TRAVELER STONE: TRAVELING IN PAIRS

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters. I own none of the locations. I own nothing at all except for the clothes on my back and a caramel flavored charms lollipop that no one else wants. I would throw it away but it melted slightly and is stuck to the shelf of my bookcase. I suppose I should have left it in the wrapper. Seriously, caramel is nice, but not as a lollipop. It's the same with peanut butter soda. It tastes great but takes forever to pour into a glass.

Story setting: This story takes place at an arbitrary time during Harry's seventh year at Hogwarts. It could have taken place earlier but I felt like making Draco Malfoy head boy and it would have taken a great deal of explaining if the story took place earlier. Also the time is not really arbitrary because it isn't during the summer or any of the holidays, because then they wouldn't be at school, and that would make an dull story or an old Monty Python skit:

Harry walked down the street and . . . Nothing Happened. He came to the corner and as he stepped into the intersection a car did not come shooting past him at blinding speed almost killing him. Nor did a truck swerve at the last minute to miss a woman and her baby, and turn directly into Harry's path.

Yeah. Right. That was thrilling.

Boring Detail: This story is only going to be three chapters. I know that those of you who really like this story will be disappointed to read this. And those of you who really don't like this story will be disappointed you read this. As for the rest of you, you've already stopped reading and gone on to find some other story that tells about Draco wearing leather pants and expressing emotional desires normally associated with rabbits. (For the rest of you, it's the third story down from this one. "DRACO IN LEATHER." You can't miss it.)

CHAPTER ONE: TWO IS A CROWD

"Harry, you took a wrong turn. The library isn't this way." Hermione Granger frowned as Harry kept walking.

Harry looked back and put his finger to his lips, motioning for Hermione and Ron to follow him. Curiosity overcame the two and so they followed their friend.

"Why are we whispering?" Ron asked.

"Malfoy," Harry explained quietly. "I thought I heard his voice. I want to see what he's up to."

"No good, I bet," Ron whispered back.

*

"Marcus Flint," Draco said appreciatively and a little too loudly, "your old map was right." He pulled his hand out of a cabinet, holding a battered tin. He looked around the room, making sure he wasn't seen, then raced to the doorway. He stuck his head out, looked left then right, then hurried around the corner where he ran into Harry Potter.

Both boys fell backward after they bounced off of each other. As Draco fell, he dropped the tin. It came open and rolled away, leaving a glowing red jewel in its wake. Instinctively, both he and Harry reached for the jewel at the same time. By the fluke that the jewel was floating two inches above the floor they both managed to grab it at the same time. Hermione and Ron watched in horror as the two faded from site. Seconds later, the hallway was empty except for Ron, Hermione, a battered old tin and the red jewel.

Hermione told Ron to watch the jewel while she ran for help, thought briefly about Ron's curiosity, and told him to run for help while she guarded the jewel. Fifteen minutes later, Argus Filch appeared with Mrs. Norris.

"No need to explain anything, Miss Granger," Filch said. "Not to me at least. We'll put this little beauty back in it's tin and go see Dumbledore. I've already sent Weasley to his office."

"What is it?" Hermione asked as Mr. Filch picked up the tin and carefully moved it over the jewel, putting the lid back on once the jewel was inside.

"This is a nasty little piece of magic, Miss Granger. We call it the Traveler Stone. Did you ever wonder what would have happened if you did something differently or something happened that didn't?"

Hermione walked with Mr. Filch as they talked. "Everyone has, I suppose, but what does that have to do with the stone? Does it change things? Did it make Harry and Malfoy not happen?"

Filch laughed at Hermione's questions. "Dumbledore'll explain it better than me, but it doesn't change anything. It sends you to a place where things happened differently, and it take you from that place and brings you here. You trade places with yourself, do you see?"

"But Harry didn't trade places, he just disappeared."

"It depends on where the stone was in that other world. That's where Harry'll appear in this one."

Hermione was frightened by what Filch told her. What if Hogwarts wasn't in the world he went to. He and Malfoy would end up falling to the ground, maybe dying. Anxiously, she asked, "Is there any way we can get them back?"

"I'll not fool with you," Filch said. "They could die, or the ones they traded with could, then they can't get back. But if they're fine, and patient, they'll return on their own in a week or so, hopefully. Now, here's Dumbledore's office. He'll be able to tell you everything."

*

"You both do understand," Albus Dumbledore said to the two Gryffindors. "This is a serious matter especially as no one has yet sighted our two wayward students. When and if you do meet them, please remember that they are not the Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy that you know. There may be significant differences. It is possible that they will not know about Hogwarts. There are too many variables to predict what will happen."

"If I may ask," Hermione began but never finished her question. Hagrid was bringing two bruised boys into the headmaster's office and both were yelling at the top of their lungs.

"QUIET," Dumbledore demanded. "Hagrid, please put both of them down."

"Harry, are you okay?" Hermione asked.

"Attacked by a tree," Harry said with a laugh, "then by a giant. Sorry, Professor. We didn't know he was yours."

"Quite alright, Harry. Are you injured?"

"I'm fine, just shook up."

"And you Mr. Malfoy."

"I'll be fit and proper after a bath, Professor," Draco said with a grin, then added mischievously, "I was a bit jealous that Bright Eyes ignored me. You should have asked me first, Hermione."

Hermione was startled at Malfoy's remark, then she noticed his robes, or what was left of them. He had a Gryffindor patch.

"I think you've lost your sparkle, Mr. Drake," Harry said, laughing again.

"You may be right, Mr. Hare," Draco replied, "but we'll . . . I'm sorry, Professor, but why is the Weasel here?"

"And why is he wearing Gryffindor robes?" Harry asked. "Weasels belong with badgers."

Dumbledore raised a finger to silence Ron Weasley. "Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy, you will show mutual respect in my office or I will make you regret it."

"Sorry, Sir," Harry said, chastised. "We overstepped our bounds."

Draco nodded in agreement, then raised his hand.

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy."

"Why is the . . . um, Weasley wearing Gryfffindor robes?"

Dumbledore smiled politely. "Why don't the two of you have a seat, and I will explain."

"Could I stay?" Hagrid asked. "I could do with some explainin' myself."

"Certainly," Albus said and waved his wand, making an oversized chair appear. He then turned his eyes on the two disheveled boys and asked, "The red jewel you found. Where did you find it?"

"We didn't find any jewel," Harry said quickly.

"We didn't find anything red," Draco added.

"When you touched the jewel," Albus continued, "both of you froze in place while a voice told you that you were going to find out what 'might have been.' Where did the two of you touch the jewel?"

"Oh, that red jewel," Draco said. "I thought you meant . . ."

"WHERE?"

"On the lawn," Draco admitted. "Was it a seed. Is that why that tree appeared?"

"Doesn't explain the giant," Harry said.

"Might have come by for a visit," Draco replied, and Harry nodded.

"It wasn't a seed," Dumbledore said patiently, "and that tree has been here for a very long time. Also, Professor Hagrid was not visiting. He is a teacher at this school."

"A giant for a teacher!" Harry said, "That's a great idea. Do you agree, Mr. Drake?"

"I concur, Mr. Hare, but you forget about the tree. Professor Dumbledore, if the tree has been there for a long time, why haven't we seen it before?"

"Merlin's beard," Ron said. "They're both idiots."

"At least we're not Hufflepuffs, Weasley," Harry said in return.

"What a loser," Draco muttered. "Hermione, what's funny?"

Hermione Granger erupted in a fit of laughter and regained control of herself with difficulty. Finally she said, between giggles, "I know what is going on, and you don't."

"You're right," Ron said with a smile. "They don't know."

"And I am going to tell them," Albus grinned. Then a knock was heard and Professors Snape and McGonagall entered.

"We received your message, Albus," McGonagall said. She saw the two disheveled boys and asked what had happened."

"Obviously they have been fighting," Snape replied. "I believe I forbade the two of you to fight. Did either of you forget?"

"I honestly don't remember you saying that, Sir," Harry said, trying to suppress a smile.

"Not that we were fighting," Draco said, "At least not with each other. Isn't that right, Mr. Hare?"

"Quite right, Mr. Drake," Harry replied, then turned back to Dumbledore. "It's true, Sir. The giant tree appeared out of nowhere and began attacking us before we knew what was going on."

"It's true," Draco added in an extremely serious tone. "If it weren't for that giant, we could easily have been killed." He grinned and pointed his thumb at Hagrid. "Sorry about yelling like that."

"Yes, sorry," Harry added, matching Draco's grin.

Both boys began to get nervous as the Headmaster stared at them. Draco tried to act relaxed, and smiled at Hermione. He mouthed, "I'm fine," and gave a thumbs up.

"You are not fine, Mr. Malfoy," Albus Dumbledore said. "You only think you are."

"Shall I take care of him, Albus?" Snape offered.

"Who's he?" Harry asked.

"Don't know," Draco replied. "Dungeon Master?"

"Uh oh, Mr. Drake. It looks like chains for you."

"Be careful, Mr. Hare. You might be joining me." He turned to Snape and said, "Red hot pokers for two, please."

"I guess you should put us in the smoking section then," Harry added, and both boys laughed.

"I'll take care of them," McGonagall said, as she pointed out the crests on their robes. "After all, both of them are in Gryffindor."

"Sorry we're a mess, Professor," Harry said sheepishly, and he took off his glasses as though to clean them. "It really wasn't our fault. Honestly. The giant will vouch for us."

"Aye, they were tangled up wit' the Wompin' Willow," Hagrid said. "But I don't understand 'em actin' like this. Maybe they hit their heads."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Draco, Harry, I'm afraid that you are no longer in your own world. You are now in a parallel world, similar to your own but with some significant differences. Do you understand?"

"I do," Draco said, nodding his head.

"Me, too," Harry added, "but seriously, Professor, what is going on?"

"They are idiots," Ron muttered.

"Mr. Drake?" Harry said nervously.

"Mr. Hare? Could it be true?" Draco said, then added, "Mum is going to kill me when she finds out."

"I'll be more than happy to trade places," Harry offered. "Death is preferable to what my mum will do."

Hermione and Ron glanced at each other when they heard Harry's remark. Both looked at Dumbledore who smiled reassuringly. Harry noticed the look.

"What is it, Sir? You said things were different here." He pointed to Hermione and Ron. Why did they react that way?"

"You do understand now, Harry, that you and Draco have come into this world, and your counterparts have gone to your world. You should return within a few days, but while you are here I want you, both of you, to try to learn as much about yourselves as you can. I will start with the bad parts. In this world you are an orphan, Harry Potter, and while you are in Gryffindor, Draco Malfoy is not."

"I'm in Hufflepuff," Draco said sadly. "After all, Weasley is in Gryffindor in this world."

"Actually, you are in Slytherin, Mr. Malfoy."

Draco brightened. "That's not that bad then. Father was in Slytherin." He paused. "Am I an orphan?"

"You are not," Albus said gently, "although you and Mr. Potter are not friends in this world."

"I don't understand, Sir. Here, we are in different houses, but we were friends before we came here. How long has Harry been an orphan?"

"Since he was a year old." Albus watched as the two boys looked at each other.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Hare," Draco said sincerely.

"It didn't happen to me, Mr. Drake, but it is sad to hear." Harry brightened and he looked up. "Professor, you said that I traded place with your Harry? He's going to have a great time. He'll get to meet his, I mean my parents, and the family. I hope he can handle it."

"That is good to hear," Dumbledore said, looking behind him at Hagrid, who was grinning at the thought of Harry with his Mom and Dad.

"Show them the pictures," Draco prodded.

Harry reached into his robes and pulled out his wallet. Removing several pictures, he handed them to the headmaster. "That first one was taken at the beginning of the year, That's Mom, me, Pet and Sirius and Little Jim is the one in Dads arms."

Albus passed the picture around, as Harry explained the next one. "That's me and Draco with our Dad's. They hate each other."

"Your Dad's still ticked about the Lupin incident, Mr. Hare," Draco commented.

"He's just surprised that your Dad did something decent, Mr. Drake," Harry retorted. "I have a question, Professor who represents my district, since my father isn't around?"

"I don't understand," Albus admitted.

"Sorry. My father is on the Wizards Council for the district that includes Godric Hollow. Since he isn't in your world, I was wondering who was elected in his place."

"Ah, I understand," Dumbledore said. "In your world, the Wizards Council is an elective body."

"And it isn't, in your world," Draco acknowledged. "Your question is moot, Mr. Hare."

Harry shrugged his shoulders as Dumbledore looked at the third photograph, but Harry quickly grabbed it. "That wasn't anything," he said quickly.

"It looked like Miss Granger," Dumbledore said with amusement. "Perhaps you should show it to her." His eyes told Harry he had better do it or else, and so he did.

"It's when we were at the beach," Harry said as he handed Hermione the picture.

"I'm wearing a bikini?" Hermione said.

"And you look great," Draco said.

"Why are you carrying me in your arms?"

"You said the sand was too hot."

"Nice tan," Ron said, looking over her shoulder.

"Don't get any ideas," Draco said, then turned to Dumbledore. "Why IS Weasley, here? You never said."

"In this world, he is Harry's best friend."

"Then I must hate Harry in this world."

"With a passion," Ron added helpfully.

"Can't blame you," Harry quipped, "I'd hate myself for having him as a friend."

"Hey!"

"It's a joke," Harry said. "If you're my friend, it's obvious you're nothing like that loser in my world."

"Right," Ron said, not believing a word of it.

"Is this a picture of Sirius Black?" Dumbledore asked.

"That's from my birthday," Harry answered. "He's my Godfather, you know."

"Yes. I do, Harry. And this picture?"

"That's Pet. She's two years younger than me plus one day. She's in her third year in that picture. And that's Sirius with her, wearing his Hogwarts robes for the first time. They're standing in front of the Hogwarts Express."

"Harry," Hermione asked, "Why do YOU have a picture of me with Draco Malfoy?"

"It's, um, a nice picture," Harry said. "And I am in it as well."

"Where?"

"See that hand. Pet, that's my sister, thought it would be funny."

"I have one, too," Draco offered.

"It's better than mine," Harry supplied.

"You didn't have to tell her that."

"She should know, Mr. Drake. The two of you are . . . close."

Hermione paled as she realized what was implied. "I wouldn't," she said in anger.

"Wouldn't what?" Draco asked in innocence. "Oh no, its nothing like that. Here." Draco reached into his robes and pulled out a wallet of his own. He pulled a picture out of it, and handed it to Hermione.

"This can't be real," Hermione said, blushing. It was an almost identical picture, except they were kissing.

"You see," Draco said, "They put me in a different house and you never got to know me."

"Yes, she did," Ron said. "In your world you may be an idiot but in this world you're a real bas . . ."

"MR. WEASLEY," Dumbledore said loudly. "Mutual respect goes both ways."

"Sorry."

"Not to worry," Draco said, laughing. "He has the same opinion of me in my world. Do you concur, Mr. Hare."

"I agree, Mr. Drake, but he seems more vocal about it in this world."

"Your influence, I expect. And I would expect nothing less from you. Hermione, I assume you share his opinion."

"Definitely, and please don't call me Hermione."

"Not a problem, Bright Eyes."

"Don't call me . . ."

"Miss Granger?" Dumbledore interrupted. "I did tell you that Mr. Malfoy would not be the same person you knew. Please give him the benefit of the doubt. This Draco Malfoy may be someone you share a common interest with."

"Either that or the other me is a bimbo," Hermione muttered.

"Hermione," Draco consoled.

"Don't use that tone with me. Why else would I run around in a scanty bikini?"

"Because you can?" Harry asked.

Hermione glared at him. "Don't patronize me."

"I'm sorry," Harry said angrily. "I happen to think you're a very pretty young lady. If that bothers you then hex me."

Hermione became flustered, not knowing whether to be insulted or complemented.

"You do look good, Hermione," Ron said. When she glared at him he quickly added, "you don't even look like a . . . whatever you said."

Hermione handed the pictures back to Draco and Harry and refused to say another word.

"Sir," Harry asked, "I suppose I should ask how we can return home."

"I should ask that," Draco said.

"I already did," Harry smirked.

"They ARE idiots," Ron muttered, and Hermione nodded her head.

"It is a good question, regardless of who asks it," Dumbledore said, ignoring Ron's remark. "Most of the time, the person or persons involved return within a week, rarely more than two. I would suggest the two of you make yourselves comfortable, and try to find out what type of person each of you is in this world. It could be educational."

"Ah, education," Harry said, "the burden of the ignorant."

"Excuse me, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said. "Are you quoting someone?"

Harry frowned at the question. "That was Professor Riddle, Sir. It's his favorite quote."

"Maybe he has a different quote," Draco said and looked at Dumbledore expectantly.

"Interesting," the headmaster said. "You are referring to Tom Marvolo Riddle?"

"The one and only," Draco said. "He is one of the best teachers around. Charms is everybody's favorite class."

Albus nodded his head thoughtfully. "You will not like this, boys, but I should tell you that Tom Riddle is not at this school, nor is he a professor. Also, he is more commonly known by another name, Lord Voldemort."

"LORD Voldemort?" Harry said in surprise. "You mean he's been knighted?"

"That's great," Draco said, "I can't wait to tell him when we get back."

The two boys let out a loud whooping shout and high-fived. Dumbledore merely watched them as though they were both idiots.