To my reviewers, discontinued-me and gowvan, thanks for reviewing! Happy I've given you some enjoyment. Hey, look! The longest chapter so far!

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Jane followed him down stone steps and through corridors, down more stone steps.

"Is Hogwarts really a thousand years old?"

"None of your affair. Do not touch anything."

She sort of figured they were on their way to the dungeons though nothing of what they passed looked at all familiar. Of course she'd been in pain and concerned that Snape was a raving lunatic at the time, so perhaps she hadn't been paying a whole lot of attention the first time around. Finally they came to a large, ancient oak door. Snape reached up above the door and knocked some dust off into her hair.

"Ah," he said and slid the ornate silver key he had found up there into the keyhole. He held the door open for her.

"Thank you kind sir. Such a gentleman!"

"Not at all."

Then he locked the door behind her.

It didn't take Jane any time to process the fact that Severus Snape had just locked her in a dungeon. It was a decent-sized room. In fact her entire apartment could probably fit inside of it. It certainly wasn't as comfortable as her apartment. This was pitifully furnished even by dungeon standards, in her opinion. There wasn't a filthy mattress, or a vicious rat gnawing on the bones of another once vicious rat, no leg-irons hanging from the ceiling, not even a pot to piss in, and that last part really pissed her off. She didn't have to go but she might have. It really was the principle of the thing. What was she supposed to do had she needed to relieve herself? Squat in a corner? She could practically hear Snape's patented answer. 'That is not my problem.'

There was no apparent light source either. No bare bulb, no hole in the ceiling, no high tiny window with bars. The light was just there in the room with her. Now that part was pretty cool. No matter where she stood, she couldn't cast a shadow. From Cinderella and Desdemona to Peter Pan! She went over to the door, got down on her knees and looked underneath. There was about an inch of space between the wood door and the stone floor. Next she pressed her eye to the keyhole.

What kind of an idiot did he think she was, anyway? Did he have such a low opinion of Muggles in general or just of her specifically? Did she even want to know?

She carefully spread Snape's handkerchief out on the stone floor, then pushed and slid it, rocking it back and forth until all but the edge of it was beyond her reach with the vast majority of it spread out on the other side of the door. She took out her left earring and jiggled the post end in the key hole. It was just long enough to get the job done. Unfortunately there was one place she could have imagined the key might land that was not covered by Snape's handkerchief- the area just to the other side of the door jamb. Given how her day was going she was not the least bit surprised that was where the key had ended up. All was not lost though!

She took her earring, pushed the post through the very corner of the handkerchief, placed the little butterfly clip on the post then carefully pushed the handkerchief under the door aimed corner first at the key, which she could just see. Eventually she snagged a bit of it and managed to move the key a bit closer. Then she snagged the hole which one might use to put the key on a chain. She pulled the key a bit closer still. She did the same thing, again and again, until she drew the key under the door. The lock stuck a bit and required some jiggling but finally the door swung open, just as Snape rounded the corner.

"Ah, Miss Watts. The Headmaster has returned. If you will come this way I will show you to his office."

"Thank you for leaving me something to do to occupy my free time."

"The pleasure was mine," he said it with the slightest bow which really was sort of cute in a very uptight, old fashioned way.

Snape held out his hand. Jane took it. His was a really nice hand. There was no hair on his knuckles, no warts on his fingers, and no dirt under his fingernails, not that she expected to find any of that on his hands. Those were just some of her major turn offs when it came to mens' hands. His were large expressive hands with long slender fingers. Those fingers looked like they were made to play Rachmaninoff. The whole of his hand was nicely shaped too. His nails looked clean and neatly clipped but not professionally manicured or anything prissy like that. His skin felt warm, dry, and smooth but not soft. This was a strong hand, a working hand, a manly hand. She could sense power, precision and gentleness in it. She wondered what it would be like to suck on one of those fingers. And hey, if his fingers were this long-

"Not your hand, Miss Watts. The key."

"Oh." She retrieved her hand from his and replaced it with the key. He returned it to the ledge above the door. At least he didn't get dust in her hair this time.

"Follow me." Regardless of what had happened last time, she did.

This part was exactly like what Jane remembered from the books, except for the password- 'McCowan's Highland Toffee' which she didn't remember any of the kids ever eating and had never heard of before.

"Goodness! You look more like Professor Dumbledore than Richard Harris did!"

"Ah, Miss Watts! Welcome to Hogwarts. Do have a seat. Lemon sherbert?"

"I'd love one! Thank you so much! How could anyone refuse a real lemondrop from Albus Dumbledore?"

Snape snorted. When Jane glanced at him he was reclined in a non-reclining chair. His eyes were closed. He looked fast asleep.

Jane sat and placed the candy in her mouth. It tasted- too sweet. For some reason, that was really disappointing.

"Your presence here at Hogwart is something of mystery to us, and to you as well, or so I gather?"

Jane slid the candy under her tongue so she could talk properly. She was starting to taste the sherbert part now which was just disgusting. What she really wanted to do was spit it out, but all she had to do that with was Snape's handkerchief or her hand.

"I was on a cruise ship that left the Port of Miami for Nassau. It was our second day out. The captain said we were experiencing 'old seas' what ever that means. At least I think that's what he said. I was in my cabin trying to shave my legs in the shower and slipped. That's about all I can tell you. The next thing I knew I was still nude and soaking wet with a bump on my head and broken ankle. That's when Professor Snape found me."

Perhaps it was the mention of his name. Snape stirred. In fact he sat up straighter in his chair but never opened his eyes.

"Professor Snape tells me that you know quite a bit about Hogwarts having read about us in a series of children's books? I was wondering if you could tell me some of the other things you remember reading, things we might verify but are not common knowledge in our world?"

"I'm not sure what is common knowledge here, but here goes. Hermione Granger whose middle name is Jane set Professor Snape on fire at the Slytherin/Gryffindor Quidditch match during Harry's first year. She thought that Professor Snape was cursing Harry's broom. Professor Snape was really saving Harry's butt. Quirrell was cursing the broom because he was sharing a head with Vol- uh, the Dark Lord whose real name is Tom Marvolo Riddle. Hermione also stole Boomslang skin and -uh something else- Bicorn horn? Something like that, and made Polyjuice Potion which turned her into a cat because the hair she took from Millicent Bulstrode's robes was really cat hair. Harry and Ron turned into Crabbe and Goyle. I don't remember who was Crabbe and who was Goyle, but they went to the Slytherin Common Room and tried to get Draco Malfoy to talk about the Heir of Slytherin. They all figured if anyone knew it was Draco. He didn't know but Lucius did since he gave Ginny Weasley the cursed diary in the first place. Harry used the Sword of Gryffindor to defeat the Basilisk. Gilderoy Lockhart cast a memory charm but it backfired on him. Oh, I know all about the prophesy, and Godric Hollow, and Professor Snape's spying. Your dad was a Muggle named Tobias. Your mother was Eileen Prince. Trelawney drinks to excess. Harry lived in a cupboard under the stairs. He and Tom both speak Parseltongue. Oh and Tom's mom's name was Me-ro-pe. Now you can't tell me that a whole lot of people know that!"

Jane paused for a moment but since neither Albus nor Professor Snape said anything, she continued. "Vol- uh, the Dark's Lord's snake is named Nagini. Neville Longbottom's parents are Cruciatus victims who live on the 4th floor of St. Mungos. Neville makes cauldrons blow up and keeps a toad named Trevor. His birthday is the day before Harry's. Sirius Black is Animagus and tore up the portrait of the Fat Lady. He escaped on Buckbeak. Tom blamed Hagrid's giant spider for the death of Moaning Myrtle and that's why Hagrid couldn't use a wand. Let's see, you have a Pensieve. Hermione had a Time-Turner. You wear the Dark Mark on your left forearm. Neville had a Remembrall. Harry has an Invisibility Cloak that used to belong to his dad and the Marauder's Map which the Weasley twins stole from Mr. Filch. Dobby took the Gillyweed and gave it to Harry so he could breath underwater. I think you were right about getting Lupin to quit by the way. He almost killed those kids and almost killed you twice. I also know what you get when you mix asphodel with wormwood, where to find a bezoar and that you can brew fame and stopper death. Was there something specific you wanted to ask or do you want me to keep on babbling?"

"You have read all the books except the last?"

"Yes, but if it helps, these are kids books. The defeat of evil is essential to children's lit. I have no doubt Vol- uh, the Dark Lord will lose in the last book."

"Why do you call Tom Riddle the Dark Lord, Miss Watts?"

"Call me Jane."

"If you will call me Albus?"

"I'd be honored to, Albus. I know the V-word bothers Professor Snape. I get the impression it's got to do with his Dark Mark or Harry's scar or something. The DL-name doesn't sound half as silly as You-Know-Who or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named but if it bothers you, I'll call him Tom or Riddle or Old Red Eye or Mouldywarts or Snakey Boy or hey, you two decide on a name. Are you going to Obliviate me?"

"I take it that you are very much against that idea?"

"I love my memories, Albus, even the really bad ones. I like my head just the way it is right now. For another thing, what's point? It's not like anyone would believe that I went on a cruise to Nassau and ended up at Hogwarts. If you think I'm telling anyone about this, then you're out of your mind. I'd lose my job and my friends. I'm certainly not blowing all my insurance benefits on a shrink who I don't need. I'm no danger to you. So what if everyone in the Muggle world has read these books? No one past the age of five believes a single word of it. Why Harry and Mouldy could face off at high noon on a Saturday in a Super Walmart parking lot and everyone would think it was more publicity for seventh book."

"Could you tell me what year this is, Jane?"

Great. So Albus thinks she's nuts too. "2006."

"Ah! That explains much. You are from our future, Jane."

"What year is this?"

"1995."

"Let me guess. There's no way for me to get back to 2006."

"There may be many ways. However, I do not know a way that you might accomplish that feat, other than living another eleven years, of course."

"Huh. This would be my junior year as an undergrad."

Snape was looking alive suddenly. "You can not contact yourself!"

"I can have a decent conversation with myself any time. Why would I want to upset a clueless eighteen year old?"

Snape pursed his lips then leaned back in his chair again. "I do see your point."

"So what are you going to do to me, Albus?"

"Do to you? I believe the proper question is: what can we do for you, Jane."

"All right, what can you do for me?"

"Spoken like an American," said Snape.

"We can give you use of rooms. You are of course free to stay here while you decide what next you wish to do with your life. We can give you the necessary papers and documents, a new work history and identity, whether you wish to return to the Muggle world or remain in this one. We can even offer you a position, if you have any interest in assisting our Professor of Muggle Studies?"

"I accept."

"Congratulations, the pay is terrible." Then Snape said to Albus, "If you are intent on ignoring the threat she poses, why not send Trelawney packing? Think of the savings in incense alone. Not to mention the fact that it is likely Miss Watts knows more about the future than when the next bottle of cooking sherry will go missing from the kitchens."

"Yes Severus, you raise an excellent point. Jane, I must ask you for the good of us all, not to reveal to anyone what you may know of our future."

"Well I was going to ask you about that. I was wondering if I could tell you both just a couple of things that I think you'll both want to know right before they happen."

"You can not share those secrets, not even with us," said Albus.

"If, for example, lives were at stake?"

"I am afraid there may be more at stake here than one life or a thousand. Therefore I ask you, reveal what you know of the events yet to pass to no one. I can only believe you have come by this information and to this place, for some greater purpose. I will not interfere so long as you wish to continue to carry this knowledge with you. I do fear the cost to you of bearing such a terrible burden. However if you must bear it, then bear it alone you must."

"I won't tell a soul, Albus."

"I knew that I could count on you, Jane. Perhaps it would be best if you assume the identity of a Squib. I must warn you, though there are laws protecting Squibs, they do suffer a certain amount of discrimination in our world, though not so much as Muggles, obviously."

"Albus, you may have noticed that I'm African-American."

For some reason that set Albus to twinkling. "An excellent point. Digglesby?"

"Pardon me?"

"Digglesby is most eager to be helping the Headsmaster!"

Jane turned in her chair and- Yikes! This one looked nothing like Dobby in the movie. Digglesby was a floppy-eared Grey sighting.

"Hi there. I'm Jane."

"Him Tarzan," said Snape in voice that oozed boredom.

"Digglesby is most happy to be meeting Miss Jane!" He hopped from one foot to the other to prove that point.

"We were wondering if you would care to show Jane to the suite behind Galdric the Grand?"

"Digglesby is most honored to be showing Miss Jane, Headsmaster Dumblydore! Miss Jane is coming with Digglesby now?"

"Not yet, but really soon. Do I need a password Albus?"

"Not until you pick one. The former Headmasters have informed Galdric to expect you. I believe that Digglesby might be delighted to help settle you in and to supply most anything you will require while you are here with us."

"Are you down with all that, Digglesby?"

"Digglesby is most with that all downs!"

"Just when I thought even the students couldn't make them any less intelligible," muttered Snape.

"You lead, I'll follow, Digglesby. Thank you Albus. Thank you Professor Snape. You won't regret not Obliviating me."

"You are assuming that we have no regrets already," said Snape gravely.

"Well if you don't have them now, you never will, Professor. Now let's go see all that's grand about this Galdric guy, Digglesby, before they change their minds and start overhauling mine. Hey! I'll bet you're a pro at magical hair removal!"

"Digglesby is most excited to be making Miss Jane shiny on all her hairy spotses!"

"Definitely not a hysterical type," she heard Snape say as the doors closed behind her.

Jane followed Digglesby, who would dash madly ahead, then wait for her and dash again, down many halls and stairs to a door sized portrait of a very grand looking person indeed. In fact he looked very much like a portrait she had seen, a Louis, was he the fifteenth? "Bon jour, Monsieur Galdric. Je m'apelle Jane Watts."

"By Merlin. Your French is more atrocious than mine!"

"Well, lucky for me you're not French then."

Galdric looked both ways, then beckoned Jane closer. He whispered, "My wife was responsible for this hideous period clothing. Let it be a lesson to you- never bet against a Highland Witch in a drinking contest."

"I'll remember that," Jane whispered back. "What would she have had to do if you won?"

"Not worth my paint to tell you. Why, she's not even dead yet!"

"Knock, knock?"

"Who's there?!?"

"Jane. Any chance you're going to let me into my room?"

"It would be wise to set a password first. Pranksters abound in these corridors."

Good point. It's 1995. What has no one commonly said yet? "Dubya is the worst President ever," whispered Jane.

Galdric slid away.

-tbc