Disclaimer: Harry Potter and characters belong to JKR.

Reliving the Past

Chapter 3

Harry was a mess, to put it lightly. The third years had been alright, yet extremely eager and hyper. Ron, Hermione, and he weren't like that when they were that year… were they? But still, it passed by surprisingly easy even though their lack of previous knowledge was absurd. But that wasn't the real reason to Harry being a mess. His next class was with the seventh years and he wasn't sure what to expect. He had heard all about his parents from Remus and Sirius, and yeah, he did have the pictures Hagrid had put together for him in his first year, but this was real now. They were real.

He sat at his desk waiting for the students to fill in. A flash of red hair caught his attention. There was Lily Evans with her group of friends. They took a seat near the front. As Harry watched her unnoticed, he had to agree, he did have her eyes. He raised his eyes when he saw a splitting image of himself but with hazel eyes approach Lily.

"Hey Evans. Want to go to Hogsmeade with me?" the boy asked, running his hand through his hair.

Lily looked up, scowling at the sight before her. "No Potter. And if you don't get out of my face in the next second, I'll hex you like no other."

James Potter, because that's who it was, muttered something like "playing hard to get" as he shuffled back to the back of the room where Sirius and Remus sat, watching the whole affair. They were both snickering, and immediately pretended to be busy when James glared at them.

Harry laughed silently to himself. Remus had warned him of all the drama between his parents. He rose from the desk and cleared his throat.

The class stopped what they were doing and looked up, some curious, some dreamy, and others, mainly the guys, scowling.

"I'm sure the gossip has spread around the school about me, but just cause I'm supposed to... My name is Harry Potter. I am going to be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. And from what I heard, we are going to have a lot to cover this year to make up for previous classes. I'm not going to go into great details of my life, but are there any questions?" Professor Potter said, glancing around.

"How old are you?" a girl giggled from the back.

"Eighteen." Professor Potter said.

"Why is someone so young like you teaching?"

"Ah, Mr. Black. I've heard much about you. In fact, all three of you have quite the reputation here." Professor Potter said, his eyes laughing. "But that does not answer your question. As you all know, the war has been hitting closer to home. This is your last years before you enter the real world, and I am here to make sure you are all able to defend yourself, particularly if you come against Voldemort."

Gasps could be heard throughout the room at the mention of You-Know-Who. Harry pretended not to notice as he was quite used to this expression whenever he said Voldemort's name.

"He just said his name," James whispered to Sirius. Harry heard him however and looked right at him.

"Very good James. I'm glad you are paying attention. And for the rest of you. His name is Voldemort. It's not You-Know-Who or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. It's Voldemort. Or Tom if you prefer." Professor Potter said casually, ignoring all the grimaces that were taking place.

"Tom?" Miki, Lily's friend, asked shakily, as if afraid that by saying the name she might become cursed.

"Well that is his name. Tom Riddle. All the You-Know-Who and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named just adds confusion and fear. 'Fear of a name increases fear of a thing itself'" Harry quoted Dumbledore, smiling more to himself, as his students looked at him blankly.

"Have you actually ever been up against You-Know-Who?" a boy with greasy black hair asked sarcastically.

Harry immediately recognized him as Severus Snape from all the Pensieve memory he had viewed in his fifth year. Carefully he hid his hatred and looked Snape right in the eyes.

"As a matter of fact, I have." This earned Professor Potter many more gasps of admiration, shock, and disbelief. Snape and many of the Slytherins glared at the professor. "Here let's all say his name together…"

The room was silent. No one dared to say the Dark Wizard's name out loud.

Professor Potter sighed. "He cannot know if you say his name. By fearing his name, you just add more power to him. Let's try this again. Here, I'll even start it off. Vol-de-mort."

This time one other person said it as well. Or actually, whispered it.

Harry turned to face Lily who was indeed the one to have finally found the courage.

"A true Gryffindor." Harry glared at the rest of the room. "5 points to Ms. Evans."

Lily smiled weakly as the rest of the class practically stared at her in shock. She blushed, not used to all the attention. Usually it was just James who stared at her, and she learned to ignore him, but all these pairs of eyes… that was a different story.

Harry coughed again, getting back the attention of the class. "Back on topic, are there any more questions?"

Questions soon began to fly back and forth, Harry doing his best to answer truthfully, but not giving away anything that might affect the future.

"Do you have a girlfriend?" The room went silent as everyone seemed to want to know.

A pained expression crossed Harry's face, which he quickly masked. "I did, but she was one of the many unfortunates who fell to the wand of Voldemort." Again shocked expressions covered the faces of the students, but this time, there was pity mixed in as well.

James was first to speak after the silence. As he stared at his 'twin', as Sirius liked to refer to the new professor as, he quickly attempted to change the topic to a lighter tone. "Do you play Quidditch?"

At the mention of his favorite sport, Harry's eyes lit up. "Yes, I played as a Seeker for the school I used to go to."

"Oh cool! I'm a Chaser," James replied. "What type of broom do you use?"

"A Fire- " Harry stopped at his instinctive answer. A Firebolt was twenty years in the future. "stick." He finished off lamely. "A Firestick. It's a foreign broom, so it's not known to many."

"Oh," James said, not recognizing the name of the broom. "So were you any good?"

"Let's just say… I made the team as a first year." James and Sirius both stared at Harry in admiration. Harry laughed at their expression.

As James and Harry discussed Quidditch, Lily carefully looked over the professor. He looked young, but his eyes told a different story. They looked full of pain and misery. As if, despite his age, he had been in wars and battle and has seen way more than someone can hope for in their lifetime. On his forehead, however, she noticed a lightning shaped scar. It was almost hidden by bangs, but she was able to barely make it out. She raised her hand. The Professor nodded for her to speak.

"Professor, how did you get that scar?"

Harry hesitated, the laughter immediately dying from his lips. As he looked around the room, he saw every single person was interested in what he was going to say. "I got it in a fight against Voldemort." He replied vaguely, but truthfully.

And before the class could further ask questions, Professor Potter changed the topic. "Well, that's all the questions for today. We really must get on with the lesson, so you can ask more later. Today we'll be learning about…"

Sirius tuned off what the teacher was saying. He, too, had noticed the pained and sad expression that had flickered across the professor's face. He had a hunch that the professor's response regarding the scar was only half the story. And why did he keep staring at Lily? 'Does he like her? Aw, poor Lily. Now she's going to have two black haired teens after her.' He thought to himself, jokingly. 'Or more poor James.' Sirius looked around the room as he saw practically every girl in the class listening in to every word Professor Potter was saying. He was brought out of his thoughts though at the movement of his classmates around it.

"What's going on?" he asked James, who was staring blankly at something in front of them.

James didn't reply. Waving a hand in front of his eyes, Sirius asked again. "Helloooooo? Hey Prongs."

Finally snapping back in attention James jerked his head back. He glanced around the room.

"Whoa Padfoot… What's going on?" he asked Sirius. Sirius rolled his eyes. Typical James to have been staring at Evans all class long.

"Remus?" Sirius asked, turning to look at his sandy blond haired friend. Remus sighed in annoyance.

"If you two pay attention maybe you'll know."

"Come on Moony, please tell us," James pleaded.

Remus rolled his eyes. "Professor Potter said we were to get into groups and practice the Disarming spell."

"Oh. Right," Sirius and James both muttered simultaneously. The trio went to a corner of the room and started practicing. After several successful attempts and a wand hitting someone's eye later, Professor Potter called for everyone to stop.

"Alright, that's good for today. For homework," the class groaned. Harry smirked at their enthusiastic reply before continuing. "For homework I want a half of a page essay on the importance of the 'Expelliarmus' charm." The class began packing their bags to leave. "Oh, and James and Sirius. No shrinking paper alright?" The class laughed at the shocked expression on the duo's face that quickly switched to one of pure innocence. "If anyone ever needs to talk, I'm always open. Annnnnd…. That's all so get outta here." Harry waved his hand, making the door open as the seventh years scrambled out.

After the student exited the classroom, Harry glanced at the time. He had a free period next, so he decided to go take a walk to clear his mind. As he walked around the lake, he saw Remus in the distance sitting next to a tree and glaring off in the distance. Harry approached him and followed Remus' gaze. He winced at the sight of Remus' depressed expression towards the Shrieking Shack.

"Hey Remus," Harry said, coming closer to the blond haired boy.

Remus jumped at the voice. "Oh, hi sir," he said nervously, glancing quickly back at the Shrieking Shack.

"Harry is fine when we're not in the presence of formality. Hell, I'm only a year older than you."

Remus smiled weakly, still nervously fidgeting around. "So what are you doing out here?"

"Just taking a walk. Got a lot on my mind. You?" Harry asked, although he already knew. He looked right into Remus' eyes.

"Oh… Nothing…" Remus said, breaking off the eye contact.

"Nothing?" Harry asked, his eyebrows raised.

Still looking anywhere except at Harry, Remus clarified, "Just thinking."

Harry nodded. "Is this about your… condition?"

Remus jumped again, his eyes filled with nervousness. "Wh-What condition?"

Harry just stared at him. Remus' eyes dropped.

"Yeah," he whispered silently.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone and I'm not going to judge you differently either about it."

"Thanks… Harry…"

"I might have something for you too, but I'll have to brew it first."

Remus looked up in a hesitant hopefulness. He still looked nervous about another person knowing about his Lycanthropy.

Harry noticed Remus' nervousness and tried to assure him again. "It's alright, I know what it's like to be different." Remus looked at him questioningly. Harry quickly looked around to make sure no one was near by in possible range of overhearing. "Don't be alarmed," he warned Remus as he pulled out Meral.

Meral hissed at Remus, who quickly moved back. Harry scolded her hissing back in return as the other boy watched on in amazement. After many hisses later, the snake went back to almost purring next to Harry. Harry turned to Remus who was still in surprise.

He smiled halfheartedly. "I'm a Parselmouth," he said unnecessarily. Remus had gotten over his fright and had moved back to where he had stood. "So I do know what's it's like to be different, and I won't tell anyone about your condition. Same?"

Remus grinned in agreement, a look of relief appearing on his pale face.

Harry glanced at the time. "I've got to go. See you later Remus."

"Bye." Remus replied, staring at the back of Harry as he left.

"What a… different… professor. This year is going to be interesting." He muttered under his breath.

"What was that Moony?" a voice asked from behind him.

"Hey Padfoot, Prongs, Wormtail." Remus greeted, catching sight of his fellow Marauders.

"Was the Professor Potter out here?" Sirius asked.

"Yeah…"

"What did he want?"

"He knows about my…"

"Furry little problem?" James supplied.

"Yeah." Remus said, cracking a smile.

Sirius eyes narrowed. Remus, catching Sirius' expression quickly put in. "No, no, I don't think he'll tell. He actually said he might have something for me."

Sirius raised his eyes skeptically but chose not to comment.

"So, what do you think of the new DADA professor?" James asked.

"Who's that?" Peter inquired. He was not in NEWT Defense Against the Dark Arts and had been lost with what was going on.

Remus filled Peter in. "He's pretty nice actually," he added in James' direction.

"Nice?" James shrugged. "I think we should pull a prank on him." James mused thinking deep.

"A prank, eh mate?" Sirius said, his eyes lighting up.

"What if…" James pondered. "We set a trap so whoever walks into the classroom will get their hair dyed neon pink."

"I don't think that would work…"

"Come on Remus. Sure it would. We can go tonight and set it up for tomorrow. We have him first thing in the morning." Sirius replied, grinning in anticipation.

"For one, all three of us are in that class."

"Oh, right." James replied, staring intently at the ground as he tried to think of a solution. "We could always make a magical switch so we can turn it on or off…"

Remus shrugged while Peter still looked thoroughly confused.

"Alright, Operation: Get Potter Pink will come into action." Sirius remarked. Realizing what he said, he turned to James. "Erm… the other Potter… not you."

James grinned. This year was going to be fun.

A/N: Well… here's chapter 3. this is my longest chapter so far but I cant guarantee all will be this long. Or updated this fast because I wrote these first three chapters in advance. I hope you all enjoyed it. Please review. Reviewing helps me update faster and it'll keep me more enthused about this story. All comments and suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks to fath8252, amrawo, hippolina97, and mysweetkisses for reviewing last chapter.

amrawo: you'll have to wait and see. :) you'll find out in the next couple of chapters.

hippolina97: yeah, it is weird that harrys only a year older, but im trying to go based on the storyline, and i'm assuming harry's going to start to go after voldemort in his seventh year, so he's almost the same age as his students.