DISCLAIMER: SEE CHAPTER ONE!
"Have you made any headway on the werewolves Remus?" Albus Wulfric Percival Brian Dumbledore, former Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, asked.
"I'm afraid not Albus; they unfortunately believe that Voldemort will offer them a better life then the current Ministry does," Remus Lupin, werewolf, Marauder and former professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts, told him.
"Which is just bloody stupid! Why would a person who advocates about pureblood supremacy help a bunch of werewolves? Has thirteen years without Voldemort make everyone lose their bloody minds?" Nyamphadora Tonks, Auror at the Ministry of Magic and hater of her first name, demanded.
"It's because of Dolores Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary for the Minister; she has been making it harder and harder to be anything but a human being. She's horrible enough that it's hard to believe that she isn't a Death Eater," Charlie Weasley, Dragon Handler, told her.
"Yes, it is unfortunate, but Dolores and indeed most of Cornelius' administration has caused more harm than good," Albus Dumbledore sighed. "But, back to the matter at hand, it seems that it will take longer to get any support from the werewolves. How are the goblins William?"
"They've decided to remain neutral for now; they don't want to be involved in a wizard's war they said," William "Bill" Weasley, Curse Breaker for the wizarding bank Gringotts, explained.
"Well, that's good news and bad news I guess. At least they are bothering to look at both sides before choosing an alliance, though I shudder to think if they choose to side with the Death Eaters," Kingsley Shacklebolt, Auror, said.
"Indeed, if they should side with—"
BAM!
A large explosion resounded stopping Arthur Weasley, head of the department of Misuse of Muggle Artifacts at the Ministry of Magic.
"W-what was that?" Molly Weasley, mother, asked frantically.
"An explosion, it came from stairs," Alastor "Mad-eye" Moody, former Auror, told them as he pulled out his wand. "Some incredible magic is coming from where Potter is."
That was any of them needed, quickly pulling out their wands, they ran up the stairs. Passing Fred and George Weasley, twin pranksters, who fell over from the explosion, they headed up to the attic. They were distantly aware that Walburga Black's portrait, mother of Sirius and Regulus Black and just downright horrible woman, was screaming at the top of her lungs about "half-breeds", "blood traitors", and "shames of her flesh". They arrived just in time to see Harry James Potter, Hermione Jean Granger, Ronald "Ron" Bilius Weasley and Ginvera "Ginny" Molly Weasley glow gold and disappear.
The Order of the Phoenix was stunned. Right under their noses four of their charges were taken away and no one know how or why. Molly Weasley let out a sob so heart wrenching that even Lord Voldemort himself would have felt saddened. Her worst nightmare, her greatest fear, to her it seemed to have come true. Four of her children are gone, possibly dead, and she has no way of finding them. She was about to breakdown when she heard a sound that was the most horrible thing she had ever heard, Sirius let out an amused groan and slight chuckle.
Now Molly Weasley has been known to be temperamental and fierce, but when it comes to her children she becomes fire incarnate. And, that is why Sirius had suddenly found Molly Weasley née Prewitt's wand pointed at his throat, and fixing him with a glare that should have incinerated him.
"SIRIUS ORION BLACK! WHAT IS SO FUNNY? TWO OF MY CHILDREN AND TWO THAT ARE JUST AS GOOD AS JUST DISAPPEARED! THEY COULD BE CAPTURED! THEY COULD BE DEAD! AND, NEED I REMIND YOU THAT ONE OF THOSE CHILDREN IS YOUR GODSON? AND, HERE YOU ARE LAUGHING! YOU'RE LAUGHING WHEN THEY COULD BE DEAD!" Molly screamed hysterically.
"Calm down Molly, Death Eaters don't have them! They just somehow managed to make that old stone work is all!" Sirius said trying to comfort her.
And, failing miserably.
"STONE? THIS STUPID BLACK STONE? THIS STUPID STONE THAT IS PROBABLY FULL OF NOTHING BUT DARK MAGIC? YOU EXPECT ME TO BE OKAY WITH THAT? YOU EXPECT ME TO BE FINE WHEN IT MAY HAVE WIPED THEM OUT OF EXISTANCE?"
"The stone's not dark magic Molly," Remus tried to explain. "In fact, nothing in this room is. This is where Sirius' Mum stored anything that could be considered decent."
"THEN WHAT IS THIS STONE?"
"Destiny's Stone," Albus Dumbledore said in well concealed excitement.
"GREAT! WE KNOW IT'S NAME! BUT, WHAT DOES IT DO?"
"It's…" Sirius started to explain.
To say that Hermione Granger was shocked would be like saying that Severus Snape's hair is only a little greasy. For right now, she is seeing four faces she never thought she would see outside of a book. Seeing them was bigger than learning she was witch and meeting the Boy-Who-Lived, another face in a book. These four people are supposed to be dead. For a moment, she thought that she might have died, but she dismissed that as she didn't feel dead. And, so for the first time in a long time, she could only gape and stare at them.
Salazar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff were very unnerved by her and her three friends' stares. Godric Gryffindor on the other hand…
*I told you I was devilishly handsome! Look, she can't take her eyes off me!*
*Doesn't matter,* Rowena said dismissively. *You all owe me a Knut!*
*What? What for?* Salazar asked.
*These four are obviously our very first students! And, you all said we wouldn't get any until Hogwarts was open for a couple of years!*
*Students? It isn't even the agreed upon time of year that we'll start! How can they be students?* Salazar Slytherin asked rhetorically.
*You know, dear, he does have a point. In all of our handouts, we said that school will start on September first, not August first.*
*Fine, we'll just ask them,* Rowena said stubbornly heading over to Hermione and her friends. *Excuse me, but you are our new students aren't you?*
Much to Rowena's displeasure their shocked faces changed to confused faces. It was almost as if they didn't understand her. Now don't get her wrong, Rowena Ravenclaw is used to people not understanding her. But, that normally came from explaining some complicated spell or potion, not from asking a simple question.
*Hello?* She tried again, this time waving her hand in from the bushy haired girls face. That must have done the trick because a look of realization came over her face. Finally, glad to be getting somewhere with these surprisingly stupid new students, she was surprised when the girl took out her wand.
You see wands weren't all that common to use, at least not now. They were mostly used for duels and extremely complicated spells. No, most magic can and is done wandlessly; it's just easier that way. So, you could understand Rowena's fear that these seemingly stupid people might be trying to curse her. She knows they don't stand a chance, but who knows what spell they might use. And, that's why she was even more bewildered when she pointed the wand at herself and muttered, "Lingua". And, she was even more surprised when she did it to her three compatriots.
"Why did you do that?" She had to ask. Unfortunately before the girl could reply, the read headed boy spoke.
"Whoa! Hermione what did you do? She's not talking weirdly anymore!" Talking weirdly? She thought. She had been speaking Anglo-Saxon the whole time.
"It was a simple translation spell Ronald. Now we can speak and understand Anglo-Saxon." "Hermione" explained.
"But, how did we get here?" The red headed girl, who was obvious related to this "Ronald" asked.
"It must have been the stone Ginny, or at least that's the only feasible explanation I can come up with," The black haired boy with the lightning bolt scar said. Stone? She thought, Did someone make a portkey to Hogwarts? Why would they do that?
"So, what? We just went back in time because of some stupid stone?" "Ronald" asked angrily. "Is this even possible? These are the bleeding Founders Harry! The Founders! The greatest witches and wizards since Merlin himself!" Back in time?
"Well, what other explanation do you have oh mighty great one?" "Ginny" asked sharply.
"What if were in some Death Eater trap? An illusion or some messed up prison camp?" "Ronald" said. Death Eater? What on earth is a Death Eater? Is that some kind of new magical creature?
"I doubt it Ron, why would they go to such extremes to just trap us when they could kill us off?" "Hermione" asked. Who are these people? Why are "Death Eaters" trying to kill them?
"Try to get information out of us?" "Harry" asked.
"That's what the Cruciatus Curse is for. I've never heard of You-Know-Who going to such lengths to get information. And, unless they somehow got past the Fidelus Charm, which I doubt since Professor Dumbledore is the Secret Keeper, than they shouldn't have been able to find us." "Hermione" explained. "And, they have no reason to want Ron, Ginny and I if they already have you. No the only logical answer is that we went back in time."
"You're taking this calmly Hermione," "Ginny" said in disbelief.
"I spent my entire third year time traveling, remember? I'm used to the experience—"
"—after you got over your total shock," "Ronald" said. "Anyway, we know the real reason is that Hermione wants us to have gone back in time because we get to actually meet the Founders."
"Like you don't want to meet Godric Gryffindor?" "Hermione" shot back huffing in indignation.
"Of course I do, but Merlin Hermione, you're probably already coming up with ways to be taught by them, aren't you?"
"So, what? There's nothing wrong with learning Ronald," "Hermione" snarled.
"Uh, guys?" "Harry" called noticing Rowena Ravenclaw standing there awkwardly. "You do know you're being watched right?"
Ron and Hermione turned in time to see Rowena chuckling at them, causing them to turn beat red.
"Sorry to interrupt, but are you telling me, that you aren't new students?"
"Uh…" "Harry" said smartly.
"No, we're not. As you probably heard from our conversation Lady Ravenclaw, we are time travelers. We do not know how we got here or why we are here. Is it possible that we may use the Hogwarts library? Maybe we can find something about it there… the library is there, right?" "Hermione" asked without stopping for a breath.
Now most people are overwhelmed by Hermione Granger's way of speaking without taking so much as a breath as much as they are overwhelmed by her intellect. Rowena Ravenclaw isn't most people, and rather than feeling overwhelmed, she felt excited. She knows it is wrong, but she can't help hoping that what ever sent them here would keep them here for a while. It has always been her dream to teach someone like Hermione and if they are stuck it could be her chance. There aren't many like this girl, and Rowena doubted she would ever meet her again. But, in order to do that, she must first know why they are here, and how long they'll stay. And, with that in mind she told them, "You may use my library, but if you have to stay for a long time period all four of you must become students. Those are my terms, what do you say?"
"Hermione", "Ronald" and "Harry" all looked at each other, obviously having a conversation that only trusted comrades can have. Although it was strange that they didn't include "Ginny", Rowena didn't question it. After a couple minutes, and a quick whisper to "Ginny" they all nodded, "Hermione's" a bit more enthusiastic than the others.
"Good, please follow me," Rowena said. She led them past the dumfounded Founders and to the school. Harry had always loved Hogwarts, it was his first true "home", but the Hogwarts he always knew was over a thousand years old. This Hogwarts was newly built and shined in a way that he had never thought possible. But, it lacked many of his favorite aspects too. Hagrid's cabin isn't there and none of the ghosts, not even Peeves. No Professor Dumbledore, no Professor McGonagall, and no Quidditch pitch. By the solemn looks on his friends' faces, they have realized this too.
"It's a bit empty, isn't it?" Ron said quietly.
"It'll take some getting used too," Hermione agreed.
After passing the Great Hall, which they have never seen, so empty during the day, and going up some stairs, they arrived at the library. Hermione's heart nearly broke that day when she saw how there were only two bookcases worth of books. But, the others mentally cheered at not having to search through the library's normal thousand and thousands of books. They went to work at once, pulling random books off the shelves.
Now you might be mislead by the concept of only two book cases worth of books. In truth that's actually two hundred worth of books. So, they kept searching, book after book after book. Any books that were in Ancient Ruin were handed to Hermione and Rowena.
"What is going on here Row?" Godric asked as he, Helga and Salazar finally found them.
"There not new students, are they?" Salazar asked smugly.
"No," Rowena said sadly. "They're time travelers."
"Time travelers…?" Helga asked hesitatingly.
"Yes, although they don't know how it happened," Rowena explained. "We are looking to see if any of our books has any information about it."
"So, what are we looking for?" Godric asked pulling a book from a shelf. "It would be an honor to help."
"Anything about a black stone that has "Destiny", "Fate" and "Time" written on it," Rowena explained and they nodded their heads.
They searched for hours, and by time Hermione found a book that had mentioned a black stone it was nearly midnight.
"I think I found it! Oh, but it sounds just like a child's tale." She said downhearted.
"Let's hear it anyway Hermione," Harry said.
"Um… okay, the book is called 'The Tale of the Left Alone Brother'." Ron and Ginny perked up at that.
"Hey, is this like a sequel to 'The Tale of the Three Brothers'?" Ron asked, but was surprised when Hermione didn't seem to know what he was talking about. It was unfathomable, but it seems that Ron finally knew about a book that Hermione did not.
"It's a child's fairytale," he told them. "It talks about three brothers that managed to out smart Death, and were rewarded. The first got the "Elder Wand", the second got the "Resurrection Stone", and the third got the "Everlasting Invisibility Cloak". The first brother foolishly bragged about his unbeatable wand, and was killed by a thief who stole his wand. The second called back his lover, but went mad and killed himself because she was a shell without a soul. The third brother used his cloak to hide from death and live a full life. He eventually died of old age."
"Ha! Like such things could exist!" Hermione said, but was surprised by Harry's thoughtful look.
"Ron did you say that the invisibility cloak was everlasting?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Well, what's the big deal about it being everlasting?"
"Don't you know Harry?" Hermione asked haughtily. "Invisibility cloaks need to be updated every couple of years or the disillusion charm will run out."
"Really?" Harry asked surprised. "I've never had to update my—" He stopped abruptly.
"What?" Ron asked.
"I've never had to update my cloak."
"Hey! That's right, but wha—no way! You don't think your—"
"—yeah, I have never had to update my cloak even though I have been using it for five years. And, it belonged to my father as well."
"So, you think the story of the Hallows is true?" Salazar questioned, reminding the time travelers that the Founders are still there.
"Well, not completely, but I think the items might be real. Just not how they acquired them." Hermione could agree with that. She doubted the story, but three powerful wizards creating items like those aren't too hard to believe. "So, if you could read the book Hermione, but keep in mind that story might not be true but the item mentioned might be."
Hermione took a look at the book and handed it over to Rowena. Everyone gave her a questioning look. "It's all in Elder Futhark and Anglo-Frisian runes and I haven't gotten good enough to translate properly. Maybe if it was in Anglo-Frisian only like the rest I could do it thanks to the language spell, but…"
Rowena nodded, and began to read, "The Tale of the Left Alone Brother"
"The youngest brother was sad. It had been thirty years since his fateful meeting with Death. His two brothers have both died. Sometimes he wishes he could go back in time and stop them from receiving their gifts. But, that was impossible. He knew this.
As he wandered he began to think about his cloak. What will happen to it? Should he pass it on? His son was interested in the cloak, to be able to wander around invisibly. Although he will never pass it on to his son, he is too much of a lecher to be trusted with this gift. No, he'll pass it on to his grandson.
He headed home to his wife of fifteen years, and told her of his plan. 'You know I do not like your cloak, but if you must pass it on, please wait until after I die.'
And, so he had, for another fifty years he held the cloak. His son was an adult, and his grandson had a daughter and son of his own. His wife had died a mere two hours ago, and he knew that now the time to pass his cloak on.
He decided that one of his great-grandchildren deserves the cloak the most, but he did not know who to pass it on to. So, for two years he fretted over which was most worthy? His beautiful and witty great-granddaughter or his handsome and courageous great-grandson?
That is when she appeared, the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. A woman so stunning that even Veela could not compare. He was fearful; she had seen him through his cloak. The cloak that even Death could not see through.
'Do not fear Ignotus Peverell, for I have come to solve your plight.'
'Who are you? Are you an angel?'
'No little Ignotus Peverell, wisest and youngest of the three, I am Fate.'
'Fate?'
'Yes, and I have seen through time just like Death and know of the future. One of your descendants is in danger. He will face an enemy so great that he must gather all three Hallows to win. But, just doing so will cost many lives.'
'So, you are going to help this descendant?'
'Yes, for I have seen him and he is most worthy. Him and his three comrades; I have created a stone, a stone that will not only effect him, but time itself. This stone shall be gifted to your great-granddaughter who is wise enough to know how to take care of it. Gift your great-grandson with your cloak for he'll eventually have it handed down to this champion.'
Ignotus was surprised, he had expected a small stone, much like the Resurrection Stone. But, instead, it was a stone as big as a grown man's foot, and unbelievably heavy.
'This stone will take him and his comrades back in time until they are ready to face the Evil Wizard who will be more evil than any wizard before him. They shall only receive one full year for each time period they're in and nothing more. Leaving will not be a choice.'
Fate had left him with those words. Ignotus could not help his curious nature and looked upon the stone. There he found the encryption:
Destiny's Stone
The Four chosen by Fate shall travel time
Their ages frozen, but their magic growing
Effecting Time in a way that has never been allowed
DO NOT WASTE IT
The next day Ignotus bequeathed his great-grandson his Invisibility Cloak and his great-granddaughter the stone. The fates of both are unknown, but hopefully the time will come for the champions to use them. Ten days later Ignotus died, happy to know that he has an heir that will be a protector."
"Wait, does this mean that Harry is related to Ignotus?" Ron asked surprised.
"I guess I am," Harry said. "But, why are there no Peverell's left?"
"The name must have died out," Ron said. "Tons of Pureblood families are no longer around just because of that."
Ginny was amazed that Harry was related to a story book character, but there was something else that caught her attention, "So, we're here for a year then?"
"Seems that way, we'll have to see how much is true," Hermione said getting her mind off of Harry's heritage. She turned to Lady Ravenclaw and said, "It seems were going to be new students here after all."
Rowena and the others were ecstatic, not only do they get their first students, but if the story is true, then they're going to defeat an Evil Wizard.
"Well dears, it seems that we'll have to sort you now," Helga said. "Do not tell us the House you're in from your time it will be more fun if you are in a different one."
"It would be wise on your part to go to a different House every time you come to Hogwarts for school," Salazar said. "It will give you a chance to see many perspectives that you would not normally have."
"How do you sort in this time? Where are we staying? And, when are we starting?" Harry asked.
"We just choose who each of us wants for their House. You are going to stay in your individual dorm rooms for your House, and since you're already here, we'll start tomorrow." Godric told them, and Ron couldn't help letting out a small groan of starting school a month early.
"But, first you should properly introduce yourselves. I only know your first names, and that is from listening on your conversations," Rowena said. The four time travelers blushed; they had gotten so distracted by being back in time they had not even realized that they had not told the Founders who they were.
"Harry Potter."
"Hermione Granger."
"Ron Weasley."
"Ginny Weasley."
The Founders nodded their heads in understanding (although Godric gave a little start at the mention of "Weasley") and held a small conversation about who will get who. Five minutes later, they had come to an agreement.
"Ron Weasley," Godric Gryffindor said.
"Hermione Granger," Rowena Ravenclaw called.
"Ginny Weasley," Helga Hufflepuff cried.
"Harry Potter," Salazar Slytherin bellowed.
"Move to your Head of House for them to take you to your Common Room," Professor Gryffindor said. "Do not worry about school supplies, I will go down to Hogsmeade and get them for you. Free of charge." As Harry hurried to stand by Professor Slytherin he couldn't help feeling strange about being one of the first students to ever enter the hallowed halls of Hogwarts, and to be in Slytherin to boot. How he would like to see Voldemort's face when he finds out that his beloved ancestor chose him, a mere Half-Blood, as the first Slytherin student!