The All Read: The Sorcer's stone

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Prlogue 3: The Present

1998

It had been just some hours after the final battle, after the defeat of the Dark Lord at last.

Most of the people were still in the Great Hall. The ones who have escaped and left the castle before the start of the final battle have returned. Some were still celebrating, some were talking about the battle and about Harry and Voldemort's duel. Some still were discussing on how to fix the castle. The teachers were mainly the ones discussing this. The castle had suffered very severe damage. Others were talking about the latest from the Ministry, about the escaped Death Eaters being captured as they speak.

But most were just simply grieving for the loved ones they've just lost. Among them were the Weasleys.

The Golden Trio were in a far corner of the hall. After all the initial congratulations and Harry, Ron and Hermione had returned from talking with Dumbledore's portrait, they had gone back to hall and settled there. People had started to make their way towards them again, but Kingsley and Minerva had stopped them, realizing the Trio might want some peace after all that's happened.

Minerva was very proud of all her students for what they've done in the battle, but she was most proud of these three. She still didn't know what they've gone through the past year, but she knew they suffered a lot. She had hoped they could have some more time to rest… but it couldn't be for now.

She stood in front of the hall.

"Everyone!" she shouted. "Everyone! Please! Listen!"

The hall went silent, all eyes turned to her.

"I would like to thank each and every one of you for being here, and for the sacrifices and hardships you've face for defending Hogwarts. The castle has been severely damaged, and once again, I must ask for all of your help to fix our beloved school. However, the renovations of the school won't begin until a couple of weeks from now, so we will still all have time to-"

"Why won't it begin until then, Professor?" It was Dennis Creevey who had interrupted. There were still tear marks on his cheeks. He had lost his brother, and had returned immediately after the other members of the D.A. sent him a message through their Galleons. He had wanted to go with his brother when he sneaked back to the castle to help fight, but Colin forced him to leave. If he had gone with his brother, maybe he could have helped him and he might not have died…

Dennis continued, "I mean, I know some are too hurt, physically and emotionally, to work, but I'd personally love to have something to do. To have something occupy my time and thoughts… it might help me bear the lost…" He trailed off.

Several others nodded in agreement with him.

"I understand how you feel, Mr. Creevey," said Minerva. "But we still need to assess the exact damage done, renovation plans still need to be made. And-," she hesitated a bit before continuing. "And.. I will be having to ask certain people to help me... address… a certain… matter… at hand."

There was now nervousness among the crowd. What kind of certain matter? They sure hope it isn't that bad. After just facing Voldemort and his Death Eaters, they don't think they still have enough energy and power to handle much else.

"As much as we appreciate all the help and service you've given us mere hours ago, I must ask the others apart from those who I will call, to leave the castle. And I suppose you would all like to be at home now and be with your families anyway, after all that's happened..."

"There isn't more trouble is there?" asked Arthur Weasley in a strangled voice, his eyes still bloodshot, still mourning the loss of his son. After just losing Fred he didn't have it in him to fight or even just sort out trouble. He didn't have it in him to do much at all, to be honest. He put a comforting around the still silently sobbing Molly Weasley, gripping her shoulder tightly.

"No, no, no," said Minerva quickly. "No, it's just… Well, it's a bit complicated to explain right now… Maybe when the others have left, yes?... Very well, the people whose names I shall call, please remain…" She said the last line louder for everyone in the hall to hear.

She drew out an envelope and pulled out what appeared to be a letter. "The following will please remain: Harry Potter…"

Eyes darted towards Harry. It seemed to confirm to the others that there was some sort of problem, though they weren't sure about the gravity of it. I mean, it involves their hero right, so something still has to be dealt with…

Harry, on the other hand, felt a rapidly growing sense of dread. He had just finished of Voldemort, can't he still have some peace even now? What more would he have to face now?

Minerva went on with the list, "…Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger…"

Ron and Hermione exchanged nervous looks, both biting back a groan. Yep, there's definitely something out of place here. Ron couldn't help thinking, "Seven years, and it's still always the three of us, (A/N: from the 6th movie lines of McGonagall and Ron :P), even if it still might not even be about V-Voldemort anymore…"

"…the whole Weasley family: Arthur, Molly, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Percy, George, Ginny…"

The Weasleys all went pale. They had just been exchanging nervous looks when the Golden Trio was called, now their whole family was all going to have to be involved again as well? Molly's lip trembled, and Arthur gripped her shoulder more firmly, trying to reassure her silently. He hoped it wasn't dangerous again, whatever it was… George however was trying not to break down again. His brother's name not being called among them was bringing back the floods of tears…

"… Kingsley Shacklebolt, Rubeus Hagrid, Elphias Doge, Aberforth Dumbledore (those who weren't aware of the barman's relation with the past Headmaster looked up in shock), Sturgis Podmore, Dedalus Diggle, Hestia Jones,…"

The remaining members of the Order of the Phoenix were once again trying to gather their courage and resolve, readying themselves to face it, whatever it was. It could be some powerful Death Eater that has escaped and managed to cause a lot trouble in just a few short hours. They hoped that that is all it was…

"…Professor Flitwick, Professor Sprout, Professor Sinistra, Professor Vector, Professor Trelawney, Professor Firenze, Professor Binns, Professor Slughorn, Argus Filch, Poppy Pomfrey, Rolanda Hooch, Irma Pince…"

People were starting to really feel anxious. The people who will be called war heroes in the future, the Order of the Phoenix, and even the teachers and staff? What on earth is going on?

"…Oliver Wood... Members of Dumbledore's Army: Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, Dennis Creevey, Lee Jordan, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Ernie Macmillan, Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones, Cho Chang, Terry Boot, Michael Corner, Anthony Goldstein, Luna Lovegood, Padma and Parvati Patil, Lavender Brown, Seamus Finnegan, Dean Thomas and Neville Longbottom…"

Great, now even the D.A. was to be involved. The members, however tired and sick at heart they were, sat up a bit straighter. Even though they've just been through a hell lot, they'll do whatever what was asked from them. Especially since it seems Harry was going to be involved again, and they'll do everything they can to support him once more.

"...Astoria Greengrass..."

The Slytherins, the ones who returned and didn't escape with their Death Eater parents at least, all turned to look in shock at Astoria. Astoria, for her part, had her eyes widened in shock. Why her? What does she have to with all the others that have been called before? While she and her family were among the few decent Slytherin ones who didn't believe in pureblood supremacy and didn't support Voldemort (yes there are some Slytherins like that actually, not that many would believe it), she wasn't entirely very supportive of the fight of Harry Potter. Though she hoped Harry would win, she didn't exactly extend much help either...

"…Narcissa and Draco Malfoy…"

This shocked the whole hall. The three Malfoys were still sitting in a far corner of the hall, and they looked dumb struck, not even noticing the whole hall staring at them. Lucius Malfoy was wondering why he was not included in whatever it was, when his wife and son were… What could it possibly be?...

"The four house ghosts: Sir Nicholas, the Grey Lady, the Fat Friar, and the b****y Baron…"

This was met with incredulous stares. Why the ghosts as well? What help would they be, when they're already dead after all?

"… and Dudley Dursley," Professor McGonagall finished.

This shocked the hall even more, well those who were aware of Dudley being Harry's muggle cousin anyway. Harry was startled and whipped to turn his head on his cousin, who was sitting next to Hestia and Dedalus, having just come back with them. Dudley was surprised as well, and he looked at Harry for help. Harry actually managed to offer him a reassuring smile, but his brain was going on overload. The Malfoys were one thing to be involved, but his muggle cousin as well?

There was now a great deal of muttering and speculation in the halls, from nervous whispers to fearful tones to grudging grunts. Minerva cleared her throat and raised her voice a bit more, "These people are to remain behind. The others will please follow Mr. Filch. He will escort you to the exit passageway that will lead you to Hog's Head. There are a few ministry officials there delegating portkeys to everyone."

"So the ministry is in involved in this, is it?" snapped Zacharias Smith, who had returned back after the battle and now regained his haughty attitude now that the danger has passed.

"No, they're not Mr. Smith. They have already been arranging a way to transport those who are here back to their homes anyway, I have told them there are a few to remain at the castle however. Our new temporary minister, Kinsley Shacklebolt, has already approved this and he will be with us anyway. Now why don't you go first with Mr. Filch. And Argus come back immediately afterwards as you are needed with us-"

"And what if I want to stay! You've asked the other members of the D.A. to remain! How come I don't get to as well?" Smith protested He doubted it would be much dangerous, and he wanted a part on that at least to guarantee him fame like the others. This way he wouldn't have to put himself in danger and still get to be in the news.

"That's because you're a deserting little coward!" Ernie Macmillan snarled. He had seen him rush past the first years trying to save his own arse.

"Yeah!" Hannah Abbott cried, "You don't deserve to be in the D.A., or even in the Hufflepuff house for that matter! You have no loyalty whatsoever!"

"You're as horrible as all the other Slytherins! You should be with them!" shouted a fifth year Hufflepuff, who had been pushed around by Zacharias before. The Slytherins in the hall looked offended.

"Leave the Slytherin house out of this," a low voice said, though still managing to be heard by the whole hall.

Imagine everyone's surprised when the statement came from Harry Potter himself. Harry Potter defending Slytherin house? There were many raised eyebrows at him.

"You have no right to judge a whole house, just because of the mistakes of some of its members," he continued, his face unreadable.

Not everyone was exactly agreeing with him, but seeing as he had just defeated Voldemort, they all wisely kept their mouths shut. However, the teachers and Order members were glancing at each other. Ron and Hermione, who had only been told by Harry that Snape was loyal all along and had helped them but weren't given the full details of Snape's history, were a little less confused. They suppose there are still some details that Harry wasn't ready yet to share, like why he had really went into the forest in the first place (A/N: I know it said in the book that he explained everything to them on the way to Dumbledore's office at the end, but let's pretend that they don't know the full details of those yet here, shall we? :D). They didn't hold it against him, but they still longed to know of course.

"Very well," said McGonagall, still staring at Harry. The boy seemed to have matured a lot, although she supposed war does that to people. "The ones whom I haven't called please leave. If you have any problems whatsoever, do not hesitate to contact us immediately, please!"

Filch marched up to Zacharias, who was still glaring resentfully at everyone in the hall, and dragged him out, ignoring his protests and insults. The others followed them out of the hall, as the ones whose names were called slowly gathered around Minerva.

In Paradise… or Heaven... or whatever you might want to call it (A/N: This is still present time if you're wondering, going on at the same time as Minerva is talking to the hall.)

An old man in purple robes and black high-heeled boots, with his long silver beard tuck into his belt, was humming some chamber music as he made his way to a small group of people on the other side of the meadow.

The group turned as one to him as he reached them. They were Mad-Eye Moody, Sirius Black, Emmeline Vance, Severus Snape, Fred Weasley and Colin Creevey. With them also was the house-elf Dobby.

"Professor Dumbledore, sir!" Dobby greeted him.

"It's very nice to see you again, Dobby," Dumbledore said, bowing his head slightly to him in acknowledgement.

"What is going on, Albus?" said Moody, in his usual growling voice. "Why have you asked us to come here?"

"Yes," said Snape. "I'd very well like to know that as well. I've already spent my life doing your orders Dumbledore-" Moody, Sirius and Fred snorted at this (they still believed him to be a traitor and murder). Snape just ignored them, "-can I not be left in peace even now that I am dead?"

"You don't deserve peace. You don't even deserve to be here," Fred muttered.

"Hear, hear!" shouted Sirius, looking at Snape with pure loathing. He couldn't believe that the man who killed the Headmaster and betrayed them all was up here. He should have been sent to deepest pits of hell, where he belongs!

"Not now Sirius," Emmeline warned. She was on Sirius's side, of course, as she also believed Snape to have betrayed them, but she was still rational and now was most certainly not the time to go on about this. Especially when it seems that Dumbledore has something very important to tell them.

"That is enough, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Black," Dumbledore said gently, yet firmly. "I had been asked to gather you with me, and now is most certainly not the time for this kind of manner."

"And why have you been asked to gather us?" said Mad-Eye suspiciously.

"We are going back," Dumbledore answered simply.

They stared at him.

He couldn't possibly mean what they thought he did… Could he?

"Sir… when you say 'going back'…" said Fred slowly, all thoughts of hatred towards Snape driven out of his mind for a while.

"We are going back to the world of the living. We are meant to read certain books with them. Books about Harry's life," he added when he saw their incredulous looks about going back just to read books. "It has been decided that a certain number of people are worthy and deserve to know the whole truth, and it is easier to understand everything if we look through Harry's perspective."

"But why are we the only ones going back, Professor? Surely we're not the only ones among the dead that deserve too? Like Harry's parents. What about them, surely they deserve to know about their son after their sacrifice?" said Fred.

Sirius nodded in agreement to this. Ever since he had died, he's met Lily and James here many times, sharing with them everything he knew about Harry. He could tell that his stories were not enough to satisfy their longing to know their son, though. It was plain as day on their faces. Besides, he didn't know everything about Harry, all he was able to tell Lily and James here were only the major happenings in his life, and as most of that involved danger and risk in his life, well it didn't really please his friends much...

Nobody but Dumbledore noticed the pain in Snape's face at the mention of Lily Potter. He had only been up here for some hours and had not had a chance to see her yet, with all the briefing about this place and all.

"We are not the only ones to be joining the present, Mr. Weasley. However, others will be arriving from certain different… time periods… instead."

"As in from the past, sir?" asked Colin, his voice full of shock and awe.

"And the future quite possibly," said Dumbledore cheerfully. "But then again, time is relative, but for all the purposes of this conversation then, yes maybe… Now if you will follow me, gentlemen."

Colin looked excited, and Dobby couldn't wait to see Harry Potter and his friends again. Mad-Eye, Snape, Siriu, Emmeline and Fred all had incredulous and awestruck (mainly just Fred here) looks on their faces as they followed Dumbledore through a portal that had just appeared near them.