"We need to get you back," said Lupin to James, who was lounging against the wall.

"Why? Does anyone miss me over there, except Padfoot, Moony and Wormtail?" retorted James, obviously engrossed in his own world. There was something that happened that made James so upset, thought Lupin. Usually he was so cheerful.

"I'm sure they do," replied Lupin, keeping his voice clipped and even. "For now, you are going to have to stay in the boys' dormitory with Ron. Lily will stay in the girls' dorm, with Hermione. In the meantime, Professor Dumbledore and I will do some research to find a potion or charm that will send you back…" At this moment he trailed off. Dammit. The full moon was tonight. How could he have forgotten?

"What?" asked James, commenting on Lupin's sudden failure to speak.

"I just… realized something. Nothing important," he added in response to James's raised eyebrow. "But really, we must find the others." He began to set off. He knows, he knows, he knows, Lupin thought in anxiety as he rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"What do you have to do tonight?" asked James, skipping to get back into step with Lupin. His face seemed to betray anything but a light heart, however, as his eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"It's minor. An appointment I'd forgotten," Lupin said with care. "Now, if you please, we really must find Lily and Ron…"

James turned a knowing eye on Lupin. "You know, there's only one guy I know that would wrestle his nose when he was nervous."

A wry grin escaped Lupin's otherwise in-control exterior. "And who would that be?"

"You, Moony."

There was a silence.

James's face crumpled. "Have you forgotten?" he begged desperately, looking like a broken man. "How could you? What's gone on in this world?"

Lupin stayed silent, but continued to walk, keeping his gaze forward.

"I thought we were friends! I thought that was the only thing I could count on in this place!"

Lupin sighed and stopped. "James," he said seriously, turning to face the boy, "I haven't forgotten. We were- we are friends. Now please. Let's go."

But James stayed put. "Tell me what's gone on! You wouldn't have done this… You've changed."

"We all have, James," said Lupin sharply. "This time is more complicated than you could imagine. Right now, we have to find the others."

Lupin could almost see James's will break in two. "I… I… I just… wanted to know… What happened to you?"

He knew how to get his attention. Lupin couldn't help but turn around and face the confused time-traveller. "James," he said quietly, "age happened. It's hard to believe, I know. But never think that we drifted apart, all right? We are still friends. The Marauders are a hard tie to break." He allowed himself a smile as James grinned hesitantly back.

"Now you're just buttering me up, Moony. You've learned a lot from Wormtail."

James detected a flicker of something in Lupin's eyes when he said Wormtail… anger? "Are you and Wormtail not on good terms?" he asked uncertainly.

"You could say that," said Lupin as he stopped walking again and closed his eyes.

"Tonight's a full moon, isn't it?" queried James although he knew the answer already.

"Yes."

"And still no cure for… erm… your furry little problem?"

Lupin grinned in spite of himself. "Not quite yet."

Okay. James had tested the waters, and it seemed Lupin had warmed up to him. "Did you know that Snape is the Defense teacher? Have you thrown any pranks on him yet? That one that you were thinking of before I left... oh, that one was good..."

"James, I don't really play pranks anymore," laughed Lupin. "And Severus isn't really all that bad- yes, truly!" he added as James snorted.

"Isn't all that bad? I mean, he would add things to your potions, he would cast spells on us…"

"James, did you know that because of how we treated him, he's absolutely prejudiced about Gryffindors? It really was quite horrible what we did to him."

"What?"

"All the pranks, the soap bubbles, the tripping in the hallway…" Lupin began to count off the pranks on his fingers when James interrupted.

"No, I mean, what does prejudiced mean?"

Lupin chuckled, but stopped when James started to look at him in an odd way. "How old did you say you were?" asked James.

"I didn't, but thirty-seven. Why would you like to know?"

"Well, I mean, you look fine and everything… but… you already have grey hair!"

"Ah. One of my sorer points, I must add," mourned Lupin jokingly. "But you do know that some women find the grey rather distinguished." He gave a sly side-look at James, whose mouth had dropped open.

"Does… does that include Lily?"

"I suppose I could tell you if you'd let us continue on our quest."

James gave a reluctant nod, but was grinning rather devillishly.

"Wait." Lupin paused, looking to where they had wandered. "I apologize, but I must stop by Albus's office for a moment. Will you excuse me?"

"Certainly," declared James courteously, giving a bow.

Lupin had already told the gargoyle the password, but stopped before entering. "And stay put, James," he warned.

Of course, James had no intention of obeying, but agreed with a rather devilish grin on his face. As soon as Lupin had disappeared, James proceeded downstairs, starting to cook up the plan in his head…

Before Lupin entered Dumbledore's office, he paused a moment. How can I stay here after what happened three years ago? he wondered rather guiltily. Do you really want to help Lily and James, or are you here just to relive the days when things were good?

Knocking softly and then entering, Remus saw Albus Dumbledore at his desk, staring straight up at him. "Hello, Remus. I see you have met James and Lily," he said as he ushered Lupin to a chair.

"How did you know James was here? You only told me about Lily."

"I had a strong hunch that both were here. I also happened to see James and you standing outside of my office." Dumbledore smiled.

"Well, that saves some explanation time. Albus, I have some pressing matters to discuss. I believe I can help James and Lily out of this mess, but I'm going to need some time here." He muttered this all in one breath, and hoped for the best.

"As a matter of fact…" Dumbledore casually added, his fingers tracing the curly ironworks of Fawkes's cage. "Right now, the Dark Lord has been asking Severus to return to his side. Although Severus is protesting against it- his main excuse being the class- his presence there will be invaluable to the Order. And just my luck, an especially experienced teacher comes looking for housing in the castle." Dumbledore looked extremely mischievous as his eyes twinkled behind his spectacles.

Lupin was dumbfounded. He had to speak at the pace of a snail for anything to come out clearly. "But… parents will be sending in owls, and I simply couldn't…"

"Not as long as you teach for only a few weeks. You won't even transform in that time. I will handle the letters, Remus. I'm asking you to do this- Remember, you were not asked to leave when you last resigned."

The request was too tempting. Part of Lupin wanted to accept, accept and teach the job that had brought him so much joy years ago. Yet another part of him knew it was the wrong thing to do. I won't even be transforming, he thought to himself. Maybe… Maybe…

"I will, Albus, and thank you for the offer."

Dumbledore seemed quite pleased. "No, thank you, Remus. And the Shrieking Shack is still open, in case you find yourself concerned by nightfall."

Suddenly Lupin felt embarrassed by his lack of concern for his transformation place. "Oh. Yes. Thank you." He felt shockingly like a first year schoolboy as he sidled out the door.

In the gardens, Ron eventually pulled away from Lily. He was breath-taken, and couldn't stop looking at her. "You really helped me get over this, Ron. Thanks." She gave a watery, yet still proficient, grin and then snapped her head as she heard footsteps quite near to where she and Ron were positioned.

"Hide!" whispered Ron as Lily scrambled under a bush. Only flecks of sunlight filtered through the leaves, and she urgently pushed them back. Tilting her ear slightly closer towards the edge of the shrub resulted in perfect hearing.

"What were you doing with that girl, Ron?" demanded a voice. It sounded rather angry and low. She moved back a couple more leaves and tried to focus in on their conversation.

"Nothing, she just needed a… loving shoulder," replied Ron, not able to believe he actually said 'loving shoulder.'

"You owe me a lot of answers! First off, how long have you been with her?"

"Only since today, mate," Ron declared, a little bit shakily.

"Sure," snorted Harry as he leaned in closer. "Next question- who is she?"

This took Ron by surprise, and stuttered his unrehearsed reply, "She's… from... she's… my second cousin once removed, and adopted! Yes, that's it!" It seemed as if a million light bulbs had lit up in Ron's head.

"Ron, I can't trust you anymore," spat Harry. "You lie to me, and then you won't tell me who this girl is? I can't believe you! Why wouldn't you tell me about her? No one cares about me! Not even my parents! They didn't, because they died! They left me here, in a world where Voldemort is stalking me and everyone lies to me!"

At this point, he stormed to the other side of the castle.

"Harry! Wait!" called Ron, but it was too late. Lily reappeared through the bushes and sighed, looking at the lone silhouette of a confused boy. "That's horrible. How could anyone's parents leave their baby to die? And that poor boy has Voldemort after him?" She shook her head and looked off into the distance, when Ron gulped. Should he tell her that she was the one who left their baby to "die?"

He started with a shuddering breath. "Lily…"