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Prologue | Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three | Chapter Four | Chapter Five | First Interlude | Chapter Six | Chapter Seven | Chapter Eight | Chapter Nine | Chapter Ten | Chapter Eleven | Chapter Twelve | Chapter Thirteen | Chapter Fourteen | Chapter Fifteen | Chapter Sixteen | Chapter Seventeen | Chapter Eighteen | Chapter Nineteen | Chapter Twenty | Second Interlude | Chapter Twenty-One | Chapter Twenty-Two | Chapter Twenty-Three | Chapter Twenty-Four | Chapter Twenty-Five | Chapter Twenty-Six | Third Interlude | Chapter Twenty-Seven | Chapter Twenty-Eight | Chapter Twenty-Nine | Epilogue | Timeline
Chapter Five
The Hogwarts Four
Harry was the first to return to consciousness. He slowly opened his eyes, but closed them quickly when a bright light hit them. He waited a few seconds before trying again, this time keeping them slitted until he got used to the light. He determined the offending brightness was coming from a large ceiling-high window to his right. Looking around the room cautiously he discovered he was lying on a dark red couch. The other three were on similar couches spread around the room. The room itself was large and round, with several high windows, and wall upon wall of dusty bookshelves. The floor was bare stone, but the ceiling looked like the roof of the Great Hall. The only difference was that this didn't reflect the weather outside, but rather the night sky. Thousands of stars twinkled above his head as he gently turned to look at the rest of the room. He could see Ginny stirring on the other side of the room and knew she would soon be looking around as well. In the center of the room stood an ancient looking oak desk. The wood was polished to a shine, and the sides were decorated with majestic lions, with the legs of the desk carved into elegant paws. Parchment and books covered the top, and the sparkling hilt of a sword could be seen peeking out of the side. It was a gold colour with rubies set in it. In the corner by the fire a tall perch stood with a beautiful red and gold bird atop it. Harry suddenly realised why the room seemed so familiar. It was Professor Dumbledore's office. Only, it wasn't. There were slight differences, such as the array of weapons hanging in a cabinet by one of the windows and the enchanted ceiling above him. As Harry turned his head back to look at the phoenix, he noticed four people standing off to one side, worried looks on their faces. They were speaking to each other in a strange language that he didn't understand. It was only then that he remembered where he was.
Founders, amulet, time travel, he thought as he laid his head back into the couch cushion. No wonder I can't understand them, the spell must have worn off. Rooting around in his pocket he pulled out his wand and whispered the translation spell. He looked across the room to see Ginny doing the same thing. They glanced at each other and Harry got up to join her on her couch.
The movement caught the attention of the four founders and they moved over to sit opposite the teenagers. Gryffindor was the first one to break the silence.
Hopefully you are feeling better now. Would you like to explain in what way you need help, or would you rather wait for your companions to awaken?
I think we'll wait, Harry replied, They seem to be waking up now anyway.
Sure enough, Ron and Hermione were staring at the scene before them in awe. Ron couldn't take his eyes off Godric Gryffindor. Hermione was quickly looking around the room and assessing the situation they had found themselves in. She was the first to speak.
What's going on? The last thing I remember is the Entrance Hall.
We brought you here, little one, Helga Hufflepuff told her, You fainted for some reason, and so we thought it best to bring you the Godric's office where you could be more comfortable.
The four nodded their heads to the adults in thanks. They were all frantically trying to think what they had done wrong with the amulet. Harry was starting to feel guilty. He just knew that somehow this was all his fault. If only I'd read the book more thoroughly, or at least attempted to learn Latin over the last four years. With all our spells being in Latin, and the amount of trouble I get in, it might be a useful skill. He was pulled from his thought by the tall, grumpy looking man clearing his throat. Slytherin, of course, he thought with a giggle. The man shot him an annoyed glare.
As much fun as staring at each other is, I suggest we try to remedy the problem so you can be on your way.
Sounds like Snape, Harry thought.
Oh, come now Salazar. They just got here. Anyway, I have a feeling they're a long way from home and won't be able to get back anytime soon.
Did I ask you, Helga? No, I don't believe I did. Anyway, how do we know they're not a threat. They could be spies or Dark wizards intent on destroying us.
Harry snorted at this comment. Salazar Slytherin, ancestor of Lord Voldemort, accusing the Boy-Who-Lived of being a dark wizard. Could things get any weirder?
By this time the four founders had started to argue furiously. Ginny turned to Harry and they shared an amused look. Ron and Hermione joined them on their couch and they leaned in close to have a quiet discussion of their own.
They're going to want to know who we are and where we came from. I suggest we tell them what happened with the amulet, and what year we're from. We can't tell them much else as they might somehow change the future. While we're here we have to be extremely careful. We can change the future in any way, we have no way of knowing what the consequences might be. We could change time so much with one little decision, even preventing major events that will happen in the future. For all we know things could be changed for the worse. We can't risk that happening.
Alright, `Mione, we get the idea. Can we tell them about You-Know-Who? They might be able to teach us some spells and stuff that could help us when we get back.
Ron, that's brilliant! There are sure to be ancient magics that could be of use that have been lost over the last thousand years.
Calm down, `Mione. I don't think we should mention that Voldemort is Slytherin's heir. We don't want to get on his bad side by telling him we want to kill his heir. I also don't think we should mention me being a parselmouth. It might bring up some awkward questions.
Don't say the name!
Gin, fear of the name increases fear of the thing itself. He can't get to you here by saying his name. He can't even do that back home.
Ok, Harry, I'll try and say it if you insist. But only if Ron and Hermione do too. And I agree, we shouldn't tell them his identity.
By this time the founders had finished their discussion and were patiently waiting for the students to finish. Slytherin looked annoyed, but the other three were all smiling. Gryffindor broke the silence.
Well, who would like to tell us where you're from.
Ginny, Ron and Hermione all looked at Harry. He gave a long-suffering sigh and began to recount the story of the amulet. He gave a brief summary of what was going on in their time, detailing how he was expected to save the wizarding world from an evil Dark wizard. Gryffindor looked on in pride when he was told what House Harry was in. Ravenclaw looked thoughtful at the story of his ongoing fight. Hufflepuff looked amazed and worried in a very motherly fashion. As for Slytherin, he sat and stared at them with a sneer on his face. It was obvious he wasn't impressed by the tale. Finally, Harry ran out of things to say. The founders had the main details, without giving them enough that it might affect time.
Well, that was quite the story, Harry. Do you know how to get back to you own time?
I'm sorry Lord Gryffindor, but we'll need time to research it.
Well that's quite alright, dears, you can stay here and carry on with your education while you work it out.
Harry was starting to like Lady Hufflepuff. She sort of reminded him of Mrs. Weasley, only without the temper. She was a motherly figure, and he could see why her House was known as being kind and loyal. While he was musing, Ginny was the one to point out the obvious.
We may have a problem with that. In our time most of the magic practiced now has been lost. We wouldn't know where to begin.
Ravenclaw, who had been mostly silent up until then, came up with a solution that would benefit all.
We could exchange knowledge.
What do you mean, Lady Ravenclaw, Hermione asked, a hungry gleam in her eye. She would never pass up the opportunity to learn anything.
Well, it seems to me that we can learn a lot from each other. We have a unique opportunity. From us, you can gain all our knowledge of spells, potions, and languages that can no longer be found in your time. It may be a while before you find out how to go home, so while you are here we can teach you useful skills you may use to defeat your Dark Lord. Skills such as animagus, weapons fighting, dueling and invisibility may be of use. You could also learn wandless magic. I notice you use wands for the simplest of spells. I assume the art of wandless magic has been lost?
She waited for affirmative nods before she continued.
In return, we would gain all of your knowledge of spells that have not yet been invented. You may also permit us to gain knowledge of life at Hogwarts a thousand years from now. It would be nice to know what happens to our school in the future. From you, Harry and Hermione, we would also be able to see how Muggles have developed over a millennium.
Lady Ravenclaw, Ron asked, How could we share knowledge? I don't know of any spell that could do that.
It must have been lost over time. It is complicated, but if we do it as a group, we can take the knowledge at the same time and thus save energy. Let us sit in a circle and I can begin.
They did as she asked, although Slytherin looked as if he was about to protest. A warning glare from Gryffindor soon shut him up. Once they were arranged, alternating adult/teenager and boy/girl, Ravenclaw began a long and complicated chant. As she spoke, the students could feel a strange pressure building in their heads. As the chant reached its climax, magical energies swirled around the circle and the pressure turned to a sharp pain. No worse than my scar pains, Harry thought. As the last word of the chant was spoken the pressure disappeared. Strange knowledge burst forth into their heads. They had all shared their knowledge, meaning not only did the teenagers gain knowledge possessed by the founders, but also shared each other's. Hermione's vast knowledge of spells and potions was shared, Ron and Ginny suddenly knew all about Muggles, and Harry gave the others the knowledge of what it was like to drive away a Dementor with a Patronus. Their knowledge was shared, but not their memories, so anything they did not want to disclose to each other was still private. As soon as the rush ended, Helga Hufflepuff brought everyone's thoughts back to the present.
I suggest we go down to the feast. The students will be arriving soon, and we need to be there to greet them and perform the sorting ceremony.
Speaking of sortings, I would like to be resorted.
Three pairs of eyes swiveled to Harry in disbelief. He looked back sheepishly before explaining his logic.
It seems to me that we might be here for a while. If and when we do get the amulet working again, we may not necessarily be sent back to our own time. We could end up anywhere. If this is the case, I suggest that for each new place we go to we should try a different House. It would give us a wider range of perspectives that could save our life in the future. I don't see the harm in it.
You're mad Harry! I'm staying in Gryffindor, I don't care what you say. I could never relate to anyone in any other House, not enough to stay there for a long time. You three do the swapping thing if you like, but I want no part in it.
Have it your way, Ron. `Mione, Ginny, what do you think?
I'm game.
Sure, why not.
I must say, that's a very mature decision, you three, Gryffindor commented, The added perspectives may give you a greater insight into your enemies. I suggest we ask the hat to place you all in different Houses, though. It would give you a better chance to get to know different types of people in our culture before you leave.
With that he grabbed the Sorting Hat from the shelf, whispered to it for a minute, and placed it on Harry's head. After much deliberation, it shocked Harry by calling out RAVENCLAW. Thinking back to his sorting in his first year, he had been expecting it to say Slytherin.
Hermione was just as big a shock as the hat called out SLYTHERIN. Ron looked horrified at this prospect. He didn't think Hermione was cut out to be a Slytherin.
With those two choices made, Ginny was left with Hufflepuff. She seemed happy enough with this choice, and was a little surprised when Helga went over to her and gave her a motherly hug.
I suggest we go to the feast now, she suggested, Please come up to Godric's office tonight after dinner and we'll arrange times and places for your extra lessons.
The others all nodded in agreement and the group left for the Welcome Feast. This is going to be an interesting year, Harry thought as they entered the Great Hall, a very interesting year indeed.