Time Travel is a Complicated Thing, Isn't It?

Chapter 1 - Are We In Trouble

"It's so nice to live in peace where we aren't going to be ambushed by death-eaters any second, isn't it?" Xing asked. 

She was rather glad that it was over, especially when it meant not having to see her father again. She still had nightmares. Well, specifically nightmares about her father torturing her everyday with the Cruciatus Curse. 

She shuddered. 

He had been doing it everyday since her mother passed away. He had turned into a monster the second she stopped breathing. 

As if a part of him died when she died, transforming him into something totally different. He drank all types of alcohol, then blamed her on her mother's death. He became a death eater, and tested all sorts of new torture spells he learned from Voldemort on her. 

It was complete insane hell for her. 

When she first went to Hogwarts, she had found an empty compartment to sit in and cry and rejoice from her freedom from her father. 

But it didn't last. She had to go home for the holidays. 

She was bullied at school for her appearance by a certain Draco Malfoy and nobody ever wanted to become friends with her. 

Well, that was what she thought. 

In her second year, Hermione Granger had asked what was wrong and she burst into tears. Hermione had continued to console her and asked if they could be friends. 

Xing was so happy she thought it was a dream. Hermione took her to Harry and Ron and they became the Golden Squad. Then, the rest was history.

"Yeah." Ron yawned. The others agreed. They were sitting at the Weasley kitchen eating some toast Xing made. For a witch/wizard, she was an extraordinary witch. She went as far as defying Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration and was on her way to creating a werewolf cure. 

Even Professor Snape had to grudgingly admire her. 

And there was the surprising part about it. 

SHE WAS A GRYFFINDOR! 

The Weasley twins had said she was a miracle. She could even use wandless magic. They found that out by accident. 

It happened when, well, it was too embarrassing to even say it. 

"What are you thinking about?" Hermione asked.

"What?" Xing asked.

Harry said, "You have the thinking face on you right now." Ron nodded.

"What?" Xing said, smiling exasperatedly, "There's no such face!"

"Yes, there is!" Hermione, Ron, and Harry said at the same time. They loved teasing her. Especially Hermione for some reason. She shook her head grinning.

"Well, I was just thinking about the Incident when we found out I could use wandless magic." She replied. The 4 of them decided to name the accident 'Incident'. 

"Oh, yeah." Ron said.

"I had really extraordinary talents. It never ceases to amaze me." Xing said, absentmindedly, fingering the toast in her hands.

"Don't forget Quidditch!" Harry piped.

"And the muggle subjects!" Hermione joined in.

"And even Divination!" Ron said, shaking his head in awe.

"And so many others!" They chanted. Xing snorted, amused.

Suddenly, tapping on the window startled them out of their little teasing paradise. A grey owl with icy blue eyes were staring at them, tilting its head as if to say, "Are you coming or what?"

Xing stood up, "I'll get it." She hurried over and grabbed the envelope. The owl flew away immediately after she untied it from its leg. Xing walked back over and opened it.

"Dear Hermione Granger, Xing Lotis, Harry Potter, and Ronald Weasley, 

As I say again, I thank you very much for your support in saving this world from You-Know-Who. I thought you deserved a vacation-like adventure so please meet me at the headmaster's office. I have a decision for you to choose. Please consider it as a gift.

My condolences,

Minerva McGonagall"

She read out loud.

"When she says 'vacation-like' does she mean 'homework-like' or actually 'vacation-like'?" Ron asked as innocently as possible.

Hermione burst out laughing and patted him on the back while not assuring him at all, "I don't know."

Hermione wasn't as winded anymore and more carefree now. Xing felt happy for her friend.

"Come on, then," Harry said.

Xing nodded and said, "I'll apparate us there."

"Doesn't Hogwarts have apparation wards?" Ron asked.
Xing frowned at him and said, "Huh. I never thought there would be a day like this. Hermione must of rubbed some knowledge on you. You just quoted from 'Hogwarts A History!'"

"Aw, shush!" Ron complained. Harry snickered.

"Plus, don't you remember my extraordinary talents? I thought you were just talking about it!" Xing retorted.

"That's true." Ron said. Hermione looked at her watch and said, "Let's go then!"

Xing grabbed Hermione, Harry, and Ron's hands and they appeared in front of Professor McGonagall. 

She raised an eyebrow and said, "I never get tired of you apparating on Hogwarts grounds."

Xing smiled cheekily and said, "Thanks so much, Minnie!"

"My name is not Minnie! It's McGonagall."

"Of course, Minerva." Xing grinned.

"Sometimes, you remind me of the Marauders." She sighed then looked at them and said, "Which brings me to that decision."

"Wait." Harry frowned, "Are you saying the vacation has something to do with the Marauders? Because if we're going to Godric's Hollow, I'm going to say no."

Professor McGonagall scoffed, "Why would I send you to that god forsaken place? No, I thought, that you deserved something much more exciting than that. No, I thought that you might want to time travel back to the Marauders 6th year and spend some time with Harry's parents and friends. You don't have to, of course. I understand it'll bring back painful memories."

Xing, Harry, Ron, and Hermione glanced at each other, astonished.

"Why not?" Xing piped up for all 4 of them. The others were rended speechless. "After all, its a life-time experience. Of course we accept! Right?" Harry, Ron, and Hermione nodded.

"Well, then," Professor McGonagall straightened and said, "You can go today. I've already written letters to all the past teachers explaining everything. Just ask for a staff meeting by Professor Dumbledore - he should be alive then - and hand them the letters." 

"You are by far our favorite teacher." All 4 of them at the same time. 

They stared at each other and said, "That's creepy." 

They blinked and stared some more, now looking slightly horrified, and said, "Wow." 

More staring. They began to inch apart from each other, with a terrified look on their face.

 Professor McGonagall cleared her throat. They'll never grow up in some ways, will they? 

She then said, "Well, get going. I hope you have a safe trip. Thank you for saving the world." She handed us the time turner and it began to spin.