UPDATE: 7/27/07- Hi, guys, this is Kagumi. Uh, Sorry about this. There ARE some changes in here, but in being on time, Jet forgot to use the updated version. I just caught onto this, please forgive us.
Disclaimer: We don't own anything you recognize.
Author's Notes: I am once again on time (miracles do happen). Um... enjoy.
Kagumi stared hard at the flowers before her. They were beautiful: roses, and some baby's breath, mixed along with gardenia, and moonflowers; the Potter's kitchen table had quite the tablecloth…She and Jet sat along one side of a rectangular table, the boys sat facing them, and at either end was a Potter Parent.
Warwick Potter looked between his son and the two strangers. He knew that they were not really from the area, no matter what the boys said to the contrary. His Auror's mind thought everything through, but all he could really conclude about it was that either the boys were hiding something very well, or they had no more of an idea who the girls were than he did himself.
His wife, Vivian, seemed to have come to the same conclusion. She nodded slightly at him, before clearing her throat softly. Kagumi and Bridget both looked at her, fear etching a slow, yet hidden, path across their faces. Kagumi's head quirked to the side. "Yes, Ma'am?" she asked politely. Merlin, she reminds me of Remus when we first met him…Vivian Potter thought to herself.
"Who, exactly, are you?" she asked as she looked between the two girls, who were hurriedly muttering to each other. Finally, they looked up.
"I'm Jet Griffins, well Bridget Ashlyne Griffins, and this is Kagumi Pheonix," Bridget introduced before returning to fidgeting with the tablecloth. Most everyone in the room continued to stare at her expectantly until Gumi's sigh caught Bridget's attention. She looked back up and, realizing what she had done (or, rather, not done), smiled sheepishly. "Right, more info, I totally knew that." She cleared her throat, ignoring Kagumi's exasperated look. "Well, Mrs, um, Potter, you see, we have a very," Bridget frowned to herself, "How do I put this?— a very prank-happy family; I'm sure you can understand." Here Gumi leveled a glare at James and the rest of the boys. The one named Peter (or Mouse-Boy, as Jet still called him in her head) squeaked slightly and buried his face into his arms. Bridget, however, was smiling to herself, reminiscing.
"Somehow," Kagumi picked up her cue, "We got transported from our families' house, right before we were to go on vacation. Most of our things were packed, save for a few essentials. And well, somehow we landed here. Quite painfully, I might add." At Mrs. Potter's quirked eyebrow, Kagumi added softly, "Your marble doorstep is rather…solid. Not the best of landing surfaces."
Instead of laughing, or at least being amused, as everyone else seemed to be, Bridget found herself staring, open-mouthed at the table with wide, slightly scared eyes as she came to a sudden realization. These boys were the Marauders, she was almost convinced of it, no she was convinced of it. And, she wasn't entirely sure how she and Kagumi had gotten here, to this world, but she did know that it was very hard to look the boys she had long held dear to her heart and know their futures. She closed her mouth and gulped, wondering how she was going to deal with this.
Kagumi was feeling much the same way, having a particularly difficult time looking at James and Sirius, who were, naturally, sitting next to each other. Remus was beside Sirius, almost directly across from her, and Peter was somewhat more distanced.
Kagumi's hazy green eyes avoided Peter for as long as possible, only acknowledging him when he spoke (which was almost never, thankfully). She assumed it had to do with the future she had seen of his; this was the only way she could explain away the fact that her hackles rose every time she looked at the boy. In her mind, she was already classifying him as a traitor; trust was going to be even more difficult than normal with him around.
She mentally went over what she knew of the Marauders (which was a considerable amount: pretty much everything available; in fact, the only person she knew who had a chance of meeting that level of knowledge was Bridget). James lived with his rich parents, was particularly good at Transfiguration. The title of best friend went to Sirius, who was by this time living with him, being unable to bear his own horrid family, and who happened to be currently looking for a flat of his own. Remus was, of course, already infected with lycanthropy, somewhat bookish, reserved, and quiet, having far more knowledge than what was deemed normal in this society. Peter, well, Peter—come to think of it, she really didn't know all that much about Peter.
Part of her rebelled against the fact that there was some information missing from her Harry Potter mental encyclopedia, while the other part was reluctant to even allow Peter to live beyond the next few minutes for what he had done. Shaking herself mentally, she looked into Vivian Potter's warm, brown eyes and smiled slightly, not noticing that the melancholy in her soul seeped into her features. Mrs. Potter stood suddenly, making up her mind. A quick glance towards the dining room window confirmed her doubts, and she pushed her chair from the table. Seven pairs of eyes followed her graceful movements, as she rapidly got lost in thought.
Whoever these girls are, or were for that matter, I seriously doubt that they mean us harm. Vivian Potter glanced over the two girls, who both had forlorn, slightly scared looks on their faces. Kagumi was staring out of the window with a sad little smirk, as though viewing the irony of the world, while Bridget swung her legs back and forth childishly, looking small and heartbroken. Why would Death Eaters send children to do their work, when they could have the "fun" themselves? They aren't exactly known for their sympathy, not even for their own kind. They are bound only by hate of a common foe; and that is no way to sustain the type of army Voldemort is attempting to. Regardless, these girls are scared of their minds... and trying so hard not to show it... A rush of motherly affection warmed her, and, she cleared her throat delicately, giving the two girls a small, sympathetic smile.
"Well," Vivian said aloud, startling everyone on the table (Bridget started so badly her chair tipped backwards and she almost fell over). She gave the girl an amused look. "The sun will be up soon, so there's no sense in going back to bed. I'll have breakfast ready in a few minutes—"
Warwick Potter leaned forward towards the girls with a mischievous smile that showed just how similar he and his son were. "And by that," he cut off in a playful whisper, "she means that she'll have our House Elves have breakfast ready in a few minutes." In response to his most unwelcome comment, Mrs. Potter forced him to become extremely well acquainted with a potato, which seemed determine to beat his head in.
"Oy!" he yelled as the potato attempted to worm its way into his ear. "Get this thing off of me!"
Blue daggers were being glared at two young men standing within a circle of stone seats. They're really more like thrones… Cordan mused to himself. With high backs, plush upholstery and regal adornments, they were chairs fit for royalty. And indeed, something akin to royalty sat upon the thrones; names known throughout all the wizarding world, by even the simplest child: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff…But no Slytherin…Raminus thought sourly, wishing for the millionth time that his family had been more honorable.
Everyone knew the stories of old Salazar's departure. But they were just that: stories. The truth remained hidden, buried beneath eons of anger and bitterness. Cordan fidgeted with his robe, fraying the ends by accident as he looked to his partner-in-crime. The only Slytherin still within the Founders' realm stood next to Cordan, his moss green eyes calmly meeting Godric Gryffindor's furious gaze.
However, as Cordan looked around the lavish council room, he was surprised and more than a little relieved that his grandfather appeared to be the only one taking this so hard. Helga was outright sniggering, while Godric bristled at her and her children's jokes like an affronted cat. Maureen, Cordan's mother, winked when he caught her eye. The Ravenclaw daughters were avidly discussing the two girls, comparing facts, as Ravenclaws tend to do. Rowena herself looked as regal and noble as ever, and yet Cordan and Raminus both could see that she was clearly trying (and failing) to repress a large smile.
In the midst of all the chatter, Raminus was startled by a deep lion's roar, Godric's way of bringing the court to order. Reluctantly, the council parted its collective head and both boys were pained to see that their own thrones (not quite as large or elaborate as the rest of the council's, as all of the Children's tended to be) had been hastily stashed in a corner, as they were now the judged.
"What…have you to say for yourself?" Godric asked, in a voice constricted with irritation. Raminus chuckled slightly, to where no one but Cordan could hear him. Cordan slowly spread his hands, smiling as innocently as he could at his grandfather. Raminus clasped his hands, smiling very politely at the Council.
Godric growled in frustration, finally slamming a conjured gavel on the long table in front of the circle. Ire flashed in his eyes, and Cordan found himself unenthusiastically remembering just why his grandfather scared the living magic out of most folks…
"Why?" Godric asked. One word was all he needed to say, to express how deeply angry, and disappointed, he was in the two of them. Cordan flinched inwardly, cursing himself for being a coward when, as he looked over at his best friend, he noticed Raminus staring coolly into Godric's blazing eyes. Envy washed over him, but he pushed it aside for the moment.
"Well, Grandfather, after studying the prophecy --" Cordan was cut off by Godric's rumble of annoyance.
"You studied the prophecy? You? You, who when asked why he shirked his schoolwork as a child, responded that it was too 'boring'. Yes, my dear grand-son, and pigs have sprouted wings without the aid of Transplant Charms." Rowena snickered behind her hands, and Maureen glared at her father. Catching her glower from the corner of his eye, Godric cleared his throat and tried another tactic.
"Why didn't you just attempt to explain the trut-- "
"He tried!" Maureen burst out, unable to contain her anger. Godric paled, as his only daughter stood, fixing him with a fierce scowl, looking, for once, very much like her mother. She stomped her foot angrily, her long russet hair falling over her face. She flung her arm out, poking him quite effectively in the chest with every word.
"He tried, Father, but in your stupid Gryffindor pride, you ignored him. You got all high and mighty again, just like you did with Uncle Salazar --" There was a near collective intake of breath from her side as Godric also stood. The woman clapped her hand over her mouth, but her shock at her own daring didn't last very long. Instead, Maureen threw him a dirty look as she walked down from the High Table to stand by her son, facing down her father as he placed his hands on the table in front of him.
"How dare you, Maureen?"
"No. How dare you, Father? How dare you accuse your grandson, your only grandson, may I remind you, of wrong when it was your own pride that blinded you? When you were so sure that you were right, you refused to even listen to anyone else, for fear that someone will usurp you?"
"I am not afraid of losing anything!" Godric roared, startling everyone.
"See? There's that stupid pride of yours, getting in the way of the truth!"
Helga was nearly in tears as she cried, "Stop! Stop the fighting, please!" and Rowena was nervously twisting her blue robe in her trembling fingers; Godric's rage could be hard to stand up to.
It normally took all of her composure, and a few Calming Draughts afterwards, to walk away only slightly singed. Her eyes grew teary as she remembered the day that Salazar had left, unable to take Godric's flaws any longer. A knife wrenched her heart as she remembered his last embrace, only for her. He'd whispered in her ear, and she had cried for days without him…
A throat clearing brought Rowena back; Helga was looking between Godric and Maureen fretfully; father and daughter were both staring the other down, waiting for a break. Cordan looked frightened to be caught in the middle, but the iron grip his mother had on his shoulder wouldn't let him move.
"Father, you know that I'm right….Why can't you just admit - -"
"I admit nothing, Maureen!"
"Again, Ladies and Gentlemen, we have the famous curse of Gryffindor pride!"
Godric slammed his fist onto the table, making a fine spider web of thin cracks in the marble. "Confound it, girl, why can't you ever let it drop? I know my flaws far better than you ever will…"
With a deep sigh, Godric sat down, running his fingers through his silvering hair. A profound sorrow echoed in his eyes; his shoulders slumped and right then, at that moment, Godric Gryffindor looked like a defeated man, which, in and of itself, was rather frightening. With his gaze settled on the table, Godric took no heed of the two individuals walking towards him. Maureen placed her fingers on his hands, with Cordan resting his own hand on Godric's arm. Raminus hovered behind the two Gryffindors, not moving, but wanting desperately to be a part of a family again.
"I'm sorry, Maureen…I truly am. You're right; I know when I've gone too far. And as for you, Cordan, I owe you an apology. Your mother is quite right, my boy," Godric looked Cordan in the eyes, ruffling his blonde hair. "I should've listened. But my 'Gryffindor Pride' got in the way. So, let's hear about this world of yours, and these two remarkable young women you seem so attached to…"
"How did you find them?" Rowena asked, clearly far more comfortable now that the tension had bled out of the air. Helga nodded her agreement.
"Well, Raminus and I tracked through the mirrors…we looked for oddities, abnormalities, anything that could be useful…Then we settled on the universe where Jo Rowling was a writer who had created our world. Raminus' world, I believe, seeing as he is the…" Cordan cleared his throat, before giving his friend an apologetic look.
"Oh, just say it Cor…Merlin, I'm the Muse. I get inside people's heads. I'm their conscience, their little devil vs. angel on the shoulder thing… alright?" Raminus blew a strand of his long, black hair away from his face. "I'm the fuckin' Muse."
Cordan's lips twitched almost imperceptibly as he continued speaking. "Seeing as he is the Muse. You see, the books that Ram, um, inspired her to write were very popular there, so we believed it would be easier for us to find individuals dedicated enough to carry out the tasks we need them to. After a few years we found these two girls, but there was very little chance of them ever meeting, as they lived on opposite sides of their country, so Ram inspired both of them to write something called 'fanfiction,' through which they met and became close friends.
"Surprisingly, they weren't interested so much in the life of Harry Potter as Mistress Rowling wrote it, but the lives of Harry's parents and their friends, which was one of the first qualities of the prophecy: 'Search not for those, the famous three, but instead search for the previous degree.' Ram and I were kept quite busy with all that speculating, but we finally decided that it meant The Marauders. Then the girls decided to meet this summer and it was the perfect timing for us to change everything." Cordan's voice had gotten an excited note to it as his eyes gleamed. "They match the prophecies perfectly and they wanted it so badly. Both Ram and I could feel it, and we couldn't just let the opportunity pass, Grandfather."
"You're already attached to the girls," Godric said, frowning. His daughter glared at him, and he didn't say anymore.
"They should be," she said decisively. "The more they invest in this world, the more likely it will be successful. We need this to work, Father, as you very well know." She smiled at her slightly confused-looking son. "I assume you've made the necessary arrangements for them in that world: finding someone reliable and preferably prominent to confirm their new identities and confide in; providing material possessions and other necessary items; finding shelter and preparations for their education at Hogwarts; setting up a backstory for them; and, of course, informing them of their task."
Cordan's eyes widened slightly, his voice strained as he responded. "Of course. Now, if you will excuse us, we should check up on our new charges."
"Of course, be careful, Cor, Ram."
The two boys left the room as quickly as they could without running. "I can't believe we forgot all that," Cor said with a weak grin. Raminus frowned at him.
"Forgot? We didn't even think of it in the first place." He sighed deeply, running a hand through his long, dark hair. "I just hope we haven't messed anything up for them."
"Mistress Potter, Miss?" a small voice said. Kagumi turned to it, whereas Bridget ignored it, knowing full well that it was one of the Potters' House Elves, and instead focused completely on her breakfast, which was very good.
"Yes?"
"There's two misters at the door." There was a short pause as Bridget brought a forkful of eggs up to her mouth. "They wishes to see Mistress Griffins, and Mistress Pheonix."
"Thank you. Tell them we shall be down there in a moment."
Bridget looked up just as the Elf disappeared with a small pop and she noticed that both of the adult Potters, and Kagumi were standing. Gumi had her arms crossed over her chest and she was giving her friend a look that clearly said 'Hurry the hell up.' Bridget sighed, put the fork back down and stood up. "Fine, fine, I'm coming."
She had just finished examining an interesting painting when she was drawn into a tight hug. Her attacker was a larger male, who didn't smell like anyone she knew, and, she rationalized, no one she knew wore robes or lived in this universe. It was an odd situation, to say the least.
"Bridget Ashlyne Kealohalanipau'ole Griffins." The guy drew back, keeping her at arms length, and she stared blankly at him. He was tall, and blonde, with rather interesting dark blue eyes, and a worried, almost frantic look on his face. It was a face she didn't recognize in the least, although (just going by the fact that he knew her entire name) he obviously knew her. He continued speaking sternly, "we have been worried sick about you and Kagumi."
"It, um, wasn't my fault?" she replied, sounding utterly confused. Usually, she would just assume that she did know him and had merely forgotten his, um, existence (which she, sadly, did do every once in a while), but considering the circumstances that was completely ridiculous. Besides, the guy was British. She didn't personally know any British dudes.
"Obviously, it wasn't," mystery man replied as he rolled his eyes, "both your and Kagumi's younger brothers are in some serious trouble back home." Bridget started to fidget, she was rather uncomfortable with this strange guy's hands on her. He seemed to sense her discomfort and let his hands drop. "They've already left, and you know it's dangerous for us to communicate, so," he gestured at himself triumphantly, "Cousin Cordan took care of everything for you." He grinned brightly at her, his hands stretched out and she stared back. Cousin? Who the hell was this guy? Someone cleared his throat behind them (she couldn't see much more than this weird dude claiming to be related to her) and Cordan sighed. "Of course, Raminus assisted me in my endeavors." His eyes twinkled as he leaned forward and stage whispered, "He likes to feel involved, his baby sister being one of the victims and all."
"Right," Bridget muttered.
Cordan moved to the side, his arm wrapped around Bridget's shoulders, and she could finally see the others. Both of James' parents seemed relieved that someone had come to find the girls, and the four boys were staring, open-mouthed at the two newest guests. Kagumi seemed to be in a forced state of silence, because she had her arms crossed protectively over her chest as she glared daggers at the other dude Bridget didn't know (Raminus assumedly). He was also tall, but thinner than Cordan with longer, dark hair, and he was smiling to himself in a very self-satisfied way.
"Thank you ever so much for taking in my wayward baby cousin and her friend," Cordan said to Mr. and Mrs. Potter. "We don't know what we would do if we lost them."
"It was our pleasure," Mrs. Potter replied with a kind smile. "If it's not too much, may I ask what you arranged for them?"
"We, unfortunately, can't take them in as we have some... situations to sort out this summer, but, because they are to begin there this fall, we've managed to arrange for them to stay at Hogwarts."
Ram moved his fingers almost imperceptibly as Cordan spoke. He formed specific thoughts inside his mind, feeling the connection between the two adults. We've already taken them in… And Hogwarts is such a big school… No, this won't do at all…. I wonder if we have enough room… One of us will have to go on shorter duty hours, but with the rate the Death Eaters are killing, I'd be happy to take some extra time off. His "message" got to Vivian, who looked at Warwick carefully, communicating in that silent way that all close couples seemed to have.
Both Vivian and Warwick frowned. "Oh, they can't stay at that big school all alone this summer," Vivian said. "It's no place for two girls to spend their holiday. Why don't you allow them to stay here until September? We've got more than enough room, and the boys can keep them entertained."
Cordan took a moment to think before smiling again and waving his hand. Two trunks appeared at the foot of the stairs. "Alright. We've given them enough gold to sustain themselves for the year, but if any other expenses occur, be sure to tell them and we'll take care of it." He briefly shook hands with Mr. Potter before guiding Bridget away. "I'd like a word with my cousin, if you don't mind."
"Oh, not at all, my dear fellow!"
Kagumi stonily let herself be steered through the doorway to the lavish foyer and then wrenched her arm savagely out of the dark haired man's grip. He faltered for a moment, and then with a careless shrug propped himself against the wall.
"Okay, who the hell are you?" Jet whispered vehemently once they were out of earshot of the others. She had shrugged off Cordan's arm once they were out of sight and was currently standing with her hands on her hips, giving him a piercing look.
Facing both Bridget's complete focus (as unusual as it was for her to completely focus on anything, when the girl did so it could be quite formidable—even frightening) and a severe glare from Kagumi, both men were soon backed against the same wall. With a slightly beseeching look, Raminus extended his hands, and then turned them over to show two empty palms. Trust me, the motion said. Kagumi scoffed aloud, and then her hands went into a flurry of signals (somewhat unconsciously) that neither Bridget nor the one named Cordan could completely follow.
How can I? Kagumi finally signed in frustration, once she had exhausted her rather extensive vocabulary of body-language expletives and curses. Jet looked between the two while the silent conversation as going on, noticing a vague, yet definite similarity in the features, postures and bone structures of the two dark haired individuals. And, if one took the time to examine both her and her "cousin" they would find, despite strikingly different hair and eye colors, a similarity is facial expression and stance that suggested family, or, at the very least, close friendship. Cordan cleared his throat, effectively suppressing Raminus' unspoken tirade; the similarities, which he had noticed as well, had begun to unnerve him.
Raminus sighed deeply, letting his hands drop to his sides. He'd gone over and over in his mind what he wanted to say ever since the hearing that morning. Cordan' s blue eyes had that twinkle in them again, and he looked between the two girls. Raminus stepped forward.
"Girls…My name is Raminus Slyt— well, nevermind, you don't need to know my name. This is Cordan. We're allies." ("Friends, Ram, we're friends.") "Allies to you; allies who happen to be caught in a very real war between Light and Dark. You see, there's a darkness here, a darkness that just should not exist. It should have been defeated in your world, but somehow--"
Cordan kicked Raminus. "Now where's the fun in telling them exactly what they have to do?" he asked rather mischievously. Kagumi swore quietly.
"So this is a different world, then? I mean, it's not just time travel, is it?"
Bridget gave Kagumi an inquiring look. "Just time travel? Did you just say 'just time travel'? What is wrong with you?" They ignored her.
"No," Raminus spoke quietly. "'Most people think that Time is like a river, that flows swift ands sure in one direction.' When in fact, 'Time is an ocean in a storm.'" Bridget bit her lip, trying not to laugh at the ridiculous level of confusing, almost irrelevant poetic language in his last sentence. Who is heaven's name speaks like that? But one look at Kagumi's face was enough to sober her; the pale girl frowned, as though she knew what he meant. "Nothing is certain. There are thousands of different realms, thousands of different futures for each realm. You are merely in one."
"Wait a second, what about our families?" Bridget asked, looking worried. "They'll completely freak—" Cordan put his finger to her lips, preventing her from worrying aloud anymore. She glared at him (as one may have noticed, she didn't like being forcibly silenced).
"Your families have been…well, adapted. They currently believe that you are in a prominent boarding school here in England. They will write you letters, and you can write them back. You will be, of course, corresponding through time and space, but, still, the letters will arrive."
Kagumi bit her lip, looking very much like a scared child, in Raminus' opinion; he shook away a surge of affection. She puffed slightly, blowing bangs away from her face. Looking at him, she asked something that he would in all likelihood not answer, "Why are we here?"
"Now that we will not tell you—"
"Will not?" Bridget interrupted, eyes narrowing dangerously at Cordan. "What do you mean 'will not'? You can tell us and you're choosing not to? Now, tell me, dear cousin, how does that build trust?"
He attempted to ignore her, although he had maneuvered so that Ram was now in between him and his 'cousin.' "Suffice to say, you are here for a reason, and it's a rather important one. Even though we will not be giving you any specifics, we will be available for help. Just send us an owl."
"And how exactly are we supposed to do that without an—oh." Bridget stared at the mottled brown Eagle owl now in her outstretched hands.
"Take care of her. Now, we must be going. Until we meet again."
And, with two soft pops the men were gone. Kagumi glared at the spot they had disappeared from, while their new pet distracted Bridget.
"I think we should name her Pueo. It's very appropriate, I think," she said decisively. The owl opened a very orange eye, nipped the tip of Jet's finger as it smoothed down the horn-like feather protrusions.
Kagumi, however, was still rather annoyed with Ram and Cor's uninformative answers, and Bridget's distinct lack of animosity was not helping. "How so?" she asked in a slightly cold voice.
Bridget didn't notice as she smiled. "It means owl in Hawaiian."
Author's Notes: There we go. Please read and review. Reviews are so pleasant to receive. Anyways, next chapter we have some more... well, I can't tell you, but it's gonna be interesting. Once again, please review. Next update by next Sunday.
Kagumi: Oh, and by the way, I disclaim that "Speaks, Intends, Let It Be Done" line from the prologue. It IS NOT MINE in any way, shape or form. In fact, it belongs to lovely young woman named Anne, who goes by the name of whydoyouneedtoknow. She's an awesome writer, and I strongly recommend checking out her infamous, realistic and wonderfully crafted Dangerverse!
Kagumi (again): Oh, and there's a line or two in here from Prince of Persia, Sands of Time. Can any of you gamers spot it? (this is my version of a disclaimer. First person to get it gets an honorable mention in an upcoming chapter!)
Thanks to FoxLuvr, and Aquila Corax for reviewing, and to Aquila Corax for putting us on story alert and fav'ing us.