As usual, I own nothing. And yes, I really didn't think I was ever going to return to this. But, guess what: I did. It will probably be a while before I get back to it again. Sorry!

The boardinghouse was definitely far from Harry's expectations. For he, being used to magic, thought that even the poorest of people could afford something decent. This sentiment was shared by Ron and Hermione. No one was ready for the obviously poor condition of the boardinghouse. And to think they'd thought Jack was some type of big shot! Ron looked at Harry and proceeded to say,

"Sooooo… we're gonna stay here?" Hermione hushed him before Jack had a chance to overhear them. However, he seemed to have guessed their minds.

"Well, I know it ain't much." He smiled sheepishly.

"Oh, no, it will work wonderfully!" Hermione rushed to answer before the boys could while she nudged them in the ribs. Harry took the cue first:

"Yeah, it's great!" But Ron was a little slower on the uptake.

"Um, it's beautiful?" gained him a reproachful look from both Hermione and Harry. Jack laughed awkwardly.

"Yeah, ha, uh no." He looked down at his feet, then mumbled, "You make youhselves comftable an' I'll tell Kloppman about ya." He shuffled out the door, and normal conversation ensued with the three wizards.

"Well, he's definitely a Muggle," was Harry's first comment. Hermione and Ron nodded their agreement. Then Ron asked,

"So Hermione, how do we get back to our time?" Harry had been wondering this too, and was glad Ron had verbalized it for him. They waited expectantly for her answer.

"I'm not exactly sure," she replied. Harry groaned, while Ron spluttered,

"But, but, so, then you mean we're stuck here?" His voice rose to a higher pitch, and panic had even begun to rise in Harry.

"Calm down boys! Calm down! I didn't say I couldn't find out!" Harry had gotten that impression from what she had said, and told her so. She shook her head, and explained, "I think I know how the spell works. You say the words while thinking about that time in your head, because I was actually thinking about the turn of the century at the time that I said the spell." Ron was probably thinking the same thing as Harry as Harry rebuked her for not paying close attention to her spell.

"That's probably why it didn't work!" However, Hermione disagreed with him.

"No, I'm sure that the words were wrong." This then brought a question to Ron's mind.

"What are the words to get back?" He could tell from her face that she didn't know.

"I don't know right now, but I can tell Jack to find me a book of Latin words, and I am sure to find it in there." Harry was puzzled, as was Ron. She noticed. "Latin is the Muggle term for wizarding words. They say it is a dead language, but on the contrary, it is the only living language. Back in ancient times, it was spoken on a regular basis, and that is why there was so much more magic back then." She received only blank stares, to which she was accustomed.

In the silence that followed, Harry realized how dark it was in the boardinghouse.

"Would you guys care if I shed a little light in here?" Ron shook his head, and Hermione said,

"Yes, I was thinking the same thing." He then proceeded to mutter,

"Lumos medius." The light at the end of his wand flickered on, and at the same time a crash resounded in the room. With the extra brilliance, Harry, Hermione and Ron spied Jack in the doorway, mouth agape and shards of glass surrounding his feet. All four stood motionless and speechless.

I just did a spell right in front of a Muggle! thought Harry.

This is not good at all, from Hermione.

We're going to get in big trouble. Probably expelled from Hogwarts! Were where Ron's thoughts were leading him.

Jack's mind was completely blank. He really was not thinking a thing. He didn't believe what he'd seen, and if it was real, it was impossible.