Chapter 2: A Short Trip To America

June 5th, 1995, Hogwarts

"Ah, Ms. Granger." Dumbledore greeted the young witch from behind his desk. "Can I help you with something?"

Hermione sat down across from the headmaster. "Sir, I was hoping you could tell me what happened with Harry. He seemed so upset when he left a few days ago. He said that it wasn't likely that he'd ever see Ron and I again."

Dumbledore sighed. "I'm afraid, Ms. Granger, that I don't know. He would only tell me that if his secret got out, he would likely be in great danger. Not from Voldemort, but from others."

Hermione was surprised, but didn't show it. 'He has a secret? Well, that's a step in the right direction.'

"Did he say anything else?" Hermione asked. "Anything unusual?"

"Nothing that I…" Dumbledore paused in thought. "Well, there was one thing."

"What? No matter how insignificant, it might help."

"When he left, he saluted me, and wished me luck, saying 'Til all are one.'"

"'Til all are one'?" Hermione repeated the phrase. "That sounds… familiar. Where have I…"

"Ms. Granger?"

Hermione snapped back to attention. "Yes, Professor?"

"Have you any idea what that phrase means?"

Hermione shook her head. "No. But I know I've heard it before. When I was young, I think. Before I came to Hogwarts." She frowned thoughtfully. "I think I'll write my parents. They might know where it came from."

Dumbledore nodded. "That sounds like a wise course of action. Can I be of any further assistance?"

"No, thank you sir." Hermione stood. "I'm just going to write that letter." With that, she left.

Dumbledore settled into his seat. "Good luck, Ms. Granger…"

***

Sitting quietly at home, Dan and Emma Granger were enjoying a light lunch, when an owl flew in through the window.

"Oh." Emma set her tea down. "Perhaps it's from Hermione." She took the letter from the owl's leg, handed it a piece of bread, and opened the letter.

Dear Mum and Dad,

I know I'll be seeing you in a day or two, but something's happened, and I wanted you to know about it before I arrived. I think I'll need help, and the longer you have to think about it, the better.

I'm sure you remember the friend of mine I mentioned, Harry Potter. A few days ago, he was kidnapped from an inter-school competition, along with a classmate of ours, Cedric Diggory. They apparently escaped, and returned the next day. However, as soon as Harry returned, he packed his things, and left. I found out later it was because he discovered that the man who killed his parents has returned, and is hell-bent on killing Harry as well.

The reason I'm writing is, when Harry was speaking to Headmaster Dumbledore, he said a phrase that sounds very familiar to me. "'Til all are one." I was hoping one of you would know where I might have heard it.

Anyway, I'll see you both at King's Cross. I can't wait to head to Lu Yan's for dinner! The house elves, bless them, just can't seem to get egg rolls right.

Love from,

Hermione

Emma began to panic. Where had this boy learned that phrase? "Dan… I think we're in trouble." She passed the letter over.

Dan read it, and looked up at his wife. "You don't think…"

"It's the only explanation." she said. "How else could he have learned it? We need to deal with this. Quickly."

Dan nodded. "Agreed. We'll find out everything we can about this…" he glanced down at the letter, "Harry, when we pick up Hermione. Is he the redhead?"

Emma shook her head. "No. I believe that's Ronald."

"Oh." Dan shrugged. "Ah, well. Either way, if he's not on our side, we'll probably have to kill him."

Emma sighed. "I suppose…"

***

Cedric looked at his new surroundings. They'd been in America for about two days, and were nearing their goal. They'd set up shop in a small abandoned warehouse, which had plenty of consumable metal.

"Well… This is a nice place." he remarked dryly.

Harry rolled his optics. "Oh, get over yourself. Are you a Wizard or not? You can make this as comfortable as you want."

Cedric shrugged. "That's true, I suppose. Still, it's a bit dank."

"Which is why we're hiding here." Harry retorted. "Remember that? Hiding? Keeping the evil people, not to mention Death Eaters, from finding us?"

"Alright, alright." Cedric put up his hands. "I surrender."

Harry smirked. "Thought you would." He struck a heroic pose. "For none can stand against the Robot-Who-Lived!"

Cedric snickered. "Oh, we're all very impressed."

"As you should be." Harry sat down with a mighty WHUMP! His body was now at least 8 feet tall, and about half that wide. It worried Cedric that Harry wasn't finished growing… "Anyway, I think we may have a problem. When I was here before, I always had a bead on where the AllSpark was. For the life of me, I can't seem to detect it."

"Hmm…" Cedric looked thoughtful. "Can you detect anything? Some clue that gives you the right direction?"

Harry focused his scanners, trying to pick up even the slightest hint of Cybertronian activity. "I don't think… Wait. I'm picking up a transmission. Stand back, I'll project it."

Cedric moved back, and a holographic projection came out of Harry's optics. It wasn't a solid hologram, like Harry's disguise, but it served it's purpose.

The image shown was obviously another Transformer. The projection itself was about six feet tall, which led Cedric to believe that the original figure was much larger. He was an impressive sight, with red and blue dominating his color scheme. Here and there, Cedric was fairly certain there were flames painted onto the Transformer's frame.

Finally, the projection spoke. "I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message to any surviving Autobots taking refuge among the stars. We are here. We are waiting."

"Huh." Cedric looked up at his friend. "Think they might know what happened to the AllSpark?"

Harry nodded. "Almost definitely." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Right. We'll rest here for the night, which will let me increase my size again. A car is less likely to be noticed than a motorcycle. Tomorrow, we head for the origin of that signal."

"And that would be?" Cedric asked.

"Tranquility, California."

***

Voldemort was not pleased. His diary was destroyed, his locket and ring were missing, Potter had shredded a horcrux he hadn't even known about, the diadem was all but completely out of reach, and the cup was in the hands of the goblins. And to top it all off, he would only be able to split his soul one more time before he had to worry about serious damage.

"My lord."

Voldemort looked up. "Crouch? What are you doing here? I told you to wait at Hogwarts to see if Potter returned."

Barty Crouch Jr. bowed deeply. "Yes, master. However, I ran out of potion."

Voldemort hissed. "WORMTAIL!"

The cowering man shuffled into the room. "Yes, master?"

"Why did you not deliver more Polyjuice potion, as I instructed? You knew Crouch would require it before long."

Wormtail gulped. "M-master, I—"

"No excuses." Voldemort said. "Crucio!"

Wormtail fell to the ground, writhing in pain. After a few moments, he was let up.

"Never fail me again, for next time, it will be your head."

Wormtail pulled himself to his feet, and left the room, bowing as he did.

Voldemort sighed. "Were you discovered?"

"I'm afraid so, master." Crouch said. "Somehow, the real Moody managed to send his patronus out through his trunk with a message to Dumbledore. I barely escaped."

"I see." Voldemort frowned. "Damn Moody. He was always too inventive for his own good."

Crouch nodded. "Yes, master."

"Do you have any idea where Potter has gone, at least?"

"Some, my lord." Crouch stood. "I cast a tracking charm on Cedric Diggory. By all accounts, he's gone off somewhere with Potter. I should be able to find them, with your permission."

Voldemort nodded. "By all means, Master Crouch. Take them alive. Both of them. I wish to see the light leave their eyes."

Crouch bowed again. "Yes, my lord."

***

"There's one thing I don't understand."

Holo-Harry, who by all appearances was driving Harry's new alt. mode, a classic GTO, raised his eyebrows. "Just one?"

"Well, more than one, but there's only one that's really been bugging me." Cedric corrected.

"Alright." Harry said, grinning. "Hit me."

"You went to Hogwarts for four years." Cedric said. "In that time, I know for a fact that you've been in and out of the hospital wing almost as much as Madame Pomfrey. How do you explain that?"

Harry laughed. "That one's easy." He held up one hand. Before Cedric's eyes, a large gash appeared on his hologram.

"You're telling me you faked it?" Cedric asked.

"Yep." Harry said, his grin widening. "Well, except for two instances. The first was in my fight with the Basilisk. It's venom did damage my systems, but that's only because that stuff will eat through almost anything. Took me a week to regrow the piece of my arm I lost."

"And the other time?" Cedric asked.

"During our match in third year, when the dementors attacked." Harry sighed. "Despite what people think, the dementors don't affect me so badly because of my childhood trauma. It's because my systems freeze up under the cold they generate. It's… unnatural. Although, I think my size was a factor, as well. It shouldn't happen now that I'm closer to full size."

Cedric nodded. "Right." He frowned for a moment. "Uh… One more question. In your first year, there were rumors that you somehow burned Professor Quirrell to death?"

"Oh… Right." Harry looked uncomfortable. "That was actually a mistake. I was panicking, and for some reason, the force fields that make my hologram solid became super-charged. Burned right through him."

Cedric looked interested. "Like a defense mechanism?"

Harry looked thoughtful. "That hadn't occurred to me. It's certainly possible."

Cedric shrugged. "Something to think about, I suppose. Anyway, how far are we from our destination?"

"Just coming up on it now." Harry said. "Hold on… That's odd. It looks like we're coming up on a house. Why would Cybertronians be at a human house?"

"Good question." Cedric nodded. "Let's find out, shall we?"

Harry nodded, and accelerated. He pulled up a hill, coming upon a small two-story house. According to the online phone book, the house belonged to one William Lennox, a major in the United States Army. Harry detected at least four other Cybertronians present, which made him somewhat wary. He was fairly certain he could take them, since his magic made as much difference between himself and a normal Cybertronian as it did between a Wizard and Muggle, but all the same, he felt on edge.

He rolled to a stop about 50 feet away from the other vehicles. He knew they were aware of him, just as he was aware of them. The only question was, who would make the first move?

For a long time, no one, not even the humans present, moved. Finally, Harry's impatience won out. "Cedric," he said, "do me a favor. Get out, walk towards them with your hands in the air, and say the following: 'Bah-weep-Graaaaagnah wheep ni ni bong.'"

Cedric gave him an incredulous look. "Are you trying to get me killed?"

"No, I'm serious." Harry insisted. "Just trust me on this. This is one of the things the AllSpark taught me."

Sighing, Cedric repeated the phrase a few times, and got out of the car. He walked slowly up to the other Autobots, his arms in the air, took a deep breath, and repeated Harry's words. To his surprise, and relief, this didn't get him blown up.

The four Autobots transformed, revealing their humanoid shapes. Harry followed suit, and stepped forward.

"Greetings, Autobot." Optimus Prime held out his hand. "I did not expect an answer so quickly. I am Optimus Prime."

Harry froze, just for a split second. What the pit was he going to call himself? 'Harry' didn't exactly sound Cybertronian. Thinking quickly, he created a substitute name, and shook the Autobot leader's hand. "Sorcecon. It's a pleasure to meet you, Prime."

"How did you come so quickly?" Prime asked. "I did not expect an answer for months."

Harry shrugged. "I was already on the planet."

"You were?" the second largest Autobot, who's body was covered in black plating, asked. "When where you ordered here? Why didn't you report the presence of the AllSpark?"

Harry turned a mild glare onto the other Transformer. "Isn't it a bit rude to interrogate me without at least introducing yourself?"

The other Transformer returned the glare. "Ironhide. Now answer me."

"Ironhide," Optimus interrupted, "There is no need to be so hostile."

"Optimus, for all we know, he's a deserter!"

Harry cleared his vocal processor. "Excuse me, if I may? I wasn't ordered here, nor was I aware that I was supposed to report the AllSpark to someone. I was created on this planet, by the AllSpark itself, nearly nine years ago. In fact, this is my first time meeting other Cybertronians."

Ironhide glared suspiciously. "What did it construct you from?"

Harry sighed. "A human. I was damaged, and it saved me, converting my body into that of a Protoform. Now, if there are no other questions, I do have a reason for being here." He took a moment to steady himself. "I need to find the AllSpark. A problem has arisen in Britain, and I desperately need it's advice. I used to have a small connection to it, but I haven't been able to find it. Do you have any idea where it is?"

All four Autobots tensed.

"What? What is it?" Harry asked.

Sighing, Prime opened a small compartment in his side, pulling out a small object. He held out his closed fist. Harry held out his hand, and Prime gave him the object.

Harry recognized it immediately.

"No. No, this can't be…" He looked up at Prime, a pleading look on his face.

"I'm afraid it is, Sorcecon." Prime said sadly.

Harry looked down at the small shard in his hand. At least half of the AllSpark was gone. Just gone. How could something that powerful, be destroyed so easily?

He fell to his knees, his fist closing gently around the shard. He pressed his fist to his forehead, wishing silently that he had tear ducts.

Cedric looked at his friend with pity. "I'm sorry, Har- Sorcecon. I'm so sorry."

"And who are you?" Prime asked.

"Cedric Diggory." the young wizard answered with a small smile. "Met Sorcecon in Britain. He seemed like he needed help, so… here I am."

The young man standing next to the Autobots snickered. "Seems like they inspire that a lot in us fleshlings."

Cedric got a laugh out of that. "And you are?"

"Oh, Sam Witwicky." the young man introduced himself. "This is my girlfriend, Mikaela Banes." The girl next to him gave Cedric a small wave.

Cedric nodded in greeting. "Pleasure."

Prime gave a heavy sigh. "Sorcecon, I understand the pain you feel, but I must ask for you to return the shard."

Harry didn't move.

"Sorcecon?"

Harry sat, stock still.

Cedric moved in front of the magical robot, waving one hand across Harry's optics. He frowned. "I don't think he's in there."

"What do you mean?" Ironhide asked.

"Well…" Cedric said. "I think he's in a trance."

***

Harry found himself surrounded by darkness. He'd only experienced this once before, and that had been nine years ago…

'Hello again, Child.'

'AllSpark?' Harry asked, almost reverently.

'Yes, Child. I knew you would seek me out again before long, so I managed to create a small, interactive program for you before I was shattered, which is what you are conversing with now. It will not be as useful as my original consciousness, but I hope it will be helpful to you.'

'You have no idea how relieved I am. I need your help! I discovered that the large energy source is called 'magic,' and there's an entire community of those who can wield it. One of those men calls himself 'Voldemort,' and he's bent on killing me!'

'Referencing… There is an immediate threat to your existence. The wisest course of action would be to increase the number of Cybertronians available to you, and lead them in battle.'

If he'd possessed physical eyes, Harry would have blinked. 'Uh… huh. And how exactly do I do that? We never covered reproduction in our lessons.'

'I am aware of that. I had hoped to be able to transmit more lessons to you over time, but I did not anticipate how difficult it would be to send messages through the thick rock I was surrounded by. Therefore, I put everything I could into this program. With your permission, I will dump the program into your mind. The information will become available to you as you need it.'

'Do it.' Harry replied without hesitation. He hissed slightly as the download was enacted.

'There. Remember, when I release you from this trance, you must take me with you. The new Protoforms will be of little use if they have no Sparks. Thankfully, I can still perform that function.'

'I won't forget, AllSpark. Goodbye, 'til all are one.'

''Til all are one, Child.'

***

"Well, I think we should just remove the hand!" Ironhide roared. "Ratchet can reattach it later!"

"I don't think that is necessary, Ironhide." Prime admonished his SIC. "If the AllSpark wishes to speak to him, who are we to question it?"

"That's a smart position to take." Harry grinned as he climbed to his feet.

"Finally." Ironhide groused.

Harry smirked. "You're not very patient, are you?"

"What did the AllSpark say?" Prime interrupted, hoping to forestall an argument.

Harry looked down at the shard. "It gave me a solution to my problem. It told me to 'increase the number of Cybertronians available to me, and lead them in battle.'"

The Autobots looked surprised at that. One of them, with yellow paneling, striped red, took a step forward. "How is that possible?"

As soon as the question had been asked, the new program in Harry's mind supplied the answer. "There are two options. First, we find a way to process Cybertronian level alloys, and construct them. Second, and a bit more practical, is a process called 'budding.'"

"Er… Budding?" Cedric asked. "Like a plant?"

"Somewhat." Harry nodded. "It involves consuming large amounts of metal, and allowing a second skin to form over one's body. Once that skin is complete, it turns to a liquid state, and forms a new Protoform, which, once it's been given a Spark, can then absorb large amounts of metal until it grows to the size it wishes."

"Fascinating…" the yellow and red 'Bot muttered. "But, is the AllSpark still able to give Sparks to machines?"

Harry nodded. "Yes. It shouldn't be a problem."

"Well, I see a problem." Ironhide said. "It sounds as though you want to take the AllSpark with you. I don't see that happening." He raised his arms, his large, double cannons coming to bear.

Harry curled his free hand into a fist. He knew from experience that he could cast wandlessly. Hell, he'd been doing it in secret since half-way through second year. Ironhide wouldn't pose a problem for him.

Prime put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Stand down, Ironhide." He turned to Harry. "Sorcecon, is he correct?"

Harry nodded. "Yes. It told me that I needed to take it. I don't intend to keep it permanently, by any means. Too much responsibility. But for now, I'm going to need it."

"Prove it." Ironhide glared at him. "Prove the AllSpark ordered you to take it with you. Say it in Cybertronian."

Harry was confused. 'What does the Cybertronian language have to do with anything?'

Instantly, his mind answered him. Cybertronian was, in essence, computer code. It translated one's thoughts into code directly, which meant it was, not impossible, but very difficult to lie when speaking it.

Shrugging, Harry complied. {The AllSpark told me to keep it with me, so that I can complete my task. Once it's done, I'll return it to your care.}

Ironhide continued to glare, but lowered his weapons.

Prime let out a sigh. "If your intentions are truly honorable, then you wouldn't mind one of us accompanying you?"

Harry nodded. "Certainly. Just not him." he nodded at Ironhide.

"No, not Ironhide." Prime agreed, despite the other mech's sounds of protestation. "I believe Ratchet would be a better choice."

"That would be you?" Harry guessed, looking at the yellow and red Autobot.

Ratchet nodded. "Yes. Though I wonder why Optimus thinks I'm the better choice?" he gave his commander an expectant look.

"There are a few reasons." Prime said. "First, I cannot go, since we still have to work out a few details with the American government. Second, Bumblebee cannot go, because he is attached to Sam and Mikaela. And Ironhide cannot go because then they would be fighting so much that nothing would get done. The process of elimination dictates that you are the best choice."

Ratchet sighed, but nodded.

"Huh." Harry grinned. "Works for me. Well, let's get going." He handed the AllSpark to Cedric, and transformed. Cedric climbed inside. Ratchet transformed as well.

"Good luck to you all." Prime said.

"And to you, Prime." Harry turned around, and drove away, Ratchet just behind him.

Cedric turned to the Hologram. "Say, Harry. How are we going to get you and Ratchet back to England? This isn't going to be the easiest thing in the world."

Harry smirked. "Actually, that shouldn't be too hard at all. We'll just head to a Portkey office. I once went to an office in Diagon Alley, just to see how hard it would be to get one. This was just before my third year. The guy just handed it to me. I spent a rather relaxing afternoon in Ireland before heading back."

Cedric snorted. "Well, naturally. Alright, that's one problem down. What about metal? I mean, you've been making do so far, but by the sound of things, you're going to need a lot more than you have been."

Harry nodded. "True enough. Good thing I happen to be the sixth richest Wizard in the entire bloody world, and I happen to know the fifth richest personally. I'm sure Sirius wouldn't object to helping out a little, should I ask."

Cedric shook his head. "Fan-bloody-tastic. Well, I think the nearest office is in Los Angeles. That's where the 'Sunshine Magical Academy' is."

Harry did a double take. "Sunshine Magical Academy?"

Cedric grimaced. "Yeah… Established during the sixties, I think. My, um… My sister goes there."

Harry snickered. "Oh, I could have used that last year. I really needed a laugh."

"Ha. Ha." Cedric rolled his eyes. "Just get us there, will you?"

"I hate to interrupt." Ratchet's voice came over the radio. "Just what is a Portkey?"

Harry chuckled. "Oh, that's right. We never got around to that. Well, Ratchet, let's start that explanation with a question. Do you believe in magic?"

***

Crouch threw his meager possessions into a small bag, preparing for his journey. The spell had told him that Diggory was in America, and though Crouch despised Portkeys, he wasn't going to fail his master.

Suddenly, his wand began vibrating. Crouch's eyes widened. Immediately, he took it out, and pressed the tip between his eyes. An image of the Earth, from an aerial position, appeared in his mind. Diggory was moving, by way of Portkey. Moving… Moving… Finally, he landed. That was in… Diagon Alley!

Crouch smirked to himself. Apparating was so much easier…

***

"How, exactly, are you going to get my vehicles out of here?" Cedric asked the Portkey manager.

"Oh, we've got a door for bulk deliveries. You can get to Muggle London easily enough from there."

Cedric nodded. "Excellent. Point the way, will you?" He started to climb into Harry's passenger side.

"Er… what about the other one? No one here knows how to operate one of these things."

"Oh." Cedric thought fast. "I'll come back for it. I've got someone coming to help me."

The manager nodded. "Good. Well, the door is right there." He flicked his wand, and one of the walls melted away, just like the entrance to Diagon Alley.

A few minutes later, Cedric and the two Autobots were in an alley in Muggle London.

"Well, now what?" Ratchet asked.

"Now," Harry responded, "Cedric goes to Gringotts with my key, and makes the purchases we need, before we head off to Potter Manor. We'll be able to run our mission from there, quite easily." His glove box popped open, revealing his key.

Cedric took it. "This might take a while. They're stingy unless the official vault holder is present."

"We understand, Cedric." Harry assured him. "Just get it over with."

Cedric nodded, and headed for the Leaky Cauldron.

"Are we to wait here, then?" Ratchet asked.

"Are you kidding?" Harry asked. "I'm not sitting here long enough for the Goblins to get over themselves. I might rust over."

"Alright. What, then?" Ratchet asked.

"Simple. We find you a new alt. form."

Ratchet's reply was laced with indignation. "What's wrong with this one? I like it."

"It says 'Tranquility Emergency Response Unit' on the side." Harry pointed out. "It doesn't exactly blend in, not to mention that people have a tendency to pay attention if an ambulance is present. You need something else."

"Well, what do you suggest?" Ratchet demanded.

"I don't know. A lorry? Ironhide made that work. Or maybe a van."

"Fine. Just a moment." Ratchet pulled out of the alley, and began searching for an appropriate form. Harry followed him.

{What about that?} Ratchet asked, his holo-form glancing at a large delivery truck.

{Are you mad, or something? I realize you have to take functionality into account, but can't you have some style? I mean, Primus, a delivery lorry. I ask you…}

{Alright, alright.} Ratchet moved on. {How about that?}

Harry looked. It was a recent model Chevrolet Suburban. Black paint, decent size… {That'll do nicely.}

{Good.} Ratchet scanned the vehicle, and disappeared around a corner. Seconds later, an identical suburban appeared. {Do you approve, oh high and mighty one?}

{Shut up, you.} Harry shot back, before his sensors picked something up. He extended them to full power. {Hey, do you sense that?}

Ratchet extended his sensors as well. {Hold a moment… Yes. It's a Cybertronian signal. Wait. Correction, it's two signals. But what are they doing here?}

{I don't know.} Harry said. {Let's track them, and find out.}

The two of them went after the source of the two signals. They were moving together, so it wasn't difficult.

{This route seems familiar.} Harry noted. {Where have I… Oh, Primus.} he laughed. This was the same route he used to take to get to King's Cross.

{What is it?} Ratchet asked.

{Eh… it's nothing. Just a funny memory.} Harry said. {From before, you know?}

They were distracted by a car that passed him. {Hey, I think that was one of them.} Harry checked his sensors. {Wait… Both signals were in that car. How is that possible?}

{Let's go ask.} Ratchet said, mimicking Harry's earlier words.

The two Autobots swung around, and began following the car.

***

Hermione sat in the back of her parents' car, glad to be home for the summer holidays. She smiled up at the two adults in the front seat. "So, did you two have any ideas about the phrase I wrote you about?"

The two shared a look. "Yes, we did." Dan nodded. "In fact, we had a few questions we wanted to ask you about this young man who said it. Harry, wasn't it?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes. Why?"

"Oh, we were just curious as to where he might have heard it." Emma said quickly. "It's not exactly a common expression, after all."

Hermione shrugged. "I don't know. That's one of the reasons I wrote you about it."

Dan looked like he was about to respond, when he focused on the side-view mirror. "Hermione, dear. What does Harry look like?"

Hermione frowned. That was an odd question. Nevertheless, she answered it. "He's a bit pale, with messy black hair, and green eyes."

Dan hissed, and swerved to a stop. He looked at Emma. "Autobots. Behind us."

Emma nodded, and got out. Dan wasn't far behind her.

Hermione was utterly confused. "Mum, Dad, what's going on?"

Her parents ignored her, focusing on two vehicles coming up the street.

Hermione got out of the car. "Hey! What's going on?! What are 'Autobots'?!"

Still, they ignored her. "Think they've detected us?" Dan asked.

"I'd almost guarantee it." Emma replied.

"Then there's no need to hide, is there?" Dan smirked, before his skin shimmered away, revealing a robotic shell underneath. Instantly, he began growing in size, becoming at least twelve feet tall.

Emma returned his smirk, and did the same. Both of them produced guns from… Well, Hermione wasn't sure exactly where they came from.

The two vehicles pulled to a stop, about ten feet away from the newly revealed robots.

Meanwhile, Hermione was fairly certain she was losing her mind. Her parents had just turned into giant robots. GIANT ROBOTS! How in Merlin's name did that happen?! And then, before her eyes, the two cars (well, one car and a truck, technically) that had upset her parents transformed into even more robots!

"Okay, Hermione." she whispered to herself. "You can wake up any time now." She backed up against her parents' car. "Any time at all."

One of the robots, the truck, hissed at her parents. "Decepticons. What are you doing here? I thought you had all retreated."

'Dan' laughed. "We didn't come with the rest of the rabble, Autobot. We've been here as long as Lord Megatron. We were his bodyguards, you see. We lost his signal when he entered this planet's atmosphere, and since we were unable to pick it up again, we had no choice but to wait until he made himself known again. He did, recently, but it was too brief for us to lock onto properly."

The second robot, the car, spoke up. "I know you. Both of you." This one spoke in an English accent, which puzzled Hermione to no end. "You're Soundwave," he pointed to 'Dan,' "and you're Thunderwing." He pointed at 'Emma.' "Aren't you a mech?" he smirked at this. "Does that make you a cross-dresser?"

Thunderwing let out a metallic growl. "We were less suspicious as a human pair. One of us had to be the femme. I lost the wrestling match."

This made the car robot laugh uproariously. "Oh, I'll just bet you lost the wrestling match!"

Despite herself, Hermione found herself laughing at this as well. She had to admit, it brought up a hilarious image…

The truck looked confused. "What's so amusing?"

The car managed to stifle his laughter long enough to say, "Are you telling me you don't know anything about how humans mate?"

"Hold a moment…" the truck paused, looking as though he were trying to recall something. "Oh. Yes, I see now." He chuckled softly. "That is funny."

Soundwave made an exasperated noise. "You know who we are, and I know you, Ratchet." he leveled a glare at the truck. "But I don't know this one. Who are you?"

The car straightened up, his laughter subsiding finally. "Call me Sorcecon. Now that we've got that out of the way, are we going to have to fight, or can we forget we ever met each other?"

Ratchet, Soundwave, and Thunderwing all looked shocked at the prospect of letting each other go. "That's not how we do things, generally." Ratchet said.

"Yeah, I know." Sorcecon nodded. "And how far has that gotten you? There are six Autobots on the entire planet, and a comparable number of Decepticons. There might, might be a few others on each side wandering around in space. That's all that's left of the Cybertronian race. We used to number in the billions, just as humans do."

The other three mechs considered that.

"You know…" Thunderwing said. "He's got a point. At the very least, we should hold off until we are able to repopulate."

Soundwave nodded. "Yes. We shall not fight today." He turned back to look at Hermione. "But, neither shall we return to our human guises. Personally, I'm tired of them. And caring for a fleshling… the cover is becoming too complicated. Come, Thunderwing. Let us find the other Decepticons." He transformed, becoming…

"Is that a boom box?" Sorcecon asked.

His question was ignored as Thunderwing picked up his smaller companion, and transformed into a jet, the two of them flying away.

Ratchet rubbed the back of his head. "That was easier than I thought it would be." He looked down at Hermione. "What do we do with this one?"

Sorcecon looked at her. For a moment, Hermione could swear he looked at her sadly. At the very least, his optics dimmed for a split second.

"We take her with us." he finally said. "It's not as if we have any other options."

Hermione gulped. "I wouldn't want to be a burden." she said quickly. "I… I have friends I can stay with."

"And how many of them can explain all this to you, little witch?" Sorcecon asked.

Her eyes widened. "What?!" she squeaked. "There's no such thing as Witches!"

This time, there was no mistaking Sorcecon's expression. He definitely rolled his optics. "Please. Even if I didn't already know about the Wizarding world, I can clearly see the energy rolling off of you."

"Is that what that is?" Ratchet asked. "I noticed it, both on her and Cedric, but I was beginning to wonder, even after you told me about magic."

Sorcecon face-palmed. "Oh, you just had to mention Cedric…"

Indeed, the wheels were already turning in Hermione's head. "Cedric? As in, Diggory?" She looked at Sorcecon, noting the green color of his optics. She'd seen them once before. "Harry?"

Harry glared at Ratchet. "You really need to keep things to yourself, do you know that?"

Ratchet shrugged helplessly. "How was I supposed to know? All you told me is that I shouldn't mention it to those who didn't already know about it."

Hermione now had her hands on her hips. "Harry… I know your voice. Explain yourself. Now."

Harry mimicked her pose. "And just what are you going to do if I don't? Hex me? I know at least as much magic as you do, maybe more. I've been studying as hard as possible in secret, and I've got perfect recall. Care to test your luck?"

"Um… Sorcecon?" Ratchet began.

"You're bloody right I'll hex you!" Hermione shouted. "You left, without one word as to where you were going, and now you're a GREAT SODDING ROBOT!"

"Sorcecon." Ratchet tried again.

"Why Hermione, I've never known you to swear like that." Harry teased. "Quite the double standard you've got going on, isn't it? Ron or I say the slightest little thing, and it's 'language!'"

"Sorcecon."

"FUCK YOUR DOUBLE STANDARD!" Hermione screeched. "YOU WILL EXPLAIN EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON!"

"Sorcecon."

"Well, if you're going to ask nicely…"

"SORCECON!"

Harry flinched. "What?"

Ratchet pointed behind them. Harry turned, seeing at least twenty police cars behind them, and no small amount of pistols aimed in their direction.

"Oh. Well, that's not good."

"Do you think?!" Ratchet cried.

"Calm down." Harry waved him off. "I can fix this. Watch." He aimed his hand at the gathered crowd. "Obliviate!"

A red pulse of light shot out, striking the police, and the gathered crowd. Every human there suddenly had a glazed look.

Harry cleared his throat. "Attention. None of you saw giant robots here. The police are here for no apparent reason, in a flagrant disregard for traffic. The press will have a field day with it." With that, he transformed.

Ratchet looked at the humans. "Is that safe?"

"Safe enough. Now come on! That won't hold them forever."

Shrugging, Ratchet transformed.

Harry backed up to Hermione, and opened his passenger door. "Coming?"

Glaring at the hologram inside, Hermione got in, and the two Autobots drove away.

"Well, if you're not going to explain this to me, at least tell me where Cedric is."

Harry sighed. "Fine. He's in Diagon alley, making arrangements with the goblins to make a few purchases. He has my vault key."

"Speaking of which," Ratchet interrupted, "shouldn't he be back by now? I know my scanners can't reach into Diagon Alley, and I can't pick up his life sign."

Harry frowned. "Well, my scanners have magic behind them. Let me see…" he did a once over of the alley. Finding nothing, he checked again, more thoroughly. "Hold on a moment. He's not there. Where's he gotten to?"

***

Cedric looked around wildly. He'd been about to go into Gringotts, when someone had stunned him from behind. He now found himself in a dark room. No… the room wasn't dark. He was blindfolded, and tied to a chair.

"Where am I?" he demanded.

Someone laughed. Cedric didn't recognize the voice, but they sounded deranged. "You're in my master's stronghold."

Cedric looked in the direction of the voice. "Master? Voldemort, presumably?"

"Oh, you're a quick one." the voice said. "You know, you are a pure-blood. I'm sure we could be persuaded to release you, should you be compliant."

Cedric snorted. "I don't think so. Are you going to start torturing me now?"

"Oh, no. I wouldn't want you damaged. See, I know you're traveling with Potter. Eventually, he'll cast a locator spell. He won't find anything with the simpler ones, but I've set up the wards around this place so that one of the more complicated ones will lead him right to you. And then, I take you both to my master."

Cedric took a moment to compose himself. If he'd tried to speak right then, it would have been indecipherable through the laughter. "Tell me. What do you know of Potter? What are his capabilities?"

The voice sounded confused when it answered. "He's just out of his fourth year, has decent power-levels for someone his age, though his combat training is somewhat wanting. Why?"

"Oh, no reason." Cedric just settled into his chair. He was going to enjoy this…