A/N: Damn it, I promised to update sooner. I had to finish an essay for the admissions into a summer program at a university. But I'm done now. I really hope to be more faithful in updating next time. I keep saying that, but I will prove it from now on!! (or at least try to)

Chapter 4

Her Arrangements

The walk to his office was not far, leaving Leda with practically no time to really contemplate her situation. For some mysterious reason, Dumbledore seemed to know the cause of her current circumstances, and had even the sense to save her from the boy's questions by claiming to be her uncle. Her mother had told her various stories of his seeming omniscience and clairvoyance, and having that verified within a matter of minutes of her arrival in this time was astounding, to say the least.

His office itself was not a large room, but not small, either. It was of sufficient size to house several bookcases, a desk, and various chairs, with ample space to move around comfortably. It was a bright and noisy room, mainly due to the whirring sounds and multi-colored light beams emanating from various knick-knacks on the bookshelves, drawing the young girl to them like an unsuspecting moth to a light.

"They're from my many exploits when I was younger," explained Dumbledore, breaking Leda's thoughts. "I was a keen collector as a boy. I still keep them simply for sentimental reasons." He motioned her to sit, and she took the invitation, mumbling her thanks. When she looked back up, he appeared thoughtful, and was transfixed with something around her neck.

"You've encountered a special artifact of sorts, so I see," he said, taking a seat at his desk while lazily pointing at her necklace.

"You know," he continued, as his voice took a more narrative tone, "just the other day, I was taking a walk in a forest, near Sheffield, and was so entranced by the beauty of nature, that I became seemingly unaware of the sudden loss of one of my special trinkets." His eyes twinkled. "Despite my various attempts to locate this cherished artifact, I never could. It has a mind of its own."

Leda, somewhat bewildered at the casualness with which he revealed his bewildering yet amusing tale, finally responded. "So…. there's a reason why I was the one to find this- time turner?" He nodded. "And I'm to…fulfill its mission, its purpose?" He nodded again.

Leda was rather bemused at this intake of information. The thought of time travel was still too uncanny for her to process at least in the couple of hours she had, and she was a bit flummoxed at how it came to pass so quickly, let alone that it had passed at all. Dumbledore waited for a few moments to let her thoughts sink in.

"Well, now that we've gotten that settled, I believe your housing and schooling arrangements are to be in order, am I correct?" he asked, kindly smiling at her.

"Um, well, I suppose, but I don't have-" she blubbered, shushing when he raised his hand and materialized a piece of parchment. After a minute or so of silent incantations and flicks of the wand, Dumbledore seemed pleased with the paper, and handed it to Leda for inspection.

The top read: Salem School Transcript, followed by a name: Leda Dumbledore. They were apparently grades for the first four years of schooling, and were nearly impeccable. Leda was confident without hubris that had she attended an academy she would have been more than capable of procuring such grades, yet it still led to a sense of disquiet washing over her.

"Don't fret, my dear," he assured her, at the embarrassed and uneasy expression on her face. "I'm quite sure you deserve them, and that you'll endeavor to prove my assumption correct."

"How did you- "

"Know?" He chuckled, before continuing, "You'll find out soon enough. Until then, we must have you get to your quarters if you're to make it to class tomorrow. I'll send you some necessities in the morning. I'll deal with the technicalities."

Leda, sensing the conversation was reaching an end, felt at a sort of loss as to what to do. Dumbledore, ever the omniscient, included, "I'll get the head girl to lead you to your quarters: she's a Gryffindor. I believe she's on her rounds today."

With that, Dumbledore led her out to the corridors, where they meandered across several hallways and stairs to finally encounter a mousy-brown-haired girl an inch or too taller than Leda. The girl's overall appearance seemed stoical, and there was an almost a calm, commanding demeanor. She seemed to be amiable however, at the sight of the Headmaster and the new girl.

"Good evening, sir, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Let me introduce you to Ms. Leda Dumbledore, she is my niece. I was hoping you would show her to the Gryffindor dormitories."

The girl smiled at Leda, while extending her hand. "Pleased to meet you, Leda. My name is Minerva McGonagall. I'm head girl."

"Nice to meet you, too," responded Leda, taking the girl's hand.

"Leda is in the fifth year, Ms. McGonagall. Would you mind showing her around for her classes this week?"

"No, not at all, sir."

"Well, then, goodnight to you both."

"Goodnight, Professor."

"Goodnight, Uncle."

And with that, Dumbledore departed. Minerva smiled at Leda before saying, "Come on, follow me." She then turned towards the opposite direction in which Dumbledore had left. Leda followed, peering at the portraits as she passed, which peered back.

A few floors and several hallways later, Minerva stopped in front of a portrait of a rather rotund woman who asked in a somewhat bored tone, "Password?"

"Monkeys in a barrel," replied Minerva. "That's the password for this week." she informed her. Leda nodded her understanding.

They entered a rather large room full of tables, chairs, sofas, a fireplace directly in front of them, and two staircases on the left and right sides. Pointing to one of them, Minerva yawned, "The tenth door down is your room. You'll find an empty bed there. I hope you don't mind if I head on out early; it's the end of my rounds today. I find you in the morning."

Leda nodded sympathetically at the girl's apparent weariness, and murmured her thanks, while Minerva left the room.

She sighed deeply, lost in thought. Too much had happened, and she knew that she wasn't going to get any sleep tonight.

A/N: Sorry if that was sort of boring, It's taking me a while to get to the really good part. Bad me. I'll just have to use a catalyst of some sort.