Title: Carry On My Wayward Son

Author: ArtemisEmerald

Rating: Hmm, I'll stick with 'M', since it's likely to go up in the future.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, due to the fact that I'm not Rowling. I don't think the saying, 'I think therefore I am,' applies here.

Pairings: H/D, SS/RL, BZ/NL, amongst other smatterings of pairings as I see fit.

A/N: I want to apologize for the delay on this sucker. I had half the chapter written almost right away, then boom, lost my thread. However, I hit some inspiration for it and managed to finally get back on track. Here's to hoping I can update sooner with the next chapter. This chapter will also help make the last chapters...oddness make a bit of sense. I hope. Thanks to all those who reviewed and tried to kick my arse into gear. I appreciate the effort, even if my arse doesn't.

--HPDM--

I awoke to a peacefulness that, considering what had happened during the night, was surprising. The light coming in through the window wasn't overly bright, but my room faced the east so it was probably still in the morning hours. I opened my eyes and shut them just as quickly when I noticed that nothing was blurry, as things should have been considering I wasn't wearing my glasses.

I kept my eyes closed for a moment to get my bearing before opening them and looking around. Remus and Snape were passed out on my window seat and from what I could tell Snape looked a few years younger while asleep but didn't look any different aside from missing a few wrinkles and lines. Remus, who looked less weighed down while asleep, had his head on Snape's shoulder, and Snape's head was half on Remus' and half on the window. It looked really uncomfortable.

I'm kind of surprised. Well, not just about the eye thing. I'm actually feeling pretty amicable this morning. Almost as if all the anger and derisive feelings drained out of me along with the pain from the night. If anything, I felt better now than I have in over a year.

Don't get me wrong, I still feel sad and guilty about Sirius dying, as it was my fault, but I don't feel the need to blame anyone else anymore.

I turned my head to look at the clock and my eyes fell on Draco. I smiled slightly. I gave him hell the past year, most of it instigated by me as it were, and he was still sitting here by my side. He looked really cute asleep, head leaning against the back of his chair, mouth slightly open. He even snored a bit. Not deep, rumbling train snoring, but softer kind of like a purr. It was adorable, and no, I will never tell him I thought that.

I smacked my lips and my smile slipped as I suddenly felt thirsty. I pushed myself up and reached for the cup on the nightstand that I always kept water in. My frown deepened as my arm fell a few inches short of the cup. Which was really weird, cause unless it was moved, which is plausible, I should have been able to grab it.

I looked down at my arm, and not noticing anything weird, shrugged it off. It was probably just jarred during the night.

After taking care of my thirst, I slipped out of bed, suddenly hungry. I didn't bother waking Draco, Remus and Snape, figuring their night was probably a bit longer then mine was. Well, that was until I stood up fully and my pajama's, which were a perfect fit the night before, began to fall. Scratch that. My pants did fall and I was suddenly grateful for the shirts new length. I think the scream that accompanied the falling of the pants could have woke the dead. It certainly worked wonders with my temporary roommates.

"Harry! It's okay, no need to scream." Remus was suddenly in front of me, hands on my shoulders. He sat me down on the edge of the bed and I could feel the blush begin to spread as my shirt rode up my leg an inch or two.

"Remus..." I paused. Wow, was that me? My voice sounded oddly hypnotic and not at all as sharp as it normally was. Now it had kind of lilting quality, yet not exactly feminine, "Remus, what's wrong with me?"

He was looking awfully amused at the moment, and I was beginning to suspect that he knew exactly what was going on, "Nothing's wrong Harry."

"If nothings wrong, then why is my voice so...weird? And why am I shorter! I haven't been this height since I was thirteen. I shrunk, Remus."

Remus straighted and nodded towards the door, "Severus and Draco have gone to prepare breakfast and tea. I believe you wouldn't say no to a cup of chamomile? I can explain things while we eat."

I sighed and nodded. Remus handed over some clothes and I walked into the bathroom to shower and dress. I glanced in the mirror as I passed it and what I saw made me stop and backtrack a few steps.

My eyes widened as I looked on at my reflection. So many changes! My hair was no longer the color of mud. I couldn't describe the color exactly, but if I had to, I'd say it was closest to a mix of burnt almond and cinnamon. It now fell around my face in soft waves framing it and not really sticking up any more. It still did in a few places but it wasn't at all noticeable unless you were really looking for it.

My skin had darkened from the pasty white of being indoors for long periods of time to a caramel color and my eyes! If they stood out before, well now it was worse and I was suddenly wishing for my glasses. They seemed to be iridescent. The color shifted from a holly green to jade to everything in between. My lips were fuller and my cheekbones higher...I looked like a damned china doll version of my previous self.

I sighed and stripped of my shirt as I turned on the water in the tub. It only took a second to warm up so by the time I had my towels and bath soaps it was ready. I stepped under the spray and let my head drop. I groaned as the water began to beat against my neck.

Showers were always a soothing experience for me and a great place to think. So as I began scrubbing down I began to wonder if maybe my attitude from the past year had anything to do with whatever it was I was going through. In the long run, it both would and wouldn't make sense. On the one hand the attitude did come on rather suddenly but on the other, what would an attitude change, sudden or not, have to do with a completely physical change...at least I'm pretty sure its just physical.

I turned around to wash my back and gasped in pain. The water, which felt a little warmer then luke warm to my front, felt like it had jumped up nearly a hundred degrees. I dropped to me knees and pulled myself out of the spray. I turned around and went to lean back against the side of the tub only to find something in the way. I looked over my shoulder and nearly fainted in shock. Sticking out of my back were a pair of transparent, pearly white wings.

Standing up, I noticed that the wings were almost the full length of my body and stuck out maybe three feet or so. The edge of the wings, the side closest to my back, were wire like and held the shape while the opposite edge kind of tapered off. I concentrated a bit on the wings and watched in awe as they moved a bit. I couldn't seem to retract them, but I noticed that while willing them to retract they kind of shimmered, almost like an invisibility cloak was brushed along them. Huh. Must be a natural defense. A useful one too. I looked at them a bit more closely and nearly blanched as I saw pieces of skin hanging off of them. The water must have pulled the skin away to free the wings, cause they weren't there when I was checking over my reflection.

The wings, I also noticed, had no feeling except along the spindly part, which were overly sensitive, so I carefully stepped back under the water and began washing them. It didn't take all that long. I stepped out of then tub and quickly dried, reaching for my briefs as I dropped the towel. It was as I was going for my shirt that I realized that I wasn't going to be able to put one on.

I blushed, and with a shake of my head, exited the bathroom. I took my time going downstairs. I'm not sure why. Maybe it was the fact that Snape was sitting downstairs and I wasn't exactly keen on him seeing me shirtless. Which got me thinking to yesterday. If Remus knew what the hell was wrong with me, why oh why did he send Snape to figure out what the hell was going on with me? I guess that meant that that my animosity towards everything had nothing to do with this. Wonder why it's suddenly gone?

"Er, Harry? Why aren't you wearing a shirt...are those wings?"

I shook myself from my contemplation, which wasn't getting me far, and looked at Draco who was standing at the bottom of the stairs, "Yes, and I don't know."

Draco raised an eyebrow, "Don't know what?"

"Anything." I said with a shrug. The rest of the short walk to the dining area was in silence and Remus didn't so much as blink when he noticed my wings. I felt a bit irritated at this and could actually feel my wings twittering behind me. Yes thats right, they twittered. Not in sound, but the movement they made could only be explained as twittering.

"Relax Harry. Everything is going to be explained. I swear." Remus added, when he noticed my wings shaking a bit more.

Wonder if that whole twittering thing means my wings act like an outside outlet to emotion. Could be kind of embarrassing if that were the case. I sat on stool to give my wings a bit of space and folded my hands together, looking at Remus expectantly.

He sat across from me and gave Snape a smile as my professor placed eggs, bacon and toast on the table. After serving everyone and eating a few bites of his food, Remus began to talk or ask questions I should say, "Have you ever heard of changeling's?"

I shrugged, "Aren't those those kind of people that can change into any animal at will?"

"Thats an animagus." Remus intoned, amused.

"I meant in the muggle world. Thats what I gathered they were from the sci-fi stuff Dudley used to watch when I was cleaning."

Remus nodded, "Yes, well, that's not exactly the kind of changeling I'm referring too. In our world, a changeling is a magical creature, such as elf, fairy, nymph, etc that exchange what in their eyes was a sickly child with that of a healthy human child."

"So your saying that I'm not human and my parents aren't really my parents?" This was weird. I mean, I look like my dad for Merlin sake.

"No Harry. You're not the changeling. It was your mum. I grew up with Lily and your aunt. Lived down the road a few houses actually, and we were all pretty good friends. Now, because I was a werewolf, and had been since I was an infant almost, my sense of smell was and still is really good."

I took a sip of tea. This was all pretty interesting, whether or not it was actually helping to explain things was a whole 'nother story however, "Meaning what?" I asked, my curiosity peaked.

"Meaning I can smell whether a person is...magical, a magical creature, or just a normal muggle. Magic gives off a burnt smell because magic is this kind of electricity that flows through your blood. Magical creatures have this smell but its overpowered by another smell, and the overpowering smell is different for each breed of culture. Your maternal grandparents and your aunt are all one hundred percent muggle, you're mum on the other hand smelt like sunshine and rain, with an undercurrent of a strong dose of the burning smell.

"Normally, in creatures the burn is barely noticeable. I know, because I practiced whenever my parents took my brother, sister and I to Diagon Alley. Lily also wasn't necessarily sickly by our standards. Her health was perfect and she had no disfigurations. If anything she was almost too perfect." Remus paused and took a sip of his tea.

I took this time to glance off at Draco and Snape who were looking at him sort of contemplatively.

"When I was about nine or so, my mum and I were out in the country side, picking wildflowers for a sick aunt when I smelt the smell I had come to associate your mum with.

Following it, I came upon the most magnificent creature I could have ever laid eyes on. To me, this person was...transcendent. Tall, beautiful, flowing hair...perfect to my young mind. Since I wasn't shy at the time I walked up to this creature and asked it right out what it was.

This creature, a female, looked down at me with a smile and said, 'Young werewolf, I am Tanna of the Sidhe. A fae if you will.'

I ran back to my mum and begged her to take me to Diagon Alley. I found all the books I could on the Sidhe and found out the reason your mum was a changeling."

Draco spoke up, "You said that you smelt a strong dose of magic in Harry's mum? Is it possible that her biological mother or father were a wizard?"

Remus nodded, "Father actually. It was Lily's grandfather who made the switch. We found that out on Lily's sixteenth birthday when she came into her fae heritage."

"But you found out what she was before you went to Hogwarts?"

Remus nodded again, "Yes. I wasn't sure at first, because the Sidhe are known for their 'bright' looks. Pale skin, long, flowing blond, white or sky blue hair...Lily was short, had red hair, and wasn't really all that pale. She took after her biological father in her looks. She looked like a regular human, too, until her birthday, when she went through the same change you did.

She also shrunk, which is abnormal for a Sidhe, and a few of her features became much more bright. Hair looked like fire, her skin like cream, eyes like emeralds. It was really no wonder that James fell in love with her. Oh, he had it bad before they were sixteen. But, he was hopeless afterwards. Both Sirius and Lily teased him about it for a long while."

I gave a sigh of relief. I had begun to think his father was shallow for a moment, falling for someone due to their looks, which was the way it sounded at first. It was good to know that that wasn't true, "So, I'm a Sidhe? A fae?"

Remus nodded.

"And I have family?" I asked. I mean, if I had family, why had I been placed with the Dursley's? They weren't really my relatives which is kind of a relief.

"Yes, you have family. Your grandmother requested, because your birth fell at such an awkward time, that you join her in the summer of your seventeenth year, so you will meet her next summer." Remus replied, finally digging into his food.

I looked down at my plate a moment, questions twirling through my head at rapid speed, "So, why was I placed with the Dursley's if I'm not even related to them?"

Remus looked up at gave a quirky grin, "Dumbledore, bless his old heart, doesn't know everything. Lily's birthday was at the end of June, so she came into the change at James' house. We all spent the summer there because Siri, as you know, ran away from his home around that time."

"Remus, love, that was a particularly informative explanation. I thank you for giving it to him, but you did miss out on something."

Three heads turned towards the doorway and all gasped as they saw who was standing there.

"Mum?" It seemed I was the first to get my tongue back. I stood up and walked slowly towards the doorway, stopping just sigh of the short, auburn haired women standing there. I wanted to reach out and touch her, but I didn't know if I could or if I would just fall right through her.

"Oh Harry." She reached out and grabbed my shoulders, pulling me into a tight hug, mindful of my wings, "Oh, how I've missed holding you baby. Fifteen years is too long to go without holding your child."

I hugged her back just as tightly, before finally stepping away and wiping at my face. I could feel tear tracks on my cheeks and I didn't want anyone to know that I had been crying into my mums shoulder for a few seconds.

Mum then went on to hug Remus and then turned to Draco, "I will talk with you later, young one, but I expect you to take good care of him and any grandchildren you deem to grant me."

Draco blushed and nodded, confused, before glancing at me as if knowing I was watching him. I had been, of course, and I knew my face was as red as his. I could feel the heat blossoming. I was shocked that no steam was rising up from where the tears had fallen, I was that hot in the face.

"Now, I know that Severus cannot hear nor see me, but I also know what he means to you Remus, so he can stay for this as long as you can handle the looks your going to be receiving." Mum said, as she grinned at the look on Snape's face, one that said 'I'm the only sane one in this whole damn house.'

Mum sat down next to me and grabbed my hand, "Now then. First off, I am not here that long. I will be leaving on Halloween night at midnight. I won't hear any complaints about that either," Mum said, raising a hand, "It's bad enough that James and Siri threw a fit when they found out that they couldn't come back with me. I don't need to listen to yours either." She looked pointedly at me for a moment, like she could read the protests filling my head, "Second off. The thing Remus missed in his explanation. Harry, I noticed that this past year, you've been...unhappy."

Remus and Draco snorted at the same time, "Understatement."

Before I could defend himself or mum could continue on, Snape finally exploded, "What the hell is going on! All three of you are staring at an empty seat, Potter looks like he's holding hands with the air, and you and Draco," he pointed at Remus, "suddenly come out and say a goddamn word, together, for no reason! I demand an explanation!"

"We're talking to Lily, Sev. Now either shut up and behave or go make a potion or something." Remus replied, frowning at his friend.

"Lily? Lily! I think I'm going to admit all of you to St. Mungo's." Severus sat back and crossed his arms in a huff, pointedly ignoring Draco and I as we laughed at his outburst. I personally think that if anyone were to be admitted to the barmy wing at the hospital it was going to be him. He looked half crazed already and this continuing conversation with 'air' might not be the best thing for his sanity.

"May I continue?" Mum asked, frowning at Remus.

Remus waved his hand and muttered, "Please do." knowing that Snape would find it annoying, particularly after his rant.

Mum nodded, "Thank you. Now, I know your upset about Sirius, Sirius knows your upset about him, but sweetie, you have no reason to be. He died protecting you, which is exactly the way he wanted to go. Of course, my telling you that isn't going to dissolve the guilt you feel. I'm going to guess, though, that everything doesn't seem as...overwhelming this morning, correct?"

"Yeah, I noticed that." I frowned down at my free hand, which was scratching at the woodgrain at the table without my permission, "How is it possible to lose so much animosity in less then twelve hours? It's almost like the anger and frustration that I was feeling for no reason bled out of me with the pain."

"That's because it did."

"What?" I stared at mum, confused, "I don't get it."

"I didn't figure you would dear." She smiled and patted my hand, "This past year, your body has been preparing itself for the change. It was all inside, mind you, getting things ready for the outside change. Because of that, your emotions and hormones have been all over the place. It got worse this past week, because of the nearness of your birthday. If Remus cast his mind back, he could probably remember fifth year for us and the week before my own sixteenth birthday. I acted the exact same way."

Remus looked like a light bulb had gone off over his head, you know, like in those muggle shows, "That's right! I also distinctly remember James hiding from you that week, running off when you came into the room, but when you cornered him those few times he was all...over...you..." He trailed off and looked between me and Draco with wide eyes, "No, it that why?"

Mum nodded, "Very good Remus." Praising him like she would a youngster. Made me wonder who was actually the smarter of the two of them.

"Merlin, and I sent Severus to talk to him. No wonder he was confused when he came back down." Remus continued, motioning to me.

I shrugged. How else does he expect me to act after having a semi-normal conversation with my most hated professor. Sheesh. "Mum?"

She turned her attention back to me, "Yes, dear?"

"Er, did you have...cravings the week before?" I asked, thinking back to the fierce protectiveness I had for that poor ham and the look on Draco's face when I caught him sneaking a piece.

Mum looked taken aback for a moment before she started laughing, "You had that too? Dear me, I thought it was some female thing going on. I remember biting James' head off cause he had some of my honey butter. I made it a lot and normally I didn't spite him for eating any, but that week I was eating it on everything and wouldn't let him anywhere near it."

"Doesn't that sound familiar." Draco muttered. I looked over at him just in time to catch the glare he had been aiming at the back of my head.

"It wasn't my fault though. What are the odds that both me and mum had cravings and protectiveness over honey flavored things?" I retorted. I bit my tongue to keep from smiling when I saw Draco's mouth turn down into a pout. He looked so cute!

"Why? What were you craving?" Mum asked.

"He has been threatening death over his honey ham." Remus said, wincing. He must be remembering some of those threats. I was getting pretty creative there for awhile. I'd never had been able to go with through with them and they are pretty gruesome in retrospect, but it felt damn good to say at the time.

"Okay, now that we got all that craving crap out of the way, what's the big deal about the way Draco and I have been acting around each other for the past week?" I asked. I really wanted to get this all straightened out, especially now that I said that if the looks mum and Remus are casting each other are anything to go by.

Mum cleared her throat, "Well...Sidhe are, uh, very tactile creatures..."

"Er..." I blinked, "Tactile?"

"Extra touchy-feely, sweetie." Mum clarified, a light blush staining her pale cheeks, "Anyway, when their mate is within touching distance, Sidhe sort of exude a chemical that's nearly identical to pheromones. It cause's their mate to basically touch, rub, whatever it takes to satisfy the need. I preferred back rubs myself, andMerlin, your father's hands should have been insured." Mum trailed off, her eyes becoming glassy.

I ran that through my head a few times before I turned and looked at Draco with wide eyes, "MATES!"

--HPDM--

Well, that's it for now. Please Review!...please?