TEMPUS MORTIS

Chapter 01. Linked lineages.

Before we begin, let me clarify that the story presented in the film will be displayed in regular text, while the interactions of the characters watching the movie will appear in bold.

It was a calm day before the Christmas holidays at Hogwarts in 1976. All the students, in their own way, enjoyed breakfast, eagerly or disdainfully awaiting the moment to go home for the holidays. What Director Dumbledore was unaware of was the recent appearance of letters in the morning mail, which urgently summoned certain students to the Room of Requirement. On this occasion, the room would only be visible to those who carried the letter with them.

After breakfast concluded and following the director's farewell speech, while most of the students headed to the carriages to catch the train, others, unaware that they were not the only ones to receive the letter, walked towards the Room of Requirement, oblivious to both the purpose and the author of the mysterious summons.

The Marauders had received the letter and, consumed by curiosity, were the first to arrive. Upon entering, they found a room transformed into what resembled a Muggle cinema, with a huge screen and various sofas and armchairs scattered around. However, what surprised them the most was seeing someone already there: none other than Professor Minerva McGonagall.

"Minie, did you summon us here today?" asked James Potter, surprised.

"Of course I did, Prongs. How could I not want to see you before you leave?" Sirius Black commented with a teasing smile, while Remus Lupin put his hands to his head and Peter Pettigrew laughed.

"I've told you a thousand times that for you, I am Professor McGonagall. When will you learn?" McGonagall said, somewhat frustrated. She cared deeply for those four boys, but etiquette and proper behavior were not exactly their strong suits. She added, with a serious look, "Furthermore, I am not the one who summoned you. And I believe we will not be the only ones here."

Before the Marauders could continue the conversation, the doors of the Room of Requirement opened again. Seeing more people enter, McGonagall took the initiative.

"Dear students, since we have all been summoned here, and there will likely be an appropriate explanation, why don't you take a seat and we'll wait for the author of the letters?" she said, hoping to impose some order.

The students complied and settled into the sofas, almost all sitting divided by their houses. However, Carina Potter chose to sit next to Amos Diggory and other Hufflepuffs. This didn't surprise anyone, but it did when, shortly after, the relatives of the students began to enter. The entire Black family, the Potters, the Lestranges, including the newly married couple Rodolphus and Bellatrix, the Malfoys, and Mr. Rosier.

"Can someone tell me why we have been summoned here?" demanded Walburga Black, with her usual expression of disdain and indifference.

"As I explained to the students, Mrs. Black, we do not know who summoned us. We are merely following the instructions of the letter," McGonagall explained, bewildered. "I suggest you take a seat while we wait for the purpose of this meeting to be revealed."

Some parents took their seats, while others were not satisfied.

"We are not here to waste time. I'm leaving," Mr. Rosier declared, clearly annoyed, thinking this was all a joke or a trap.

What was curious was that when he attempted to open the door, it did not yield. Frustrated, Mr. Rosier cast a spell, but nothing happened. Suddenly, the screen lit up, and a voice began to speak.

"Welcome. You may be wondering what you are doing here and who summoned you. Since we know who is present, we have taken certain precautions. For now, you will not be able to leave the room, and nothing you discover here may be shared with anyone outside... or you will die," the narrator said, laughing. "Well, there's nothing wrong with being cautious. Please, take a seat. My magic allows me to see you, and I assure you that you must be comfortable for what is to come."

Another voice appeared on the screen.

"Well, to summarize, because my sister goes on too long: we come from the future, exactly from the year 2000. And let me tell you, you have colossal ruined the future."

The first voice spoke again.

"That is why you are the chosen ones to see the future and have the opportunity to change it."

The narrator sighed.

"It's time for us to introduce ourselves."

The screen then displayed a group of young people, none older than twenty.

"I, your narrator, am Cassiopea Mia Grindelwald, and here, my brother, the one interrupting, is Orion James Grindelwald," Cassiopea said.

The audience was stunned. The lineage of Gellert Grindelwald was still alive. Among the group's confusion, Carina Potter's concern stood out as she nervously stroked her cat, Gigi. The Black family also appeared anxious, recognizing the names and understanding that, in some way, their lineage had intertwined with a family of dark magic.

"By the way, Grandma Wally, we send you our regards. This whole plan would not have succeeded without your help. We love you, Grandma," Orion James said cheerfully.

Walburga Black was astonished. Only her husband had ever called her "Wally" during their courting days. Now, after seeing her family fracture, she was being told that she was a beloved grandmother.

Orion Black, confused, looked at Walburga and then at the screen.

"Wait a minute? Are you telling me that you send greetings to your grandmother, but not to me?" Orion said, perturbed.

This was when everyone understood to which family these children belonged.

"Grandpa Orion, when we were born, you were no longer alive. We didn't have the opportunity to spend time with you," Orion James explained. Suddenly, he received a bump on the head from his sister, causing the Marauders to laugh.

"Can you stop getting ahead of yourself and let the others introduce themselves?" Cassiopea said, visibly annoyed.

"Sorry, sister, but seeing Mom and Grandma made me very emotional. I'll shut up now," Orion James replied, yielding the floor to the others.

But the Blacks could not stop thinking the same thing: a Grindelwald was in the room, and no one had known. Furthermore, somehow, that person would end up with one of Walburga and Orion's children.

"Delighted. My name is Leo Lestrange. We have no intention of revealing who our parents are, as you will have to see the prepared films. But, as my cousin said, it's a pleasure to see you, Mom, and, as always, Grandma Wally, you look fabulous," Leo said with a smile.

Walburga was stunned and blushing, but no one noticed that, at the back of the room, Carina Potter was increasingly confused and stressed, and her cat, Gigi, sensed it.

"I'll introduce myself, I'm Draco Malfoy, and this guy next to me is Harry Potter. On my other side are Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom," Draco announced.

The Malfoys, and Neville's parents, Frank and Alice Longbottom, were visibly excited, while Xenophilius Lovegood looked at Pandora Lestrange, thrilled at the possibility that Luna might be his future daughter.

Cassiopea spoke again.

"We are going to show you some films that will reveal the past and the future. We are not going to lie to you; many of you have secrets you would prefer not to reveal, but this is for a greater good. And this especially goes for you, Mom," she said, looking directly at Carina Potter, which perplexed everyone. "The future is not good at all. The war is over, but the losses were far greater than the gains. We ask you to reconsider and change. Anyway, we leave you with the films. We will remain as voices in the background," Cassiopea concluded.

James Potter looked at his sister, visibly worried, as she continued talking with Amos Diggory. The amount of information given in such a short time was already beginning to affect her.

On the other hand, Regulus Black felt something he did not like at all: a mixture of confusion and terror. Were those his children? It couldn't be. His relationship with Carina was dreadful. But the other option—that Sirius was the father—seemed even worse.