The moment Severus Snape saw the werewolf skulking around the Hogwarts

corridors, he knew he had to find out what Lupin was up to.

Even if it meant tipping his hand to Minerva McGonagall, who happened to
be present when he sighted Lupin.
Snape had gotten to be pretty good at moving quietly. He was vaguely
cognizant that McGonagall had shifted into her Animagus form in order to
better follow him and keep tabs. If she hadn't been as astute an animal as a
cat, he might have managed to lose her. As things stood, he didn't want to
try and risk losing track of the werewolf in the process.
Lupin did not go to the Headmaster's office, nor did he go to the classroom
where he had once served a term as Professor of Defense Against the Dark
Arts. His course was more suspicious than that, taking him down an all-toofamiliar path, where Snape had once chased Quirrell, where Dumbledore had
once hidden the Philosopher's Stone. Snape felt a chill go through him at the
memory; in his worst imaginings of the dangers of the werewolf, he'd never
thought Lupin would turn to the Dark Lord, but he found himself considering
the possibility now.
Lupin entered the chamber where the Stone had been kept, and Snape
hovered outside the door, straining to hear.
Headmaster? That was Lupin.
Ah, my boy, you managed to come.
Snape felt a spark of rage at the werewolf, accompanied by a twinge of pain
from his Mark, reminding him that he had intended to inform Dumbledore
that he may be Summoned soon, as his Mark had been remembering itself to
him through brief spike of pain every so often, an indication that the Dark
Lord was considering Snape in particular or his Death Eaters in general.
Now was as good a time as any to inform the Headmaster. And if it just
happened to coincide with walking in and getting a glimpse of what was
happening with the werewolf, well, that was a bonus or an unfortunate
happenstance of timing, depending upon how one wanted to look at it.

Snape put his hand on the door handle, only to have someone else touch his
shoulder. He whirled, wand out, to find himself facing McGonagall.
I don't think Headmaster Dumbledore wanted you to intrude upon whatever
it is he is doing with Lupin. McGonagall was not even looking at the wand,
acting as though it did not matter that Snape was threatening her.
With a huff, Snape lowered his wand. You'd do best not to startle me,
particularly when I am on edge already.
Did I manage that?
Snape raised an eyebrow, but declined to comment further. He turned back
to the door, reaching once again for the handle.
Severus...
He did not turn around. I have a report to make to Albus Dumbledore
concerning my duties as the Order's spy. So unless you are the Order's new
expert in things pertaining to the Dark Mark and my duties as spy...
McGonagall sighed. Be it on your head, then.
Snape had expected some measure of dismay or denial when he walked
through the door. He did not expect the instant fear he caused;
Dumbledore's bellow of Severus, out!; Remus leaping at him, Remus's
hands on him, shoving him back out the doorThe pain from the Mark rose again, this time into the full pain of a
Summoning.
And the world went white.

*
Ponder Stibbons frowned at the paper in his hand. Oh dear.
Something had gone wrong.
Something had been summoned and dropped into the city.
Something from another world entirely.
Protocol was clear on this sort of thing. Ponder Stibbons was responsible for
telling the Arch-Chancellor, which meant trying to explain things to Mustrum
Ridcully.
Who would probably then delegate him to go and inform Vetinari, as protocol
also clearly stated that the necessary officials of the city must be informed in
such a case.
Oh dear, Ponder said again.
*
As Snape drifted into awareness, he kept his eyes closed, kept his breathing
even. If he was a prisoner, he didn't want to give up the advantage of
seeming to be asleep when he was actually aware of his surroundings.
It didn't sound like a prison, though. Snape could hear the rumble of carts
and the sound of voices. The air was heavy with some sort of scent not as
clean and crisp as Diagon Alley, but reminding him of that far more than the
streets of Muggle cities. A street, yes, that was where he was. Laying on
cobblestones. And there was someone else's hand on his shoulder. Why
would there be a hand on his shoulder?

Memory returned then, still somewhat sluggish. Snape managed to keep

from grimacing or jerking away when he realized it was probably the
werewolf's hand on his shoulder. Instead, he slit his eyes open.
A little old man with a twinkle in his eyes that reminded Snape far too much
of Dumbledore's was looking down at Snape.
You seem to have made it through all right. That's something.
Snape gave up the pretense of being unconscious and instead jerked himself
away from the werewolf. Lupin groaned and stirred.
Where is this place?
Ankh-Morpork. The biggest metropolis on the Disc.
Snape glanced around him, not much more impressed with this than with
any other metropolis he had seen. I don't suppose you would have any idea
how we came here?
A joint thaumaturgic disruption across both worlds. Nothing to worry about,
I'm sure, provided everyone manages to keep out of trouble and such.
Lupin groaned again, moving enough to distract Snape from glaring at the
strange man. When he turned back, the man had gone, and Lupin was sitting
up.
Severus?
What were you playing at?
Playing...
What did you do that made us end up here?

Remus winced, the contortion almost making Snape feel sorry for him.
Almost. It was more Dumbledore than any of the rest of us. And you.
I was certainly not-
The reason Dumbledore didn't involve you was because of your Mark. You
came in when it was flaring, didn't you?
Rather it flared when I entered the room. You are not explaining.
I am trying I still don't quite understand. Only that Albus asked for my
help, because of the particular energies emitted by a werewolf he was
trying something, I think. Something to help Harry.
Why does it always come down to Potter? Snape stood and brushed himself
off, checking to be sure that his wand was still in his pocket. Thinking again,
he pulled out the wand and tried a quick cleaning charm, breathing a sigh of
relief when it worked. We'd best see if we can gain some more perspective.
We'd best look for Albus, you mean?
You think he came through as well?
I would not be astonished, with the amount of power in that room...
*
Something was resting against Hagrid's hand. Something small, with scales.
Hagrid opened his eyes to find himself looking at a fine figure of a woman
not quite as large as his Olympe, but still plenty large and imposing for a
human woman. What caught his interest even more was the scaly creature
cradled in her hands.

Blimey, what kind of a dragon is that? he asked, gazing at it with awe.

A swamp dragon, and you're lucky you didn't make him explode from the
excitement. What are you doing in my dragon pen?"
"Dragon..." Hagrid turned his head to get a better look around himself, and
found several of the tiny dragons staring back at him. "Blimey, they're all
lovely little mites, aren't they?"
The woman's face softened ever so slightly. "That they are." Then she
frowned. "That still doesn't tell me what you're doing there."
Hagrid pondered this a moment. "Bit o' magic gone awry, I expect."
"You're involved with those wizards up at the University, then?"
"University? Nah. Hogwarts, best school o' magic around, particularly under
Dumbledore. I'm Keeper o' the Keys and Grounds."
"Never heard of it."
"Never heard o' Hogwarts? What sort o' backwater is this, then, when you
never heard o' Great Britain's finest magic school?"
"Ankh-Morpork, and I believe I read recently that we are the most
cosmopolitan city this side of the Disc, so not quite a backwater at all."
"Blimey, I must've hit my head harder'n I thought."
The woman considered him a moment, then, "You may as well come in and
we'll see what can be done about that. I'll warn you, though, my husband
Sam is coming home soon, so you'd best not try anything fresh."
"Last thing on my mind," Hagrid assured her. He had a feeling she would
make an excellent colleague - in fact, she reminded him somewhat of
Professor Grubbly-Plank, though this woman had more of her own limbs
attached - but she wasnt his Olympe.
*
Albus Dumbledore rarely allowed events to throw him mentally off-balance,
and the moment he came to he was patting his pockets to ensure that
everything important had come through with him. Wand? Check. Sherbert
lemons? Check. He was ready to surmount whatever obstacle this place may
offer him.

Now if only he knew what had become of his colleagues...

A glance around revealed that an eighth color had joined the seven with
which he happened to be familiar, and was in fact hovering in a sort of mist
around the closest building. Two men were hurrying towards him from that
building, and Albus Dumbledore schooled his face into his most beatific
smile.
Here now, what are you doing on my University grounds? one of the men
demanded.
I apologize. I intended no intrusion upon you. Dumbledore fished in his
robe pocket. Sherbert lemon?
What?
Sherbert lemon? Finding the packet, he extended it to the stranger.
Theyre a personal favorite of mine.
The man glared suspiciously at the packet. Theyre not healthful, he
announced after a moments consideration. Which wouldnt stop most of
the others, Im sure. but I want to be in prime condition when I go hunting
the legendary phoenix.
Dumbledores features darkened a moment, as he thought of Fawkes back
home, and this strange man hunting him. He quickly smoothed away his
discontent, though - it would not do to antagonize these people if they did
happen to be key to getting him home, as part of him suspected they might.
Of course, was all he allowed himself to say.
Now, Ponder, the man turned to his companion, who had until this moment
kept his silence, Is this one of them people from another world your lot
brought here?
I believe so, Ponder replied, flinching slightly.
Well, then, I leave you to sort it out. Im going to finish my morning jog.
*
Ponder Stibbons glanced wistfully after Archchancellor Ridcully - not that he
wanted to take a morning jog, but it would have been nice, just once, to have
one of the senior wizards take a hand in solving some of the problems
around the University. Perhaps not this one, particularly, as Ponder did have

to admit that it was primarily his fault. But he was cleaning up the mess even
when it wasnt.
The stranger was still holding out the packet of sweets. How about you? he
asked. Would you care for a sherbert lemon?
Ponder scowled. No. He hated when people treated him as though he were
a child - he may look young, but he was more than capable. Although, come
to think of it, the stranger had offered a sweet to Ridcully as well, so perhaps
the offer was not a comment on Ponders youth.
Very well then. The stranger pulled one of the sweets from the blob,
stretching it slightly in the process, then popped it in his mouth. Albus
Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, at your service, the man said around
a mouthful of the candy.
Ponder Stibbons, Head of Inadvisably Applied Magic, among other things, at
yours.
Ah, excellent, Master Stibbons. Perhaps we might go over your end of the
events that brought myself - and quite possibly a number of others, who I
really must find soon - here?
When Ponder met Headmaster Dumbledores eyes, a twinge of dread
assailed him. The level gaze was filled with cleverness and intelligence, and
Ponder didnt really like the thought that he might be attempting to explain
things to someone who was actually cleverer than him, and who had a
vested interest in the topic. Ah well, there wasnt much for it.
Come along to the High Energy Magic Building, then, and Ill introduce you
to Hex.
*
Snape and the werewolf were innocently exploring their surroundings when
they were accosted by a pair of guards. The first looked like he spent more
time mainlining doughnuts than guarding, and the second made Snape
wonder whether he was an unfortunate cross between a house elf and a
goblin.
Here now, you dont want to be going in there, the plump one said.
Thats the Shades, that is, agreed the other.
The Shades? Snape used the snide tone he had developed for use with
particularly annoying students. Which just happened to be most of them.

Wherere you from that you dont know the Shades, mister? Being eyed by
the smaller one was not quite a pleasant experience.
Lupin answered. Great Britain.
The men looked at each other, and the round one said, Magical accident? I
think you might be some of the people Mister Vimes was talking about. Im
Sergeant Colin, and this is Corporal Nobbs, Nobby for short.
A brief expectant silence. Remus, predictably, stepped in. Remus Lupin and
Severus Snape. Something magical happened on this side of things as well?
Its those wizards. Sergeant Colin gave a shudder, which was rather a lot of
shudder considering his body mass. Then he shuddered again. And we're to
take you to the Patrician.
Sarge?
Yes, Nobby?
Do we have to go to the Patrician?
Orders are that if the strangers are found, they're to be brought before
him. The man appeared to consider the matter. Though I think that's really
a job for the brass. The Patrician doesn't want to see our lot. We'll bring 'em
to Mister Vimes, or Captain Carrot.
Good thinking, Sarge.
Snape briefly considered casting a surreptitious spell or two and getting
away from the pair of guards, but decided to bide his time. They hadn't
confiscated his wand, which meant that either they didn't consider it a threat
(in which case he didn't like to tip his hand) or else they were not planning to
bring him somewhere that he would be tempted to use it against people.
They led him to a guardhouse, where a young woman in sergeant's stripes
was at the desk. Got something for Mister Vimes, Sergeant Angua.
Thank you, Sergeant Colin and Corporal Nobbs. The woman eyed both of
them, but turned her attention mostly to Remus. She actually stood up and
stepped closer to him, tilting her head slightly.
Why was it that the werewolf had all the luck with women? Not that Snape
was really interested in this particular woman but he remembered Lupin
having more than his share of prospects. Probably something to do with how

Lupin was distinguished-looking, while Snape had an oversized nose and

nothing like a werewolf's metabolism.
Lupin actually stepped back, away from the woman.
No, hold still. She scowled, sniffing the air. Sniffing? Snape glanced at
Lupin. His nostrils were twitching too, though he was not being so obvious
about it.
You smell... odd. The woman slanted a suspicious glance up at Lupin.
I'm afraid it would be terribly rude to inform you I was just thinking the
same about you.
The woman snorted.
Snape narrowed his eyes. You'll have to forgive him. He's a werewolf, and
they don't often learn proper manners.
Lupin blanched, and Snape felt a smug satisfaction at having gotten back at
him. But the woman's sharp gaze was now focused on Snape. And why were
the other two men backing towards the door?
Some werewolves have no manners, the woman growled. My father, for
instance, would be eating you for breakfast right about now. You're lucky that
I've sworn off that kind of behavior, or I might be tempted to make a snack of
you myself.
You're a werewolf? Lupin's voice broke in.
Yes. I don't usually tell people... when they hear there's a werewolf in the
watch, they usually look at Nobby over there... but since you're a fellow
werewolf...
At that moment, two more figures entered the room. The girl turned, and
favored the larger of the pair with quite a welcoming smile. Carrot.
Commander Vimes.
Who are these people? Vimes demanded, glaring at Snape and Lupin.
They were talking about Great Britain, Commander, and how they came
from there. And we were thinking that maybe you would like to be the one to
bring them to the Patrician, on account of Nobby and I aren't really the sort
he likes to look at.
Vimes narrowed his eyes as he looked at them. Very well. Captain Carrot?

Sir.
You take over here. I'll bring Sergeant Angua to help me with our guests.
Captain Carrot saluted smartly, and then Snape and Lupin found themselves
being led back out of the guardhouse.
We could take a carriage, Vimes said, But I'd just as soon walk. And he
started a jaunty walk, swinging his legs, whistling a bit.
Commander's always glad when he gets a chance to walk the streets,
Angua confided in a low tone to them.
They walked until they reached a moderately imposing palace. More
imposing was the coach outside, obviously expensive, branded with a V.
Lupin cleared his throat. This Patrician... wouldn't happen to be a bit of a
megalomaniac, would he?
Vimes halted, spun to favor them with a predatory grin. I think he'd consider
that a compliment, yes.
Bent on obtaining power and immortality?
I've heard that said.
Rather snake-like?
You'll fear just like a pair of mice when you go before him.
And that's his coach, is it?
Indeed it is.
His initial?
Yes.
Lupin and Snape exchanged bleak looks before Sergeant Angua started
prodding them along. Snape felt again for his wand. Not that it would do him
much good. Not against Voldemort. Particularly not a Voldemort who had
managed to take charge of a whole city.
They were ushered into an audience room, and when they finally laid eyes on
the Patrician they both breathed a simultaneous sigh of relief. Then Snape

took a second look at the man and wondered if maybe he had relaxed too
soon. There was something about the man that spoke of a kind of relentless
determination, a cold cunning in his eyes, a look that Voldemort rarely got
but one which meant trouble when he did have it. Snape was unaware that
his own features were taking on a similar look, a mirror to this Patrician's.
So. These are the visitors from another world. The Patrician stepped
forward to get a better look at them.
Sir, Vimes said.
How very interesting. Is there a particular reason you came to visit our fine
city?
Lupin was standing there uselessly, leaving Snape to answer. A magical
accident brought us here.
Indeed. And what were your intentions upon arriving?
To find our way back home.
Ah, yes. I am certain the wizards at the Unseen University would be more
than willing to help you. The man's eyes narrowed. My city runs well,
gentlemen, and I will not have you clogging up the clockwork that makes it
run. Then he relaxed, marginally, although Snape doubted this man ever
truly relaxed. As long as you do no harm to my city, however, I have no
objections to you being here. He looked at Snape again. I don't suppose
you play chess.
On occasion.
Well. Perhaps we might have a game if you are here for any length of time
and I can work myself up to the excitement. One last look, and then the
man turned away. Do not let me detain you.
And Vimes was hustling them out of there.
What was that? Lupin asked, sounding dazed.
You could have said something.
I... Lupin shook his head, like a dog shaking off water.
Come along and I'll bring you to the University. And then I'm going home.

*
Vimes considered that he had done his civic duty for the day. There had been
another stranger with the wizards, who had seemed only too glad to have
the others with him. And now it was getting to be the most important time of
the day. Vimes quickened his step, wanting to get home in time, picturing
young Sam in his blanket, waiting.
For once, he managed to arrive early. Just as well, as there was a moderate
difficulty for his brain to process.
Sybil was not alone in the kitchen, but was sitting across from the largest
man Vimes had ever seen. The man had a swamp dragon cuddled into his
abundant beard, and was sipping tea from a cup that was dwarfed (no
offense intended to the dwarfish race, I'm sure) by his immense hand.
Wha-
Oh, Sam, there you are, good. This is Hagrid. I'm thinking of hiring him on as
kennel help, if he's here for any length of time. He's got quite a touch with
the dragons.
How d'ya do, Hagrid said, raising his cup in greeting.
I... Vimes blinked rapidly, and felt his internal clock twinge. I have to read
to young Sam. I'll speak with you after that.
Tonight's rendition of Where's My Cow went smoothly, as Vimes very
consciously did not turn it into a rendition of Where's The Strange People
Who Seem to be Invading Ankh-Morpork? With young Sam safely tucked in
and slumbering, Vimes went downstairs to deal with the visitor in his kitchen.
Do the names Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, and Remus Lupin mean
anything to you? Vimes automatically entered questioning mode.
Yep. Albus Dumbledore's the greatest Headmaster Hogwarts has ever seen.
Yes, he was talking about some strange places earlier, Sam. I thought he
must have hit his head.
No. There was some sort of accident at the Unseen University, and the
wizards brought them from somewhere else. The rest of them are at the
University now, trying to figure out a way back.

Guess I'd better join them, Hagrid said, looking sadly at the dragon cradled
in his arms and giving it a couple pats. Shame to leave these beauties,
though.
If you have any troubles getting back, stop by here and I'll give you a job,
Sybil told him. It is a shame I'd send a couple back with you, but I'm afraid
that with the excitement of inter-dimensional travel they might well
explode.
Maybe I'll get a chance to come say good-bye. There, lad, you go back in
your bed. Don't look at me like that. Don't I wish I could stay here and hold
you.
*
Albus Dumbledore peered at the readout. Four of us? You are certain?
Hex is certain, and he knows better than us.
McGonagall was behind me, Snape said.
And Hagrid was in the room with us, Lupin added, so it could be either of
them.
And you are certain that we all must go back?
It's all or nothing, according to Hex. The universe wants to put you back
where you belong, so it won't take a lot of power, but the universe wants you
all back.
Snape felt Dumbledore's gaze on him. I know you were free from the Dark
Mark here. Are free. And you do not know how much I wish that I could give
you the choice to stay here, freed from past mistakes. Perhaps we could all
find a place here...
Then our world would be doomed, Snape replied flatly, touching his fingers
to what had become, for a brief while, just a strange tattoo. Potter and his
friends can't be trusted on their own. They need all the help they can get.
Again it was coming back to Potter. Even if you could leave me here...
Snape took in a breath, trying to picture living without people knowing he
had been a Death Eater, without having to scurry to a madman's bidding
every time his forearm twinged. Even if you could leave me here, it would
not be advised. You know the difficulties inherent in getting another

operative inside the Dark Lord's fold. I am too valuable an asset to leave
behind.
You are more valuable than you know. For a moment, Dumbledore's tone
and expression betrayed his true age. He quickly shifted back to the more
familiar overly-energetic version of himself that they knew so well. So, our
mission becomes to find the last member of our party-
Here, Professor. Hagrid walked in, trailed by Commander Vimes.
Looks like I did the hard bit for you, the commander said.
His wife keeps swamp dragons. Beautiful creatures-
If Snape didn't cut in, Hagrid would ramble all night, and they might never
get home. If we could all focus on the task at hand...
That won him several looks, all of which he ignored.
Very well, if you all would go stand over there, I'll just start putting the
numbers into Hex...
*
When Snape woke again, he was in the infirmary. Hagrid's snoring rattled the
potion containers. Minerva McGonagall was standing over him.
You all just vanished. I was worried about the lot of you.
From somewhere else in the room, Dumbledore cleared his throat. So good
of you to worry, Minerva. And quite a tale it is...