Chapter 2: Into the Unknown

Danny watched the portal swirl away behind him, leaving him alone in the dark. At first, he wondered whether Clockwork had mistakenly sent him to a cave. Yet as his eyes adjusted shapes began to appear around him. Desks, chairs, and wooden tables lay piled up against the wall. On the other side a long blackboard covered the entire length, faint old scribbles still drawn onto the surface.

It definitely was a classroom. Immediately he groaned, annoyed Clockwork had been telling the truth. Waiting to see whether he truly was alone, Danny floated over to a set of heavy curtains. With a pause he pulled it back, squinting as a bright, yellowish light poured out. His hopes of seeing outside were dashed as the glass was caked in grime so thick it was impossible to see out. Well, at least he knew it was daytime.

Looking about the dimly lit classroom, Danny shifted back to his normal form with a soft thud. It would just be his luck some witch walked in and zapped him. He didn't even know if magic would affect him. But he wasn't about to offer any openings to test that theory.

His feet lifted small clouds of dust as he made his way to the door, causing him to sneeze. Gripping the brass handle he twisted it- only to find it didn't budge.

"Uh, of course!" He muttered to himself. Why wouldn't it be locked with how dusty the room was? Closing his eyes Danny reached for his ghost powers, for the cool feeling in the center of his being. He sighed as the icy sensation of intangibility along with invisibility overcame him.

Quickly he passed through the door, only to stop short at the sight on the other side. He gasped as he found himself in a long, gothic-looking hallway. It almost looked like he'd been sent to the 15th century instead. Curious, he ran his hand along the cold marble stone to see if it was real. The hall smelled of wood smoke and oil and from the lack of electric lights, Danny figured they must light some sort of lamps.

Making his way to the end of the hallway Danny stopped at a pair of hefty-looking doors. Abruptly he was nervous. It dawned on him he was completely out of his depth here. Double-checking his invisibility he took a deep breath and moved through to the other side.

The sight beyond made him gasp, his focus vanishing along with his powers. The hall he was in was massive. Big enough to fit his whole house, Operation center and all. Danny had never been in a room that had such a high ceiling. So high that despite the odd dot of light from a window the roof with shrouded in darkness.

To his left was a grand white marble staircase, endlessly rising. In the flicking glow of two large fire-lit pillars. The stone seemed to gleam, a long ornate rug snaking down its middle. Further investigation of the hall revealed three doors; the one he had come from, a monstrous carved door to his left and an opened doorway right in front of him. From the view he had the other room was a hall too. Four long benches filled the space.

Walking to the center of the space Danny spun around, taking in the details. Most of the walls were covered with old-styled paintings and carvings engraved within the walls. Everything in this room, even the plush maroon rug under his sneakers all screamed expensive.

What kind of school is this place? Danny thought as he fixed his eyes back to the door he'd arrive from. This school was putting Vlad's mansion to shame, and he was a billionaire! If this was just an entrance hall, what on earth was the rest of the school going to be like?

It dawned on Danny this might be a bigger task than he'd first thought. Seeking out his evil shade could take days, maybe even weeks to find if the hall was any judge of the place. Though he doubted time was going to be a problem since Clockwork would just send him back, he wondered how long he had.

Suddenly Danny smacked his forehead in shock. The boy! He had no clue who he was! This school would have hundreds of students and staff. Did this mean he would have to go through each one?

Mentally he cursed the Observants interrupting. Why hadn't he just asked Clockwork who he was before he left? Even a visual clue or name. Anything! What's worse was the idea he was alone in his mission. It would have been nice having Sam and Tucker here helping him search for the overshadowed host.

Groaning Danny scratched the back of his neck. Where to start? It was bad enough thinking about the fact he wasn't supposed to be in this time period. What if he ended up mucking up the timeline? Wouldn't every little thing he did now change the outcome of the future? Biting his lip Danny turned towards the biggest door. He needed to be careful. Very careful.

Curious to see more of this place he headed towards the closed door. He was just about to turn invisible again when a loud sound jolted him.

"Meoor"

"Gark!" Danny twisted sharply, the hall making the noise echo out. Bringing his hands up in defense he tensed for battle, only to blink at a grey tabby cat sitting at the bottom of the stairs. It was watching him with intense, amber eyes.

Blinking once it yawned before stalking over to him. Danny instantly relaxed. It was a strange cat, black circles over its eyes almost making the cat appear like it was wearing glasses. For a second he swore the cat was scowling at him, in an odd, feline-like sort of way. As it trotted over he crouched down, chuckling to himself.

"You're one grumpy-looking cat, aren't you?" Grinning he held out his hand. The tabby seemed to huff in disapproval, tilting its head back with eyes narrowing to slits. Suddenly it posed itself to spring up and jumped-

And turned into a human.

In shock Danny cried out, jerking back. He tripped over his shoes and stumbled backward, falling back hard on the marble floor. A flash of pain came from the impact on his head, but it was quickly forgotten as months of ghost-hunting kicked into full gear.

Swiftly he pushed himself away in a roll, standing up fast. Before him was now a woman dressed in emerald green, looming over him. Edgy from being unsure if this was a friend or foe, Danny was ready to go ghost in a second.

"It seems this cat has a very good reason to be grumpy." The woman bluntly stated, glaring down at him through thin-rimmed glasses.

He gulped, relaxing a little. She was a witch. A real, very angry witch! A person who had just transformed into a cat. Normally Danny would have been excited at this if it wasn't for the fact he had no idea what to do, what to say. Already she might know he didn't belong here, so playing it safe he decided to stay silent and wait.

They were in a stalemate, with the witch finally shifting closer. " Tell me then," Her tone was flat, head crooked to the side. " Why do I find a student lingering about the Entrance hall when classes are commencing? And in casual, no less?"

Danny looked down at his baggy jeans and white shirt, realizing compared to her long flowing robes he was completely out of place. Silently he was kicking himself for letting down his invisibility.

"Well?, I'm waiting." Her voice was getting more irritated, Danny knew he had to do something, and fast.

"Um…W-Well, I…" He stood to attention like he always did when he was in trouble with Mr. Lancer, rubbing the back of his neck. "Y-you see, I'm…"

The woman's eyebrow arched as she waited. He could feel the blood draining from his face. What could he even say? Sorry, but I'm actually a half ghost sent on a mission here from the Master of Time. It sounds weird, I know; but you see one of your students is going to be killed by an evil, all-powerful shade who's possessed someone here. So if you'll let me go and not turn me into a toad, that would be great. "I… got lost?"

"Lost."

He could tell from the tone she in no way believed him.

He nodded, and she stepped closer. Danny quickly looked down, hoping his hair hid his face. This witch had such an air of authority to her that he felt that with one word she could make the very ground he stood on disappear. Mr Lancer could be intimidating sometimes, but this woman was on a whole new level.

"Which house are you in?"

Now that stumped him. House? He had no clue what she meant. He returned his gaze to her. " My…House?"

She tutted. "Yes, your house. So I can report you to your head as to your wandering out of class time."

"Oh…" Panic flickered through his chest. He had no clue what to say. No way could he randomly guess correctly and from her narrowing eyes, he didn't have much time to plan something. "My house? Well, it's…" He watched her, almost hoping, secretly begging she'd slip a name he could latch onto. For a second her stare darted behind him and he turned hopeful. There he noticed for the first time four large hourglasses near the giant door. They were each filled with shiny gems of different colors, an emblem tapestry above each one.

It was a huge gamble. A massive chance he was completely wrong. Yet either way he was in trouble, so he didn't have much choice.

"I'm in that one." He pointed towards the one filled with bright green gems.

At once her face dropped, irritation thinning her lips. "You're in Slytherin?"

"Yep, that's the one." Danny smiled, relaxing his hunch with the hourglasses had been right.

The witch studied him, debating something for a moment. Then with a flurry of her robe quickly turned, beckoning with her hand. "Come with me."

For a moment he freaked, torn between complying with her or using this moment to vanish. But he couldn't just disappear, not when she peered back at him. Thinking of the good side, he might learn more about the layout of this place.

Instead of climbing the staircase she guided him down a smaller stairwell he hadn't seen. Down they walked till they entered a gloomy, chilly passageway, lit in torchlight. Unlike the hallway above there was nothing grand about it, unpleasantly reminding him of a dungeon. The stone seemed to drain all heat, a wet sheen covering their walls. Even the faded, grimy rugs beneath their feet did little to make the journey more comfortable. Only adding to the cold, miserable feeling.

It was then Danny felt it. His ghost sense exploded in a puff of icy mist, so quickly he barely had time to cover his mouth. It caused him to make a sound and to his dismay the witch turned, catching sight of the mist slipping through his fingers.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine! It's…just so chilly down here…" Danny rubbed his arms and pretended to shiver.

"Of course, it would be with what you're wearing. Goodness knows how you didn't notice when you left your common room."

With an odd frown, she continued to lead the way. He sighed with silent relief. Making sure she wasn't looking he madly searched around, trying to pinpoint the feeling his core sensed.

But the feeling wasn't a ghost. Oh no, it was something else Danny knew all too well. That same bizarre hot and cold sensation he was greeted with every time he entered his house.

There was a ghost portal down here.

The witch had stopped at a set of heavy doors, knocking loudly. But Danny didn't even hear her. His mind was exploding with thoughts. Ghost portals meant ghosts. Lots of them. That meant this school most likely was going to be filled with them. He bit his lip at the idea this shade also had a way to the Ghost Zone. It would be difficult finding him in there, as his ghost sense didn't work as well what with all the ectoplasm floating around.

" I assume you have a good reason to interrupt my class?"

Danny broke away from his thoughts as a dry voice echoed out. There, standing in the open doorway was the silhouette of a man dressed all in black, long greasy hair bordering his face. The witch seemed to stand up straighter, puffing out her chest as she huffed.

"I have good reason to Severus. I just so happen to come across one of your students lazing about the Great Hall!" Though her voice was sharp she spoke low, almost a whisper.

Panic gripped Danny. This guy was about to look at him and know straight away he wasn't one of his students. He had only been in this place for a few minutes and he was already about to blow his cover! Before either of them noticed him Danny did the first thing that came to him. He went invisible.

And not a moment too soon. The man gave the witch a skeptical glare, before turning to where Danny had just been. There was a pause till Severus's face suddenly grew displeased, his dark eyes hardening. "What kind of joke is this?"

"Joke! Don't play with me. This boy here claims to be-" she turned, stopping short when she saw there was no one there. "-one of your…pupils?"

She strolled forward to look down the hall, confusion etched on her brow. Danny shuffled soundlessly out of her way, back pressing into the wall.

"Where did he go?"

Severus laughed not too kindly. "Maybe this boy of yours is a ghost?"

Danny froze, staring at the man. Did he know? Could he sense him using his powers? But he didn't show it, his eyes never left the witch. She whipped around, baffled.

"Of course, he wasn't a ghost! I spoke to him mere seconds ago. And he looked very solid! He claimed he was one of yours! I swear it."

Severus leaned his hand against the door frame, a sneer appearing on his face. "Well then while you go looking for disappearing schoolboys, I have a lesson to teach. If you stumble across any more delinquents then by all means Professor, please, interrupt my class again." And without another word, Severus closed the door with a gentle thud.

"The audacity of him!" muttered the witch, face flustered. She turned with a glance down the hall and started to return to the stairs, passing right through an invisible Danny. The witch shuddered, bringing her robes closer. "Why must it always be so cold down here…" With one final check of her surroundings, she left him alone.

Danny let out the breath he had been holding, glancing back at the door. If she was a witch, then that guy must be a wizard. Curious he checked his invisibility and softly pressed his ear to the door. He didn't dare phase his head through at the small possibility the wizard could sense him. At first, he got nothing, but after a time of concentration words flooded into his ears.

"-So powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons. As for monkshood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant, which also goes by the name aconite. Well? Why aren't you all copying that down?"

Danny heard the mad panic of rustling paper and the movement of students following the teacher's directions. He pulled away from the door, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. So this place was a school teaching students magic!

But then a gust of mist came again and Danny shuddered. The call of the ghost portal removed all the curiosity about this place from his mind. Turning ghost he phased through the floor, heading deeper into the depths of the school. He passed empty classrooms full of mold and cobwebs, of puddles of green dark water flooding the passageways. Soon he found himself in a narrow, tiny hall, the end started to fill with cold, dirty water. Gliding to where the feeling was at its strongest he stopped at the dead end, lifting his feet out of the water's reach.

The portal was on the other side, he was sure of it. Placing a hand on the slick stone he felt the throbbing of power. With a deep breath and making a blast in his palm, he phased through the wall.

The first thing Danny saw was he was in a small, square room, filled with a bluish-green glow. The light danced onto the walls like reflecting water. Dead center in the room, wedged between what looked like the slanted ancient frame of a door, was the portal.

It's not any old portal, it's a natural portal! Danny thought with a start. Natural portals were so rare, constantly disappearing and appearing at random and impossible to track. The fact one was stable like their Fenton portal made his mind race. Boy, wouldn't his parents be jumping in glee at the sight!

Seeing he was alone he let the attack fade, surveying the room for anything else he might have missed. The chamber was small, empty and had no entrances within. Meaning it would be impossible for someone who wasn't a ghost to get in.

Unless he thought glumly, magic folk can walk through walls too.

Drifting to the portal he stuck his hand into the ectoplasm, feeling the icy rush of energy course through him. He felt strangely…alive, normal connected to this portal. Unlike his parent's artificial one at home, this one reminded him of what it felt like before the accident. He edged closer, letting his arm sink further. It wouldn't hurt to have a quick look at the Zone. Maybe it looked different twenty years ago?

"Who are you?"

At the voice his ghost sense erupted, jolting him out of his daydreaming. He was so lost in the portal he didn't think, just twisted around and fired a fast beam of ectoplasm at the intruder. There was a cry of alarm as the ghost dodged his attack just in time. The blast smashed into the wall, and deep cracks formed from the impact. Rolls of see-through paper and feathered quills flew into the air and with a thud, a book landed heavily on the floor.

Paper? Danny peered at the ghost crouching on the floor, swiftly seeing they were…different. The ghost was so pale and transparent, so unlike the solid and glowing ghosts he was used to. They almost looked like a living human, with no glowing eyes or strange features. If it wasn't for his ghost sense and their lack of colour he would have thought they weren't dead.

She was a young woman dressed in a robe like the witch, a long velvet cloak draped over her shoulders. Black strands of thin hair billowed around her face as she stared at him in fright. For a moment they stared at each other in silence, until Danny looked down at the ground which was now covered in transparent paper.

He waited for the fury. For her to boom some kind of threat or strike with her own attack. But nothing happened. He felt his cheeks flush in embarrassment when he saw she was likely one of the rare good ghosts, and how stupid he'd acted towards her.

"I'm sorry. I- I didn't know you were there." He slowly flew down and began picking up the papers. Still she didn't move, frozen.

Stuffing as many of the papers as he could under his arm, he scooped up the book and held it out to her. She recoiled from it and Danny winced, letting his gaze drop to the floor.

"Geeze… I'm seriously sorry for frightening you. I thought you were going to attack me while my back was turned. And…well, you kind of freaked me out sneaking up on me like that-"

Before he could say another word the ghost flew away through the ceiling, leaving him and her things.

"Wait!" He called out after her. " You forgot your book!"

Not wanting to leave her stuff behind he grabbed the last of it, rushing up after her. If he wasn't so focused on keeping up he might have stopped to explore a room full of armor and another filled with strange paintings he swore moved to look after him.

They ended up in what looked like an abandoned tower, the high ceiling spiraling upwards. The ghost quickly turned to Danny, backing away towards the windowsill. Her face was now void of any emotions, all fear gone as she stared back. Gently he held out the book in a peaceful gesture, trying to look as friendly as possible.

" Look I am really sorry I freaked you out. It's just I'm so used to ghosts sneaking up and attacking me all the time. I thought you were doing the same, you know, trying to waste me before I got the chance to strike first. Ah crud, this isn't making my case better at all…"

He dropped his gaze to the ground below. Was he seriously mucking up this mission on his first day? " I'm kind of new to this school. I just got here from… the Ghost Zone. But I seriously didn't mean you any harm! You caught me at a really bad time…"

A soft tug from the book brought his eyes back up. She had edged closer to him, taking the book from his outstretched hand. Once back in her hand she rushed back to the windowsill, kneeling lightly on the stone edge. Her thin fingers smoothed out a crease in the cover, making sure it was still intact. Once happy she settled it under her arm, tilting her head to one side she spoke in a soft, gentle echo. "Again. Who are you?

"Oh…I'm Phantom." He smiled at her, happy he might be able to repair the first impression of himself.

She regarded him for a time, then held out her hand. He jumped when the papers flew from his grasp and neatly back to her outstretched palm. "Lady Grey."

"Huh?"

"You may call me Lady Grey."

"Lady Grey," Danny repeated." It's nice to meet you. Though that wasn't the best first meeting I've ever done. But… then, being in a new place with unknown ghosts did add to my freaking out at the presence of you. Not like I was going to let you get a cheap shot on me…sorry, that sounds stupid, doesn't it?"

Lady Grey watched him while he rambled on. However, the moment he finished she returned to her book, paying no attention to him.

Danny took stock of his options. There was a ghost not wishing him ill will. With the fact he had no idea where he was, she might be his only source of information. "Um…" He hovered closer, nervously rubbing the back of his neck. "I was wondering. I know it's kind of weird from the guy that almost attacked you, but… Maybe you could show me around this place? I guess I don't have any right to ask, and you don't have to if you don't want to-"

"I do not have time to parade around the school with you." Lady Grey stated dryly, flicking a page.

"Right. Yeah, of course. That's okay, I completely get it. Guess I shouldn't have asked after terrorizing you." Danny's heart sunk a little. Of course, she wouldn't want to help him. He had attacked her the moment he saw her! It was amazing she was even talking to him so calmly.

Lady Grey sighed mournfully and closed the book with a thud. "I cannot help, but there is one who can."

"Really?" He couldn't stop sounding hopeful. It was hard for him to believe since most ghosts he met weren't friendly. Most wanted to waste him on the spot or use his pelt as a rug. It was a nice change to find one who just wanted to talk to him.

She nodded and glided down. Quickly Danny followed her as they passed through the dusty floor to the room below. Like the other one, it was unused, filled with stacks of old mattresses and rotting furniture. It was likely this room hadn't been cleaned in years, maybe a hundred from the state of decay. The moldy, sour smell was so bad that Danny covered his nose, snorting out the smell as it made him queasy.

"Do you… Smell it?"

Danny frowned back, blinking up at Lady Grey with stinging eyes. "Don't you?"

"I long lost my smell and taste. The dead do not need such things."

"Strange. I've never met a ghost who can't smell anymore."

"We are not like you."

Danny stilled. He hadn't transformed in front of her, so how did she know? She caught his sudden wariness, the anxious stare he sent her way, and sighed mournfully. "We ghosts are fragments; mere shadows. We do not need to be… bodily like you."

He relaxed. "So is that why you're so see-through?"

Lady Grey didn't reply and looked around the room.

"Sir Nicholas?" she called out. Danny felt a twinge of worry. Who on earth would live in this dump? Unless…

Mist escaped his mouth as another ghost flew into the room. Like Lady Grey he was transparent, lacking any hue. He straightened out his bizarre collar, his head oddly wobbling in the movement. To Danny, his clothes looked like he'd just walked off the stage of a Shakespearian play, old-fashioned and decorated. He all but beamed at the sight of the other ghost, bowing low which is when Danny realised in horror his head was almost completely cut off.

"Ah! Lady Grey! What do I owe the pleasure of serving you with? Have you perhaps come to review those letters to the Headless Hunt as I requested?"

"No. This boy here needs your help." She gestured to him and Danny straightened when everyone's attention turned to him. The new ghost finally noticed him, interest crossing his pale face. Quickly he drifted over and Danny fought the desire to return the space. With a loud barking laugh, they completely disregarded his uncomfortable stare.

"A new ghost eh? How wonderful! It's been too long since we have had a new face at Hogwarts. And a powerful one at that. Peeves is most certainly going to have his work cut out for him. About time too!"

In alarm, Danny caught sight of Lady Grey disappearing through the wall. For once he would have liked it if the ghost had stayed a bit longer. This ghost's booming voice and lack of personal space were pulling at his nerves.

"Ah, now, I think introductions are in order. I am Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, the resident ghost of Gryffindor Tower and hope-to-be-member of The Headless Hunt. And you are, dear boy?" He held out his hand, beaming happily down.

"Er… Phantom." Danny mumbled out, shaking the oddly warm hand. He was overwhelmed by the positive vibes this ghost was giving him. It was all so different from what he was used to that he found it difficult to respond.

"Phantom then. Apologies if this seems like a personal question, but are you pray chance newly dead? You seem to act quite young in terms of us ghosts."

Danny blinked. He had never been asked that question before. "I became… Err died about a year ago." He stopped himself slipping up and saying half ghost just in time.

"My, so young." A look of pity crossed Sir Nicholas's face and Danny felt him squeeze his hand. "I know no words can ease the aching of dying, but I am truly regretful for you. I will say though the years certainly do get better. No matter how mournful they can become."

He was lost for words. No one had ever said something like that to him before. Sure he was technically only half-dead. But it was a fact he dared dwell on. Even his friends- as supportive and encouraging of his powers as they were, never seemed to talk about the grim fact. He found the old ghost's words strangely comforting. In their odd, morbid sort of way.

He let go of his hand, a cold shiver passing through his chest. "I…thank you, Sir Nicholas de… Mim-si Porpinaton?

The ghost chuckled back as Danny struggled to pronounce his name. "Just call me Sir Nicholas or Nicholas for short. You do not have to use my full name."

"Thanks, Nicholas."

The ghost straightened his collar again, tucking a piece of skin under the fabric. "Now, let's stop all this talk of death, doom, and gloom! Dear Lady Grey said you require some assistance?"

Danny felt his embarrassment return and rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah. As you figured out I'm new here. Truth is…I don't know where I am or what this place is."

"Why, you're in Hogwarts of course! The finest school of witchcraft and wizardry that has ever existed."

"This place is called Hogwarts?"

Sir Nicholas frowned, his excitement fading at Danny's blank stare. "You… you truly do not know anything about Hogwarts?" When he shook his head the ghost's grin returned.

"Then I have much to show you! Come Phantom, as an honorably resident ghost of Hogwarts I shall give you your welcoming tour!"

Danny blushed in embarrassment as the ghost swept him under his arm, guiding him to the wall. "You really don't have to go that far-

"-Nonsense! It would be my pleasure!"

They phased through the wall. Nicholas parted from him, turning in a way Danny could imagine him twisting on his heels. From the way he gestured him to follow Danny knew he wasn't going to get out of it. Yet, this tour might be exactly the information he needed. With one hand tucked behind his back, Nicholas began.

"Now, I suppose the best place to start would be explaining to you about our Four Founders…"

AN: Thank you all for reading, Fav, Following, and reviewing the first chapter! That was such a motivation builder to get this chapter done. I know Lady Grey is called in the books, the Grey Lady. I ended up swapping them around after re-reading. It just sounded odd calling herself a Grey lady.

The next chapter should start picking up in the plot where Danny finally gets to "meet" Harry Potter. *winks*