Beginning of 6th year at Hogwarts
Why am I so nervous about seeing Dumbledore? Maybe it's because I'm about to tell Dumbledore that I'm from a different universe where Harry Potter is a fictional character. Not to mention the fact that I know everything before it happens. That should go over well.
"Sherbert lemon." I gulp the password to Dumbledore's office. As the stairs begin to ascend, I glance over to Allie and Taylor. They give me a nod that says they're just as nervous and ready as I am. We don't say anything as we climb up what seems the never-ending staircase and approach the door to our destiny. Before I can even raise my hand to knock on the door, I hear Dumbledore's voice. "Come in, come in." I push the door open and Dumbledore is there to greet us. He looks, sadly, a little worse for the wear.
"Come, sit down you three," he says. "Can I offer you some tea or a lemon drop?" We shake our heads no. "What seems to be the problem? You three are so pale. It looks as if you've been spooked by Peeves. Is he bothering you again?"
"No, sir," I answer feebly. "Well…you see…there's something we need to tell you…we're…"
"Ahh, so the time has finally come," he interrupts me as he goes to sit at his desk. He has that gleam in his eyes again. The three of us just turn to each other with confused looks.
"This meeting is about how you three are from a different universe, is it not?' Dumbledore explains with a smile. I should have guessed he already knew.
"But how…" Allie tries to ask.
"How do I know? I was the one who brought you here," he plainly states. "Let me explain before you say anything," he says as he sees all three of us getting ready to say something.
"As you can tell, Hogwarts and Harry Potter are not just fictional beings in a book, but real. You see; Harry is the one who wrote those books. The muggle you know as J.K. Rowling is actually Harry himself, only older, and under polyjuice potion. Only a select group of people knows the actual truth about Harry. Now you three become part of this elite group. I trust that none of you will expose any of this outside of this office?"
We just shake our heads no, being to shock to do anything else.
"Now to answer the question of why you are here. I had members of these elite groups surveying particular groups of people we knew were devoted to Harry Potter and his world, but not overly obsessively so. These special people we were looking at could help Hogwarts and the wizarding way of living. Out of everyone we looked at, you three were the ones who seemed most trustworthy and most passionate. You, Rachel, are most passionate about the happiness and welfare of one Mr. Draco Malfoy."
I blush. Am I that obvious?
"You, Taylor," Dumbledore continues, "are passionate about the fulfillment of school unity amongst all. You bear no mind to what race, color, religion or house anyone is in. And you, Alexandra, want to help the integrity of Hogwarts as a whole. You want to make sure this is an institution where everyone has a fair chance of learning, but yet they can have fun while doing it. I activated the door at Lawrence dining hall as a portkey and time-traveler to our time and universe. I must say that I am very proud of all that you three have done for Hogwarts and it's students over the past five years."
We smile and sit up a little bit higher in our chairs as Dumbledore takes a sip of his tea. He stares me straight in the eyes before continuing.
"You have done the most of all, Rachel. Not only did you help to unite everyone with your friendliness, but also you seem to have affected Mr. Malfoy more then anyone could have imagined. Not but an hour ago did young Mr. Malfoy come to see me about his duty for Voldemort."
I gasp at what Dumbledore is telling me. But Draco never did that in the book.
"Don't worry Miss Cohen, he does not and will not have the Dark Mark. He has realized that he does not want to go through with his task for fear of losing the things he loves the most, his parents and first and foremost you. We talked things over and I told him of my plan with Professor Snape." He paused and gave us weary eyes before finishing.
"What we have figured out is that everything has to be done as foretold. Yes, this means that I will die, but as you know, it is for the greater good. If Draco does not do as planned, then it could drastically change everything, and we couldn't have that."
"So…you mean that Professor Snape will die as well?" Taylor asks.
"And Draco will act under Voldemort?" I ask as tears start falling down my face.
"Yes and yes. But we have made some changes that we don't believe will do any harm," Dumbledore tries to explain.
"What kind of changes?" Allie asks.
"You see, instead of Draco fully becoming part of Voldemort's group, he will become a spy for the Order. When he runs away with Snape, he will go to live with someone who is on our side. This is where you come in Rachel. We want you to hide Draco. He will still need to go to Voldemort's meetings with Snape, but he will come home to you and the safety of the Order."
"No! I won't allow Draco to be in anymore danger then he's already in," I cry.
"Don't worry, Rachel," Dumbledore says soothingly. "We will make sure there is the highest amount of protection around your house and that Mr. Malfoy will be trained and ready in the forms of defense and legillimency."
"In that case, I guess it's ok," I sigh. "Does this mean that I have to get trained as well?"
"Yes, you all should. And yes, Rachel, even before you ask…Harry still has to use the sectusemptra curse on Mr. Malfoy or else he'll never learn what's right and what's wrong. But don't worry, as you know, he'll be fine. Now if that is all the questions you have, I believe you are out after hours."
"One more question, Headmaster," I say meekly.
"Yes my dear."
"Am I allowed to say a word of this to Draco?"
"I'm sorry, but no. If he found out you knew, it could change the future and we wouldn't want that, would we?"
"I guess not. Well goodnight Headmaster," I say as we get up to leave.
"Yes goodnight girls. We will start our lessons soon."
Allie and Taylor help me walk down the stairs, as I am too numb from all of the information I just learned. On the way back to our houses, we run into Draco, of all people. Why does he have to be a prefect?
"Hey you three, why are you guys out so late? Not getting into any trouble are we?" he asks jokingly, but before we can answer, he looks at me. His smile is quickly turned upside-down. "Rae, my love…what's wrong?" He quickly pulls me into a hug and kisses the top of my head.
"Nothing," I sigh. "I just don't feel too great."
"Well let's get you straight to bed. Come on," he says before lifting me up in his arms.
I nuzzle my face into his chest and breath in his perfect smelling cologne. Oh my dear Draco. If only I could tell you everything and explain to you that I understand everything you are going through. This is going to be one rough year.