Note: Minor revisions as of 25/1/2016.

Chapter 2: Meeting the Marauders

The golden sand swirled around them endlessly, swept around by a magical wind. Once in a while, Teddy could hear snatches of muted conversation on the wind, gone before he could make sense of anything. He felt Lily's fingers tighten their clench on his shirt and wrapped her small body more firmly against him.

All of a sudden, the wind stopped as if it had never been there, the noise level also returning to a normal state. Glancing around, he saw that he was on Platform 9 and ¾, with the Hogwarts Express still in the station. What perplexed him however was that everyone was just walking around normally, as if no one seemed to have noticed the strange experience that they had just gone through. More alarming was the fact that Harry, Ginny, James and Albus were nowhere to be seen. In fact, he couldn't recognize a single soul.

"Teddy?" Lily tugged on his sleeve. He looked down into large brown eyes filled innocent curiosity, and his heart tightened. It wasn't just his problem alone, Lily was depending on him for this.

"It's alright, Lily. We'll get back home," Teddy told her in a reassuring tone. However, he wasn't entirely sure how they were going to manage that. Where were they, anyway?

"Is anything the matter?" a concerned feminine voice asked from behind him.

Teddy spun his head around to see a girl about his age, leaning over them with a friendly smile. Her hair spilled down past her shoulders, shining a beautiful shade of auburn as it reflected the light. She had an air of confidence and maturity, together with a sense of responsibility. But the first thing that Teddy noticed, that made his heart drop to the pit of his stomach, was her beautiful almond-shaped green eyes. Eyes that he had seen on Harry's face.

Well.

Well, bloody hell.

Lily Evans (because it could be no other than Lily Evans, despite the seeming impossibility of the situation) smiled kindly at them. That smile reminded Teddy so much of Harry that he had to swallow down a lump in his throat. "I'm the Head Girl, Lily Evans. I don't think I've seen you around before. Is there anything I could help you with?" Oh, it was a good thing his Head Boy badge was safely tucked away in his bag. That would have been tricky to explain.

Dazed, he stood up, little Lily's hand clasped tightly in his. Forcing down the turmoil rolling through his mind, he made himself smile. It would be best to blend in for now, and figure out what to do later. "Ah, you see, I'm a transfer student this year. Ted Harrison, nice to meet you," he offered his free hand and the Head Girl shook it warmly. "I'm afraid there are some complications. Hopefully it will be solved after I see the Headmaster."

"I see. I'm sure that Professor Dumbledore will have a solution. If it's urgent, it's possible to get to Hogwarts fast by Apparating to Hogsmeade or going by the Floo. I can be your guide if you would like to do so."

Teddy shook his head. "Thank you for the offer, but I think I'll just take the train."

"In that case, the train will be leaving soon, so I suggest getting on to find a seat. I hope to see you around, then."

"Likewise. Thanks for your help."

Lily Luna turned back to smile up at her namesake as she followed Teddy to board the train. "Bye bye!" she said, waving her hand cutely.

"Evans!" Lily sighed exasperatedly as an all-too-familiar-and-annoying voice called her from behind and an arm was draped over her shoulders.

"Take your hands off me, Potter, before I hex you," the redhead said in even tones but drew out her wand to show that she meant it. It was good to be of age.

James immediately put his hands up in surrender, but his expression didn't seem too contrite as he gave her a disarming smile (that didn't work). "I just wondered who the new boy is. No one told me that there is going to be a new student this year. He looks like a sixth or seventh year."

Lily looked at Teddy's retreating back. "I wasn't told either. He says his name is Ted Harrison. Apparently, he has something he needs to talk to the Headmaster about." She glanced at James shrewdly. "Why would you be told, anyway?"

A voice cut in. "You are currently looking, my dear Evans, at our current Head Boy." Sirius gestured towards James with a dramatic flourish.

"Head Boy? Him?" Lily looked skeptically at James, who beamed back unabashedly.

"I'm completely serious. After all, it's my name," Sirius couldn't help but say cheekily.

"Come on, Padfoot, the joke is way too old by now," Remus said as he reached them, rolling his eyes.

"But I am Sirius!" Sirius protested, waggling his eyebrows.

Remus snorted.

Sirius rounded upon the newest arrival. "Peter! Tell them that I'm right!"

The mousy boy jumped at the sudden attention, but a grin crept up his face. "You really have to admit that it is getting old, Sirius."

"Even Peter! You have been corrupting him behind my back, Moony! I am greatly grieved." Sirius pretended to sulk.

James prodded him with an elbow. "Get over it, Padfoot."

The Marauders launched into their usual teasing banter, with Lily watching them in amusement.

"Evans!"

At the call, the skin on the back of Teddy's neck prickled. The voice held enough resemblance to his godfather's to startle him. But there were differences too, for James' voice was not only clearly younger, but also more carefree and mischievous.

Little Lily turned. "Daddy?" she wondered doubtfully.

"That's not your Daddy, Lily," Teddy told her. "Come on, let's get on the train."

Lily followed him obediently but glanced back curiously once in a while. It took all of Teddy's willpower not to look back. He knew what he would find if he did and didn't trust himself to hold this feelings in. Making a scene in the middle of the crowded station was the last thing he needed.

"Teddy? My hand hurts…"

Teddy hurriedly loosened his hold on Lily's hand. "Sorry, I was thinking."

Lily was concerned. "Why is Teddy sad?"

Teddy sighed and crouched down next to Lily, putting him on the same eye level as her. "I'm not sad. It's just that I never expected something like this to happen." He glanced around to make sure no one would overhear them. "Lils, if anyone asks, you must tell them that your name is Lily Harrison and I'm your brother Teddy Harrison. Think of it as a game. We're spies, so we are pretending to be other people, okay?"

"Okay!" said Lily, happy at the prospect of a game.

"You must remember, Lily. Promise?" Teddy extended his little finger and Lily hooked hers over his. They shook solemnly.

"Pinky promise!" Lily agreed.

It was at that moment that Teddy chanced to look over that where they had left Lily Evans. His eyes widened and he greedily took in the sight of his father playfully lunged at a young man he knew had to be Sirius Black, who ducked behind James Potter with a loud cackle. They looked so happy and full of life that it was almost impossible to imagine that in a few years time they...

"Teddy?"

Feeling a soft hand on his thigh he looked back at Lily Luna and was surprised to find that his eyes were wet. He discreetly dried his tears as he stood up. "I'm alright, Lily. Let's go."

He could only hope that Professor Dumbledore was as resourceful and all-knowing as the history books always made him out to be. Because he wasn't sure how his heart would survive if they couldn't find their way back.

Teddy sat down with Lily beside him, staring out into the slowly emptying platform as the straggling students boarded the train. The chatter of students echoed in from the hallway, accompanied by giggles and laughing shrieks. It was good to know that some things were the same regardless of what era they were in, even though the music blaring from the next room was unfamiliar.

Suddenly the door to the compartment slid open and three boys tumbled in. They stopped short in surprise when they noticed Teddy and Lily.

"Umm, hello," Teddy said rather self-consciously as they gaped at him. He wondered if there was something peculiar about his appearance to make them stare so much and decided that his turquoise-colored hair was somewhat extraordinary. He turned it black. Unfortunately, that just made them stare more.

"It's not nice to stare," Lily admonished from Teddy's side, sounding a lot like Ginny Potter in that moment. Teddy would have laughed if the situation wasn't so overwhelming.

The sandy-haired boy recovered first. He smiled at little Lily. "I'm sorry." He turned to Teddy. "Remus Lupin."

Teddy stood to shake the hand offered to him. "Ted Harrison. Just call me Teddy."

"Do excuse my friends, they are rather shocked. Peter Pettigrew and Sirius Black," Remus introduced, indicating each of them.

"You're a Metamorphmagus!" Peter finally managed to squeak out.

"Yeah…" Teddy blushed and his hair turned a shade of red not unlike the Weasleys'.

"You're embarrassing him," Remus said, ushering his friends fully into the compartment as he closed the door behind them.

Sirius plopped down on the free seat at Teddy's right. "Sorry, I'm not sure why I was so surprised. It's not the first time I've seen a Metamorphmagus, since my cousin's kid is one. Never expected to meet another, though." He grinned and extended a hand. "Like Remus said already, I'm Sirius."

Nearby, Remus had taken the seat opposite and was engaging Lily in conversation. "Hi, what's your name?"

"Lily," she said shyly, swinging her legs.

Remus produced a small bar of chocolate from his pocket and gave it to her. "We know a Lily too. You met her just now, right?"

Lily nodded as she took the treat. "She was very nice." She glanced up at him. "You're very nice too."

Remus chuckled. "I'm glad you think so."

Even though none of them mentioned anything, Teddy knew that they were burning with curiosity about why Lily was on the train with him.

"Lily was supposed to go stay with an aunt of ours but she recently broke her leg. It would be too hard on her if she had to take care of Lily while she recovers, so I hope that Professor Dumbledore can arrange for Lily to stay at Hogwarts for the time being. We have no other relatives, you see. Our aunt is our guardian," Teddy said, hurriedly coming up with a cover story for their presence.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Let me know if there's anything I can help with. I'll bring you to the Headmaster's office when we reach Hogwarts, if you like," Remus offered.

Teddy naturally knew the way up to the Head's office. But a new student wouldn't, and therefore to go up by himself would look suspicious. "Thanks," he said gratefully. "That would be great."

The door slid open again and a messy black head popped in. The Head Boy's face lit into a warm grin at the sight of them.

"Ah, the new student is here too! Harrison, is it? How do you do, my name is James Potter."

Teddy shook hands with his godfather's father. "Call me Teddy."

"I'm James, then." The Head Boy fixed his gaze on his friends. "Don't scare him off, now," he said teasingly.

"As if we would! And what have you been up to, Prongs? Enjoying your time with Evans?" Sirius teased right back.

"I heard that!" a voice said crossly from the corridor.

"Oops." Sirius didn't look at all apologetic, however.

"Thanks, mate," said James with an eye-roll. "I'll be going then. Don't want Lily-flower to think that I'm slacking off."

"Potter!"

"Coming, my dearest Evans!" The door closed.

"The girl has him wrapped around her little finger." Sirius fell back onto the cushioned seat, folding his hands behind his head.

"You act as though it is something new, Padfoot," Remus said in an amused tone.

Sirius snorted as he accepted the truth of that statement. "How long do you think it'll take Prongsie to convince Evans to go out with him?"

"The first Hogsmeade weekend."

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "So soon? I say Halloween. What about you, Wormtail?"

"Christmas?" Peter shrugged. "I don't know."

"How about we place a bet on it?" Sirius challenged. "The winner gets all his expenses covered for the Hogsmeade weekend after they start dating."

"Honeydukes chocolate included? Deal," Remus said.

Peter agreed to it, seeing no alternative.

"I'll win this," Sirius said confidently.

Remus' eyes danced as he opened the book that he had brought. "We'll see."

Next to the window, Lily Luna had fallen asleep. Leaning over, Teddy covered her with his jacket, tucking in the sides so that it wouldn't slip off. Closing his eyes, he let the voices of the three Marauders wash gently over him.

His last thought before he drifted off was that if they really were going to be stuck in the past, he could get used to this.

Trivia: About Teddy's alias, Harrison means 'Harry's son'. After all, he is Harry's godson and Lily is Harry's daughter.