Chapter Text
Chapter 1
I stood at the foot of my bed and felt the warm rays from the summer sun hit me as I let out a soft sigh. I felt my heart falter as I looked around at the messy room that laid before me. It had been almost 2 months, and I still could not get myself to box up their things. I looked around and my eyes fell on one of their shirts. Still where they had thrown it the day before. The day before the accident. The last time I had seen them smiling, laughing as they joked about their morning commute to work.
The last day I saw them alive.
I started to walk from the room and was greeted with so many reminders of them throughout our shared home. It hurt to look at but the pain that went through me at the thought of removing the reminders hurt more.
Petals, the cat we had adopted together, meowed at me, impatiently waiting by her food bowl. This was the one thing that made me get out of bed. This little cat and her increasing demanding need for attention. She was used to having two people’s complete attention after all.
I poured in the over expensive food that the doctor had recommended for her and petted her head as she meowed once in thanks.
The room felt darker. The air felt stale as if no one had sent foot in it in years. Or maybe that was just my world now. I did not know how to move forward. The large recliner sat by the window with small rays of light coming. I quickly pulled the curtains shut to stop the light from coming in.
I took my seat in the chair and pulled up one of the few things that I could get lost in. A book series from my childhood that allowed me to escape this world and the emptiness in it. I pulled out book one and turned to page one.
“ Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say they were perfectly normal.”
The familiar sentence brought a shadow of a smile to my face as I started again to read the first chapter of my favorite book series. The thought of magic, adventure, and friendship always made me happy, but for the past two months after the funeral, it had been my escape. I would give anything to be in that world. To be able to use magic. Maybe I could have made a difference. Maybe I could have stopped from losing the person most precious to me. But even if there was a magical world in my reality, I knew I was but a muggle. Someone unable to change all my problems with magic. It just isn’t reality.
Petals jumped in my lap and her long black hair spread across my lap as she settled in her usual place, purring as I rested my book on her. This was how I spent the past two months.
The others tried to pull me from my home, but soon they gave up. Letting me live in my own world. A few occasionally tried to stop by but it had been almost two weeks since the last knock on my door.
I sat there with Petals, who occasionally would get up and pitter around the house and return when she was finished, and read my book. The day turned to night as I sat and read.
“ ‘It shows us nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts. ”
I pondered to myself what I would see in the mirror. Would I see their face? Would it show me moving forward? That thought sent a lightning bolt of guilt coursing through me.
The hours ticked on and I felt my eyes start to droop. I knew I needed to go to bed, promising to eat something tomorrow, but my muscles ached and urged me to stay where I was. I did not have much reason to fight it. The nightmares would come no matter where I slept. My eyelids slowly started to close as my mind drifted to Hogwarts.
Drifted to myself flying past the castle.
To me smiling at the friends I would make.
Then the world went black.
*-----*------*
“Who could she be Albus?” a woman's voice rang through my ears.
What was this? Who was in my home?
I did not open my eyes, I felt myself and could not feel the arms of the chairs. It felt like I was in a bed. Was I moved?
“She seems to be starting to wake now, Minerva. Let us give her some space,” came a man’s voice. It seemed old and calm as I felt movement of bodies around me.
I heard a thoughtful noise as another voice spoke, “And what, do you think, she is doing here? Those do not look like wizard clothing.”
Did I just hear the word ‘Wizard’?
This had brought out my curiosity, and I slowly started to open my eyes. Three people stood before me. My eyes fell on the woman first as I took in her odd appearance. She seemed to wear long green robes and a tall black witch’s hat. Her face was much older and her eyes held a stern but worried look as she looked at me. The man to her left was much taller. He also had on strange robes of gray. He had long hair and a long gray beard that was pulled into a ponytail at the front of his robes, half way down his chest. The last man in the room wore all black but still seemed to be dressed in robes. His pale skin and sharp nose were staring at me with this look of disgust as he pushed his long black hair from his face.
I blinked at them.
‘No way,’ I thought to myself as my brain started to spin. I quickly sat up and held my head. That seemed to make the world spin more as I let out a groan and shut my eyes.
“Dear, please take it easy. No need to get up so quickly,” the woman said quickly as she gently set a hand on my shoulder, to help steady me as best she could.
“Where am I?” I asked but my voice did not seem right. Why did it seem foreign? Not like my own?
The black hair man stepped closer, “You are at Hogwarts. We should be the ones asking you why you are here? How did you get in here?” he asked with evident mistrust as he started to reach into his sleeve ever so slowly.
“Now, Severus. Give the girl a moment to wake up,” spoke the older man, his name starting to form in my head if my suspicions were correct. “She seems just as confused as the rest of us.”
Severus. That name was not common. Even after all the movies and books. And even if someone had named their child that, he would not be as old as this man before me. It could not be.
As I took in the room, I could see that it looked like a medical wing of sorts. There were rows of beds that lined the walls with partitions between each one. There were vials on bedside tables and tall windows that let the light shine in. I took a deep breath as I looked at the adults that were standing around my bed.
I felt a shift on my legs and looked down. There laid the only recognizable thing to me. Petals was laying on my legs like she would at home as if this was natural. She lazily looked up at me and yawned before laying her head down and going back to a peaceful nap. I gently laid a hand on the familiar fur, hand slightly trembling.
“Is this really hogwarts?” I asked, voice still foreign and not like my own.
Albus nodded. “It is dear. And what is your name?”
“Kathrine Lance.”
The adults shared a look. “Albus. That is the name that just showed up. A muggle born who was to receive a letter,” Minerva stated as she looked from me to Albus.
I felt my heart race and let my eyes wonder for a moment. That's when my eyes caught a look at a mirror that was situated between the professors. I could see myself. I was much younger, no longer in my late thirties. I looked young. More than likely around the age of eleven. My hair was no longer the same. I had long curly red hair. My eyes were still the same bright blue that I had gotten from my mother. My face was pale with freckles from being out in the sun for too long. I slowly let my hand go to my face and feel. It was mine. I could feel the touch as I ran a hand across my cheek, eyes never breaking from the eyes of my reflection. The eyes that were the same but did not seem to match the face that it sat upon now.
Professor Dumbldore nodded wisely. “Then it seems she is meant to be here.” His gaze turned to me. “My dear, it seems you are where you need to be. We can talk about how you came here but there seems to be a lot we will need to discuss. Please get some rest and we will talk this through and get you set up for the upcoming school year.”
He turned to Severus. “When she is ready, will you please take her to Diagon Alley for her supplies.” He smiled down at me with an almost knowing look. “Welcome Miss Lance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizarding.”
Professor Snape seemed to want to say something, to probably argue, but before he could, Albus quickly gave me a small pat on the shoulder and strode away, saying over his shoulder to me, “Best get some rest. We will have arrangements made for you to stay in Diagon Alley till the term starts at the start of September.”
With this, he was gone.
*-----*------*
The next day seemed a blur as I traveled, by floo powder no less, to the Leaky Cauldron and was given a room, escorted by Snape and Mcgonagall. Professor Snape let me know that he would be back the following day to take me to get my school supplies. I had been asked where my parents were. I had replied that they had passed and I was on my own. This was not a lie. They had passed 5 years prior to the universal shift that had landed me here.
Professor Mcgonagall gave me a sympathetic smile, “Very well. We have reserves for students like yourself.” She handed me a small bag full of coins. I looked in and saw that it was full of odd looking coins unlike any I had seen before. Wizarding money. “This will be for your supplies and any items you may need for the upcoming school year.” She looked to the small carrier that held Petals and gestured her head to her. “It seems you already have a familiar so be sure to get supplies for them as well. If you need anything, just ask the innkeeper to send us an owl.”
A few moments later, I was alone in the room. I looked about and saw it had the basic necessities. It had a bed, side table, chair, and desk. The sides of the room were lit with candles that gave the room a warm glow.
I gently placed the crate on the bed and let Petals out. “Guess we are not in Kansas anymore,” I said to her as she came out and I ran a hand through her long black hair.
She meowed as if to say, “No shit,” and layed on the bed to get her afternoon nap in.
I walked to the desk and laid out the letter that Professor Mcgonagall had given me and looked over it.
Dr. Ms. Lance,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Looking over at the supplies my hand started to shake. I gently reached for my arm and pinched.
Yep. This is not a dream. What the hell have I gotten myself into?
*-----*------*
I barely slept a wink that night. My mind was racing, questions swirling around over and over again in my head.
I was in the book? How could this be? What does this mean? Is there a way back? What should I do? What would they do if they found out I am not of this world? Why do I look so different?
Will the end of the story play out the same way?
I got up at 3 A.M. Giving up on any semblance of sleep and starting to jot down events of the books starting at book one and going to the end. Thinking of the timeline. Thinking of what will happen in each instance. I had snuck down and found a prophet that told me this was the same year that the first book began.
By the time it was 7, I had jotted down events from all the books. I stared at my work and quickly tucked the pages in Petals’ Carrier. Hopefully this would be a safe spot for them. Not that anyone would believe the scribblings of an eleven year old, but better safe than sorry.
What am I to do? If I am here, if this is the correct date, then the events of the books start this school year. What am I to do? I do not seem to have much choice but to go to Hogwarts. Not that this is the worst thing. I had always wanted to go since I was a child and had waited anxiously for the release of each book. I thought of all the wonderful things I would get to see. The things I would learn. The things I would be able to do.
If the Professors were correct, then I would be able to do magic like they had been able to in the book. Why else would I have gotten a letter? But what should I do?
That is an easy thought. As much as I liked the characters and story of this books, I needed to keep my head down. If I tried to insert myself into the story or their lives then it would have catastrophic outcomes to them and the world around us. Maybe I could help in small ways. But, to be safe I need to keep my head down. I need to not interfere too much.
That was my best bet to survive this. There was a war in just a few short years. Maybe I could help more during the final battle. Maybe I could save a few of the characters.
I need a separate list for this.
I wrote down the names of those who were lost. Trying to remember the order as best I could. I would need to add those to the timeline.
My mine raced. I knew I probably should have slept. I knew I would have a long day but honestly this was to be a long year. My most important thing is to decide which house to be sorted in.
I looked at my clock and signed. Better at least eat some breakfast. I can thing on this later.
*-----*------*
I went down after to get some breakfast. They said it would be covered by my tab and I ate in relative silence as I took in the room around me. It was just as it was described in the book. I looked at each patrion and saw the small bits of magic that they displayed as they ate. I saw the moving pictures of the prophet that they read. I saw the way they stirred their tea with just their fingers. I bit my lip. This was no dream. This was real.
I paced myself through breakfast and looked through the list of materials needed for this upcoming year. I had to make sure I got a few things for Petals, since there was no way I was leaving for this without the one familiar thing from my past world.
Just as I finished my breakfast, I saw the door of the Leaky Cauldron open and Professor Snape entered, his cape billowing behind him. He glanced around the room and his eyes landed on me. I could almost feel the annoyance he held in his gaze.
Snape approached me quickly as the waitress took away my dishes. “Come child and let us get this over with,” he stated while he gestured toward the door and started to make his way out of the room. I quickly grabbed my things and followed behind him a few paces.
As we entered into the bustling streets of Diagon Alley, my eyes went into overdrive as I tried to take in the variety of shops that we passed. There were men, women, children roaming the streets, ducking in and out of shops, busy getting ready for the upcoming school year by the looks of most.
Snape stopped and looked down at me. “Miss Lance, since we do not need to go by Gringotts, let us stop in first to get your uniform then books. Lucky for you, there is a small foundation for students in a.. Predicament as yourself,” he slowly held out a bag of coins.
I took the bag and glanced in. It was full of an odd assortment of coins that I have never seen before but knew this had to be wizarding money from the books.
“Very well, Professor. Please lead the way.”
He nodded once and continued down the street, wordlessly moving through the crowd, that almost seemed to part out of fear of the professor. I had a hard time keeping up as they started to move in behind him. We eventually ended up in front of a shop called Madam Milkin’s Robes for All Occasions.
Snape turned to me. “This will be where you are to be fitted for your uniform. I will leave you here for a bit to get that set up. Just pay when you are done and wait for me outside. I will be back shortly,” and with that he was striding way.
‘Oh so helpful, Professor,’ I thought to myself as I turned and made my way into the store.
Madam Malkin quickly smiled at me and gestured for me to follow her. “Hogwarts, dear? By the looks of you, you must be a first year student! First set of robes my dear? No worries! We will get you all set up!”
I was quickly led to a small back part of the shop and was given a robe to put on so that it could be fitted.
As she started, there was a ring of the bell from the front. We both looked and my heart stopped.
‘What is the actual chances of this!?’
There strode in a boy, about my age with pale white hair, piercing gray eyes and fair skin. He walked in and made his way as if this was not his first time here and took the spot next to me as Madam Milkin smiled to greet the boy.
“Mister Malfoy! We were expecting you. Let me get my assistant to help you and we can place your order for your new school robes,” Madam Milkins chirped as she stepped to the back of the room to find her assistant, leaving the two of us alone in the front.
He looked to me, looking up and down in an almost judging gesture then smirked.
“Hogwarts, too?” Draco spoke as he gestured to his robes.
My voice seemed to be caught but I quickly cleared my throat, coughing as I replied. “Oh, uh, yes. First year. Is it your first year as well?”
Something strange happened. His smirk turned to a smile and he nodded. “Yes it is! I am glad I got to meet another first year. Mother is next door buying my books for me then we will be heading to get my wand and to look at the racing brooms. I don’t see why first years can’t have their own. Maybe mother can get me one and I’ll smuggle it in somehow.”
This caught me off guard. I remember when reading the books, Draco had talked of his father and did not see this welcoming to Harry when he had spoken to him.
“Oh, will you meet with your father later then?” I asked tentatively, unsure why I would want to know where Lucius Malfoy was but this was very odd compared to young Draco in the books.
His eyes flicked with a bit of darkness for only a moment and he shook his head. “Oh, he is not around anymore. Just me and my mom for years now.”
My brain started doing mental somersaults. I know the shock on my face was evident but I quickly fixed it. “Oh! How incredibly rude of me! I am so sorry! It was wrong of me to presume anything since we just met! I should known better!”
Draco laughed softly. “Do not worry. We did just meet. My name is Draco. Draco Malfoy. What is your name?”
“Kathrine Lance. It is nice to meet you!” I said quickly before I could put my foot in my mouth again.
Just then, Madam Milkins returned with her assistant and they started to pin our robes into place.
“So Kat, do you have your own broom?” Draco asked as he turned to give the assistant more room at his sleeve.
“Oh, I do not. Can’t say I have ever been on one besides to sweep,” I replied, trying not to look at him in the eye from him using a shortened version of my name. Who was this kid and where was the pompous Draco Malfoy from my childhood stories?
“Does that mean you have never played Quidditch?” he exclaimed, receiving a small tug from the assistant to keep still. “That means I will need to teach you! It is an amazing game. Nothing is more freeing than being able to fly through the clouds. I have been flying since I could walk.”
I smiled and looked to him. “That sounds wonderful. I know I have a lot to learn and having someone show me would help a lot.”
His smile faded for a moment. “Oh, are your parents not…”
Just then, another jingle.
I looked to the door and saw a skinny kid in clothes that were way too big for him. He had shaggy black hair and green eyes behind a set of rounded glasses. He looked as confused as I did when I entered.
“Dear me! So many kids at once! One moment dearie. We will be right with you,” Madam Milkins chirped as she finished up the pinning on my robes.
She slipped them from my shoulders and led me over to the till as the Shaggy haired kid took my space next to Draco.
I looked to Draco as Madam Milkins got the rest of my uniform set up and rang up my order. “My parents were not from this world so I have a lot to learn. But do not worry. I know its a lot and you do not need to worry about me. I will be able to figure it out.”
This was for the best. Need to keep my head down. Need to stay out. Best not to talk to the boy who lived who just walked in. I already ran into a major player. Best to keep clear of the rest.
I paid and turned to leave. I heard Draco’s voice come from behind me.
“Hey! Kat, look for me on the train. I can’t let my new friend ride by herself on the train now can I?” he called as they did the final pins to his uniform.
I felt my cheeks flush and just nodded as I made my way out of the shop.
I am in trouble.