A/N Okay, sorry guys but the story is coming to an end, maybe two or three chapters left. If any of you want a sequel I, sassw14, might be persuaded to write one. That is if enough of you want one, it would of course be posted under my name. Okay, the next chapter will take a week or two, sorry. Thank you for all the reviews, we very much appreciated them. Hmm.... There will be some relationship stuff in the next chapter... On to the story.

The Threat of Time

Chapter 12

Dumbledore's office: Present Time

Dumbledore removed a lemon drop from his pocket and offered it to Severus Snape. Snape glared at the old man and shook his head. Dumbledore shrugged and put the candy into his mouth. "More for me." He returned his attention to some papers scattered about his desk. Snape cleared his throat and Dumbledore looked up at him, peering through his half moon glasses. "Was there something you wished to discuss Severus?"

He paused hesitantly, "Yes, it's regarding the children."

"Oh? Have you found them?"

Snape breathed in deeply, "I did."

"Are you going to tell me where they are?" Dumbledore seemed almost bored. Like he already knew the answer. Bastard, Snape thought to himself.

"1986, Hogwarts"

"You are sure? The spell worked then?"

Snape glared at him. Why was he making him explain himself? Did he get some sort of sick joy watching him squirm? "Not exactly."

Dumbledore laced his long fingers together, staring intently at Snape. "How then, might I ask, do you know?"

"Because I remember. I was a seventh year in 1986." Snape shifted uncomfortably in his chair, hoping that he wouldn't have to explain further.

"Ahh yes, indeed you were." He nodded his head as if remembering. "So the spell was a complete waste then? It failed completely?"

Sighing with the relief that the headmaster wasn't pressing the subject, he replied "Not necessarily. I was making progress. Given a few more days I would have found them regardless..." He shifted slightly, then composing himself he continued, "regardless of the memories."

"I see. And how are they doing?"

"They're fine." He said almost too quickly.

"Nothing that the ministry can't fix?"

Snape nodded. "But the spell was having some unusual side affects. Whenever I tried to locate one of the children it would send a shooting pain to their persons."

"That is odd, I'll have to look into that. You're sure you were performing the spell right Severus?"

Snape stared icily at the old man. "It was perfect." He said coldly.

"Very well, very well." Nodding to himself he continued, "I will inform the ministry immediately. You needn't worry about anything. Just keep teaching your classes as you have been and everything will be fine." Dumbledore dismissed him with a wave of his arm, "If that is all-" He said, not really a question. Snape stood and without a sound glided out of the headmaster's office.

Merlin he hated him, always speaking to him as a child. At least he didn't ask what the memories were, he thought bitterly to himself. Not that it's any of his god damned business. What happened to him in the past was...well the past. Something to be forgotten. The only thing was, he couldn't forget, the memories were still fresh in his mind. Gnawing at brain, screaming out at him. Begging to be relived. How will I ever face Potter when he returns? He shook his head mentally. Mustn't think about that. Potter is and forever will be nothing to him. A mistake he made when he was young. Nothing more....

"Severus, I would like a word with you if you don't mind." Professor McGonagall's face appeared outside the door of a classroom.

Snape looked at her with a hint of annoyance.

"Please, it's important. I wouldn't ask you otherwise. It's regarding Miss Granger."

Miss Granger? Why would he give a shit about Miss Granger? But he found his curiosity pull him into her room. "What about Miss Granger?" He barked, sitting in a chair adjacent to her desk.

Professor McGonagall followed his lead and sat down. "It seems she has been having a little difficulty with her powers recently. Ever since Mr. Potter, Miss Weasley, and Mr. Malfoy have gone missing."

"I know. What do you want ME to do about it? It's clear that she is over stressed. Her power will come back in a matter of time. Seriously Minerva, it's not as though this is the first time a student has suffered from power loss. It's temporary. Now if you don't mind-" Snape made to stand but McGonagall cut him short.

"Sit down Severus." Snape was a little taken aback by the tone she had used with him, so he slowly sat back down. "I have been doing a little research, and it seems that her symptoms are all wrong for post stress power loss. She can't even get a spark."

"Seriously Minerva, I don't see how this involves me. I really do have other things I need to take care of."

"I think it might be Guineva." She stated flatly.

Snape just stared at her. "Are you sure?"

McGonagall sighed. "No I'm not sure. But I was hoping that you might have some ideas. I'm not very familiar about the disease."

Snape ran a hand through his greasy black hair. Guineva wasn't a very well known disease. It was still being studied. But from what he knew about it, Guineva could be extremely dangerous. Sudden power failure can cause damage to the body, making it difficult, or nearly impossible to ever perform magic again. The cause was unknown. But there were a few things that could slow down the process if caught early. If one waited to long, the victim may never be able to perform again.

"I know of something. The most affective potion, it's called Guislaxis, takes several weeks to prepare. It's a very complicated mixture, and by the time it's completed it might be to late."

McGonagall sucked in her breath. Hearing what she had dreaded.

"But-" Snape continued, "There is something that I could give her in the meantime, it will seemingly freeze her in the stage she's at until I can get the other potion completed. But that can be dangerous, there is no way to tell for sure if what she has is Guineva, and if we freeze her at her current state, it may end up that she will be stuck like that." He scratched his head. Totally engrossed. Finally, something to take his mind off Potter.

"We will have to discuss it with Miss Granger immediately."

Snape nodded vaguely. "I have her tomorrow; I'll speak with her after class."

"Thank you Severus." Snape stared at her with disbelief. Never in all his years teaching there, had she ever said thank you. They rarely ever spoke. Their rivalry was popular gossip amongst the students. Heads of their house, they were in constant quarrel. But why not? He nodded solemnly and without another word left her classroom.

Hogwarts: Present

"You are weak. I knew you weren't ready for this. How could I be so foolish?" Lucius Malfoy glared coldly at his son, who stood nearly shivering in front of him.

"Father don't-"

"Don't speak to me. I don't want to hear any of your excuses." He snatched the time turner out of his son's hand. "All I asked you to do was get rid of the girl. You can't even do something as simple as that. You are no son of mine."

Draco stared dumbly at the time turner.

"You didn't think I'd let you go back did you? You won't need this anymore. You are coming with me." Lucius grasped Draco's arm and forcefully pulled him towards the door. But Draco stopped suddenly.

"Stop." He yanked his arm free.

"What did you just say to me?" He growled.

Draco faltered for only a moment, he was used to this sort of treatment from his father. He composed himself and replied, "I had a plan of my own. And if you took three seconds to hear what I have to say, you might discover that it's a lot better than your plan, which is to destroy everyone. Did you ever stop to consider that there might be an easier way?" His glare matched his father's. They stood almost eye to eye. Draco slightly shorter.

"You think you have a better idea?" He asked mockingly. "Let's hear it then. This aught to be good." He sat with a flourish onto an overstuffed chair. They were currently in the Slytherin common room.

Draco frantically searched his mind for something clever to say. Stalling for time, he walked to the chair facing his father.

"I'm waiting."

"The girl is not as useless as you may think." Draco began.

"I'll bet she isn't. Performing some 'extra' services is she?" He smirked.

"She's not like that! Don't say that about her!"

Lucius' eyes widened in amusement. "Touchy are we?"

"Look, what I'm trying to say is that she could be useful to us. She is close to Potter. So why not get her to join us, then use her to get to Potter?"

"Because you half wit, that'll take to much time. You know how impatient HE gets. He'll have my life faster than you can hop on a broomstick." He leaned back in his chair. An exasperated look on his face. He will never learn, he thought to himself.

"I'm close. I'll have her eating out of the palm of my hand in no time. After that it'll be a synch. You'll get Harry to come to you quicker that way."

Lucius looked thoughtful for a moment. "You might not be so useless after all."

Draco smirked.

"Get her to bring Potter to me. I'll deliver him to Master personally."

Draco nodded.

"Your time is limited. If you aren't back here at this very spot in one week, I'll have to deal with this situation myself."

"There will be no need for that." Draco replied, flipping his blonde hair away from his face. "They'll be here."

"I sincerely hope so...For you're sake."

Draco stood with a flourish and glided over to his father. He leaned in close, "You will never be as powerful as him." And with that he stepped away. The time turner in his hands.

Lucius looked down briefly at the hand that had been holding the time turner then looked back up at his son. He smiled wickedly. "Well? What are you still doing here?"

Draco fumbled with the time turner, and in a matter of seconds he was gone.

Hospital Wing: Present

"You're looking much better today." Madame Promfrey was rushing around tending to her duties, occasionally stopping to check on her newly arrived patient.

"Has he come?" The stranger sat up with ease.

"Your recovery is remarkable. With any luck, you'll be out of here in a matter of days." She handed him a cup full of some silvery liquid. The man shook his head and held the cup away from his face. "Well what were you expecting? Pumpkin juice? Now drink up." He slowly brought the cup to his lips; he closed his eyes and drank all the contents in one gulp. "There we go, now that wasn't so bad." She took the cup and set it on the bedside table. "I'll be back to check on you as soon as I can. For now just rest."

Just rest? He needed to find Malfoy. He was here. He remembered now. He must find Malfoy and stop him before it was too late. He made to get out of bed, but all of a sudden he heard the sounds of two people approaching him.

"Do you think he's alright?"

"Like I care."

"Common Ron. Don't be so heartless. Look, he's awake!" Hermione walked up to the man. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking amused. "How are you feeling?" She asked in a slightly louder than normal tone.

"I'm fine." He replied, mocking her tone. This made Ron laugh.

"Oh shut up Ron." Hermione scowled.

"What? I can't help it. The man's funny."

"Oh, so now you like him? Just a second ago you couldn't care less weather he was dead or alive."

Ron gave the man an apologetic look.

"Look, all I want is to get out of here." He said, directing his comment at Ron.

"Well that's hopeless. You can't get out of here while Madame Promfrey is watching. She's like a hawk. Nothing gets past her." Ron replied.

"I HAVE to. It's a matter of life or death. There's someone in this school, someone very dangerous." His eyes became distant.

Hermione took the stranger's hand and looked worriedly into his eyes. "Who? Who is in the school? Is it Voldermort?"

The man nearly passed out at the mention of HIS name. He pulled his hand from her grasp and stared in disbelief at her. "You say his name as though you do not fear him."

"I don't." Hermione stated flatly.

"But I am." Ron chimed in. "You don't know what he's capable of Hermione. You didn't grow up in this world."

Hermione looked hurt for a moment. "Have I not been here for the past seven years? Have I not been there by both yours and Harry's side? Have I done nothing?"

The stranger recognized the name. "Harry Potter? The boy who lived? You two know him?"

Ron looked at him, "Yeah, he's our best friend."

"Do you know where he is?" A sense of urgency rang through his voice.

"No, unfortunately we don't know for sure. But he, Ron's sister Ginny Weasley, and Malfoy, are suspected to be in the past. About twenty or so years ago." Hermione retorted. Looking proud of herself. Ever since her powers...she had to say even more intelligent things than she said before.

"Malfoy? Malfoy who?" His fright showed easily in his voice.

Ron scowled, "Draco Malfoy, the biggest git in this entire-"

"I need to go."

"Go where? Can we help? We're very useful." Hermione asked hopefully. Wanting desperately to do whatever she could. Clearly he knew something about what was going on.

He looked thoughtfully, he never thought that he'd have help. But why not? They knew the school. They could help him get around. Maybe they even knew where he was.

"I need to find Lucius Malfoy."

Ron and Hermione stared at him in shock. Hermione spoke up first. "What makes you think he'll be here?"

"It's to complicated to explain. If you come with me, it'll all make sense soon. But we have to hurry."

This time Ron spoke up first, "There's something you're not telling us. I think we have a right to know what's going on here. That's our best friend and my little sister."

"Please, don't make me explain that now. It'll take to long. We MUST GO." The stranger stood, and began looking for his clothes.

"At least tell us your name." Hermione said, as she stooped down to help him.

The man breathed deeply, "I'm Ignatius Malfoy, Son of Draco and Ginny Malfoy..."

TBC