Disclaimer: I don't own HP!
AN:Alrighty then...the last portion of this was written VERY late at night...so...yeah. The song is 'Where ever you will go'(I think) from The Calling
Infitiulus Rememdium
Chapter 3: Guardian Charm
If I could, then I would
I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low, I'll go wherever you will go
And maybe, I'll find out
A way to make it back someday
To watch you, to guide you, through the darkest of your days
If a great wave shall fall and fall upon us all
Well then I hope there's someone out there
who can bring me back to you
There was only one decision, she did not have the right to force others to be forgotten...after all, Harry had never bothered to look past Ginny or that Chang girl.
"I'll do it." she said with a determined frown, "Fred, George, and Ginny lost much more than me."
"No!" Fred yelled suddenly, "I'm not letting anyone else save my parents for me! Besides, I've moved out already anyway."
"We go together everywhere." George said firmly, "Hermione...you and Ginny can stay, the two of us can do it ourselves."
"No!" she heard Ginny speak simultaneously as she did.
"I'd never be so selfish!" she snapped, "Besides, there is no way I'll forget you two! What would school have been like without you?"
"I refuse to forget about you!" Ginny cried, "You are my two favorite brothers, and I won't let you both risk everything alone!"
"Then it is decided." Dumbledore said, as the twins opened their mouths to protest, "All four of you shall attempt. If I may say so, it does greatly increase your chances with four people than with two."
"But, sir! Not Ginny!" Fred insisted.
"She's-"
"-Too young?" Dumbledore said, cutting George short, "Funny, I do believe I heard Minerva say that just earlier."
The twins stared open mouthed at him for several seconds, before snapping their mouths shut, and sulking in silence.
"As I said, four." Dumbledore nodded, then inclined his head to the four assorted items arranged on his desk, "Please, choose one each. Be sure to keep it on your person at all times while you are in the past..although the Unloseable Charm will take care of that."
"Why? What do they do?" Hermione found herself saying, "Why not give us four lemon drops, or something? Why one from each teacher here?"
"Ah, well...Lemon Drops get sticky after awhile." Dumbledore said.
"Yeah? But why not four items from you, or something?" Fred asked suspiciously, walking up next to her.
"Because I don't have enough power to protect all four of you." He said, eyes twinkling. At their blank looks, he elaborated, "Each items serves as a sort of connector. When you travel through time the spell will take you to the owner of the item. While you are there, it will also provide a kind of protection for you."
"Protection?" What he was saying had piqued her interest, as she had been researching a similar sounding spell.
"Yes...it is...somewhat hard to explain..." he said, frowning slightly, "It will grant out own magical abilities and knowledge in desperate defensive situations--possibly more in certain cases."
So...the power of four powerful witches and wizards...one for each of us...but how will we decide who gets what?
"We will allow those in order eldest to youngest to choose." Dumbledore said, eyes twinkling suspiciously, "I do believe you were born about a minute before-hand, correct?"
He looked over at Fred.
"Er, yeah." Fred mumbled, eyeing the items carefully, "Gives you the defensive ability of the witch or wizard?"
"Yes. Their skills, talent, experience...anything necessary."
Hermione stared down at the items in silence as Fred agonized over whether to choose Dumbledore's, which were Purple gloves, or Moody's, which was a super-sneak-o-scope.
So...Gloves, a toy, a ring, and a crumpled bit of paper...every one holds the power of a master witch or wizard...Dumbledore's one of the most powerful wizards to ever live, and I remember Harry once mentioning he was a Master Legimens and Occlumens. Moody is a legendary Auror, and probably has a few Mastery certificates I don't know about...Professor McGonagall is a Transfiguration Master, and Professor Snape is a Potions Master, Occlumens Master, and likely fairly good at the Dark Arts. she frowned, Fred and George will likely split up Dumbledore and Moody...
"Alright, I was so tempted by the sneak-o-scope, but I have too many already, so I choose...these gloves!" Fred said in a dramatic way.
Dumbledore nodded with a smile, and waved his wand over the gloves, muttering an incoherent spell under his breath. When Fred grabbed the purple gloves, both he and the object flashed a brilliant red for a moment.
"Whoa!" Fred blinked, staring over at Dumbledore, "What was that?"
"The Guardian Charm." Dumbledore explained, "It creates a connection with the Guardian...meaning the emotions and sensations that one feels will be transferred to the other."
"Oh! So is that why my-"
He gave a slight cough, and continued with a somewhat roguish smile, "Of course, those particular affects neither cross time, nor do they affect someone before they cast the Charm."
George looked like a child who had just been told he could have anything he wanted in Honeydukes. "Oh, I have to have the Sneak-o-scope!"
The younger twin pounced on the enhanced toy almost before Dumbledore completed the Charm. He and the spinning top flashed yellow. George's eyes widened in surprise a moment, and then a huge grin split his face.
"Oh, weird! That's what it feels like!"
Moody grunted, "You get used to it."
"Hopefully they will not need to." Dumbledore said, then looked over at her, "It is your choice, Miss Granger."
Her eyes fell on the two remaining items, and she chewed her lip slightly in apprehension. Two Professors...I really respect Professor McGonagell, and I've always been good at Transfiguration, and a ring would sure be nicer than that tatty crumpled note...on the other hand, Professor Snape has a much wider range of skills...what if I really needed an antidote? Or if I was being interrogated by a Death Eater? And a note would more easily remain concealed an inconspicuous than a ring. she gave a frustrated sigh, but I don't want to be 'connected' or whatever to him!
Out of the corner of her vision, she noticed Ginny steal a hopeful glance at the ruby ring placed on the table by Professor McGonagall. Ginny's brown eyes flashed up to her own a moment, and then the red-haired girl gave a resigned sigh.
Ginny wants the ring...naturally...I can imagine Ron's reaction if he knew one of us had to entrust ourselves to Professor Snape... her heart gave a twinge at the memory of her red-haired friend, but she angrily stomped it down, No! This is not the time to think about that! He's not your friend anymore...Alright...I have no choice but to take the paper...it's the best one to choose anyway...versatile
She gave a sigh, and stepped forward, "I'll...take that crumpled...thing."
"Oh, such a noble sacrifice of you." Professor Snape sneered.
As she picked up the paper, it turned a very unsuprising flash of green. She was unprepared for the sensation that accompanied it, however. It felt like she was flying at top speed toward the Potions Master that stood a few feet away from her.
She was watching herself a few feet away, saw herself jump in shock, and clamp a hand over her forearm. It was strange, at one moment her arm throbbed so painfully that she was sure someone had broken it...but at the same, it did not. She had a somewhat blank expression on her face, staring straight ahead.
She felt something like pity for the girl--was it her or not?--the other idiots in the room goggled at her, one of the troublemaking twins was tapping her on her shoulder. Complete moron.
These children thought they knew sorrow? They thought they knew loss?
Do you MIND?
Hermione blinked, and looked over at Fred, who was now waving a hand in front of her face. "What?"
"You zoned out! Is it that bad?"
"Uh...no..."
She felt herself reddening, and looked away. Right into the scowling face of the Potions Master. She glared back at him, and looked at Dumbledore.
Jeez. Sorry, you old scrooge! As if I would voluntarily go into YOUR mind!
I notice no one ELSE had your little 'occurrence'.
She jumped in surprise, How did you do that?
She could feel him roll his eyes, What's this? The know-it-all is clueless? How priceless.
She found herself glaring as Ginny picked up the ring, and flashed blue, Oh, go away!
Most unfortunately, I cannot. She was not sure if it was her or him that scowled, Until you leave, we'll both be stuck here. Next time I suggest you choose your Guardian more wisely.
Yeah right. Now I'm glad I didn't leave you to Ginny! she sniffed, That poor, innocent girl, you would probably have mind-raped her or something.
What? His 'voice' was deadly soft, which could only mean that he was furious beyond the point of screaming.
Oh, don't even think about intimidating me! she frowned in irritation as Dumbledore cast Unloseable Charms, and his enhanced version of Portus. You can't do anything to me in front of Dumbledore!
Oh really? There was a few moments of silence, where she could only feel a raging fury boiling in him.How pathetic. Mooning over that Potter, when he was chasing every girl BUT you. Of course, you obviously have terrible tastes, with that schoolgirl crush you had on Black.
Her face was turning a brighter shade of pink with every word he sent, And to think...you gave that Weasley girl ADVICE on how to cement her position in his eyes...leaving you so alone and noble...how utterly pathetic.
She could sense his suppressed, malicious, mirth. She could feel her anger growing at his mocking sneer, but she could not let it carry her away. Harry had told her before that the key to Occlumency--a guarding of your mind against invasion--was calm control. Of course, this situation was likely different than Occlumency was often used for, but she had to try. If he found out some of her more private memories--especially from her last year--for all of the two minutes she would be forced to live with him he would make her life a living hell.
Trying to hide things? Don't even bother. I would have had to be blind not to notice...silly little girl
She felt blood drain from her face as Dumbledore muttered an incantation over the silver scales they would use to travel to the past. I don't know what you're talking about! Get out of my head!
You are the one invading mine. I would enjoy only too much your absence. How I tire of your girlish, dirty, little fantasies.
What!
Before she even processed what she was doing, she spun around and jabbed an accusing finger at him. "How dare you! How dare you just...just...prance around and--"
"I was hoping..." Dumbledore said suddenly, frowning, "That the two of you could get along for five minutes. It seems I was being overly optimistic."
Hermione flushed slightly, and her eyes fell to the ground, "Sorry..."
He smiled slightly, and shook his head. "No matter...come, the Portal Key is ready. The Charm has been set so that you must simply do the same thing you would do to activate any normal Portkey."
"When exactly will we be arriving, and where?"
"Exactly nineteen years ago." he replied, placing the scales on the table, "I believe I was in this office today, nineteen years ago...so that is where you will appear--and do give those scales back to 'me'."
"O-of course!" Fred nodded, snapping to attention.
"And only I can take them out of the office, so there is no point in attempting deceit."
The twins looked dumbfounded, "How could you say such things? We're innocent!"
Dumbledore gave them twinkly eyes a moment, before speaking. "Of course. Now please gather around this."
You know, the best part about this is that I won't have to remember any of you four.
Has it occurred to you that you may die as a consequence to the time modifications?
Oh, I don't think so.
"On three." Dumbledore said, handing them the scales, "One..."
At least, after this, there will be no reason for me to have to see YOU again. In fact, 'you' won't even exist anymore.
"Two."
Shall I suddenly wish to redeem myself, then? Confess my deepest, darkest sins? Oh, then I should say...that it was all simple guesswork. Apparently you are exactly as shallow as I thought.
In the second it took for Dumbledore to say three, it seemed time slowed to a fraction of its normal speed.
She felt her face go red, and she whirled toward her insufferable 'Guardian', ready to tell him off again. She felt something roughly grab her wrist and yank it toward the Portal Key as the others reached for it. She looked wide-eyed up from the hand forcing her to touch the Portal Key, to angry onyx eyes.
The beginnings of an insult were forming in her mind as she was jerked away. The world faded, and for several seconds she found herself tumbling through darkness with the three Weasleys. Moments later, the four of them fell unceremoniously into the Headmaster's Office.
SSSSCCCCCCSSSSSS
The four remaining occupants of the room stared at one another in silence for an indeterminable amount of time.
"...Why hasn't anything changed?" Minerva McGonagall said finally.
"Due to a time dilation effect of our connection to the items, we will not experience a change for a few minutes." Dumbledore replied, smiling.
"So then, you know who it was, don't you?" Moody growled, eyeing the old man.
"Oh yes. But I did not think it necessary for them to learn. They cannot directly affect that."
"Who did this, Albus?" Minerva asked, raising a prim eyebrow.
"Percy Weasley." At her shocked gasp, he continued, "He did not realize his fiance, Miss Clearwater, was a Death Eater."
"I tried to warn him." Severus Snape said, with a hint of a smirk, "But apparently I wasn't trustworthy."
"I can't imagine why anyone would assume that Severus." Minerva scoffed.
"Do you think they'll find out?" Moody grunted. His magical eye was watching Hogwarts for any changes.
"They might." Dumbledore glanced down at his watch, "Ah! Our time is almost up!"
"In that case..." Minerva said with a sly smile, "I must commend you, Severus, for your lightning-fast reaction time. If not for you, Miss Granger would not have made it through time...and the two of you would be stuck together forever."
The man only sneered in response.
If I could, then I would
I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low, I'll go wherever you will go
If I could turn back time
I'll go wherever you will go
If I could make you mine
I'll go wherever you will go
I'll go wherever you will go
AN:So I had some fun with the HG/SS interaction here...well, that'll be pretty much the last of it for awhile...
I wish I could use this Guardian Charm more...maybe another fanfic, as it is I'm not sure its potential will be fully realized in this fic.
-Yusagi Sombermoon
