checkmate | remus lupin.

chapter two | 2.

CHAPTER TWO

The plot is the only thing that belongs to me! Everything you recognize belongs to JKR! Bless that brilliant woman.

When it comes to the howler, italics mean Professor McGonagall is speaking, and bold italics mean that Dumbledore is speaking.

Credit to ShayaLonnie for part of this chapter, as I got inspiration from her Debt of Time! I highly recommend you read it! I, myself have read it multiple times!

October 31st, 1970.

It was a heavy few moments before the twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes vanished. He nodded once, walking in a wide berth around her, sitting in the chair behind his desk. Hermione was slightly amused to note that this desk had made it through to her original timeline, not looking as to fall apart anytime soon.

Hermione busied herself with pulling the acceptance letter out from her bag, placing it on the desk. She pulled the book and Howler out next, placing both on her lap as she planned on the Headmaster looking at them one-by-one. Next, she took off her TimeKey, holding it in a tight fist; this being the last thing he would see. Under no circumstances, however, would he keep it in his possession. Hermione had made peace with the idea that she wouldn't be able to go back to her timeline; there was no need for the Headmaster to study it, especially as it wasn't made until 1996.

Albus Dumbledore eyed her curiously, pulling the letter toward himself. If he was surprised by the opener and the foot of the letter, he didn't show her. Only a deep breath was given before he looked back up at her. One blink. Two blinks.

She pushed the book toward him next. This one gave her a reaction. He froze for a mere second, his hand reaching out as another book came flying off the shelf behind him and settled onto his palm. She figured that he'd want to compare them, especially since she had been here for mere moments, absolutely no knowledge of her in this timeline, not to mention that her appearing in the Headmasters' office as she did should have alerted Albus to a breach in his wards. It simply wasn't plausible for her to copy the book. No, it had to be its own copy; but for it to look weathered in the same places, along with Ariana's little drawing.

Albus's eyes flickered in between the two books and her a few times, flipping through the book, tracing old stains and oil patterns due to fingertips lingering a bit too long. With a final breath, he closed both books, sent his copy back to the shelf and leaned back in his chair, his fingers crossing across his stomach. "Well, Miss.. Granger, was it? It seems that you have come from 1998. However, you should understand how simply impossible it is for me to believe." He finally mumbled out, albeit clearly.

Hermione nodded, the corner of her lips raising as she finally slid the angry red Howler to him. At last his grey eyebrows shot up into his hairline. He looked up at her for a few calculated moments before opening it up. She braced herself for the shouting that she was sure to hear, only to be surprised when the formal, bossy 'no-nonsense' tone of Professor McGonagall with a few bits of Headmaster Dumbledore came floating out.

"Rest assured, Albus, this young woman rings true. Her claims are correct, as she is from the year 1998. She was sent back by myself, Albus. Please, for your safety and the safety of this young woman, do not attempt to break her Occlumency shields. It's sensitive information. Let her help you in the upcoming world. You will need her assistance. The life she comes from, is not the life you imagine."

Albus Dumbledore suddenly looked his age, his eyebrows furrowed tightly with his lips in a tight line. His eyes were hardened by the sudden information and the lack of knowledge that the young girl held tight to. With a heavy sigh, he looked back up at her and nodded twice. There was no mistaking those voices; they were the Deputy Headmistress and himself. Although, Minerva's voice held a distrusting but exhausted edge- as if life had become too hard to bare.