Unofficial Portkey Archive

Off-Limits by Blue Lady

Summary: The three new exchange students at Hogswarts aren't all they seem to be. What secrets are they hiding and what do they have to do with Ginny's visions?

Genre: Romance/Mystery

Pairings: H/Hr, D/G

Disclaimer: I own the, hmm....pretty much nothing, except Shawn, Nina, Benjamin and the weird storyline. Rest belongs to J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers, etc.

Author's Note: Many readers have told me that they have found the story confusing, but don't worry, things will clear up soon. Anyways, as many of you have realized, Benjamin, Nina are Harry and Hermione's children and Shawn is Draco and Ginny's son from the future. However, the gang has yet to figure out why they are here in the first place. Trust me, many things should clear up within the next few chapters. As for Natalie's "interest" in Ron - that was the point. I love keeping people in suspense. ^_^ So far Ron is with Lavender... well...I haven't read OotP yet since I'm waiting for the price to go down some more before I buy it, but I could try and fit a Ron/Luna pairing into this story later on if anyone wants it (when I finally get around to reading OotP of course).

Chapter 4: Investigations

Ginny overheard this and she finally looked up. When they first ran into Adam, she had assumed that it was Draco and she was trying to look everywhere but at him. However, since it wasn't Malfoy....

Her eyes widened again as she realized who she was staring at. It was Malfoy, but it certainly wasn't the Malfoy she had been expecting...

Shawn's blue eyes met her own as she gasped.

"Shawn."

****************************************

Shawn blinked rapidly at his mother's revelation. "So much for keeping our identities a secret," he thought, groaning inwardly.

He could see Benjamin mouthing to him from behind Hermione, "Now what?"

Shawn shrugged and turned back to the rest of the group.

"Shawn?!" asked Ron, looking at the blond suspiciously, "Do you know him, Ginny?"

"Yes, enlighten us, Weasley." drawled a new voice from behind Shawn, who almost jumped two feet up into the air from shock.

"Great, just what we need - a Malfoy family reunion," Nina groaned inwardly as Draco joined them.

Ginny ignored them, keeping her eyes fastened on Shawn. Since Shawn was here, then the other two - her eyes travelled over to Ben and Nina - then those two had to be Benjamin and Nina Potter.

"Okay, I don't know what the three of you are doing here, but we're going to have a nice long talk when classes are over." she said, looking straight at Shawn.

"Only Shawn, right?" asked Ben hopefully.

"Oh no, you don't! You're in as big of a mess as I am." growled Shawn, glaring at his friend.

"We'll discuss that later." said Ginny curtly, breaking off the Shawn's reply, "First of all, am I the only one that knows that you're here?"

"Only Dumbledore does, and maybe some of the teachers, he didn't exactly say," said Nina, fidgeting slightly under Hermione's scrutinizing gaze.

"Why are you guys here though?" asked Ginny.

"You want us to tell you...here?" Shawn said incredulously.

"Oh right." said Ginny, as she noticed the large group clustered around. They didn't know about her visions and she didn't want to spend all day explaining just who the three new students were. After all, the Headmaster would have told them if he had wanted them to find out. "Tell you what," she said, looking at them, "I'll meet you in the library after classes end, okay?"

The three of them nodded.

Meanwhile, Hermione, Harry, Ron and Draco were still in the dark.

"Care to explain what's going on?" asked Draco in an irritated voice. There wasn't anything he hated more than being in the dark.

"Yeah, Gin, what was that all about?" Ron asked his sister.

"Nothing!" replied 4 voices.

Benjamin nudged his sister, "C'mon, let's go before they start asking too many questions." and they hurried out after Ginny, Benjamin almost yanking Shawn off his feet on the way.

"Hey, watch it! You almost wrung my arm off, you-"

"We'll be right back," called Ben, "There's something I need to discuss with my associates." and the three of them all but fled to the front door leading to the school grounds.

Ginny just shook her head as she headed up the stairs, hiding a smile.

"Do you get the feeling they're hiding something from us?" asked Ron, glancing at where the four of them had been.

"Brilliant, Weasley, you just figured that out?" sneered Draco.

"Stuff a sock in it, Malfoy," growled Ron.

"Well, we aren't going to get to the bottom of this mystery any sooner by just standing here insulting each other." said Harry irritably, "Let's go after them."

"Yeah, I have to agree with you for once Potter. Let's get to the bottom of this fine mystery." drawled Draco as he and Hermione headed off after Harry.

*************************************

"Okay, you guys, we need to think of something and fast." said Nina, pacing in front of Ben and Shawn. "What are we suppose to tell Harry, Hermione and Draco?"

"I don't know, maybe we could always tell them the truth," said Shawn sarcastically. "Hey, Draco, I don't think I'm mentioned this, but you're my father. Oh my god, it sounds like something from that muggle movie...what was it called again?"

"Star Wars."

"Oh right..."

"So you want us to start calling you Luke now?" Nina asked sweetly.

"..........."

"Blonds." Nina muttered under her breath.

"Hey, I heard that!" replied Shawn indignantly.

"Hey," Ben cut in, "Let's focus on the issues at hand first."

"Yeah, find the nearest time turner and hop on back into the right time-"

"And what?! Get yourself killed?" growled Nina, stomping her foot, "Realistically now, Malfoy!"

"Why are you so worried anyway?" Shawn scowled at her, "I'm the one who's ending up unborn here, not you."

"You two, cut it out for a second!" said Ben, glaring at them. "First of all, how did Ginny even know who we were?"

"I remember mom saying that she started having her visions sometime around fifth year," said Shawn, "If that has to do with anything." he added grumpily.

Nina rolled her eyes.

"But what does she want to know then?" asked Ben, frowning.

"What I want to know, genius. Why we're here in the first place." said Shawn in a sarcastic voice.

"We can't tell her that! We all know the consequences of messing with time!" said Nina.

"Who said we were going to tell her anything?" Shawn shot back.

Nina gave him an exasperated look, "We have to tell her something, besides, you can't even lie to her properly."

Shawn narrowed his eyes, "I'm a Malfoy! Of course I can lie properly!"

"She's your mother, stupid."

"Now, now children," said Ben, his arms folded, "Let's all try to get along, shall we?"

"You-" said Nina, pointing at Shawn, "-tell him that."

"Note to self: find a few good hexes to throw at the both of you when I have time." muttered Ben, walking back towards the castle.

"Is that any way to treat your best friend?" complained Shawn.

Nina walked on Ben's other side, "Where are we going?"

"To find Professor Dumbledore." he replied, "But we'll have to avoid...some people for the time being. They'll be wanting answers."

"Can't you just use the map?" suggested Shawn, "Unless you happened forgot to bring that too." he added sarcastically.

Ben ignored the last sentence as he grabbed the Marauder's Map from the pocket of his cloak. Unrolling it, he glanced at it for a second before turning back to the others.

"Okay, they're on the second floor, near the Gryffindor common room entrance. If we go this way," he continued, tracing a route along the map with his finger, "We would be on the other side of the castle from our...parents."

"Then let's go!" said Nina as the three of them sprinted towards the castle.

*************************************

Moments later, after almost running into Snape, they finally arrived at the stone gargoyle.

"Strawberry Drop," panted Ben and they ran up the stairs as the gargoyle leapt aside.

Shawn banged the griffon-shaped knocker, but hearing no reply, the three of them made their way in.

Since Dumbledore didn't seem to be there, the three of them simply collapsed in the chairs in front of his desk. As their breathing started to slow down, Shawn groaned, "I think we must have broken some bloody record for that sprint."

"Okay, why the heck are we here again?" asked Nina once her breathing had finally returned to normal.

Shawn rolled his eyes at her, "To get our parents off our backs, remember?"

Nina slammed her hands down, glaring at him. "What. Is. Your. Problem?!" she said slowly, emphasizing each word.

"I don't know what the heck you're talking about, Potter." he replied just as coldly.

"Will you stop being such an infuriating jerk already?!" Nina shouted at him.

The blond just snorted, "Believe me, I've been called worse."

*****************************************

"Where could they have gone?" asked Harry in frustration as they headed downstairs.

"What are we? Baby-sitters?!" Draco snapped, "I'm sure that they can take care of themselves perfectly fine, Granger."

"Professor Dumbledore told us to show them around and that means keeping them out of trouble," said Hermione irritably, "No need to get all worked up, Malfoy."

"Who said anything about trouble, Granger? They're probably lost," snorted Draco and almost smashed right into Harry who had suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"I am sooo stupid!" Harry muttered.

"Yeah, well what else is new, Potter?" Draco's lips curved into his trademark smirk.

Harry glared at him, "Shut it, Malfoy," before he resumed searching his pockets.

"Found it," he cried seconds later, taking out the Marauder's Map.

"Knew there was a brain up there somewhere," said Draco, "Now look them up and we can go."

Hermione was just about to tap the map with her wand when she froze, "Malfoy, you know what this is?" she whispered.

"Of course, it's Potter's famous map of Hogwarts."

Hermione paled before looking at Harry, "Don't ask, it's a long story." he said quietly before averting his gaze.

After awhile, "Are you sure this old rag works, Potter?"

"Of course it does!" said Harry irritably, "They're on here somewhere...but why are all the last names missing....Malfoy!"

"What?" Draco said defensively.

"Did you do something to my Map the last time you borrowed it?" Harry gave him a suspicious glance.

"Yes, just so I can make both our lives miserable - of course not, Potter!"

"What happened?" asked Hermione.

"All the last names are gone!" said Harry in frustration.

Ever the smart one, Hermione thought back to an earlier conversation. "Why don't you try looking for the name Shawn? I don't think there's anybody else into the school with that name."

"Okay, they're in...Dumbledore's office?!" said Harry incredulously a moment later.

"But wouldn't we have seen them on our way down?" asked Hermione.

"Not if they went that way," said Harry pointing to the map.

"And I would get the hell out of here quick if I were you." said Draco, already on his way to the staircase.

"Why?" demanded Hermione.

"In case you haven't noticed, Granger, there's a little dot named Argus heading straight this way..."

**************************************************

Meanwhile, back at the office....

Nina had resumed her pacing while Shawn looked around, bored. Benjamin was petting Fawkes absentmindedly while observing the whirling silver instruments that stood on the spindle-legged tables.

Shawn had gotten tired of waiting. Moodily, he fingered the Sorting Hat and unconsciously placed it on his head..."Ah, what have we here?" said a small voice in his ear.

"Hmm....interesting, another Malfoy. Not from here, obviously. A Gryffindor, eh? Well, I'm sure I had a hard time making up my mind about you!"

"Why is that?" thought Shawn.

"You would have done exceptionally well in Slytherin House as well."

"I asked to be placed in Gryffindor."

"Yes, but you would have done well in Slytherin as well. It's in your blood."

Shawn gritted his teeth in anger, but just before he was about to tell off the Sorting Hat, Dumbledore walked in.

Jerking the Hat off in anger, he glared at it for a second before resuming his seat in front of the desk. "You're wrong," he thought darkly, looking at the Hat.

"Professor Dumbledore, we've seem to have ran into a tiny problem," said Nina uncomfortably.

"I was wondering when she would find out," said Dumbledore, smiling.

"You were already aware of this?" asked Shawn, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, Ms. Weasley came to see me a few months earlier regarding some curious visions she was having. I had to convince her that she wasn't going crazy even though she kept on seeing Mr. Malfoy in her visions." smiled Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling.

Nina and Ben both hid a smile as Shawn buried his head in his hands, "I am so doomed."

**********************************************

Ginny sat impatiently through History class, her mind unconsciously tuning out Professor Binn's tedious drone. Her thoughts were focused solely on the three "new students" she had met earlier.

"Shawn looks so much like Draco," she mused to herself. "I wonder who he acts like though." Ginny thought about this for a moment before she came to a conclusion, "Probably Draco, only without the smartass attitude - I hope. Well, he did make it into Gryffindor, I suppose that has to count for something..."

Her thoughts were interrupted when an owl flew in through the open window. Professor Binns stopped midway through his lecture of the various torture methods from the Salem Witch Trials to read the note.

"Ms. Weasley, Professor Dumbledore wants to see you after class. Now where was I?" he continued in his monotonous tone, while the rest of the class whispered to each other.

"What does Dumbledore want to see you for?" Natalie whispered to Ginny, "What did you do this time?"

"I didn't do anything...yet." Ginny said the last part under her breath. However, she remained quiet for the rest of the class and not even Natalie could pry out of her what was the matter.

Immediately after the bell rang, Ginny had to restrain herself from knocking down the people in front of her, who, she thought, seemed to be walking even slower than usual today.

However, in her hurry, she didn't notice Natalie glancing after her with a strange look on her face.

"First my visions, then Malfoy decides to kiss me senseless and now my son decides to pay me a visit." thought Ginny dryly as she hurried along to the third floor. "Next thing I know, I'll be seeing my grandchildren as well."

She arrived at the gargoyle which glanced at her and immediately jumped aside. Hurrying through the hole in the wall, Ginny climbed the spiral stairs and entered the Headmaster's office.

Dumbledore waved her to a chair beside Shawn.

"Ah, Ms. Weasley, please take a seat. I believe our three new students have a rather interesting story to share with you."

*****************************************

Meanwhile, Hermione, Harry and Draco had split up, Harry having to go to Quidditch practise and Draco to who-knows-where, all the way muttering about how Malfoys didn't baby-sit.

Hermione, however, had decided to head to the library when somebody smashed straight into her. She barely caught herself as she realized who it was. Natalie sat on the ground shaking her head. "Sorry about that." said Natalie, groaning, "I seem to run into a lot of people these days." Hermione extended her hand to help the other girl up, "Why are you in such a hurry anyway?"

"I was looking for Ginny. I don't know why, but she's been acting even more weirdly then usual ever since lunch ended. Would you happen to have any idea why?"

Hermione had a pretty good feeling it had to go with the new blond student who seemed to be on a first name basis with her, but the brown-haired girl kept her mouth shut. "I don't know, but I'm sure Ginny will be fine."

Natalie smiled, "Thanks Hermione." The older girl smiled back and continued on her way. However, Natalie was determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. Pausing in front of the entrance to the Headmaster's office, she looked around for a second before she pulled out her wand. Having a father who was also a professor had it uses, afterall, including a password that allowed entry to all the entrances to be found inside the castle. Natalie quickly tapped the gargoyle and jumped in after it sprang aside.

Stopping at the heavy oak door, she leaned slightly over to peer through the crack and began listening to the intriguing conversation currently taking place on the other side.

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This is kind of a..."filler" chapter, in a way, seeing as nothing much happened. Of course, it does add a few more plot twists...^.~

As usual, please tell me what you think so far. Comments, threats and whatnot.