[rift] a note

[bewilderoy]

[Private to Harry, Hermione, and Luna.]

Would one (or all) of you please let me know what I've missed back home? I'm aware that you're all from later points in time than I am, and I'd like to get back in the loop, as they say.

I think it would be nice if we were all on the same page.

Please keep in mind that I don't want to know everything-for example

Comments

[magicandpudding]

Well, Lord Voldermort came back during my third year - Harry and Hermione's fourth.

You ended up leaving the school at the end of the year. Since then, Remus Lupin, Alastair Moody who was really Barty Crouch Jnr using Polyjuice potion, Dolores Umbridge and Professor Snape have all taken up the Defence Against The Dark Arts position.

And just before I came through the Rift - Professor Dumbledore was killed.

I'm afraid I don't know much about that one. I'm a Quibbler reader, really.

[bewilderoy]

[Gilderoy spends about five minutes staring at Luna's reply.]

I see.

Thank you, Luna.

Who killed Dumbledore?

[magicandpudding]

[Tact? What is that? The narration is terribly sorry, Gilderoy. :x]

That's quite alright.

Professor Snape did.

Death Eaters got into Hogwarts and the was a battle up by the Astronomy Tower.

[bewilderoy]

[He's just going to sputter at his journal, now.]

Good lord. Snape? Are you sure?

[fortisleo]

I am from the farthest in the time line of our universe. I believe. May 2nd 1998. It's the day that I fell from our universe into Chicago.

Are you certain you want to hear everything here?

Are you certain you want to hear about it at all

If it's easier to hear it over text, I understand as well. There's quite a bit, and it isn't very good.

[bewilderoy]

If you'd rather we speak in person, that's fine. Wouldn't want your hand to cramp up from all that writing! And yes, I'm certain. Surely it can't all be bad?

[fortisleo]

It's really a matter of what you prefer. You're the one that will have the bombshells dropped on him. I've lived it already so there are no surprises for me.

You'd be surprised.

[bewilderoy]

Why don't you just write me a long note?

[Gilderoy isn't a big fan of taking bad news face-to-face, and judging from what Luna's told him so far, he imagines Harry's version of events won't be much better.]

Consider it a homework assignment.

[sollers]

Harry is further along in all of our timelines. He relayed to me much of what happens in our last year at Hogwarts, most of which we didn't actually partake in. Professor Snape became the Headmaster. The absence of Harry and myself involved the search of Voldemort's horcruxes in our attempt to defeat him. There were very dark times.

As Luna said, there was staff change yearly for teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts.

If after you speak with Harry you have any lingering questions, I would answer them to the best of my abilities.

[A pause.] I'm terribly sorry, Professor.

[bewilderoy]

Sorry? I think if either of us should be sorry, it's probably me.

[It's okay, Hermione. Gilderoy is also surprised at how quickly that came out.]

For all you went through, I mean. I think it's a bit lucky that I missed it all, don't you?

[sollers]

[His reply hits her hard.]

The deaths and the sacrifices, they weren't for nothing. We stood for something. I wouldn't know to call it luck, sir, save to say I am relieved you are alive and here instead.

And that we have met.

[Regardless of his trangressions and the crush of a very young girl once upon a time, Hermione does mean that.]

[bewilderoy]

[...that was unexpected. His reply comes after he's written back to Harry.]

I didn't think I truly understood how dark those times were until I read Harry's note. I'm glad he had you as a friend, to help him get through it. And I'm glad you have each other here now.

If I had to pick any ex-students to get stuck in an alternate universe with, it'd be you lot.

[Shh, it's totally a compliment.]