How Can It Be. . ?

Harry and Draco were in the bedroom, making up for the soon to be lost time that would be lost while they would be searching for the gate. They were lying on their backs, naked and panting heavily, when they heard a call from downstairs that sounded like Ginny. They quickly got dressed and went down the stairs. Sure enough there was Ginny standing in the hallway.

"Hi Gin, what you doing here?" Harry asked, tilting his head and looking at her.

"Ron just told us where you were going and what you were doing, I want to come, I can help round up creatures and stuff and I know I'm meant to do it. I've dreamed of doing it for weeks," Ginny explained quickly.

"Sorry, Ginny, you can't, only me, Harry, Ron, Hermione, my cousin Nikki and her best friend Becca are meant to do it," Draco said kindly. Harry nodded his head in agreement. Hermione and Ron popped in at that moment.

"Ginny, what are you doing here?" Ron asked.

"Trying to convince us to take her with us on the quest for the gates," Harry said quickly before Ginny could give an excuse.

"Ginny, I told you at home, you can't come with us, it's only something that the six of us can do (Nikki and Becca and just popped in)," Ron said gently.

"What's going on?" Nikki said.

"Well Nic, this is Ginny, Ron's little sister. She's trying to convince us to take her with us," Draco explained. Nikki nodded to show she understood. Ginny threw everyone an evil glare and Apparated away.

"Well, now that's sorted, I say we floo Dumbledore and see if we can search Hogwarts, or maybe he knows where they are, that would be very helpful," Ron stated. Harry nodded and moved towards the fire place, he grabbed a handful of floo powder, he threw it into the fire, when it had turned green he put his head in and shouted, "Headmaster's office, Hogwarts."

His head spun and within seconds he was looking straight at the face of Albus Dumbledore.

"Harry, what do I owe this pleasure?" Dumbledore smiled at Harry, it was a knowing smile.

"Well, sir, we need to find the gates to the OtherWorld. We were told that they were here. We were wondering if you knew where they were and will tell us where they are if you do. If you don't know, then, me, Draco, Ron, Hermione and two friends ask permission to come and search the castle for them," Harry said.

"No, no, yes. There are your answers, all in correct order," Dumbledore responded. He smiled again, that infuriating knowing smile, it drove Harry up the wall.

"Thank you, we will all floo over soon," Harry said. And he was gone he had pulled his head out of the fireplace.

"We can go to Hogwarts, Dumbledore said he doesn't know where the gates are but I think he's lying. Anyway, ready to go everyone?" Harry asked. Once everyone had nodded, they travelled in pairs to the headmaster's office at Hogwarts.

. . .

They came out of the fireplace at Hogwarts to find Dumbledore, McGonagall and two students with Head Boy and Girl badges. Dumbledore stepped forward and introduced the Head Boy and Girl to be Nathan Cole and Sarah Turner.

"Well, Professor, this is Nikki Brown, Draco's cousin and her best friend Becca Bangard. I believe they went to Beauxbatons?" Harry said. Nikki and Becca nodded.

"We're both quite fluent in French but normally have the English accent compared to the French accent," Nikki explained. "Or: Nous sommes tous deux tout à fait fluents en français mais avons normalement l'accent anglais comparé à l'accent français."

"J'ai aussi passé quelques années chez Beauxbatons, ainsi je suis également à l'aise en français. Nous pouvons pouvoir avoir quelques convosations privés," McGonagall explained, in French. She then repeated it in English for everyone else: "This actually means: I too spent some years at Beauxbatons, so I am also fluent in French. We may be able to have some private conversations."

"Okay, now I'm confused. They're speaking in French, right?" Harry asked Draco.

"Oui, Monsieur Potter," Draco replied. Harry looked even more confused. "It means: Yes, Mister Potter."

"Oh, I didn't know you spoke French. I never got to learn French. Taught myself Italian though," Harry said.

"You did? Wow, Harry, that's really cool. Do you think you could help me? I've been wanting to learn for ages," Hermione butted in.

"Sì, naturalmente posso, non è una lingua facile da amperage," Harry said. Then he explained, "That means: Yes, of course I can, it is not an easy language to learn."

"What?" Draco said, looking at Harry utterly confused.

"I'll explain later, maybe I should teach both of you how to speak Italian," Harry laughed.

"Guys, I think it's time we start our search. I brought the Marauder's map and the map that the phone spirit gave me, we should be able too find out where the gates are," Harry said loudly enough to gain everyone's attention. He walked up to Dumbledore's desk and placed both maps on the top. He muttered the incantation to reveal the Marauder's map, then unfolded both and laid them out next to each other. They studied them for a moment before Harry started saying, "Oh no, oh no, no," over and over again. Soon Ron joined in and then Dumbledore.

"Well, I can see why they needed me, and you Ron, well let's go see if the snake skin is still there," Harry said. He turned and marched towards the door with both maps now in hand. He paused, turned around and said, "Are you guys coming?"

They all followed quickly. They made their way to the second floor bathroom. As they entered Harry stood in front of a sink stall and started to hiss. A few moments later the sink began to shift and lower.

"Okay guys, I'm going to go down first. Remember, there may be a Basilisk down there. Keep on your guard and get ready to shut your eyes. If I tell you to do something, do it without question and straight away. Is that clear to everyone?" Harry told everyone, after everyone nodded he jumped down the pipe, quickly followed by Draco, Ron, Hermione, Nikki, Becca, the Head Boy and Girl, then Dumbledore and finally McGonagall.

They hit the bottom and lit their wands. They began walking along the passageway, they scooted around the first snake skin, over the rocks from the collapsed in ceiling and finally up to the big metal door with snakes on. Harry hissed again and the door opened. They all entered, they walked part way down the passage with snake statues on either side. Harry stopped and conjured a table halfway down. He laid the maps down on the table and consulted them.

"Come on, the gates are this way," Harry said, pointing down the left passage, they began to walk along the smaller passage way when they heard hissing. Harry turned around and hissed back. Suddenly a large snake came into view. Harry continued hissing until just after the snake had stopped. He turned around and kept walking, they followed.

"Harry, what just happened?" Hermione asked, looking back at the snake that was heading towards the entrance of the chamber.

"He was worried about us. I had a slight conversation and asked him to go stand guard at the entrance to the chamber. Neither he nor any other creature in here will attack us," Harry explained. They continued walking for a while longer turning left and right every so often. Finally Harry who was walking up front, bounced off thin air, or what appeared to be thin air. Everyone tried to get past the barrier, only Ron, Draco, Nikki, the Head Boy and McGonagall could get through. It was obvious to Harry that only pure-bloods can get through the barrier.

"Draco, put your arm through the barrier and see if you can pull Harry through," Hermione said. Draco put an arm through the barrier, grabbed Harry's hand and pulled. Harry got through the barrier. Ron did the same with Hermione, while Nikki did the same to Becca at the same time McGonagall pulled Dumbledore through and the Head Boy pulled Head Girl through. Once they were all through Harry turned to Hermione, called her a genius and gave her a hug. They checked the map again before moving on. They kept turning where the map said, and eventually they managed to reach a set of gates. They looked at the gates and Hermione noticed some sort of writing on the top. She peered up to see what type of writing it was.

"I have no idea what this writing is, can anyone else read this?" Hermione asked, looking at Dumbledore. He peered up at the writing.

"It's not a language known to me, which says that it is very rare as I know almost all of the languages on Earth," Dumbledore informed them. Becca peered up.

"I know that language!" she exclaimed, they all turned to her, expecting an answer as to the language. "It's an ancient form of Gaelic, not many people know it. Some of my ancestors lived and spoke this form of Gaelic when they were alive. I was taught it by one of my ancestors that reside in the library at the House when I was very young, I taught Nikki how to speak it so that we could have private conversations. It's easy if you understand the letters." She peered up again, she was silent for about five minutes. "Does someone have a piece of parchment and a quill?" Hermione handed it to her.

Harry had conjured up a table. She bent down and began to write, occasionally looking up at the writing.

"Okay, this is what the writing says: This writing was put on here many years ago by a powerful wizard trapped in this world. Pure-bloods, as you call us now, are the only ones to get through the barrier. A pure-blood put up the barrier in an attempt to keep our world pure. Now, pure-bloods have diminished and are almost gone. Only a pure-blood descended from Lexifus Hogdegon can break down the barrier with the incantation, Su tal fru murd het nyg. These gates can now only be opened by six powerful witches and wizards alike. To open these gates the incantation that only these six will know, how they will know is a mystery but they will know. These gates will disappear exactly two months after this message has been read. Hurry, my friends, if you are the one of the six. A phone spirit will know all. Hurry, the two months start now."

"Okay, we have exactly two months to get everything magical here?" Ron said slowly.

"Yes, and I know who the pure-blood descended from Lexifus Hogdegon is," Nikki said, looking around the group.

"Who?" Draco asked.

"You and I, Draco, but I am more directly descended from him so it will be me that takes down the barrier. Come on, let's go take down this barrier. It will be the first part done and then we will have two months to get everyone here," Nikki said.

"I enchanted the map the Elder gave us, it marked our path on the way here in purple ink," Harry said, holding up the map. "We can duplicate it later so that everyone has a copy and it will be easier to get to and from the gates if needs be."

"Brilliant, Harry," Hermione said. They began to walk with Harry and Draco in front, followed by Ron and Hermione then Nikki and Becca then Head Boy and Girl and bringing up the rear was Dumbledore and McGonagall.

They reached the barrier and Nikki told everyone to stand back, she had been learning the incantation to bring the barrier down on the way to it. She got her wand out, held it in front of her and closed her eyes.

"Su tal fru murd het nyg," she said. There was a slight blast, just big enough to shake everyone. "Hermione, try and walk past here. We need to know if it worked." Hermione walked forward, Ron, Harry and Draco stood behind to catch her if she bounced back. She walked through where the barrier was supposed to be and everyone yelled in triumph.

"Come on then, let's go. I have a little job for our friendly snake back in the chamber," Harry said and they continued walking. They went back down the path and when they got the Chamber, the snake that had been guarding the entrance came towards them. Harry started his hissing again and the snake hissed back. It then curled up Harry's leg and up, until it finally came to rest over his shoulders.

"He is going to come out with us and then go collect all the snakes in and around Hogwarts. Recruit them to find more and more snakes and bring them back here. Well magical snakes anyway. He knows the difference," Harry explained as they made their way back through the tunnel. "We should clear these rocks out of the way. It will make it easier to get back down here later on. I will also need to teach you a bit of Parseltongue so that you can open the entrance." They began to move the rocks and piled them neatly against the wall.

"And on we go, we need to get a press conference with as many different ethnic groups as possible, tell them to spread the word," Dumbledore said. They continued on for a while until they came to the pipe that led back to the bathroom.

"How are we going to get back up? Last time Fawkes flew us up," Ron said. Dumbledore stepped forward.

"Easily, of course. We just need to levitate Harry up so that he can open the sink and then we levitate everyone else up and whoever is the last down here gets levitated up by someone up the top," Dumbledore explained as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. So they began, Harry and Draco were levitated up, Harry hissed open the sink and they were put inside the bathroom, next Ron and Hermione were levitated up then Nikki and Becca followed by the Head Boy and Girl, McGonagall came next and finally Dumbledore was levitated from the top. Once everyone was up the top, Dumbledore told Harry to open the sink again, he then pointed his wand down and muttered something under his breath and stairs appeared, along with a couple of lit torches around the walls.

They turned and made their way towards Dumbledore's office where they would floo Kingsley and get him to come over so that they could explain everything that was going on and get his help. Also to see if he could get every possible newspaper, including worldwide, so that Harry could speak to the world.

. . .

The floo roared to life and out stepped Kingsley and the head of the Auror department ("This is Christopher Shine," Kingsley said pointing to the other man). Then the floo roared into life again and out stepped; Molly, Arthur, Ginny, Fred, George, Angelina, Percy, Audrey, Bill, Fleur and Charlie. Next time the floo roared into life it brought Tonks, Remus, Mad-eye, Sirius, Mundungus and several other members of the Order.

"Okay, I bet everyone is wondering why we're here? Well, I'm not going to explain the situation, Harry will, he has been there throughout the whole thing and will continue to be. He will be receiving help from, Draco, Ron, Hermione, Nikki and Becca. Allow me to introduce Nikki Brown, Draco's cousin and her best friend, Becca Bangard. Please keep questions to the end," Dumbledore said to the group before after they had made themselves comfortable in conjured up chairs. Harry stood up and went to stand in front of everyone. He explained everything that had happened from when Nikki had knocked on their door to the present moment.

"Yeah, Kingsley?" Harry said, Kingsley had put his hand in the air.

"So you want every single magical thing to go back through a gate to a place that they have never know?"

"No, some beings know what it is like. For example, a snake that I spoke to today that is out collecting other snakes at the moment, remembers coming through the gates and what life was like before he did. Also a phone spirit remembers what life was like before they came through the gates. So no, it is not a place that they have never known. They may not remember it but it is there. I believe that parents didn't tell children about the gates because they we're closed with no way to open them," Harry replied. About four more questions came, mainly "How are we going to get everyone here?" or "How are we going to get everyone in through the gates?" Soon everyone went back to their homes or in the case of some the Ministry.

. . .

Next day Harry, Draco, Ron, Hermione, Nikki and Becca flooed to the ministry and made their way towards Kingsley's office. The guard wizard tried to stop them, but Harry just looked his way and said, "They're with me," and continued on his way with Draco next to him, Nikki and Becca behind him and Ron and Hermione bringing up the rear. They moved towards the lift, people scattered upon seeing who it was and some people got off the lift even though it wasn't their level so that Harry and his friends could fit in the lift. Harry pressed the button to go up to the minister's level. The lift zoomed off, as if it too knew who was in the lift. They stepped out of the lift and Harry led them towards Kingsley's office. They knocked on the door and were told to enter.

"Hello, Kingsley, how are you?" Harry asked, stretching his hand out to shake Kingsley's.

"I'm fine thank you, Harry, are you ready to go and face the press?" Kingsley replied.

"It's now or never. Are you guys ready?" Harry said, looking around his friends and husband. They all nodded.

Kingsley said, "Follow me, we're in the Green Press Room, along the corridor." So they walked down the corridor and enter a room that was green and full of the press. They stepped onto the podium and cameras started to flash. Harry raised a hand and they were silent.

"Good morning ladies and gentlemen, I have invited you here today because I have some news. The date of the public reception has been moved to just one month away. My husband Draco and I would like it if you could bring everything magical that you own. We were informed about a place just three days ago, we have found the gates to this place. It is called the OtherWorld. It is a place for just us magical beings. I urge you to come with me, through to this place. I have had it described to me by magical creatures that remember life before these gates were opened from the OtherWorld. It is said to be luxurious. I would also like to urge you to close shops and things like that. Almost any witch or wizard left in this world after one month's time will be trapped forever. These gates will close forever in two months time, we are not willing to risk them closing forever before we have had a chance to get to the OtherWorld. Me, Draco, my two best friends, Draco's cousin and her best friend will open the gates in one month's time and close it one day after. We urge for plants, animals, objects and witches and wizards all over the world to come. The gates are buried deep under Hogwarts, but there is a way. down to them. We ask that any Parseltongues to come forward as we will need your help. I beg you to come, everyone and everything magical. I will allow parents or brothers and sisters that are muggles or squibs but I apologise that no others can come through. The ministry and my best friend, Hermione Granger, have created an international portkey. We will be sending them to every country that holds magical creatures and beings. There will be accommodations made for people who wish to get there early. Do you have any questions?" Harry gave his speech and looked around the crowd. There were only two hands up. "Yes, you miss, in the green skirt."

"Is this just a hoax or are you telling the truth? Is there really another place just for magic?" the reporter asked while her cameraman took photos like there was no tomorrow.

"No this is not a hoax, I assure you. Yes there is, my friend Hermione has been doing what she does best and researching, in the oldest known books there is many mentions of the OtherWorld. You may ask how we know that these aren't just fictional. Well, there are many mentions of Merlin in these books. And we know that these are true," Harry explained.

"Okay, thank you," the reporter said and she looked to her notebook and marked a few things down.

"Yes, you sir," Harry said pointing to the other reporter.

"Good morning, Jason Theobald, head reporter for the International Prophet. If we do manage to get through these gates, is there a chance that anything could happen to us, magic stripped away or in the chance of muggles could they be given magic?" Jason said.

"I am unsure of that, I believe Hermione may know," Harry said, turning around to face Hermione, who stepped forward.

"We believe that muggles will be given magic but also the knowledge to control it if they are above school age. Which is, I believe, the same as Hogwarts," Hermione said.

"Thank you Miss Granger and Mr Potter," Jason said, putting notes down in his book too.

"Is there anymore questions? No, okay then. Thank you very much for coming and I hope that I will see everyone in a month," Harry said and they left the podium.