child, baby fat evident in her face. Her hair was blond - the opposite of my color of brown before - and her eyes a deep brown. She had big eyes and a cute little button nose, all in all forming the image of a sweet little girl at the age of, maybe around seven. Not my actual age, 19, and I had a hard time wrapping my head around all of this.

No, never-mind a hard time, it was impossible. I found no explanation as to what was happening and my surroundings didn't exactly help. It looked like sometime in the twentieth or thirtieth century, judging from the appearances of people, buildings and cars. When in that time, or even where, I had no idea.

But it really did feel like someone was pushing aside my distress, bringing with them the warm feeling of calmness. I stood still, contemplating some moments before I finally came to terms with not coming to terms with the situation and decided to find out some answers to the questions I had.

Turning to the nearest pedestrian, I opened my mouth, only to find the person I had directed my attention towards swerving to the side to avoid me. Surprised, my mouth hanged open for a few seconds before I collected myself. Why did she avoid me?

I stared after her, puzzled, then turned to another person, this time a man. Wearing a business suit and coat, he looked relaxed as he walked, his suitcase swinging with ease by his side.

I put on a smile and took a step towards him. "Mister," I started, unsure of how to address someone, was this actually the twentieth century. Thankfully, I must have done something right, as the man stopped and looked down on me.

His face was kind and I breathed out a sigh of relief when he smiled questioning, "Yes?"

I smiled even bigger, "Where is this?"

The question stunned him and he looked at me with surprise before finally answering. "Eh, London," he said, scrunching up his eyebrows, but still managing to keep the smile on his face. "Are you lost?"

I nodded, trying my best to look timid and scared. The man's gaze softened as I fidgeted with my hands, appearing to be nervous. "Where are your parents?" He asked, sympathetically.

I shook my head, avoiding his gaze. "I have none." It wasn't a lie.

The man looked at me a little longer, then kindly offered his hand. "Do you live at the orphanage down the road?"

I nodded, having nowhere else to go anyway. "Mister?" I asked as he started leading the way down the street. He glanced at me, giving me an encouraging smile to keep talking.

"What year is it?"

At this, the man looked a little taken aback and he stammered some before speaking. "1934."

I almost froze in my tracks but managed to keep pace with the man. "Right," I whispered with wide eyes. "1934."

What the heck?

The kind man led me towards what looked to be a haunted house, then stopped in front of the looming gates. Absentmindedly, I noted the sign that said Wool's Orphanage but didn't pay more attention to it, even as the warning bells started going off inside my head like the name was supposed to be familiar. That was some serious Dejá Vu.

"Here," he said and let go of my hand, gesturing towards the gates that surrounded the building. I nodded and smiled gratefully up at him.

"Thank you, mister."

The man nodded back, smiling. "Of course." Then he turned and started walking away, his suitcase swinging by his side.

I turned back toward the entrance and, hesitant, opened the squeaking gate, slipping in and closing it behind. The sun was starting to descend, and with the sky covered with rain clouds that had yet to be fit to fall, it was darkening quickly. I had to find shelter, and that came before anything else for the time being.

Cautiously approaching the dark orphanage, I shivered and glanced down at the clothes I was wearing. No wonder that woman stepped out of her path to avoid me, I was dressed like a beggar.

The clothes were too big for me, and even if that might not have been a problem, they were also unbelievably dirty. However, this did help with the image I was currently working out in my head, depicting me as a poor, sad child without any parents, desperately in need of help.

Which was kind of the case anyway.

Standing in front of the door, I collected my thoughts and took a deep breath before I knocked, prepared to face whatever was to meet me on the other side.

Someone inside yelled, then I heard some footsteps coming closer before arriving at the door, opening it to see who it was. With wide, innocent eyes, I met the gaze of another woman, making sure to look as pitiful as possible.

"Hi," I said with a timid voice and I could see the surprise in her face at the sight of me. Then she gathered herself and though with a frown, smiled as she spoke, "Hello dear, who are you?"

I gulped tried to look distressed, though I failed at forcing any tears. "I- my parents aren't- please- I need-"

The woman seemed to get what I meant and quickly stepped aside, letting me inside. "Of course, come in, please."

I stepped inside and was then directed towards a room to the left, moving through the hallway and into what appeared to be an office. Another woman was sitting behind a desk, in the process of writing something, when the slightly younger woman knocked, catching her attention.

"Mrs Cole, I believe this girl is in need of our help," said she, gesturing towards me. The woman behind the desk glanced at me, removing her glasses to place them on the table littered with paper.

She who was called Mrs Cole smiled kindly at me, then nodded towards the other woman, "Thank you, Martha. Please see so that the other kids are within their rooms before curfew. I'll take care of this little one."

Martha nodded and left me alone with Mrs Cole. I smiled hesitantly at her, a smile which she returned. She gestured towards one of the chairs placed before the desk and I took a seat.

"What's your name?" She asked and I fiddled a little with my hands before answering, not meeting her gaze, playing the part of a shy child perfectly. Really, I should get an Oscar for my acting.

"Emma. Harlan," I told her. Then I proceeded to jump into an explanation of why I was there and how I needed help as I didn't have any parents or family left. Mrs Cole interrupted me, trying to calm my stressed state.

"No relatives?"

I shook my head and she sighed.

"We'll get the paperwork fixed tomorrow." She stood up and smiled, though I could see her tiredness in the form of dark bags underneath her eyes, "Don't you worry dear, everything will be fine."

Mrs Cole went around the table, offering her hand. "Let's get you some new clothes and food, why don't we?"

Grateful, I took her hand and stood up from the chair, following her as she leads the way towards the kitchen.

Dressed in new, cleaner clothes, although I could clearly see how old they were, and fed, calming my stressed stomach, Mrs Cole then showed me towards an empty room, a little down the hallway full of others.

"You can take this room for the time being. No one will bother you."

I smiled, "Thank you."

"No worries. Now-" Mrs Cole was suddenly interrupted by the door a couple of rooms away being opened and her whole demeanour changed, from a warm, kind woman, to a cold, annoyed one. The boy having evoked the change in behaviour was standing in the doorway and Mrs Cole glared at him. "Riddle, get back into your room now."

The boy didn't listen, though I perked up at his name. What was said next by Mrs Cole in a stern, however, startled me completely,

"Tom."

My breath caught in my throat and I felt my eyes going wide. "Tom Riddle?" My voice was hoarse as I whispered the dreaded name, staring at the boy in shock. "No."

My breath started coming in short puffs and it was getting harder to breathe. I was hyperventilating, and the panic that had been forcefully suppressed before came back in full force, this time without anything stopping it. "No. No. NO."

They were both staring at me, but I was still stuck with my gaze on the young boy. My mind was racing as all the revelations hit me at once. I spoke, my voice growing gradually louder as I swore and said, "Harry Potter. Witches, wizards, muggles… Tom… Dumledoor… Freaking Hogwash."

I couldn't breathe anymore and saw everything flicker before my eyes.

It was not enough to just send me back in time in another body- no, I had to be sent back in time in another body in the Harry Potter universe.

What. The. Heck?

It simply became too much for me to handle and the dark spots were covering my vision rapidly. My head was light and I only managed one last gasp before I fell in a passed-out heap to the floor, exhausted, confused and utterly lost. Not to mention angry.

Thankfully, the blissful darkness embraced me, and I could think no more.