Chapter I
The Chosen Few
The sun was slowly crawling over the glorious castle of Hogwarts, as dawn had just begun to break through the shroud of night.
The sky was tinted a bleak grey, and within the confines of Hogwarts' walls, slumber ensued for all save ten forms, who now sat within the office of Albus Dumbledore.
All but one face showed signs of sleep deprivation due to the hour being earlier than the usual of their waking.
Yawns and half-closed eyes greeted the smiling and twinkle-eyed professor Dumbledore, whom looked as if he had over-slept.
"Good morning, dear students." He nodded in their direction and then over at Snape. "Good morning, professor."
He was answered by many mumbled and unharmonious drawls of "good morning" and "hello."
He smiled, "thank-you for coming."
Silence followed and one would have surely fallen into slumber had not Severus broken the welcomed moment of tranquility. "Just get on with it, Albus."
Dumbledore nodded, "Yes. Yes, professor. You're quite right."
He paused and took a deep breath. "The reason I have called you all here today is because I wish to inform all of you about a matter of great importance."
Harry perked up at once, as well as Hermione, earning them an eye roll from Severus Snape.
"I wish to entrust you with a special mission. One that will require leadership, knowledge, loyalty, spell mastery, resourcefulness, and…" he glanced over at the three lethargic Slytherins and then abruptly continued. "It will involve a passage through time."
A wide grin spread across Hermione's face, Harry's brows furrowed in confusion, and the rest responded with "huh?" and "What was that?"
Dumbledore now focused his attention on mainly Harry, Severus, and Hermione, whom were the only ones who seemed to be grasping coherent reality at the moment.
"Lord Voldemort-" at this both Luna and Neville were jolted into awakening and they eyed Dumbledore with disapproval at the mention of the Dark Lord's name.
Dumbledore ignored them and continued. "Has hidden something within the flow of history; something of great value." He eyed Harry and Hermione meaningfully, which did not go unnoticed by Snape.
"The sooner we can retrieve this item, the sooner we can end this war."
Hermione nodded, "so, when will we be leaving?"
Dumbledore leaned back in his chair. "I'm hoping you can embark tonight."
Harry and Hermione smiled, apparently pleased at the thought of wasting no time.
"Wait a second," started a voice. Dumbledore rested his gaze on Ginny Weasely, who had now woken from her sleep-like state.
"Yes, Ginerva?"
"Where will we be going, and during which year?"
Dumbledore nodded, "an excellent question. You will be sent to America of the year 1918."
"Random." Neville muttered beneath his breath, which Snape had heard and responded in a low whisper. "Of course."
"Hang on," Draco Malfoy suddenly stated. "Does that mean we will be in the Muggle world?"
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes it does."
Draco's eyes widened and a scowl formed across his face. "I'm writing to my father about this."
Dumbledore shrugged. "Doubt it would do any good considering you'll be well on your way before the letter would even reach your father."
A look of defeat came over the young Slytherin's features and he gazed up at Snape beseechingly, though, only finding that the attention of the potion professor was focused on Dumbledore.
"Now," Albus started, "I will explain the rest tonight. Meet me back here at 11:00 this evening."
They nodded and Dumbledore smiled and then his eyes suddenly widened. "Oh! And, Severus? Be sure to explain all of this to the female Slytherins who were sleeping during this entire gathering."
Severus rolled his eyes and nodded, "Right."
Everyone turned and left the room, save Ginny who walked over to the Professor timidly. "I don't know if my mum would be okay with this."
Dumbledore held up his hand, "have no worries, my dear, I have already asked her and she has agreed to let you go."
Ginny nodded then quickly left the room to catch up with the others.
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"This is great, Hermione." Harry exclaimed as they climbed the stairs to the Gryffindor dormitories. "I mean, this is exactly what I've been waiting for."
Hermione smiled half-heartedly. "Yeah, but…" she looked over at Harry, question within her eyes, "I wonder why Ronald wasn't chosen."
Harry nodded. "I was wondering the same thing."
Ginny shook her head. "He's not going to take it well."
"No offense, Ginny," Neville began hesitantly, "but I was wondering why he chose you. I mean, because you're in a younger year and all."
Harry grinned and poked her playfully in the side. "Yeah, Miss sixth year."
Ginny shrugged, "I'm not complaining."
Harry chuckled, "Of course not, Gin."
Ginny turned and flashed a smile, "Why do you say that?"
"Well," Harry grinned, "It's an opportunity of a lifetime."
They walked on in silence for a few moments until Harry finally broke it. "By the way, are you going to ask your mum if this is alright with her?"
Ginny shook her head, "no. Dumbledore already did."
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Luna Lovegood sat gazing at the Daily Prophet, simply reading the latest blabbering. She was seated contentedly with her feet propped up on one of the desks in an empty classroom, her mind a million worlds away.
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"So," concluded Severus Snape, "has everyone got it?"
Millicent, Pansy and Draco nodded in response and Snape sighed in relief. "Alright, then I will see you all in class."
"But, wait, Profess-"
"I'll see you in class, Mr. Malfoy." Snape snapped as he slammed the door shut.
Draco shook his head. "Why do we have to go?"
Pansy shrugged. "I guess it's because he had to include some Slytherins to make Snape more agreeable to his plan."
Draco nodded, "Probably."
He sighed and collapsed on the leather sofa across from where Millicent and Pansy sat. "Did he mention how long we are to be gone?"
Pansy shook her head, "Nope. And I'm assuming he doesn't know."
Draco nodded. "Probably doesn't. The whole thing is ridiculous and risky enough without his incompetent skills of forming good plans."
Pansy shrugged. "Oh well."
"Oh, come on you guys!"
Both Pansy and Draco looked averted heir attention to Millicent, "Pardon?"
"You seriously aren't excited at all?" she continued.
Draco shook his head, "not really."
Pansy shrugged again. "I could really care less."
Millicent stood, a grin spreading across her face. "What's wrong with the two of you?"
Draco stood to face her. "You wanna know what's wrong with us? It just might be the fact that Pansy and I are being forced to participate in the downfall of the Lord to whom we aspire to serve one day."
Millicent's grin vanished and she slumped back onto the chair behind her. "Oh. I forgot your ambitions to be Death-eaters someday."
Pansy sighed. "I don't see a way out of this one."
Millicent shook her head. "You two are unbelievable."
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Dumbledore smiled to himself and reclined in his chair. "I do believe they all took it rather well."
