AN: Please read authors not at end.

Disclaimer: If you recognise it, it isn't mine I'm afraid

Chapter Seven

Peter Pettigrew doesn't like Harry Potter. He doesn't like children all too much, he gets far to much of them every summer when his muggle cousins come over. Peter treads through the Forbidden Forest, avoiding the dark, sinister looking parts. The Marauders have spilt up, all looking for some stupid flower. Peter couldn't care less if they found it or not, because he couldn't care less about Harry Potter.

As it happens, Peter stumbles across the flower first. There's a whole patch of them, sitting innocently at the base of a tall oak tree. Their delicate petals sparkle in the sun, and Peter can notice the resemblance to the drawing of the flower needed that Remus showed the three of them. For a moment, Peter wants to uproot them all. To destroy them, because he is bitter and annoyed and wants to be in control of something for once. But the need to please outweighs this urge, and Peter calls to the others in triumph, and the pat on the back from Sirius and pleased grin from James give Peter a rush, but the feeling is hollow, and Peter worries it might run out one day, that one day the want of control will outweigh his loyalty to his friends.

...

They make the potion in an abandoned class room at lunch, with James and Sirius making the potion and Remus guiding them, and Peter checking the map for anyone coming.

"I'm not very good at practical potion making," Remus said sheepishly, "It's probably best you two do it."

James adds the worm root and Sirius carefully stirs the cauldron, before finally adding in three petals from the flower.

"It should go an amber-gold colour after three minutes if brewed correctly, and then it needs to rest for three days." Remus explains, and Sirius nods. They all wait in silence, peering at the potion in suspense.

"Hah!" James yells suddenly with an enormous grin, "It appears my outstanding skills in Potions have succeeded yet again." Remus rolls his eyes with a small smile as the potion turns from green to orange.

"Filch is coming!" Peter says, breaking the cheery atmosphere.

"Quick!" Sirius hisses to James who hastily pours the potion into a small, cork sealed jar. They shove the equipment into their school bags and leg it out of there, hearing Filch's outraged cry as he reaches the now empty classroom.

"Fucking hell," Sirius pants, "That was a close one."

"You know Padfoot, we haven't done a prank in ages." James says with a smirk.

...

Lily Evans keeps her hair up in a ponytail most days, because it's getting far too long. There's that inner part of her that wants to have long, shiny locks of hair, but in reality she realises it is far from practical.

The one thing Lily loathes about her uniform, is the trousers. They're not atrociously baggy or scandalously tight, but rather a neat slim fit. That's not what bothers Lily, but rather the lack of pockets. At home, Lily wears tracksuit bottoms or jeans or leggings, and they all have pockets. She was used to shoving random bits of paper in them, or an old lip-balm, everything small and insignificant. No longer having them is such a bother to Lily, who now must take responsibility of every piece of paper she is handed immediately, and not store it away until she can bothered with it.

This is also a problem with Lily's wand.

Believe it or not, Lily Evans does not always carry around a bag bursting to the brim with books (that's only most of the time) and on the occasion that she doesn't, she likes to keep her wand with her just in case. So what is she to do with it if she has no bag? Well she'd shove it in her (front obviously) pocket. But wait, her trousers have no pockets.

So Lily finds the perfect solution. If she is honest, she copied it. From Sirius Black no less!

There are months in the school year where Sirius Black's hair grows to unmanageable lengths. The wavy locks fall into his eyes (a fate he is unused to) and he furiously pushes it back whilst jotting down notes in class- usually notes for Remus Lupin when he is away visiting his mother as God forbid Black would take control of his own learning. And one day Black walks into Potions with his hair in an effortless, casual bun held up by his wand. He tirelessly slips his wand out when he needs to spell the potion before twisting in back into his hair in under a second, a few dark waves falling around his face.

Lily Evans stared in awe. It was ingenious! The perfect storage solution. Later that night she stood in front of her mirror, and managed to seamlessly hoist her long, medium thick hair into a messy up do, her wand secured with in. She'd thought of the pretty Chinese lady that served her her food in the three dragons the last time she went out with her parents, who'd had her sleek black hair pinned up with chop sticks.

So the school now often saw Lily sporting this look. When she'd first walked into the great hall with it, she'd been nervous and embarrassed.

"Alright Evans," Black said as she sat down, "I see you've finally scouted me out as a new beauty inspiration and fashion icon." He smirked with a wink.

Lily started placing food on her plate with tongs and didn't look at Black, "You wish Black," She said, "However I see the practicality in your new 'look.'" Sirius doesn't seem to know what to respond to Lily's comment, and she ate the rest of her food with a tiny smile.

So, at present Lily is wearing her wand within her hair, and sitting below an oak tree by the black lake, reading a new muggle book her mother sent to her about space travel.

It was slightly chilly outside, the morning frost still clouding the sun even at midday. There also weren't many students out, many preferring to stay indoors and eat their lunch in the great hall. Lily had brought a pastry outside, and wrapped up in her cloak she felt warm enough.

There wasn't much left of her lunch hour, so Lily decided she best find her books and bag from the dorm before Transfiguration.

On her way, Lily heard something strange.

She sneaks around the corner, and gapes at the sight. There's a person! A little person-child!

"You!" She shrieks in shock, and the little thing scurries away before she gets a look of him. She darts around the corner after him, but he's gone, completely.

Lily wonders if she's going mad, but decides she would've noticed symptoms before she started seeing things so rules that out. So he was there! Lily pouts furiously, marching away. She'll get to the bottom of this!

And then the ceiling turned to ice.

...

"JAMES POTTER!" Professor McGonagall yells, and Lily can't help but roll her eyes. Of course it would be him yet again, him and almost certainly-

"-SIRIUS BLACK!" Lily watches silently from her seat as the head of Gryffindor storms over to the trouble makers.

"The ceilings have turned to ice, it is snowing in the corridors and the floor down to the dungeons is dangerously slippy, I've no doubt you two are the cause of this." She says furiously with an expectant flourish.

"Honestly Profess-"

"I do not want to hear it Potter, my office immediately." Lily catches the two's downcast expressions before they trail around the corner. Lily would say she was was a little disheartened, but not surprised Potter was reaking havoc with his sidekick yet again.

That said, James Potter had been stubbornly growing on Lily, rather like a persistent fungus that was hard to be rid of. Lily really didn't want to think of how recently her mind had been betraying her, thoughts wondering over how sweet James' smile was when he looked at her, or how he was safe and strong and not temperamental like Snape...

Lily shook her head furiously, James Potter was a pig and a bully and she certainly did not like him.

...

"This is fucking shit." Sirius says, resting his head lightly on James' thigh.

"Hmm." James hums, reclining back against the wall. Sirius shifted and looked up at his best mate,

"Think we should get back to it?" He asks lightly.

"No." James scoffs. Sirius nodded and rests his head back on James' leg, shutting his eyes.

"I'm tired." He says, "Just wanna sleep."

"Not on me you don't," James laughs, "Get off."

"Nooo." Sirius taunts, "You can't make me."

"Yes I fucking can."

Before Sirius can comprehend what's happening, he's pinned to the ground, and James looms over him with a smirk, "See?" He mocks, pressing his knee painfullu hard into Sirius's thigh. Sirius winces through laughter,

"Okay, okay." He surrenders. James grins and pulls Sirius up after him.

"Don't wanna do this." Sirius whines, looking around at the dirty floor, "I swear Filch dragged mud through here on purpose." Sirius and James had been ordered to clean the entire third floor without magic as punishment for their latest prank, much to their horror.

"You grab the mop, I'll wet the floor." James says eventually, trudging to the bucket. Sirius watches him for a moment before nodding to himself and begrudgingly grabbing the mop.

It's two hours until they're done, and Sirius falls onto his bed, pissed and tired. There's a little squeak and Sirius sees he's jumped onto a sleeping Harry.

"Shit Harry I'm sorry!" Sirius says, but when he pulls back the covers Harry is still softly sleeping. Sirius laughs, and goes to brush his teeth.

...

"The potion should be ready tomorrow." Remus says as he buttons up his shirt.

"Perfect." Sirius says, zipping up his flies. James tumbles out of the bathroom, his hair a mess despite just having a shower.

"Seen my tie?" He asks, searching blindly and making more of a mess.

"Is this it?" Harry asks, emerging from a pile of clothes. James brightens.

"Nice one Haz!" He grins.

It's early Saturday, and James and others are getting ready for his Quidditch match.

"You'll be cheering me one right?" He asks Harry as they leave. Harry nods, and James passes him his cloak. Harry throws it on happily, content with being invisible. Harry has some toast for breakfast, and James is talking seriously to a group of Gryffindor's about the upcoming game.

"Alright Smith, it's down to you in the end. Catch that snitch and we are one step closer to the cup." The team nod, and James departs with them to change into his quidditch robes.

"He'll be great." Sirius tells Harry quietly, "He's an amazing chaser, he thinks I should try out for beater, but I don't wanna break a nail or anything." Remus snorts at this.

"Oh yes, Sirius Black is far too pretty for sports." Sirius only grins boyishly in response.

Harry almost gets lost in the crowd on the way to the pitch, but Remus searches for his hand and grips it tightly. Harry is comforted, and squeezes Remus's slim hand. He thinks he sees Remus smile.

Harry squishes between Remus and Sirius, still invisible, to watch the game from the high seats that surround the pitch after Peter says Harry wouldn't fit next to him. Harry thinks the seating looks an awful lot like a football stadium.

James is absolutely spectacular on the pitch, and Harry is gaping the whole game. He flies around like a bird, swiftly and flamboyantly. He scores ten goals by the end of the game. Harry spots Regulus too, playing seeker for the Slytherin team. He is a wonderful flyer Harry notices. He isn't as showy as James, but he glides effortlessly along the pitch, and he looks rather beautiful, instead of brilliant like James. It was 180-20 to Gryffindor, a rather pitiful feat for the Slytherins when Regulus made a stunning dive too quick for Harry to see properly. The Gryffindor seeker follows him, but Regulus holds the golden snitch and the game is over.

Gryffindor still won, 180-170. Sirius curses loudly, grumbling about his 'prick of a brother.'

When they get to James, he is yelling at his seeker.

"What was that Smith? You were awful." The seventh year looks bored.

"He's a good seeker Potter," He says casually, "He could play for England, me not so much. He should be glad he saved Slytherin from utter shame. Watch out for him Potter." He says before leaving the pitch.

"Play for England." Sirius scoffs, "Reg is shit, he got lucky is all."

"He is a remarkable player Sirius, we are just lucky that the Slytherin keeper is horrendous and James is such a good chaser." Remus says.

"Why are you taking his side?" Sirius spits, "I hate him!"

"I am not taking a side! I'm appreciating talent!"

"You never appreciate anything I do!" Sirius says angrily.

"That's a lie! I appreciate you!" Remus stormed away.

"Wait Remus I'm sorry!" Sirius runs after him, and Harry can hear their bickering from where he stands. Peter says something about food and leaves.

"Well I think you were amazing!" Harry says, popping his head up from the cloak.

"Thanks kid," James laughs, ruffling the boys hair. Harry spouts his praise all the way back from the pitch, remarking on how cool Quidditch is, James grinning.

"Regulus was really good too," Harry says.

"I know." James said, somewhat bitterly but with a hint of respect. He doesn't notice it's odd Harry knows his name. "That's what worries me."

...

Next day, the potion is ready.

"This will help us determine what to do next," Remus said, "If Harry is related to James, and their similar appearance isn't just coincidence, we can talk to your parents Prongs."

"Yeah, my mum would adopt him whether he was a muggle or related to us." James said, "She's practically adopted Sirius."

"Yep, too right." Sirius smirked lazily.

The potion was sparkling a burnt gold, and it smelled of parchment and honey.

"It needs your blood now James," Remus said, "to determine the bloodline it should track, it will need Harry's also." James pursed his lips a little at this, but nodded none the less.

"Hey Harry," James said softly, Sirius waiting patiently in the door way, "We want you to help up with something."

"Okay..." Harry said, his bright eyes flicking up from the book he was looking at. He followed James and Sirius into the abandoned class room on the third floor quietly.

"Hello Harry." Remus smiled warmly. Harry smiled back.

"Right Harry, we've made a potion that will reveal your family members so we can work out how to go about things now," James said.

"Cool!"

"It is, but we'll some of your blood too Harry."

"Okay." Sirius used a small severing charm on Harry's palm, and Harry held his bleeding hand over a piece if parchment. A small puddle of blood gathered there. Harry was wincing, but didn't cry. Remus gave a small nod, and James quickly used a healing charm on Harry's hand and wiped away the blood.

"Are you okay?" James said in a hurry, "Does it hurt?"

"No, it's alright." Harry gave a smile.

Remus poured some of the potion onto the parchment, and added James blood. The stark red blood starting to form a family tree. All five of them watched in wonder. The bloodied tree made branches, and small writing scratched itself into the parchment.

"Fucking hell!" Sirius exclaimed, "He is your secret brother!" The names read Fleamont and Euphemia Potter, James' parents. James eyes widened, brother?! He couldn't believe it, he watched name branch off from his parents, fully expecting his to connect to a sibling of Harry Potter. But it didn't, instead another name with a dotted line, signifying marriage joined onto James' name.

"That's impossible..." James gaped as the name Lily Evans scratched itself in. And from them, branched Harry Potter.

"I don't have son!" James' squeaked, "Me and Evans aren't married, this is ridiculous!" Their faces were very pale.

"I think something might have gone wrong," Remus said slowly, "Really very wrong..."

James, in a state of panic and disray, was about to snarl something rather rude when the door burst open.

Professor Dumbledore, followed by Professor McGonagall and Slughorn entered, and behind them trailed tall, pale and pretty Lily Evans.

"Lily has told me there is a young child in the school unaccounted for," Dumbledore states calmly, "And judging by that piece of paper, I suspect he is not where he belongs."

Sirius shoots Evans a vicious scowl, and her lip only trembles a tiny bit.

"We're really sorry sir!" James began, "But you see, we couldn't tell a teacher, we couldn't! And this potion is fuc-messed up, it's wrong- it says Harry's my son- I don't have a son!" There is a crazed, manic look in James' eye.

Dumbledore shares looks with the other professors.

"I think we should all have a chat in my office."

...

James is biting his lip and jigging his leg up and down rather quickly. He doesn't understand, he's sixteen! He's not a father.- he's not Harry's father either. He doesn't really know what to think.

"Bon Bon anyone?" Dumbledore sits at his desk, The Marauders, Harry and Lily sat opposite him. McGonagall frowned slightly as if it wasn't the approriate time to be offering out sweets. "Or a Sherbet lemon, recently I've been quite taken with them."

Nobody takes a sweet.

For a moment, there is nothing but the noise of Dumbledore sucking a sweet in the silence.

"Professor Slughorn," Dumbledore says, and the sluggish Professor snaps to attention, "Do you believe there to be an impurity to the potion of any sort?"

"As far as I believe it should be fully functional."

"Well obviously it fucking isn't!" Sirius says hotly. Peter squeaks at Sirius's loud voice.

"Sirius Black!" Professor McGonagall reprehends angrily. Sirius glares at the ground.

"Please can somebody tell me what's going on!" Lily snaps, her face as furious and red as her hair, "For goodness sake!"

"We made a potion to find out who Harry's relatives are, and it said I was his father, and you his mother." James states dully. Lily gapes incrediously.

"Don't speak such utter nonsense Potter! If this is one of your childish pranks I swear t-"

"-Please Miss Evans, lets speak rationally of this." Dumbledore says pleasantly.

"There's nothing rational about this!" James said loudly.

"I'm sorry." Harry says quietly, "Everyone is angry and it's my fault." James was horrified to see Harry was crying. Sirius shared and uneasy glance with James, before running his hands through Harry's hair and pulling his head onto his shoulder somewhat soothingly.

"I believe we can find an explanation for this." Professor Dumbledore addresses James and Lily. Meanwhile, Harry broke out in loud sobs muffled by Sirius's shoulder, he seemed to whisper something to the distraught child and gave Remus a panicked, helpless look.

"Harry," Dumbledore says lightly, "Do you remember how it was you came to Hogwarts?"

"I um don't really know." Harry looks anxiously at Sirius, nervous for being adressed by an older and powerful wizard. Sirius gives him an awkward smile and a nod. "I remember just wanting to be somewhere else."

"James, this potion said that you were Harry's father?" James nodded mutely. Dumbledore looked apprehensive.

"Harry, would you mind telling me the date?"

"I'm not really sure, but it was my birthday not that long ago."

"Just the year would be acceptable."

"1984..." There was a silence in the room, Peter shuffled away.

"It's not possible..." Lily said, "This is a prank! Admit it Potter!" She yells, but she is crying. James can feel his own tears.

"Harry said his parents died when he was one." James says.

"Shut up prongs! Don't you fucking dare!" Sirius knows exactly what James is implying, "He's not your son!" But James is staring intently at Harry.

"They're Lily's eyes." He says. Lily has a hand over her mouth, and she tried to look away. He is not her son, he is not her son, but there is a tugging in her when he looks a her, and all Lily wants to do is deny it, because it is unreal and strange. She doesn't marry James, she doesn't give birth to this sad, broken child. It is ridicollus.

"The magic within children is very unstable, it is indeed possible that somehow Harry was able to travel back in time. Time travel is very undeveloped as of yet."

"Time travel?" Harry asks, "I don't think I understand. Why is James saying he's my dad?"

"This your fault Potter! What have you done!" In her anger, Lily shouts.

"Don't fucking blame me! You don't know anything!"

"I know your a nasty berk and this is right up your street!" James looks furious.

"I think now is not the time Miss Evans." Dumbledore says softly.

"I feel ill." Harry tells Remus, he has gone awfully pale. "What's happening to me?"

Harry's skin looks translucent, and blood runs from between his lips.

"Harry!" James wiped the blood from his son's lips. "Professor what is happening!"

"We must act quickly." Dumbledore says, and he has turned sombre. "Horace, collect the potion. I am sure you know which." Professor Slughorn nods, and leaves.

"You must all be made to forget this." Dumbledore says seriously, "If you do not, Harry will cease to exist. The future is changing, it is a dangerous thing to meddle with time."

"I don't want to forget." James says, "He is then? My son?"

"I believe so." Lily sobs, and James straightens. He nods shakily.

"Okay, if it has to be doe."

"The potion will be specific to memories of Harry, the past few weeks might seem hazy however."

James turns to Sirius, "We must say goodbye." He gives Sirius a look, and Sirius understands that he is cracking. One push and he will not let go, he needs reassurance.

"I agree." He says, and Remus nods.

"Harry." Sirius says, "I'm sorry, but you will have to go back to your Aunt and Uncle." James flinches, and Sirius is disgusted with what he is saying. He knows abuse, and he just hopes Harry will turn out better that he did.

Harry seems confused, but he nods.

"You are very special Harry." He continues, "And one day, you will come to Hogwarts and you will have a wand and you will learn magic too."

Harry's eyes widen, "I'm a wizard?"

Sirius smiles softly, "I'll miss you kid," he says, "I hope to see you again sometime." He kisses his forehead.

"As do I," Remus smiles, "Harry Potter."

Harry is confused when James kneels in front of him, and takes his face in his hands. "Harry Potter." He smiles, but his face is messy with tears, "I want you to know I am so proud of you." No one is ever proud of Harry, and a warmth fills his chest, "And that I wish I could be with you forever, and I am so so sorry Harry. But know that your father loved you, and he wished he could stay. You will never be alone Harry, I love you."

His lips meet his forehead and he cries into Harry's hair silently. James feels a hand on his shoulder, and he looks up. Lily smiles and nods. She kneels shakily next to him.

"Your mother loves you too Harry." She says, and Harry cries.

"You're really my parents?" They say nothing, and Professor Slughorn rushes in.

"We must be quick." Dumbledore says. "Drink this."

"What is it?" Sirius asks.

"It will make you forget." And they all know what they must forget. Remus drinks the potion, and Sirius tips it back. Peter scarfed it down quickly, seeming relieved. Lily nods at James, and they drink the vials.

"We will meet again Harry Potter, I am sure." Dumbledore says, and Harry disappears. He awakes in his cupboard under the stairs, wondering what happened, his memories hazy. He shrugs and Aunt Petunia pounds her fist on his cupboard, and Harry goes to make breakfast.

Professor Mcgonagall, who had been silent the entire time, wipes her eyes and drinks the clear liquid. Dumbledore and Slughorn follow.

Half an hour later, the group come around.

"Sir?" Lily Evans says, "How did we get here." The Marauders look around in confusion.

Dumbledore looks at his desk, where a small piece of parchment is hidden. We must forget, It said in his own handwriting.

"I believe Miss Evans, some mysteries must stay hidden." Everyone looks baffled, and disorientated. "You best all get back to you common rooms." The students leave, and when they are past the gargoyle, James exclaims,

"Well that was odd!" The others nod.

"Great match yesterday though Prongs!"

"Too right it was, with me as captain." Peter looks at James adoringly. Lily rolls her eyes. Noticing this, James says, "Don't deny is Evans, you love my phenomenal skills. Go out with me?"

"No, no, NO!" Lily storms away.

"Don't think she likes you mate." Sirius says.

"She does, she just can't admit it." Remus rolls his eyes, and they make their way to the common room. They don't remember why they have tear tracks down there cheeks, but they wipe them away quickly and don't think on it again.

Four years later, a weeping Lily Potter tells her husband their having a baby. Peter hides in the corner and watches. He is no longer a loyal friend. Remus Lupin struggles to find work, and is often weary. Sirius Black is lonely, but he grins at the news, exclaiming he better be god father.

And seventeen year old Harry Potter awakes in a world of war, far from his time.

...

Okay so it's been a while (sorry!), but here is a chapter. As you can see, plot point one is over and we're moving on to older Harry back in time, where the real shifting of the timeline happens and cannon will change. I think I'll change the description too as I've decided to turn this into a proper story rather than a short ficlet. I really hope you like where this is going, please let me know by reviewing! I'd really like to know your thoughts of this change.

Thanks everyone for reviewing, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter, sorry for any mistakes etc still haven't got a beta lol. I really hope everyone had a great Christmas and new years! Anyone Star Wars fans here? I saw the new movie and it was really good :D

Charlotte