Time Twisted Fate

BAM! Lila crashed from thin air onto the damp forest ground. Rain immediately splattered her belongings and made her look even more woe- bygone than she already was. However, she had to keep moving. Quickly, she tucked the tiny time-turner into her robes, grabbed her bewitched lightweight trunk and ran. She knew where she was. Her father had mentioned it so many times; the Forbidden Forest. But no time to think now. She had to get out of there. She would be too easy to trace if she stayed there. Mud flew from under her dragon hide boots. Branches got tangled in her hair and rain and wind howled at her, but all she could do was run and hope for the best.

As she lugged the large trunk out of a ditch, she had about seven seconds to muse. It wasn't as if she was defenceless. She had her wand and a good many dangerous spells to go with it, not to mention the fact that she could turn into two animals. Also, she was a very gifted person in another way- she was a Seer. The ability to see into the future was at her fingertips and that was why she chose this time slot. It was safe.

At the edge of the forest, she finally paused and gasped and panted for air. Brushing the black hair she had inherited from her father back into an untidy ponytail, she darted for the school that loomed ahead. She didn't know it then, but she had managed to come to Hogwarts right on Halloween. She scuttled up the stairs, her boots clattering like castanets and dodging into the first room she saw. It was the great hall, and the feast had already begun. However, upon the arrival of a very scared looking seventeen- year-old girl who was covered in rain and mud, the room fell completely silent.

Lila didn't know what to do, but she had heard a name during one of her father's conversations with a 'friend'. She knew that she had to get to Albus Dumbledore, and the old man sitting at the head teacher's place looked like the man from one of her visions so she stumbled up to him. And promptly fainted with exhaustion.

* * *

~Half an hour later~

Lila shot bolt upright, but then she realised that she wasn't in danger anymore. Several adults were standing nearby, deep in a disturbing conversation. Then, Dumbledore noticed her, and hurried over. In a concerned voice that Lila hadn't heard the likes of in about eight years, he asked her kindly,

"Are you alright, my dear girl? You gave us quite a shock there." When Lila had given him a vague, dazed nod, he continued, "You do know that we don't know who you are, or why you're here, don't you?" This time, Lila managed a smile.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. You see, I'm from a different time era, but it's too dangerous for me there, so I had to come here. but I am a Seer, so I kind of guided myself to the time that you were in." Dumbledore raised one snowy eyebrow.

"Me? Why me, my dear?" Now Lila had to be cautious with what she said.

"Well, my father mentioned you a lot, and I also know that you are a great wizard, not to mention another fellow Seer as well." Dumbledore was thoughtful.

"Hmm. I see. May I ask you some questions? Firstly, what is your name, secondly, are you from the future or the past, and finally, who is your father." He half closed his eyes and put his fingertips together. Lila looked down, as if she was embarrassed. Her answer came in a whisper.

"Well, I come from the past, about thirty-five/forty years ago, and my name... well, I don't really know my name anymore. It's either Lila Amy Riddle, or Lila Amy Voldemort. As for my father..." Dumbledore opened his eyes.

"There's no need to say anymore. I see why you have come to this time period." He studied her expressions. "Well, I think that the best thing for you to do, is to settle down here, and start school in..."

"Er... seventh year, but you see, umm...I kind of...finished my education already, because, well, I was smarter than everyone else..." Now this was embarrassing. Instead of a pupil in seventh year, Dumbledore now offered her a staff position! Madam Hooch was the specialist in Quidditch, but the lake was just perfect for swimming lessons.

"You'll start tomorrow! I'll give you a timetable. I think that the seventh years will be your first students. I think that they all have free periods in period one, two and three. I'll make sure they all know. Oh! And you'll need a different surname, or I think you'll find that you will be very unpopular. How does Lila LaRousse sound to you?" Dumbledore winked. Lila was completely muddled by all the facts now, and simply blinked blankly, before nodding. "Good. I'll show you to your room now, and you can get settled down. Your trunk's already there."

"Ummm... well, thank you!" Lila hopped off the bed and followed the professor. She still couldn't believe that she had escaped! That evil man, who was her father, the woman who deserted her for a new life, the looks that people gave her when she walked down the street, the knowledge that she had been branded Voldemort's daughter... it was all over now. Here, she could settle down and begin again. Then, her thoughtful streak was rudely interrupted by the thought, whoa! Who's the hot guy there? In reality, it was Harry, her father's worst adversary, but... she didn't know that yet.

"Ah, here we are. The password is newcomer. Make yourself at home, and I'll expect you at eight o'clock tomorrow at breakfast. I'm sure that we can find a place at the staff table for you, Li... Professor LaRousse." And with that, Dumbledore winked, tipped his battered hat and left her with her solitude.

Lila sighed a huge sigh of relief and flopped down onto the bed without even removing her cloak. Oh well, she always was an early riser. She sort out all her stuff tomorrow. Now all she could think of was sleeeeeeep...ZZzzz...