Chapter 29 - Somewhere in Time
"Annie!" Harry shouted.
"Jerry!" Ron shouted after a momentary pause.
"Annie!" Hermione yelled frantically, remaining stationary near the graves. She held tightly to her son's arm for fear he too would vanish.
Other voices joined in the search through the small forest. In reality, a single person could thoroughly search the area in a few minutes. After several fruitless minutes searching, the group rendezvoused at the small cemetery plot.
"They're both gone; are you certain they haven't run off somewhere?" Ron asked.
Hermione shook her head, "They both were tracked to this spot; the wards are flawless. Someone else entered the area before they vanished," she replied while consulting a small optical plate.
"Then we have a starting point," Ron said while he walked quickly from the path to the gate, but Hermione stopped him from entering.
"Wait, the images are still strong, as if they are both here," she said. She stepped through the gate and leaned over, at the exact spot where Jerry and Annie fell. Carefully she felt the ground at the indentation in the grass where they fell. She found the object of her search, but the discovery was one she hoped to avoid.
"It's a coin?" Ron asked.
"It's a medallion she charmed into a link to Annie and Ben; they each have one in case we have to find them," Harry replied.
"No," Hermione said shaking her head. "Annie's is on a chain around her neck, and Ben's is in his watch."
Ben looked suspiciously at his wrist to the shiny face on his watch.
"This didn't come from a chain, there isn't a loop," Harry commented after turning the medallion over in his hand.
"Are you certain?" Hermione asked and carefully examined the coin. On the edge she noticed an engraving. "Harry, can you make out these markings?" she asked.
"I-L-U-2-J-W" Harry read out loud.
"Cryptic, possibly some obscure code; we'll need to have the spell breakers at the Ministry examine it," Ron commented.
Ben chuckled before correcting the adults, "It's from Annie to Jerry; it says 'I Love You Too, Jerry Weasley'. She used a code some of the older students at school use to send similar messages to boyfriends or girlfriends."
"So, this was Jerry's? It shows on the same monitor as Annie's," Hermione commented.
"She must have copied her medallion. She told me you had some way to track us, in case something happened. She said she wanted to see him today, that she had a special gift for him," Ben said.
"How far can that disk track them?" Ron asked.
"The range is limited only to the person holding it," Harry replied, and took the disk from Hermione.
The image on the disk widened as the flashing dots started to draw together into the center and another appeared midway to the edge of the screen. The darker dot remained stationary, but the dimmer one moved away rapidly.
"There, Harry, they're moving," Hermione said as she peered over his shoulder.
"How can you tell? There are two dots," Ron asked.
"This is Ben and this medallion, since they are close together, they appear as one," Hermione replied.
"This one is moving," Harry started to say, and rotated the disk. He pressed an indentation on the disk. The image rotated to point in the direction the far blip was traveling.
"North, possibly Scotland ," Ron observed.
"No, not Scotland , but west toward Wales ; or more specifically, Carmarthen . I should have realized he would use someplace he would call home," Hermione said hopefully.
" Wales ?" Ron asked.
"I expect they are in or near Bryn Myrddin, or 'Merlin's Hill', that's where Merlin is alleged to be buried," Hermione added.
"It does fit; there are a number of Medieval and Roman era structures he could mask from view," Harry added.
"We have to get our daughter and Jerry back," Hermione finally said. Her voice betrayed her own confidence more than her facial expression.
"Retrieve her you shall; tempt you he has to his sanctuary," a voice outside the gate cautioned.
"Abraham, you've decided to assist us?" Hermione asked cautiously.
Just as cautiously, the ancient wizard nodded before speaking again. "Help her I feel imperative it is, urgent for your family this is."
"You are right, this is a family problem, but if you are finally willing to help, we could use you," Ron snipped.
"Yes, we do need you; I'm afraid without Harry, my abilities are limited," Hermione replied.
"Stay behind; strong enough to confront him you are not. Time is of the essence, delay further we must not if the children are to be returned," Abraham said with newfound confidence.
"I'll be perfectly fine if I'm with Harry, we are always stronger when we're together. Harry, Abraham is correct, we have little time if we are to find them," Hermione said.
"I've kept a bag ready. They are traveling quickly, but not via Apparation since the mark is still moving. I suggest brooms," Harry said, and noticed Hermione's nervous displeasure at the means of travel. "Ben, you and Arty have to stay here with Rudy and Lucy," Harry commanded to the youngest Potter.
"I don't think brooms would be the fastest solution. Maybe a portkey? I've been to that area before, and can arrange one for an area close to village," Hermione said, hoping to change the mode of transportation.
"She's right, a portkey would be better," Luna said from the outskirts of the graveyard.
"Possibly, yes, a portkey would be more efficient," Harry agreed before turning to his oldest friend. "Ron, can you prepare it? Hermione's powers aren't strong enough at the moment; she can assist you in choosing the target location."
"Look, Harry, what if I head there alone first, to provide some support incase of an ambush, after I set up the portkey first," Ron asked.
"No, it's not safe for us to split up," Hermione argued.
"Nonsense, I can handle myself," Ron replied.
"Not against a master of time, he'll have the advantage," Harry said, rejecting Ron's offer.
"Dad, I can help too, I can help mum," Ben said from Hermione's side.
"Yes, I know. But we won't risk you as well. I won't risk either of you. Now everyone should know their tasks, we leave the moment the portkey is ready," Harry commanded.
The small band disbursed for assigned tasks and to prepare for this latest adventure. Within a few minutes, the portkey was ready; Harry kept watch of the disk to ensure the mark didn't move. Harry grabbed his trusty rucksack while Hermione retrieved the various manuscripts. The others rallied back at the cottage, ready to leave.
"Are we ready?" Harry finally asked. Time was against them, they all were aware of that fact. The portkey Ron selected was, appropriately, a table clock.
"Ready? I have it set to activate when everyone has hold. Now everyone, on the count of three, two, one," Ron ordered and counted.
Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Abraham held the clock, and the moment he counted to one, Ron released his grip. The rest swirled and promptly vanished.
"Sorry, mate, but I can't let you risk your lives," he said and promptly vanished alone with a pop.
"Ronald Weasley!" Hermione screamed. The dense forest muffled the sound.
"That git, I ordered him not to go on it alone," Harry exclaimed.
"…except he still out-ranks you. But I would have expected some common sense from him," Hermione hissed.
"Where the bloody hell did he send us?" Harry asked after glancing around, still agitated at his old friend.
Hermione held the disk, and focused on the fading dot. "I can't tell. They must be near, but the dot is faint," she said.
Abraham took the disk from her, and peered into it. The single dot strengthened, and shifted. Two other dots appeared far from the single dot. "Near, the children are near. Far from this spot Benjamin's location is shown. Annie is here, across the ravine," he said pointing south. Before them lay a road, then stream, and to their left another hill stood between them and their destination.
"We should have arrived on that hill; Ron must have altered the portkey," Hermione stated as calmly as she could, pointing to the nearer hill.
"Then I suggest we'd best get their as quickly as possible," Harry said, the urgency in his voice left no doubt to the seriousness of Ron's actions.
The team of three moved as quickly as Abraham's weak legs could carry him. The first obstacle was the stream. A shallow ford across the water kept them out of view of 'Merlin's Hill' and safely behind the peak they had targeted. The terrain left little additional cover, but also allowed them to cover the distance quickly and silently. An unimproved road aided this journey up the larger hill, to another road that led directly to the ancient ruins of the castle.
"Wait," Abraham commanded and stared into the disk. The bright dot flickered and faded from view. "Too late we are, another location they must have been taken," he said, then handed the tracking device to its proper owner.
"Harry, he's right, they're gone. Where…"
"Mum, dad, wait," a young voice called to them.
Harry quickly turned to the sound, ready for any subterfuge.
"Ben?" Hermione called out first.
Ben and Arty ran forward, leaving Radulphus and Lucia a few paces behind them.
"We had to follow you; Uncle Ron didn't leave with you. Arty listened to mum giving directions on where you were going, so Rudy created a second portkey. We've been hiding in the forest on the hill for nearly half an hour," Ben exclaimed.
"I'm disappointed in your judgment, Lucy, I thought you would have stopped this," Harry said, his disapproval in this act apparent.
"We had little choice, sir, your son refused to remain behind. He tried to nick a broom to follow you," Radulphus replied.
"Strength in numbers, help we will need to succeed," Abraham interceded on Ben's behalf.
"Then, Rudy, you stay with Ben and Arty until we know more, Lucy you're with us. Those battlements were the source of the signal before is faded, I'll inspect it first," Harry ordered, and removed his invisibility cloak from his pack. The air shimmered around him as he vanished.
"There's a shed out of view, we'll wait there until he returns," Hermione instructed and led the small task force.
Moments passed without a sound or indication of life from the ridge. Hermione felt her palm twinge, a feeling she hadn't felt in a long time. No one noticed as she continued to rub an old scar until Harry returned carrying a large bundle. As he came closer, the bundle was obviously a body covered with his cloak. Harry's jaw was set with a determination and anger Hermione had seen once before in her life.
Hermione ran to him, dropping her disk. She was afraid of the sight they would find under the cloak.
"He was here, he tried without us," Harry said mournfully. He carefully set the body on the crisp grass.
Lucy took the intuitive, and pulled the cloak from his face. A look of pure terror remained on Ron's face. His eyes still wide open, his mouth open as if in mid scream. There was no blood or outward sign of injury; the only evidence was the lifeless body before them.
"He was killed trying to save his son, he never should have gone off," Harry said as he looked on his friend's form.
"Cooperation we required, strength together he knew we needed. Vain his act of love for his son was. A valuable lesson to remember, family ties are strong, but real strength is in unity," Abraham replied as if instructing Ben and Arty.
"Harry, he's gone, I loved him as much as you, but we must save Annie and Jerry, or his death is meaningless," Hermione managed to say, hiding her grief.
"I should have expected he would try this," Harry said still staring at his dead friend.
"Darling, there's no way you could have stopped him, it was as much my fault. I should have paid attention to him when he recited the Portkey incantation," she replied, taking Harry's hand from the cloak that covered Ron.
Harry nodded, knowing Hermione's act of strength at Ron's death was only an act.
"Sir, did he leave any clue?" Lucia asked, drawing Harry's attention from Ron. His only reply was a slight shake of his head.
Abraham stepped forward and said, "The tracking disk I require, may I have it?"
Lucia picked up the discarded tracking disk, it instantly faded to black the instant she held it. She handed it back to Hermione without noting the observation.
"Her medallion stopped working, it's no use," Hermione replied and handed the disk to Abraham. The instant he touched it, a blip on the screen glowed until Hermione let it go.
"Interesting, please touch the panel again," he asked. Once she complied, the dot reappeared.
"May I inquire the source of this magic?" Abraham asked.
"It's a simple device tuned to our family, so Harry and I could find the children should the need arise," she replied and stared at the blip.
She released the disk, and the image faded again. This time, Abraham motioned to Harry, who also held the disk.
"Curious this device would function for me; I have no relation to you," Abraham stated.
"No, it functions when you and Hermione held it," Harry replied, avoiding having to reveal the truth.
"For me it worked on the trek here, another reason for it to work there must be," Abraham replied suspiciously.
"There, Annie's marker is there again," Hermione said excitedly, pointing to the dot on the disk.
"Love, I was just in the battlement, it was empty except for Ron's…" Harry stopped before he could say the word.
"No, she's still there. There's bound to be another explanation," Hermione said
"There's little there, I did try to find them, but there wasn't a trace," Harry replied.
"Harry, we're not thinking clearly, Myrddin's primary power is time manipulation, suppose they are still there, but in a different time?" she proposed.
"It fits, if he's as powerful as you reported, and has this mastery; then he's hidden them there in a different time," Radulphus added.
"See them you could not, if another time they have been moved. Time changes, the location does not. Time is required to physically move to another place," Abraham said.
"Abraham, you have a special ability that we understand will help. This may be the time for you to use that ability," Hermione said excitably.
"Your grandmother had immunity to the time disruptions Myrddin caused. That's why we believe we were brought together," Harry added.
"Yes, that's why you can still see the locator mark when you hold the disk," Hermione said.
"That is possible, but help retrieve them I cannot," Abraham said shaking his head.
"You have to try. We'll manage to shield you when we arrive at the battlement, but you have to try to find them," Harry ordered.
"Remember we have to be careful and diligent in our approach. Myrddin should be watching, we know he's in the area," Hermione added.
"I've lost… we've lost one good friend today, I won't lose another," Harry muttered.
The continued up the hill, to a spot Hermione paused. An ancient stone bore a barely legible inscription. "This is his grave," Hermione muttered.
"Who's grave?" Ben asked.
"Myrddin Emrys, Merlin you know him as," Abraham replied and read the inscription in near perfect Welsh.
"Bedd Ann ap lleian ymnewais fynydd
Iluagor Llew Ymrais
Prif ddewin merddin Embrais."
Hermione translated his words for the others.
"The grave of the nun's son on Newais Mountain :
Lord of Battle , Llew Embrais,
Chief Magician, Myrddin Emrys"
"This is Merlin's grave?" Ben asked wide-eyed.
"Yes, this is where we believe he's hiding, in the battlements," replied Hermione.
"Abraham, can you detect anything?" Harry asked.
"Mum, did you see that? The ruins on the hill changed!" Ben exclaimed and tried to pull away from Radulphus.
"No, I didn't; stay back with Rudy," she insisted.
"Right the boy is, changes in time the ruins hide, Strong he is with this force," Abraham replied.
The group approached the ruins carefully; there were no signs of any life. Hermione clung to Harry's side, fulfilling a promise she made.
"Can you detect any anomalies?" Hermione ordered.
"Curious, I can see images depicting multiple scenes all displayed at once," Abraham replied as he touched the ruins.
Hermione turned to face him with a curious look, "Could you repeat that?"
"Certainly, I said I can see multiple images flashing at one time, it's a strange montage of sorts," he replied.
"Mum, he's right, can't you see it? I can see the ruins, then an intact building, then a field with trees," Ben added.
"Yes, that is exactly what I see. I suspect Annie and Jerry are held in the timeframe of the building, however I have no rational idea how to gain access to that moment in time," Abraham said.
Harry now noticed the change, "Wait a moment, something's odd, you sound… different," he said.
"This place, this time vortex has altered his grammar, as if he's been out of phase himself all this time," offered Radulphus.
"That's quite possible, since there's no history of altered speech patterns in your family's history," Hermione commented.
"How would you know of my family's history," Abraham asked suspiciously.
"You have said you were related to Gryffindor," Lucia commented.
"The issue is to gain access to the intact building; we have to freeze the moment when you see it appear," Radulphus added.
Hermione knelt to her son and asked, "Ben, how often does the building appear, and how long does it last?"
"It lasts only a moment, and I've seen it twice since we've been here," he replied,
"His ability is underdeveloped; he should be able to fully use this power with age. The building does flash by for only a moment, but I've observed it multiple times. Curious he and I are the only ones that can detect this," Abraham said.
"Not that unusual; Hermione has had past exposure to time anomalies, and I personally experienced it once for only a couple hours, so Annie and Ben would have the best chance to inherit this from her," Harry said.
"Harry's right, Annie should be able to help, she's older and potentially has the same ability," Hermione replied. She left Ben's side and quickly took Harry's bag. Within a moment she found the two objects she sought.
"Paper and pen?" Ben inquired while Hermione quickly scribbled a note.
"For your sister, if we can get this in that building, she may be able to help hold the timeline long enough to bridge to it, and possibly she and Jerry can escape," Hermione said. She folded the note and picked up a small stone. She wrapped the note around the rock and tied it with a bit of string.
"Abraham, can you get this into that building? Possibly through a window?" she asked.
The elder wizard held the bundle, and watched the ruins carefully. He pulled his arm back, hesitated for a moment and checked his throw. He steadied his aim, but dropped his arm and shook his head. "The window is a difficult target; I doubt my aim is satisfactory to find the mark," he said.
"Give it a try," Radulphus encouraged.
Abraham raised his arm again, and took careful aim; he waited for the right moment and hurled the stone wrapped with a note at the fallen battlements. All watching held their breath for the few moments it sailed through the air.
But it bounced from an unseen wall, falling to the ground.
"Mum, he just missed the window, I'll give it a go," Ben called and took a step toward the stone.
"No, stay where you are, I'll retrieve it," Hermione ordered, and walked to the battlements. She reached forward to the stone, and before a word of caution could be raised, she vanished.
"MUM!" Ben cried.
"'Mione!" Harry yelled at the same moment and charged toward the last spot they saw her.
"Stay where you are," Abraham ordered, forcing Harry to stop where he stood.
"No, Hermione's in there…" Harry pleaded.
"Remain where you are and she should be safe, this vortex has taken her. We have to identify when she went without further disruptions," Abraham ordered. He stared into the ruins, straining for a glimpse of her.
"There, mum's in that one," Ben called out.
"See her I cannot, changed the scene has not," Abraham replied.
"No, there… I can see her there, come over here," Ben called and stepped to the edge of the ruins. Abraham reached for the boy to prevent Ben from falling into the same fate as Hermione.
The moment the ancient wizard stepped toward him, and held the boy, the vision refocused.
"See, there. Mum's there," Ben yelled.
"Yes, I can see her now. This is remarkable, it appears we must stand in a specific location to peer into another time reference," Abraham commented.
"Can you communicate with her?" Harry asked, rushing to their side.
"No, she fades in and out at a frequent rate, unlike that other spot. It's possible her entering that phase in time has disrupted our ability to see your daughter in the time phase she has been isolated to," Abraham replied.
"Further, if I'm correct," Abraham continued, "we may only be able to save one, and not the other. Which should I try to save?"
Harry's face paled. A blank stare washed over his face at the realization of Abraham's remark.
"Jerry, are you alright?" Annie asked.
"Bloody perfect. What happened?" he snapped.
"I have no idea. What is this place? It looks like the Slytherin dungeons, but different," she commented and ran her hand along the stone wall.
"These walls look new, the mortar is still fresh. How can this be Slytherin?" Jerry asked.
"This room is a… it looks like a place I use to go to in school when I was having a difficult time, but different. As if it were recreated from memory," she said.
"Anything is possible at this point. Any idea how long we've been here?" Ben asked.
"My watch stopped about the time that man showed up. Who was he?" asked Annie.
"He said his name was Lailoken."
"I know, but it doesn't make sense, there's no one named Lailoken I've ever heard of," Annie replied then paused and thought, her brow wrinkled slightly. She nodded softly and began her thoughts, "There was a tale I read once about a madman who lived in the sixth century; a warrior that watched his men slain around him. But he died in that folklore; he was beaten, stabbed and drowned."
"What does that have to do with this bloke?"
"Don't you see? Or haven't you read the history text yet? He thinks he's Merlin. Muggle legend tried to explain who Merlin was before he died. One explanation was the tale of Lailoken. He said his first name was Arthur, who was closely connected to many of Merlin's earliest feats," she explained.
"There's nothing of that in fourth year texts," Jerry said slightly puzzled.
"Bugger, you're right. That's in seventh year Muggle studies. I was reading ahead," she admitted.
"Yeah, just like your mum," Jerry smiled at his cheek.
Annie's glare at that comment proved her Granger heritage, "I was only studying an interesting point in our history; I always found it unusual that most references to Merlin vanished after the Arthurian period ended."
"So this bloke believes he's Merlin," Jerry added.
"Not necessarily, most of the Muggle legends led to Merlin's death at his brother's hand. Wizard history has him simply vanishing into oblivion," Annie answered.
Jerry shook his head and paced the confines of the small room, touching the walls that surrounded them. "Whoever this Lailoken bloke is, he's a decent mason. These walls are quite solid. But can't we apparate out?"
"No, I'm certain he's taken that into account, and besides, neither of us has apparated on our own before. And, we have no idea where we are. AND unless you've not noticed, he's taken our wands," she replied.
Jerry grinned, "Yes, he took two wands, but after that incident when… that incident, and dad took me to Ollivander's for a new wand, he suggested a second, smaller one I could conceal. I may not be as powerful, but maybe…" he said and produced a pencil from his pocket.
"But that's a…"
"Pencil," he said and gently snapped it in half. The core slid freely into his hand to reveal a short thin wand approximately fifteen centimeters long.
"That's brilliant!" she exclaimed. "Maybe we can force an opening in the wall."
Jerry pointed the wand to the stone wall, using the small window to gauge his depth . " Bombarda…" he yelled forcefully. A large chunk of the wall under the window split and fell to the floor.
"Again; one more like that and we should be able to squeeze out," she said hopefully.
He raised his wand again, " Bombarda…" he yelled again, this time the wall exploded outward leaving an opening to a field.
"You did it!" she shrieked and threw her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek.
He unconsciously pulled back, but quickly apologized, "Annie, I really didn't mean to…"
"I know, after what I did, I'm shocked you can stand to be in the same room," she said softly.
"I'm really sorry, it's just… a reflex."
"Jerry, we both know what happened. It wasn't me," she tried to keep from breaking, but a tear fell down her cheek.
He reached to her and gently held her hand. She remained silent and wasn't able to look him in the eye.
"We need to find our way out of here," Jerry said softly and wiped her cheek free of her tear. She responded with a simple nod, and allowed him to lead her from the dungeon.
"Jerry… I still don't understand why," she whispered.
"I know, maybe it's still too soon after…" Jerry replied back.
Annie pulled her hand from his and stopped. In that instant, he spun around to face her, assuming a change of heart.
"Jerry, look!" she exclaimed and pointed to a stone wrapped with a sheet of parchment. The edges were faded and worn, giving the sheet an ancient appearance. She carefully picked it up, and untied it from the stone. The string crumbled to dust, letting the parchment crack and split on the folds.
"Who could have left this," Jerry asked and gently turned a portion of the document over.
A handwriting as familiar as her own greeted the young Potter, "Mum, it's a message from mum," she cried.
"It must have been lodged in the stone work, but for how long? Parchment should last a number of years," Jerry offered.
"Centuries; most parchment should last at least three or four centuries. This looks as if it's been here nearly a full millennia," she said. Her analytic nature regained control, leaving the vulnerable girl safely hidden.
Jerry bent over and examined the external wall of their former prison and commented, "These walls seem to have been re-built on the ruins of an older building, see, this line of stone has aged differently."
"Yes, and that's how this note was trapped, it must have been lodged in the older ruins, that must be what preserved it all these years," she replied and carefully pieced the shards of parchment back together.
Annie and Jerry,
We were alerted to your abduction only a few hours ago. We assumed you and Jerry are still together and that was confirmed when we arrived here. Stay where you are and we will attempt to free you. The best we can determine, you are in a parallel time, or possibly shifted to a different time then us.
Try to remain calm; we will get you as soon as we have a plan.
We love you both,
Mum
"They've been looking for us, how did they find us here?" Jerry asked.
Annie checked her pockets, and realized how they were traced. "Mum gave Ben and me a special medallion after the experiences in those other worlds. It was to help them find us if something happened. I copied it, and intended to give you, in case something happened to you, they must have found it," she said.
Jerry sat on one of the larger stone fragments from the wall to reflect, "You made a medallion for me, to be able to track me in case something happened? And now you believe we're close to a thousand years in the future?"
"I really don't know where or when we are, all I can derive is that parchment has been hidden for that long," she added.
An indeterminate silence engulfed them; the reality of their isolation was evident. Annie slumped to a large rock next to Jerry and reflected.
"We need to protect ourselves in case Lailoken comes back, this wand won't be of much use," Jerry said, breaking the silence.
"If we could only contact Mum and Dad, maybe we get some help," she offered. She looked up to him, and reached her hand out. He took her hand without hesitation, and pulled her closer.
"I'm sorry about before," he said and stoked her hair with his free hand.
"I know. I can't say I'm sorry enough for what happened, I wish it never happened," she said and kissed the palm of the hand stroking her hair.
He slipped his hand from her lips to the nape of her neck, his other hand still holding her hand. In unison, they leaned forward and kissed deeply for the first time in weeks. Neither pulled away, neither regretted the act.
"I missed this," she whispered.
"I did too," he replied and kissed her forehead, followed by an embrace.
"So, how do we determine where, and when, we are?" Jerry asked.
"Mum wanted us to stay here, but the best chance to get help would be to find a village," she said.
"The sun's setting, and we don't have a broom and we can't apparate, it looks like we have to walk," Jerry stood as he spoke and helped Annie to her feet.
Annie felt a tingle run from where he touched her hand, down her back. She smiled at the feeling. She felt his love reach out.
"I do love you, Annie Potter; now let's see where that road will take us," Jerry said holding her tight to his side. Together they left the building on the hill to continue their journey into life.
"Dad, there's something different, there's a hole in the wall," Ben exclaimed.
"Yes, I can see one too, as if the wall exploded from the inside out, Abraham confirmed. His comment was punctuated by a searing light, a flash as brilliant as the sun itself.
"Hold and identify yourself," Lucia barked from behind Harry. Another blast echoed through the valley below them.
"I mean no harm," a worn and nearly forgotten voice called out.
"Toss your wand clear and stand where you can be seen," Lucia ordered.
"If I give you my wand, I would be totally defenseless, it's difficult to imagine the mischief an old man could cause," he replied.
Harry turned to the action behind them, "Watch for you Mum and tell me if you see her," he commanded his son.
"Ah, Harry. It's good to see you again. I trust you are well?" the old man asked. He was tall, taller then Harry remembered. The half moon glasses perched on his crooked nose left little doubt to his identity.
"Albus? Albus Dumbledore?" he said is total disbelief.
"One and the same. However not the one of this world; I was saddened to hear I was murdered in this world, but I assume I died for a good cause?" He asked. He looked the same as Harry remembered, only older and sadder. He wore a white glove over his right hand, and favored his left.
Harry stared at his mentor, unable to reply, only nod.
"I remember you," said Radulphus and lowered his wand. "You use to visit Mum and Dad when we were children."
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid we haven't met, who are your parents?" asked Dumbledore.
"Draco and Ginevra Malfoy," Lucia hissed, refusing to drop her guard.
"So, here they were happy. I'm glad for that. Where I came from your father met a most unfortunate fate, and consequentially neither of you were born. Harry, I was asked to come here by an old friend. He was quite troubled and obviously spent much of his time seeking my help. Am I to understand most of my other selves have met unfortunate fates?" Dumbledore inquired.
Harry cleared his throat, "Yes sir," he managed to reply.
"Who sent you?" Lucia demanded.
"As I said, an old friend, Firenze . He seemed quite agitated and it took several weeks for him to clear his mind to the point everything made sense," replied Dumbledore.
"Umm, what happened to me, to us? Ron, Hermione and me?" Harry asked.
"You and Riddle vanished when you confronted him, you managed to destroy his means of escape when you destroyed the last Horcrux. Unfortunately, and this I was unable to foresee, that quest was too heavy a burden on your young shoulders. Hermione tried to help, but you successfully pushed her and Ron away. Ron and Hermione remained close, but she became ill and passed away in child birth, Ron never really recovered from loosing you both," the ancient reminisced.
"Mum, and Uncle Ron?" Ben asked in disbelief.
"And who might this be?" Albus asked.
"Benjamin Albus Potter, sir," he replied.
"My son. Hermione and I have… a daughter too. We need your help to save them," Harry said, nearly begging.
" Firenze told me there was another entity at work, one I've not encountered he said," said Dumbledore. He ignored Lucia's threatening gestures and approached father and son. "So you named your son after me, I'm honored and pleased."
"We tacked Annie and Jerry here. But there's a time vortex that may collapse at any moment. Hermione also fell into it. Abraham and Ben both have a gift that enables them to peer into this rift," Harry quickly related.
Albus stared at the older, twisted wizard, and back to the boy. "I see. It seems you two share a family trait, one not shared by your elders," Dumbledore commented.
Abraham stepped closer, and said, "Understand this I do not, family the boy is not."
"Family he is, I can see the resemblance, some generations removed, but it is there. I'm surprised no one noticed. You have Harry's eyes," Dumbledore said with a grin.
"Possible this cannot be, of this generation he belongs," Abraham said deigning the implication.
"Possible it is, however, I believe you may have to think in reverse. Harry is your ancestor, not your descendant," Dumbledore said.
"Please, we can clear this later. Yes we know Aurellia Hoth, your grandmother, is our great-granddaughter. That's why you felt the connection to us. That's why we need your help to save your own great-great-great-grandmother. Aurellia gave you that ability with the hope it could save humanity, use that to save your family," Harry pleaded.
"One I can risk, but collapse the vortex if further disturbed it will," he said.
"He's right, Harry. If you disturb this rift further, it will close. I believe he set it for only a one-way journey. But between Ben and Abraham, you should be able to save one," Albus confirmed.
"Dad, Mum's alone and weak, Annie has Jerry. Maybe the rift won't close if we get Mum out," Ben suggested.
"A problem to resolve; one of your children will be my ancestor, but which?" Deepen the paradox this could cause," Abraham added.
Harry thought for a moment, and sighed heavily. "Ben, you are Ben's descendant. It seems my daughter's fate is inevitable," Harry finally said remorsefully.
"Dad, how…" Ben began, but was waved off the topic by Harry.
"Then if we're to save your wife, we have little time to act. Abraham, you and Ben must work together. Ben, you must concentrate on your mother and Abraham, you must focus on the vortex before you both. You must work as one or she will be lost in time with your sister," Dumbledore instructed.
Ben reluctantly nodded, and faced the spot where Hermione vanished, the rubble of the walls remained less than a meter before them. Abraham stood behind Ben, and both lifted their wands together, and pointed them at the spot she was last seen.
"Concentrate on you mum," Radulphus coaxed.
"Focus on you task," Dumbledore repeated.
Without being instructed, both wands touched; the flair of energy that burst from them split the invisible barrier before them. A startled and weary, but very familiar woman sprang from her entrapment, and fell to her knees. Harry sprang to her from the spot several meters away with the agility and speed reminiscent of his Quidditch days.
"Close the breach, or the delicate fabrics of time could be permanently compromised," Dumbledore shouted.
"Wait!" Harry ordered, "Ben, find your sister."
"No, there's no time. Close it or the damage will be irreparable," Dumbledore commanded.
"Harry, the void… the vortex… Magical Times…" Hermione panted.
Ben closed his eyes to focus on Annie. The rift began to widen.
"Expelliarmus!" Harry yelled flinging the wands from both Ben and Abraham.
"Dad, we could have saved Annie and Jerry," Ben screamed at his father.
"No, the rift…" Harry started and paused.
"And what? You doomed my sister to a life alone," Ben screamed.
"No, she is not alone, before the rift closed, I saw her. She and the boy were walking away, arm in arm," Abraham replied and slowly turned to hold the boy by his shoulders. "She is safe, and free to live her life, for them both to live their lives together. The boy has little left here, his heart and love is there with her, in whatever time they fell into. It is possible one day you will hear of them, or they could hear of you. Your father must have has his reason to force the vortex closed," he said to calm Ben.
Ben shook his head and said, "No, I can still see the opening, there's a slight gap."
"The rift opened and I could see the same force we barely escaped once before. I couldn't have shielded us from it. It could have consumed us all. I believe that was what we needed to prevent," Harry managed to say.
"Yes, it was the same entity," Hermione said.
Abraham slowly turned, his strained movements becoming more pronounced with each passing minute, evident of the effects of the rescue. He stared carefully where the vortex existed and shook his head. "I can't see a gap, there's nothing there; it has closed."
Hermione, too, stared at a now tearful Harry and nodded before saying what he wouldn't, "Annie?"
Harry replied by retrieving the folder from his rucksack, and opened it to the page that defined her fate. "I couldn't face this fate for her, I hoped it would give us the time to… It changed, all it says is she vanished," Harry answered excitably.
"Dad? What…" Ben started, but choked on his question.
"We discovered, from some other source, she would not have lived. That's how I knew about you and Abraham. This document…" Harry started but wasn't able to finish his thought.
"When we found it, she had died due to complications from child birth, at the age of fifteen, nearly nine months from now. But now it simply has her missing," Hermione said after scanning the pages she retrieved from Harry.
"It's changed, along with some of the other notations, which means the future has been altered," Harry added.
"Are you quite certain? This could be worse then if nothing was done," Abraham said as he too reviewed the notes.
"How so?" Radulphus asked from behind the group.
"Harry, he may be right, all this began when Myrddin Wyllt escaped from the future. Listen to Abraham's speech, it changed when he was near to the vortex, and now since the vortex is gone, his speech has remained perfect," Hermione said analytically, while clearing the fresh moisture from her cheeks.
"And he can't detect it; it's safe to assume he's lost the ability to help," Lucia spoke up.
"You may be correct, I do feel different, weak," Abraham replied, for the first time he noticeably leaned on his walking stick.
"I had to take that chance her fate could be different. There may be a chance if she's safe that we could still get her," Harry said and turned to Hermione. He held her hands gently before continuing, "I know your concern was the safety of the children, but a choice had to be made. I couldn't face my life without you."
"No, I still feel she would have had a better chance here with you then where ever…" Hermione began.
"Or when ever…" Dumbledore interrupted.
"Or when ever she may be; we may never know what became of her and Jerry. That is a pain I can't deal with," Hermione continued. Her voice rang full of disappointment.
"She is a clever girl, much like her mother; I'm certain we'll hear from her at some point," Dumbledore finished as a consolation.
"We have to focus on the present, and our current position, and with Uncle Ron's death, this puts you clearly in charge. We need a sound plan," Lucia snapped at Harry.
"If I may, it's clearly obvious he's abandoned this as his stronghold. The evidence he has limited abilities is quite clear, otherwise he would have continued his advantage while you were off balance. When was the last time he took an offensive?" Dumbledore asked.
"That is a difficult point to track, we haven't formed a complete pattern of activities yet," Lucia answered for the group.
"If that is the case, I suggest we adjourn to a 'safe' location to determine his weaknesses. I assume you have some indication of his abilities?" Dumbledore inquired.
"We have some, but it would seem others have been withholding vital information. It has cost three lives so far," Lucia spoke up. She turned from the group, as if she heard something to the side. She took three steps away from the others and stopped unexpectedly.
"It would be best if you remember your position, my young Auror, you may never know who's listening," a disembodied voice whispered in her ear. The sudden and unexpected comment touched a reflex, her wand snapped up in a defensive mode, and she turned to the source of the voice.
Lucia stared into an empty space. Her face paled; her blouse suddenly felt warm and moist. She never felt the blow, she never felt the blade pierce her chest, nor did she see the face of her assailant.
Her hand went to the hilt of the jewel-encrusted dagger in her chest, and slowly turned to the others and faced her young sister. Lucia gripped the handle and with the last of her strength, pulled the blade free. Her blood flowed freely from the wound, the dagger slipped silently from her hand to the grass.
Arty's eyes widened, her jaw slackened, a gasped escaped her lips, but quickly escalated to a full scream.
Radulphus watched as his twin fell to her knees, Arty's scream was the only sound any of the others heard, it was the last sound Lucia heard before she fell forward.
"Lucy!" Radulphus screamed and dropped to her side to roll her onto her back. Her eyes remained fixed, staring into a distant void.
Hermione joined the young man next to his dying sister and pressed her hands to the woman's chest. She closed her eyes and focused, mumbled a silent pray. But nothing happened. The surge she expected never came.
"Damn it! Why?" She yelled over the dying Auror.
"She's gone," Harry said and put his hands on his wife's shoulders.
The instant Harry touched her; she felt a faint, but familiar sensation flow through her. Lucia's chest rose slightly, but not enough for a breath.
"Harry, hold me, she's responding," Hermione screamed frantically.
He held her shoulders with both hands, letting Hermione channel through him. Lucia's eyes blinked shut, and her chest sunk, her last breath escaped her lips.
"It's no use, I can't…" Hermione cried, Lucia's blood continued to flow from the wound, between Hermione's fingers.
"Mum? Why can't you bring her back?" Ben asked, his eyes remained locked on the dead woman, but his arms held back a young girl.
"My… abilities are… gone," Hermione stuttered, Harry pulled her from the warm body into his arms. She looked up to his face, and reached out to stroke his hair from his scar, but she was too weak to raise her arm, and she lapsed into unconsciousness in his arms.