I realized while I was sitting in Transfiguration, that I hadn't really seen Dumbledore in a while. Granted, I literally saw him at every single meal but I hadn't met with him except when I was hurt in the forest. This struck me as odd.

A girl shows up out of nowhere with information about the future, your future, and you don't want to find out everything that you can? Me, I would've insisted on answers as soon as possible but Dumbledore had barely even looked at me. I was just another student.

I guess I was going to have to find him. Unfortunately, I had no idea where his office was. The castle was a maze. Literally. The damn staircases moved without warning and put you in a completely different spot in the castle than where you were headed. This morning, Lily and I had been 5 minutes late to class because the stupid staircase decided to move at the last second and we ended up 2 hallways farther than we needed to be.

McGonagall might be able to help though. She was pretty close with Dumbledore and might be able to help me set up a meeting. There was still a basilisk hiding in the basement and no way for me to suggest to Kettleburn to go hunting without looking suspicious. I had figured that one: Kettleburn was the most experienced in handling dangerous creatures and two: he'd be elated to find a basilisk. But if Dumbledore recruited him then no one would question why the 17 year old girl who had only been there for 3 weeks knew about the giant killer snake.

See? I'm working on my problems.

I'm just avoiding the ones that make me forget to breathe sometimes. And smell really good. Especially after Quidditch practice.

McGonagall finished up our lesson and everyone began packing up. I leaned towards Lily, trying to be subtle. "I want to talk to McGonagall about the lesson. I'll meet you guys at the Hall."

"Alright, see you there." Lily was the last one to go, following Alice and Marlene out the door.

I walked up to McGonagall's desk with my bag over my shoulder. "Hey, Professor?"

The stern looking woman turned from where she was waving the board clean. "Yes, Ms. Rose?"

"I was wondering if I'd be able to meet with Professor Dumbledore. I haven't been able to find his office and I wanted to ask him a few things," I said as casually as I could.

She raised one dark eyebrow at me. "I can inform him that you'd like to meet."

"Thanks, Professor." I turned away but her voice stopped me.

"Would this have anything to do with your new friends?" I turned back to see her watching me carefully. "Ms. Rose, I make it a point to know about all the students in my school, especially in my house. And I also make it a point to do everything in my power to protect them. I care for these students as if they were my own. Is there something I should be aware of?"

"Don't let Sirius hear you say that, he'll let it go to his head and it's already big enough as it is." I smirked at her and her lips twitched up slightly. Point for me. "How much do you know?"

"Enough," McGonagall said vaguely. I crossed my arms, leaning against the desk Sirius and James had vacated a few minutes ago. "You should rethink the nose ring. It makes you look like a hooligan."

My jaw dropped. A nose ring? What the - "You met future me."

"I did. Like I said, the nose ring wasn't your best decision. The black hair suits you quite well though." Well fuck me. Another person I had dropped in on. I really needed to make a list. "Now, if you'd answer my question. I really don't enjoy repeating myself, Ms. Rose."

"Uh, well," My finger began playing with the hangnail on my thumb as I tried to put this lightly. "There may be a massive killer snake in the basement? I don't think it's a danger right this second but -"

"What?!" Her disbelief rang through the stone room loudly. McGonagall stared at me with wide eyes.

"Basilisk. In the basement. I was going to tell Dumbledore but uh, it's been a little overwhelming being here. Kinda got sidetracked." I muttered, not looking at her. I bit my lip and looked up to see her with a hand rubbing the bridge of her nose. "We should also keep the fangs for future use."

"We?" She gave me a heated glance. Quickly, I corrected myself.

"Well, whoever goes down there. I'm guessing it'll be Professor Kettleburn and Professor Dumbledore. I just meant we in a...general sense." I shrugged with a wince. "I...should head to lunch."

"I'll speak to the Headmaster immediately. Expect a summons to his office later." With a wave of her hand, she walked around the desk.

"Uh, can it be after dinner?" She turned and raised an eyebrow at the question. I answered quickly. "Remus is tutoring Emmeline Vance this afternoon."

"And your presence is needed?" McGonagall's voice sounded skeptical.

"She's a little nervous around the guys. I figured if I was there then she'd feel more comfortable and actually learn something."

The professor cocked her head slightly, a thoughtful look on her face. "After dinner then. Do not be late, Ms. Rose."

---

I stretched out onto my stomach beneath the large beech tree, opening up my DADA book as Emmeline and Remus began their tutoring. Sirius thumped down next to me, laying down on his back and closed his eyes. Lily and James were having a meeting with McGonagall about Head Boy and Girl things, Alice had disappeared as soon as Defense was over, and Marlene and Peter sat with us doing their own work quietly. Tux laid curled up in front of Sirius and I, already asleep.

"Why don't you do that tonight with us, love?" Sirius asked, arms behind his head. I made the mistake of looking over at him and got distracted by the pale column of his neck. "Love?"

"I have a meeting with Dumbledore later," I tore my eyes away and focused them onto my book but caught the furrow of his brow before I did.

"What for?" He still hadn't opened his eyes, enjoying the bright sunshine.

"Just to check on me." I turned a page in my book, searching for an answer to my homework. "Being a transfer and all. Random question but how do you think I'd look with a nose ring?"

His eyes sprung open and his eyebrows almost flew off his face. "A nose ring?"

"Yeah, a nose ring." I smirked at his examining look. He was quiet for a few moments, turning his head to the side to see me better.

"It'd suit you," He answered truthfully. "Thinking of getting one?"

"Not for a while but it's a thought."

"Hmmm," Sirius sounded sleepy. Then again, we had almost died about 12 hours ago and he went straight to Quidditch practice then classes. I was exhausted myself but at least I managed to get two hours of sleep before Lily woke me. I wrote out the answer I'd been looking for and heard a light snore next to me. I smiled softly, continuing to work on my homework.

A while later, I finally finished and glanced up to see Remus helping Emmeline with a wand motion. Her face was bright red as Remus moved her hand. He couldn't see it, being so much taller than her, but it was cute watching her try and focus. Once he'd guided her through the motions several times, he had her try it alone.

Emmeline proceeded to do the motion multiple times and was apparently doing it correctly. Remus smiled. "Very good, Emmeline. See? You've already got the hang of it."

"Emmy. Emmeline is what my mother calls me when I've done something she doesn't approve of." Emmy quietly corrected. My stomach dropped. Emmy. My Emmy was home. Hopefully not worrying about where the hell I was -

"Are you ready to try the spell, Emmy?" Remus asked, using her preferred nickname.

Biting her lip, she looked around worriedly. "Could you try it first? Just so I can make sure I've got it?"

"Of course," Remus pulled out his wand, standing next to her. "Expecto Patronum!"

A silver wolf unfurled from his wand, bounding around in a circle before coming to rest in front of him. I sat up, interested in their lesson now that I knew what they were doing.

Remus' patronus dissipated into the air and he turned to Emmeline, waiting for her to try. Taking a deep breath, she moved her wand as she said the incantation and a thin wisp of silver came out of the tip. Dejected, Emmy turned to Remus who was smiling at her. "That was great!"

"But...I didn't make a patronus." Emmy's voice wobbled a little and I saw Remus' eyes soften.

"It takes a lot of practice to conjure a corporeal patronus. Don't be discouraged because you didn't do it this time. Merlin, it took me about two years before I could do a full corporeal." He ran a hand through his hair and shrugged.

"Two and a half," A groggy voice interjected next to me. I looked over to see Sirius semi-awake. "It took me three years."

I tilted my head at the sleepy boy. His eyes were still closed and he seemed to fall back asleep. I couldn't be positive though. Emmy's voice made me turn back towards them. "What about you, Maddie?"

"Hey, if I call you Emmy, you're going to have to call me Mads," I joked. "I've never made a full corporeal patronus."

Which was true. I've also never made a non-corporeal patronus because I've never done the spell. I wasn't lying, I just wasn't telling the whole truth.

"Come on, Mads. Try it out," Remus gestured for me to stand and join them. Sighing, I pushed myself up and walked the few steps to them. "Just remember to think happy thoughts."

"Whatever you say, Peter Pan," He smirked at the joke and waited for me to perform the spell. I let a large breath out and mimicked Emmy's wand motion, thinking of the last vacation playing spoons with my family. It had been one of the happiest moments of my life, a time where my sisters and I all got along for an extended period. Oddly though I got sidetracked, my eyes strayed to Sirius' form lying on the ground and I couldn't help the happiness I felt just looking at the dark haired boy. My thoughts turned from a fun family vacation to Sirius. Before I could lose that feeling, I cast the spell. "Expecto Patronum!"

A silver wisp trailed out of my wand, forming into a...a dog. It was around the size of Tux and ran around in a circle just as Remus' had done. Spotting Tux, it's physical twin, it bounded over to nudge him. Tux, surprised, jolted awake and barked. The patronus imitated him and wagged its tail.

Peter and Marlene watched as the two dogs ran in a circle around them, laughing at the animals. Sirius' eyes finally opened and sat up to see what was happening. When his gaze landed on my patronus, his eyes went wide.

My patronus ran back towards me and dissolved into the air just as Tux pounced, trying to tackle the patronus. Grinning, I leaned down to give him a good pat on his side. Remus gave me a skeptical look. "You've never made a full patronus before today?"

"No," I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Must be my lucky day."

Emmy gave me an excited expression. "That was amazing, Mads! I hope mine will be as cool as yours. Oh! And yours too, Remus. I didn't mean to say yours wasn't brilliant, I just -"

"Thanks, Emmy." I cut her off, hoping to save her the embarrassment of rambling. I had way too much experience in that department. "You two should keep practicing. I bet you'll get it in no time."

She thanked me before turning to Remus to ask more questions about producing a full patronus. I walked back over towards my seat and joined Sirius in the grass. He was still staring at me. "You look like you've seen a ghost. What's wrong?"

"Nothing," He said quickly, shaking his head. Running a hand through his hair, he glanced behind me at Remus and Emmy then met my eyes again. "Nice patronus."

"Thanks," I scratched Tux's head as he joined us, butting his head into my shoulder. "Hey, what's your patronus?"

"OI! You lot will never guess what we're doing!" James exclaimed as he threw himself down onto the ground between us. Lily sighed loudly before taking a seat as well. "McGonagall said we're having a ball! Fancy dress, dancing, the whole bit. And Lily flower and I get to plan it!"

Lily sighed again, although it seemed half-hearted. "Don't call me Lily flower, Potter."

"Lilikins? Lily pad?" James grinned goofily at her. "My one true love?"

"You're insufferable," The jab had no bite to it, just a reaction to James' ridiculousness. Actually, I think I could see a faint blush on her cheeks. Lily didn't even seem like she minded the nicknames, she just didn't want to give James the satisfaction of knowing she liked them. Interesting. "And we all know your one true love is Quidditch."

"She's right, mate," Sirius laid back down in the grass, stretching out. "If you were allowed to, you'd probably date your broom."

James sighed wistfully, putting a hand dramatically on his heart. "She's the most beautiful broom to exist. Always listens to my woes, wants to be around me all the time -"

Marlene chucked her quill at James' head. "She's an inanimate object, stop writing poetry about her."

"What's this about you planning something that doesn't involve pranking Slytherins?" Remus asked, taking a seat next to me as Emmy took one on his other side. "Let me rephrase that, what is Lily planning?"

James gaped at him. "I am offended, Moony."

"Beginning of February," Lily answered Remus, ignoring the pitiful look from James. "Since there are no Quidditch games and only one Hogsmead visit all month, Dumbledore wants to do something to 'lighten the winter chill' or some nonsense like that."

"You don't sound excited," Marlene commented, pushing her homework aside. "Why? Why are you not excited? We can get gowns, Lily. It'll be brilliant."

Lily sounded annoyed when she answered. "On top of all the Head Girl duties, our studies, getting ready for NEWTS, it's just one more thing to do."

"You know we'll help you out wherever we can, Lils." I gave her a supportive hand on her forearm. "You don't have to do it alone."

"Oi! I'm right here!" Jamie threw his hands up in agitation. "Head Boy, remember? Lily is not alone and I am bloody amazing at planning things!"

I bit my lip to keep from laughing at James' outburst. He wasn't wrong. Sirius had told me some of their pranks and it seemed that Jamie was behind most of the planning. The chaotic, Quidditch-obsessed kid was apparently a methodical planner as well. "Ok then, what are your ideas, Jamie?"

He crossed his legs and turned his whole body to face me, face very serious. His fingers began to count out his themes. "Winter wonderland, starry night, we could do a Valentine's theme but that would be -" He gagged at the idea. "a masquerade -"

Lily's head shot up. "That would be wicked. A masquerade. We could require masks, gowns, tuxes, -" Tux looked over at her expectantly. She gave him a scratch on his head. "- decorate in black and gold."

"See?" James preened a bit, proud of himself for impressing Lily. "I can come up with good ideas."

"Are all the years invited?" Emmy asked quietly, giving Lily a hopeful look.

The redhead grinned at her. "Yes, McGonagall made it clear that every year will be allowed to come. Now, the house elves can take care of the food but we should still think of some special dishes for this."

And the planning began in earnest. Lily wrote down ideas and everyone discussed different items that would need to be done for this ball. It was strange though. They didn't seem that surprised that there would be a ball. The only one that happened during Harry's time was the Yule Ball and that was because of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Why would Dumbledore insist on one this year?

By the time we headed in for dinner, the list was long. It was still months until the actual ball but Lily seemed more excited now that she had an idea about what she needed to do. And James looked excited now that Lily was excited. It was adorable. I walked between Sirius and Remus on the way up, listening to their chatter. I realized something though as Tux bumped into my leg.

Sirius never did tell me what his patronus was.

---

Glancing over my shoulder, I made sure I was alone in the corridor. One of the ghosts passed through a wall a few feet down the hallway but other than that, not a soul was around. The gargoyle was massive. Much bigger than I had anticipated. Hunched over, it was a head taller than me with large stone wings. It seemed as if it were watching me.

"Chocolate frogs." I said as clearly as I could. Instantly, the gargoyle leapt aside to reveal a revolving stone staircase leading up. Sort of like an escalator. I walked up the stairs silently, coming to the top where an oak door stood. Knocking firmly, I heard someone call for me to enter.

Dumbledore's office was...interesting. Circular and filled with different contraptions. When I'd been here a few weeks before, I hadn't really inspected the room. Portraits littered the walls as well as tall bookshelves bursting with books and rolls of parchment. Fawkes rested on his perch next to Dumbledore's solid desk and there were a lot of tables scattered through the room that held odd looking devices. A little alcove had a blue light emitting from it. Stepping closer, I saw it was the Pensieve with swirls of bluish white.

"Ah, Ms. Rose. See, Minerva? I told you she would not be late," Dumbledore's gravelly voice said behind me. I whipped around to see both professors entering the room with Professor Kettleburn behind them. "Take a seat, Ms. Rose. Lemon drop?"

"No, I'm good." I slowly sat in one of the chairs next to a...crystal ball? Why would Dumbledore have one of those? Gray clouds swirled around in a hypnotic pace.

McGonagall's Scottish brogue pulled me out of the trance. "Ms. Rose, we need to know everything you know about the Chamber of Secrets."

I glanced cautiously at Kettleburn. As far as I knew, he wasn't aware of my Traveling abilities but he stayed silent and didn't question how I'd know about a Hogwarts secret like this. "Well, Salazar Slytherin built it in the basement. Before he left, he sealed it with the basilisk inside and used Parseltongue to seal it. Only someone with the ability can open the Chamber...like Tom Riddle."

"But only an heir -" McGonagall cut herself off with a gasp. "Albus, it can't be."

Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, fingers steepled together. "He opened it almost 40 years ago, killing one of our students. I had suspicions but no proof."

"And you let Hagrid take the fall for it," There was a slight tone of accusation in my voice. "You knew that she couldn't have died from Aragog that way and yet you still let -"

He put a hand up to stop me. "It was out of my hands. A student was killed, Hagrid was keeping illegal creatures inside the castle, and as I said, there was no proof of a basilisk being in the castle. But now we can stop this creature. I assume it will be called out of the Chamber again in the future or you would not be aware of its existence."

I glanced quickly at Kettleburn who watched us intently. He didn't seem surprised about future talk. "It will. But it's complicated."

"Complicated how?" McGonagall asked quietly. She stood in front of the fire, one arm crossed over her stomach and the other at her chin. "Who opens the Chamber?"

"If we kill the basilisk, then it won't matter. It won't happen. That person will be safe. What matters is how it was opened." I began to play with a new hangnail, my nervous tick unconsciously showing itself. "Tom Riddle had a diary while he was here. With that diary, he...he created his first horcrux which led to the Chamber being opened again."

"First?" Dumbledore asked harshly. I looked between the professors' horror struck faces.

"Voldemort made -" I started but Kettleburn cut me off.

"I thought we were discussing Tom Riddle. What does Voldemort have to do with this?" He and McGonagall had the same confused look. Only Dumbledore seemed unsurprised. I stood and walked towards his desk, grabbing a quill and piece of parchment. I wrote Tom's full name.

"Tom Marvolo Riddle," I showed the two professors then placed it back onto the desk and wrote again. Holding it up, I watched as their faces returned to horror. "Is Lord Voldemort. It's an anagram. He created his first horcrux with the diary. I don't know exactly when but that piece of the horcrux was him while he was here at school, probably after Myrtle's murder. The diary possessed the person who opened the Chamber in the future but it was destroyed with -"

"A basilisk fang," Dumbledore finished. I turned back to him and nodded. "We will need to keep those fangs. Perhaps we can recruit Mr. Scamander to help us with this."

"Newt would be ecstatic. I don't think he's ever hunted a basilisk. Granted, he may try and put it into that zoo he's got going, the nutter." Kettleburn shook his head.

McGonagall gave Dumbledore a stern look. "I think we should hold off on calling in Mr. Scamander, Albus. If that creature gets out -"

"You're right. Newt means well but this is not something that can be allowed to roam free." He nodded, taking back the idea to call in Newt Scamander. A part of me was disappointed. Fantastic Beasts was an incredible film and I loved the creatures he studied, I would've loved the chance to meet him. Dumbledore turned back to me. "Ms. Rose, you said first horcrux. How many more are there?"

"Right now? Uh," I bit my lip, thinking over the horcruxes Voldemort had created. I began to count them off on my fingers. "The diary, his family ring, Hufflepuff's cup, Slytherin's locket, and Ravenclaw's diadem."

"Five horcruxes," McGonagall breathed out, sitting down in a chair next to her. Her wide eyes met Dumbeldore's. She was so pale I was worried she might faint. "How could someone do that?"

"Seven," I corrected her. She turned to look at me with an open mouth. "Those are the ones he's already created. His goal is six but he...he ends up making seven of them by accident."

"Accident?" Kettleburn hissed from his spot near the pensieve. He took a few steps closer, watching me intently. "How in Godric's name do you accidentally create a horcrux?"

"With murder. Instability. And love. Again, it's complicated." I held my hands out helplessly to him. "I'm trying to stop that horcrux from ever being made. That's the one that I'm most concerned about."

"What is it?" Dumbledore asked quietly. I met his eyes which scared me. They...his eyes looked afraid. "Ms. Rose, what horcrux are you trying to stop?"

"It's...it's not a what," I looked around at the professors again. They waited with impatience, not even breathing. "It's a who."

No one said a word. I ran a hand over my face, holding it over my mouth for a moment and tried to breathe normally. This wasn't just a story anymore. This was about my adoptive cousin's child. Saying it out loud made it real. I'd spent the last few weeks becoming James' cousin not just in name but in the true sense of the word. He was now as important to me as my sisters.

"And if we can destroy the horcruxes before that one is made then it doesn't matter who it is. Because it won't happen. I won't let it happen." I told them decisively. "He'll grow up to be a normal child. With parents that love him. He deserves it. They all do."

"How long do we have?" Dumbledore looked old. I saw it before, when we were in the hospital wing but it showed again. The man had been through so much and there was no end in sight.

"October 31st, 1981." I answered firmly. "Right now though, we should probably get rid of the killer snake. It'll take time to find all the horcruxes. I know where most of them are but there are enchantments on them. We'll need the venom for Godric's sword, it'll be easier to destroy the horcruxes with the sword."

I was guessing on that. We could probably destroy the horcruxes with just the fangs but I didn't know how the venom worked. It would most likely run out and we'd have no way to kill the horcruxes then. If the sword was fused with venom then it would potentially never fade. Again, I'm just speculating but I would rather use the venom to strengthen the sword since I knew that that was how some of the horcruxes were destroyed during Harry's time.

"The sword has been lost for thousands of years, how do you expect to find it?" Kettleburn asked, crossing his arms.

I looked up at the Sorting Hat a few shelves above Dumbledore's head and pointed. "I'm going to ask for it."

---

I ended up staying in Dumbledore's office for another hour after pulling the sword from the Hat. And yes, it was that simple. The Hat, a magical object that's able to talk and sort children, was listening to every word we were saying. When I asked, the sword just appeared.

It did warn us though that the sword could disappear when it wanted to. That's why no one had found it for so long. It was as magical, if not more, than the Hat and had a mind of its own. The danger of the castle's students was reason enough for the Hat to help materialize the sword and it should stay with us in our quest to destroy the horcruxes.

A little of the weight I didn't know I was carrying lifted when I held the sword. We were one step closer to stopping Voldemort and saving my friends. I had left Dumbledore and Kettleburn discussing how they would deal with the basilisk. McGonagall led me back to the tower since it was so late.

"How are you keeping up with your studies, Ms. Rose? The other professors have been impressed with your work so far." She strolled next to me, back straight and gaze subtly scanning the corridor.

"Good. The others have been helping me a lot. I don't think I'd be doing as well if it wasn't for them," I shot a glance at her before continuing. "I doubt Professor Brogan had anything pleasant to say about me though."

"Professor Brogan is a sexist, snobbish, sardonic scoundrel of a man. I don't take anything he says to heart." She snapped, her face showing her disgust for the other professor.

I had to bite my tongue to not laugh at her. "Tell me how you really feel, Professor."

Her lips turned into a smirk and she gave me a commiserating look. "Other than Professor Brogan, you've impressed the staff. I'm glad you're managing to keep up with the coursework. Especially since this is your first year as a witch."

Quickly, I glanced up and down the hall just to double check that we were alone. I turned my head back towards her. "How much did future me share with you?"

"Not much, Ms. Rose. And she wasn't too far into your future. If I had to guess, I'd say she was around from a year or two after you graduate." This was the most information I'd gotten from any of the people future me had visited so far. "She shared only her Traveling abilities and that she needed to protect certain students. She wanted to make sure we would be ready for you when you arrived. She was concerned with a smooth transition."

"Like letting me become friends with the 7th year Gryffindors before diving into world saving?" I shook my head as we approached the portrait, my doubts about this whole thing creeping in. How could I justify my relationships with James, Lily, Remus, and Sirius? I might leave. I came here with no warning, what if I left with no warning? Could I do that to them? I already felt so strongly for all of them. Would I even want to leave if given the choice? "I shouldn't even be building these friendships, it's -"

"Important." McGongall had a stern look on her face, meeting my eyes with her brown ones. "Ms. Rose, these friendships that you are building will help you. You cannot do this on your own, you will need people to trust to succeed with this and...well, to be human."

She was right. The relationships I was creating with everyone here was what made me human. What made me not like Voldemort. I wasn't using these people to further my own goals, I was with them because I cared about them. McGonagall included. Before I could truly think about it, I wrapped my arms around Professor McGonagall.

Her body froze for a moment and I regretted hugging her for a split second. Then I felt her arms wrap around me in return. "Thanks, Professor."

"You're welcome, Ms. Rose." She whispered, her head resting against my hair. We drew apart at the same time and the stern look was back on her face. "We expect you at the same time tomorrow night."

"I'll see you then. Goodnight, Professor."