"No, you aren't dead," Albus answered, smiling again, "and this is not the afterworld, but I do fear things are a bit different than how you remember." He took a deep breath, clasping his hands in his lap. "You and eleven of your peers--" He nodded at the red-headed boy at the other end of the ward. "--have been transported to 1975. The year 1975, that is. Or, rather, 1976 -- since it is now just after midnight on New Year's Eve. So, allow me to be the first to wish you a Happy New Year, as well." He stated all of this matter-of-factly, although he fully expected the boy to argue.