Tides of Time

By Michael Weyer

Not Pleasant Blast From the Past

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Murder in the Ministry

Magical Community shocked by death of key Ministry official

The magical community is investigating the shocking death of Dolores Umbridge, one of the top officials in the Ministry. Umbridge was found dead in her office this morning after she failed to appear at a scheduled appointment. Details are sketchy at this time with much information held by the Ministry but it does appear she was killed instantly by a single blast of energy.

Minister Dumbledore issued a brief statement expressing his shock at the horrible incident. "While Ms. Umbridge and myself had both personal and professional differences, she was a loyal member of the Ministry and her death is a loss. Far more troubling is that it occurred within the Ministry itself and we are intensifying our security to ensure such a tragedy does not happen again."

The most obvious suspect are the forces of You-Know-Who but no official word has been given at this time.

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The clearing was almost totally empty and quiet, a nice day in the English countryside. It was broken by a loud grinding as the TARDIS flowed out of thin air and solidified. The doors opened a few moments later and the Doctor exited, followed by Ron, Harry and Herimone.

"Ah, this doesn't look like Hogwarts," Ron announced.

"It doesn't?" The Doctor frowned and looked around. "You sure? Wide open fields, that lovely chipper English smell, there's a campus nearby!" He nodded to a series of buildings close to the field.

"Hogwarts is a castle, Doctor," Harry gently reminded him.

"Oh, right," The Doctor said, stroking his chin. "Hmm…maybe I was a bit off course. Come on, let me find out where we are, work our way along from there." He began to stride forward, the three teens following.

"It is the right time frame," the Doctor said. "I can recognize the pollution content in the air."

"Ah, when you say time frame," Ron asked. "You mean a few hours or…" He trailed off, not willing to say the rest.

"Relax," the Doctor said. "At worse we're off a year or two."

"A…a year?!" Herimone shrieked. "Are you joking? How can we be…"

"Now don't panic just yet!" the Doctor said as they came to a small newsstand near the buildings. He moved in to look at a paper. "Ah, here we are! I told you, no need to worry!" He lifted up the paper to show them it was still the same date as when they had left. The three let out a sigh of relief but Herimone was the first to see the headline of the paper.

"Wait a minute…we're in…Ipswich?!"

The Doctor frowned as he looked at the paper. "Oh. I suppose we are at that."

"Oh, Merlin," Ron moaned, his head in his hands. "My mum is gonna kill me."

Harry gazed at the Doctor in amazement. "You took us to the other side of the country?"

"Oi!" the Doctor snapped. "I got us back on the right day, the right month, the right year, what more do you want?"

"How about an understanding of directions?" Herimone snapped. "What kind of a spaceman are you if you don't know how to direct to a spot you've been before?"

"Well, it's not like the thing's perfect!" the Doctor said. "If it was, it wouldn't be looking like a police box all the time, now would it? Look, just let it rest, you can use a phone to tell your families you're all right."

"We're wizards, Doctor," Herimone sniffed. "We don't use phones."

The Doctor shook his head. "Honestly, if you people are going to live in the modern world, you need to know how to work in it. Really, not using phones is just putting up a sign something's off with you."

"You'd know about seeming off," Ron muttered.

"Come on, we can at least find a place to eat," the Doctor said as he led them around the various buildings. It appeared to be a small community college as proven by the ringing of a bell and several dozen people exiting buildings to walk around the campus. "So this is where Muggles learn," Herimone said, looking around. "It's quaint."

The Doctor glanced at her. "Is that a bit of superiority I hear in your tone? Hmph, it appears someone has an attitude."

Herimone returned his gaze carefully. "It is simply, Doctor, that they don't have to deal with the responsibility of powers like we do. So I do believe our schoolwork is more important over all."

"Ah, I see," the Doctor dryly said. "So muggles don't matter as much in terms of schooling, do they? Funny, could swear I've heard that attitude expressed by some Lord somewhere…"

Herimone stammered and Ron leaned in to whisper to Harry. "This man keeps leaving Herimone at a loss for words. He's obviously not human."

The Doctor didn't hear them as his attention was caught by someone nearby. "That couldn't be…" he muttered as he began to pace toward the man. The three young people followed with looks of confusion. The man the Doctor was headed toward appeared to be in his seventies with white hair and mustache. He still had handsome, if wrinkled features and even though he was in a dark suit, he seemed to have the bearing of a military man.

He was finishing a talk with another suited man, shaking hands and glancing to the newcomers. "Good day," he said in a voice that had a bit of gruffness despite its friendly tone.

The Doctor smiled broadly. "Brigader!" he called out. "My dear fellow, how wonderful to see you again!" He reached to take the startled man's hand and shook it hard. "You look amazing, truly amazing! I knew you'd still be going strong, course I had special knowledge and all but even with that, I knew you'd still be around but didn't know you're be around here!"

"I beg your pardon, who are you?" the man asked.

"Oh, let me introduce you to my friends," the Doctor said, turning to the others. "Harry Potter, Herimone Granger, Ron Weasley, let me introduce you to Brigader-General Alistar Lethbridge-Stewart!"

"Pleased to meet you," Herimone politely said.

"Ah, the same," the Brigader said, obviously jarred by this. "I'm sorry but I do have to be going here…"

"Oh, come on, after all this time, we need to catch up!" the Doctor said, slapping the man's arm.

"You know this man, Doctor?" Harry asked.

"Doctor?" The Brigader looked at him with an intent expression, his eyes narrowing. "Doctor…is that you?" At the beaming nod, the Brigader looked him up and down in amazement. "Good Heavens…you've done it again!"

"Twice…" The Doctor looked up in concentration. "No…three times since we last met."

The Brigader looked upward as if pained. "Ten of them! I didn't know when I was well off!"

"You've known the Doctor before?" Harry asked in interest.

"Oh, me and the Brig go back ages!" the Doctor said cheerfully. "I was working alongside UNIT during a period in my third incarnation. The Time Lords and I had a…well, a little falling out…"

"I was under the impression they had put you on trial for interfering in time and exiled you," the Brigader dryly stated.

"Oh, apples and oranges," the Doctor waved off. "I did help you out a lot, didn't I?"

"Yes, helped my ulcer grow faster than normal," the Brigader grumbled.

"What's UNIT?" Ron asked.

The Brigader sighed. "Well, if you know the Doctor, I assume you know aliens exist." At their nods, he went on. "UNIT was created to protect England from possible alien threats."

"I've been meaning to have a word with you on that subject, Brigader," the Doctor said, his voice growing serious. "Seems I've run into a lot called Torchwood."

The Brigader grumbled. "Oh. Them. Yes, we tried to have little to do with them."

"How come I never heard of them?"

"They are top secret, Doctor," the Brigader said. "Most of UNIT didn't know they existed. And as I recall, you rarely got involved in much that didn't involve you or your immediate surroundings so it's little surprise you never heard of them."

"UNIT, Torchwood, Merlin, the muggle world is complicated!" Ron remarked.

"Brigader, I think an organization that considers me an enemy and a threat should have been brought to my attention," the Doctor crossly said.

The Brigader glared at him. "Doctor, if you had to know the number of times I argued on your behalf for Torchwood, you wouldn't be so antagonistic about them now."

The Doctor softened. "Oh. Right." He took a breath. "Sorry, Brigader, I didn't mean to be so abrupt."

The Brigader scoffed. "I would have been surprised if you weren't."

"Um, I hate to interrupt your reunion, Doctor," Harry said. "But I really think we need to be getting back to school."

"Right." The Doctor turned to the Brigader. "So, Brigader, don't suppose you'd know the nearest way to the biggest magical academy in Great Britain, would you?"

Behind him, Harry, Ron and Herimone slapped their hands on their heads in unison as the Doctor looked up in confusion. "Thunder? Funny, didn't hear a rain report."

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The Black Estate had seen better days. Having its main keeper spend a decade imprisoned had naturally led to some decay but Sirius had done a good job trying to spruce it back up since his clearing. It was still out of the way and thus a good meeting place for the new Order of the Phoenix. While Dumbledore still felt it was the job of the Ministry to prepare for the war with Voldemort, he knew the Order had its place and could be instrumental as well.

Sirius was in his main den going over some papers when the door opened. He glanced up and smiled at Remus Lupin entering. "Moony, what's the word?"

"Bad," Lupin grumbled. His suit still seemed ill-fitting on him as he shuffled toward a nearby chair. Behind him was Nymphondara Tonks, who gave her cousin a friendly smile. She was dressed in her usual jeans and leather jacket, her hair a bright purple.

Sirius nodded. "So it was a Killing Curse?"

Lupin sighed. "It doesn't seem that way. From what we can tell, she died instantly but we can't find magical traces around. There was also some sort of burn mark on her torso, like a weapons blast of some sort."

Sirius frowned. "Hmm…maybe some sort of new dark weapon Voldermort cooked up?"

"Looks that way," Tonks said as she leaned on a wall. "But why kill Umbridge?"

Sirius snorted. "Tonks, did you ever meet the woman? Trust me, five minutes and even the St Mungo's healers would be breaking out the Unforgivables on her."

"But to take her out in the Ministry…" Lupin shook his head. "It's too daring."

"Actually, it might be just what Voldemort wants," Sirius pointed out. "You saw the headlines. Taking someone out in the Ministry itself sends out a clear 'no one is safe' warning that everyone will listen to."

Tonks brushed back her hair. "That still leaves the question of how they managed to get inside without any warning or triggering any alarms."

"Inside man?" Sirius suggested.

Tonks glared at him, her hair briefly turning red. "Don't say that around Moody. He hand-picked the Aurors there himself."

Sirius held up a hand. "I'm just suggesting it's the easiest explanation."

"I know most of those people, Sirius," Tonks said. "They wouldn't betray us."

"We thought Peter wouldn't either," Lupin softly interjected. Tonks softened a bit as she saw the pain in the eyes of both men at the old betrayal. She reached to rub Lupin's shoulder. "Hey," she said to get his attention. "I'm sorry. But we shouldn't jump to conclusions."

"She's right, Moony," Sirius said. "Even if we have suspicions, we'd need proof to back them up."

Lupin raised an eyebrow. "Since when have you been willing to show patience, Padfoot?"

"Since I was convicted on almost no evidence whatsoever," Sirius returned. "I'd better check in with Mad-Eye and start looking into the ranks, see if there's anyone who might have known something."

"I'll let him know you're coming," Tonks said as she moved to the door. "I'll call you later, ok, Remus?"

"All right," he nodded as she left. He turned to see Sirius sitting with a large smile on his face. "What?"

"Moony's got a girlfriend, Moony's got a girlfriend…" Sirius started to sing.

The werewolf scowled. "Oh, don't start, Padfoot! She's a friend, that's all!"

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Moony, you may have grown, you may be a professor but you're still an idiot when it comes to women."

"Better than being an idiot at almost everything else like some I could name," Remus rejoined.

"She likes you, Moony," Sirius said.

He shook his head. "It doesn't matter if she does, Sirius. It's…too dangerous, you know that."

Sirius sighed. "Remus…Take it from someone who just lost out on a decade of his life. If you've got a chance…any sort of chance…to get something that can make you happy…Take it. No matter what, take it."

Lupin stared at him in amazement. "Sirius…that may be the most mature thing you've ever said to me."

"Well, don't expect a habit of it," Sirius grumbled. "I have a reputation to…"

He was interrupted as the door opened and Tonks stuck her head in, her face serious. "Either of you two heard from Harry?"

The men exchanged frowns before looking back to her. "No, why?" Lupin asked.

"He, Ron and Herimone were out shopping at Diagon," Tonks said. "Just got a message from Minerva. They were expected back an hour ago but no sign of them at all."

"That's not like them," Sirius said, instantly alert. "Harry knows better with the Death Eaters around."

Lupin was on his feet. "Let's get to Hogwarts, we can use the trackers there."

Sirius nodded as he joined his friend. "Let's just hope Harry doesn't do anything stupid."

"He's James' son."

"Good point."

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"So…you know about magic?" Herimone asked the Brigader. The five were seated in his large office overlooking the campus building. The Brigader was pouring them another round of tea as he sat back in his chair.

"At the risk of breaking your beliefs, young lady," he stated. "The top levels of government have been aware of the magical world for centuries. The first thing every Prime Minister does, after meeting her Majesty of course, is to meet with the Minister of Magic and be briefed on it. As UNIT often dealt with…unusual activity, it was felt prudent to let us know the difference between magic and alien activity. I assume Torchwood does the same."

"Knowing them, they've tried to figure out how to mix it up," the Doctor sniffed as he sipped his tea. "Which can be rather disastrous." He shook his head. "Every time I have hope for you people, Brigader, I find you ready to do something incredibly stupid and threaten to mess it all up."

The Brigader sniffed. "And your race is perfect, Doctor?"

The Doctor stopped and looked away. "I am my race, Brigader," he whispered.

The elderly man froze and frowned. "What?"

"There was a war against the Daleks," the Doctor softly began. "The last great Time War. We were losing badly, Gallifrey was in flames, we were dying by the score. There was only one way to end it all…I had to do it." He sipped at his tea, his words echoing in the now silent room. Even Herimone and Ron were quieted by the impact of the pain in the Doctor's voice.

"I…I'm sorry, Doctor," the Brigader said in the gentlest tone the Time Lord had ever heard him use. "I truly am."

The Doctor sighed. "Ironic, isn't it? I spent so much time chastising you for always going for extreme methods…yet I end up causing a greater body count than you could ever hope for…and lay waste to my people."

"It was war, Doctor," the Brigader pressed. "I know how it is. If you didn't have a choice…"

"That doesn't make it easier," the Doctor said, staring off. "It was one thing to be exiled, Brigader. I knew I didn't quite fit in with them and all that but it's something else to be the last of my kind. The only one who can do what I do and fight the battles that need fighting."

"I know what you mean," Harry softly said. The Doctor looked at him and felt a small smile as he realized the young man was sincere.

Seeking a way to end this rather melancholy conversation, Herimone turned to the Brigader. "So, ah, how involved are you in the magical community?"

"Oh, I still keep up with it, even in retirement," the Brigader said. "I even subscribe to your papers through contacts." He reached to unlock a drawer, rummaging to pull out a pair of papers. "The Prophet and the Quibbler."

"Latter's mostly a tabloid," Ron pointed out. "But they do move away from the Ministry say-so and…" He stopped as he saw the picture of a dead Dolores Umbridge. "Bloody hell."

Herimone gasped as she grabbed the paper and read through it. "Dolores Umbridge, Ministry official, killed right in the Ministry building itself? But…the alarms, the wards, the guards…how can this be?"

"Voldemort, obviously," Harry said gazing at the image of Umbridge's body. "Hmm…wonder how they managed to get the photo while the Prophet couldn't."

The Doctor had slipped on a pair of glasses as he leaned in to examine the image. He stopped and stared carefully at the way the body was splayed out and the burn mark at its torso. "No," he whispered. "It couldn't be…it just couldn't be…"

"What is it, Doctor?" Harry asked.

"I…" the Doctor swallowed. "I think we need to get back to Hogwarts now. If this is what I think it is then we're all in very big trouble."

Without warning, the door to the office burst open and Sirius Black rushed in, followed by Lupin, Tonks and Mad-Eye Moody. All four had wands out and pointed right at the Doctor. "Hold it right there, Crouch!" Black snapped. "Or I'll hex you so bad, they'll be trying to stop your screams for a year!"

A silence went up before the Brigader snorted. "Well, Doctor…it's nice to see that no matter what the regeneration is, you never quite change."

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Apologies this took a while to get out. Next chapter will hopefully be sooner with fun at Hogwarts and the mastermind revealed…which may be a slight surprise. All comments welcome.