In Another World

Chapter 1: Questions, Questions, Questions.

Kodac stirred. Opening his eyes, he saw that he was in a forest. Standing up and brushing off his clothes, Kodac thought for a minute.

"Oooh, Lavender, look at the unicorn!" a soft exclamation came from Kodac’s left. Climbing up onto the higher branches of the trees, Kodac made his way over to the source of the noise.

Peering through the branches, Kodac spied on two girls nervously patting a gleaming white unicorn.

"You know, Parvati, I can’t just get over this! I love this soft, smooth fur!" one said.

"If you don’t get over it now, you never will," the other joked. They chuckled a little, and after waving a good-bye to the unicorn, they left. Kodac followed, silently going from branch to branch.

The trees suddenly ended. Kodac stopped, and watched as the girls climbed up a path from the nearby greenhouses to a castle. It was the biggest castle Kodac had ever seen. It was even bigger than the one in Seabring! He looked around again, seeing a black lake away in the distance, a small hut even farther away, and more forest behind that. Shrugging away some doubts, he began to climb down, when a distant bell rang. He leaped back to his spot on the higher branches, and curiously looked on as people started to pour from the gates and split into two groups. One group went to the small hut in the distance, while other came down towards Kodac and the greenhouses. Kodac doubted he would be seen, and stayed where he was. He could hear snatches of conversations as the group of about 30 or so enter one of the greenhouses. Then, an aged old man with a beard long enough to tuck into his belt came down the steps of the castle. Kodac watched as he looked around and shrugged. The man went into the forest, and not looking up, continued on. Kodac followed him, quietly springing from branch to branch.

They came close to where Kodac had seen the girls and the unicorn. Kodac watched as the old man stooped low, down to the ground near where he had woken up.

"So, young man, would you like to come down and talk with me?" the old man spoke. Kodac froze. He hadn’t seen or heard him, has he?

"Yes, I’m talking to you," the man said, looking up at the exact spot where Kodac was crouched. Kodac sighed, and then climbed down to the ground.

"Oh, hello Harry, you should be in class," he scolded.

"I’m not Harry, I’m…." Kodac started, but stopped himself.

The man smiled. "I know you’re not, for Harry wears glasses, and he doesn’t have the same physique as you," the man chuckled. "In any case, would you mind telling me who you are and where you’re from? I’m Headmaster Albus Dumbledore."

"I’m Sir Kodac, of Seabring," Kodac replied, automatically straightening up and squaring his shoulders.

"Seabring, eh? I believe I’ve heard of that place. Please, I bid you come with me to my office," Dumbledore offered. "And maybe you would like something to eat?"

"I’d like that that very much, Headmaster. I would also like to know where I am, and how I got here," Kodac answered.

"Yes, yes, all in due time. But first, lets not allow you to be seen by any of the students, as they might mistake you for that Harry I mentioned," the Headmaster’s eyes twinkled. Pointing his wand at Kodac, he said softly, "Invisio!" and to him, Kodac disappeared. Kodac, however, could see himself just fine. "Follow me, and try not to bump any students that might be wandering around the corridors," Dumbledore whispered in Kodac’s ear. Kodac nodded, but as Dumbledore still waited for an answer, he replied, "Ok, I’ll do my best."

"I’m sure you will," Dumbledore smiled again, and led the way back to the castle.

Harry slept uneasily, tossing and turning listlessly. As he went down the stairs the next morning, Hermione noticed the purple circles under Harry’s eyes.

"What’s wrong, Harry?" she asked.

"I dunno. The same thing as last night, I expect," Harry replied. After a slow breakfast, the Trio made their way to class.

As they arrived in the Transfiguration classroom, the Trio noticed the same bags under Professor McGonagall’s eyes as those under Harry’s.

"Is something wrong, Professor?" Hermione asked anxiously.

"Nothing that you should know about, now get to your seats," McGonagall replied harshly (she was often grumpy when she didn’t sleep well.)

Next Chapter: Why is McGonagall grumpy and have bags under her eyes? How did Kodac get here? These and more questions will be answered in the next chapter. Voldemort sends his pet werewolf after the school.