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Disclaimer
I own nothing of the Harry Potter franchise.
Glad to clear that up
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Hi, I'm back. Sorry for the delay, I've been away for a week and last week my computer gave me hell. I'm back now and despite not updating every day, expect an update once a week.
Chapter 8 - Regrets
"Well then, I believe we all enjoyed this dessert but now, hop to bed." ordered the headmaster, noticing it was quite late. Some students groaned but they all obeyed, taking a final glance at the two brothers who apparently would be their professors soon.
For once, Daphne was excited with the prospect of a DADA class. She left the hall with a smirk while Hermione was still disgusted with what Gryff had shown her.
Amy stayed behind and grabbed a sandy haired Hufflepuff into a broom cupboard.
"So, what is it about Potter women that attract Longbottom men so much?" teased Amy, making Neville blush. Amy laughed and snogged her boyfriend with no cares in the world.
The following days were hectic in Hogwarts. The morning after the feast began with a bunch of owls appearing during breakfast, delivering several letters to both Sly and Gryff. Hundreds of marriage proposals arrived that day and after a quick incendio that burned all of them, a second wave of owls arrived, forcing both Sly and Gryff to cast a redirection ward for their mail. It was amusing for everyone to see them almost drowned in letters.
There was also the announcement that both Sly and Gryff would assist professor Stone in DADA. It seemed that everyone was excited with that revelation and most of all was professor Stone. That led to wonder who exactly would be the DADA teacher. Then, they would also assist in a extra defence club that was to start in a posterior date.
All the excitement increased after the third years Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors had their DADA class. They were the first to and everyone wanted to know how it had been. In a word, it was awesome. According with the third years, Sly was the teacher while Gryff was around for support. Professor Stone sat at the back, as if he too was a student. Gryff brought forward a trunk that moved and Sly gave a lecture on boggarts, much like he himself had being instructed by his very best DADA teacher. After the theoretical part, they practised the riddikulus spell and then made a line.
As it turned out, the trunk had a boggart and each of them that was able to do the spell was allowed to go against it. Accidentally, Gryff approached the trunk to help a gryffindor girl and the boggart turned into a dementor, shocking everyone and many stepped back. After a quick spell, the dementor became a huge teddy bear and everyone laughed. It was loads of fun. With that, expectations rose in all years.
Of the four girls group, Amy and Luna would have DADA before Hermione and Daphne. They already had an idea of the class plan from Hermione and Daphne's sixth year and knew that it would focus mainly in silent casting and duelling. When the day came, the students entered the class room, finding it with all chairs and tables in one side, leaving a lot of room available. The trio of professors were already inside but while professor Stone was sitting at the teacher table, Sly and Gryff were talking over something.
"Welcome, sixth years. Do come in and drop your book bags. You'll only need your wand in this class." announced Stone with a smirk, knowing very well what was the lesson plan for them. The sixth year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs did as they were told and as soon as everyone was in, Sly stepped forward.
"Welcome to sixth year DADA. You are now in your NEWTS years and the level of demanding has increased, comparing with your OWLS. In this class you will learn spells, how to use them effectively, silent casting and duelling." the whispering began with genuine excitement "During class, all work will be practical and you are required to write an essay with the theory of the spells practised in class as homework." some groans sounded and Gryff grinned.
"That's right, all classes will have mandatory homework and you already know what will be so start hitting the books and studying the theory." replied Sly with a smirk "I have just given you a boon, do use it. Now, we will be starting the year by doing a review of everything, from first to fifth year."
Gryff waved his wand and several training dummies appeared in the opposite wall.
"Now, what we want is that you perform the spells I order. Each spell will be performed normally and overpowered. After this test, we will have an endurance test."
"A what?" asked a Hufflepuff.
"Each you will perform as many spells you are able and we will check how long it takes for you to be tired." explained Gryff, earning a nod in reply.
"Very well, take your positions, then and let's start with a stinging hex."
After two hours casting four years worth of spells, everyone was exhausted Throughout those two hours, the three professors assisted the students with problems and improving the casting of everyone.
"It seems to me that the endurance test can't be made today." joked Gryff, earning some pleading looks and glares from everyone.
"True. Now, I could be a bastard and asking for an essay about every spell we practiced today..." started Sly and everyone looked in shock at him, thinking him mad. Gryff laughed "I won't, consider this your reward for a job well done." Many sighed in relief.
"For next class, read the chapter on silent casting and attempt to cast lumos silently. Those who are able to do it will be given ten points."
With that, the students were allowed to leave. Most were tired but all were quite excited and happy. The class hadn't been boring and despite the exhaustion, the time passed quite quickly.
"Hi, professors." said Amy, approaching her "brothers" as everyone was leaving.
"Amy, Luna, congratulations. Nice spell work." complimented Gryff with a smile, making both girls blush.
"Thanks, Gryff." replied Amy "It was a great class. Granted, it was only reviewing from later years but still it was fun and the fact that was all practical helped even more."
"I agree." replied Luna with a smile "Can we expect all classes to be like this?"
"If Sly doesn't change his plan, yes, you may." replied Gryff, smiling and slapping his brother shoulder. Sly smirked.
"It works like this and people are forced to prepare in advance." he explained, trying to relax a bit "Thank Merlin that was the last class of the day."
"If I may, what are you planning to the seventh years?" asked Luna, focusing on Sly. He simply shrugged.
"It will begin as it began for you. They'll have to perform the tests and cast every spell, normally, overpowered and silently. After that, we will begin with the seventh year plan and duelling. I will, however, give them the theory for the Patronus Charm and attempt to have them casting it in some way by the end of the year."
"Really?" asked an excited Amy, her eyes widening "Couldn't we attempt to do it too?"
"Not in class but in the study group you will, if you join in." replied Gryff, surprised with Amy's reaction.
"Is there a special reason why you would want to learn to cast the patronus charm, Amy?" asked Sly and Amy blushed.
"Not really, it's just a very difficult charm and I am curious about it. Besides, I'd like to see what my patronus shape would be."
"You have to think of a happy memory. A really happy memory, something that really makes you completely happy. The stronger the memory, the better. Then, the incantation is Expecto Patronum." lectured Gryff, drawing his wand:
"Expecto Patronum!" from Gryff's wand came silver mist that formed a corporeal lioness. The lioness ran in the air and seeing no enemies, roared and dissipated, leaving both girls wide eyed.
"Wow." commented Luna "I thought you said your patronus was a lion?"
That got Amy's attention.
"It was, but after... you know..." started Gryff, with a sad smile "It was a lion until I lost my 'Mione. After that, my patronus changed shape into 'Mione." the girls rose their eyebrows "I named my lioness after my girlfriend, yes."
"Are you saying that a patronus can change shape?" asked Amy, genuinely interested.
"Sometimes it is possible. In my case it did. Sly's patronus is still the same basilisk, I believe."
"It is..." replied Sly nodding "Try to find a memory that really fills you with happiness and attempt to cast the spell. If you get mist, you are on the right track and need only a more powerful memory."
Amy nodded, excited.
"We will. Thank you, professors. See you at dinner."
After dinner, Sly and Gryff were just starting to get comfortable in the couches of their living room, placed around the coffee table, when someone knocked on their door. Groaning, Gryff waved his wand and the door opened, allowing entrance to James Potter, Lily Potter, Sirius Black and Severus Snape.
James brought with himself a bottle of firewhiskey and showed it to the boys with a grin.
"Remember what we mentioned a couple of days ago? Today should be Remus birthday and I thought all of us could sit down and have a drink to Moony while you tell us that story about him getting to be a father." said James, putting the bottle on the table. He transfigurated a set of glasses and filled them.
"Was his child a boy or a girl?" asked Lily after being given a glass.
"It was a boy." replied Gryff with a smile. "A little rascal if I ever saw any."
"Well, he did have a legacy to uphold." chuckled Sirius "Who was the mother? How did it happen?"
"Well, you see, Sirius, when a man and a woman love each other..." started Gryff, intending to have some fun. Sly snorted and everyone laughed.
"I know how babies are made, thank you very much." replied an indignant Sirius, although amused "I was talking about Moony and the mother? Was someone we know?"
"You know her, all right." replied Sly with a smirk "She was an auror, clumsy, mainly because of her metamorphmagus abilities and is your cousin."
Sirius widened his eyes as he realized who they were talking about, as did James some moments later. Lily was next and even Snape gaped.
"Dora and Remus? How the hell..." asked Sirius, bambling. Sly and Gryff shrugged.
"They met in the Order of the Phoenix meetings and what can I say? It kind of happened, with ups and downs, off course. Remus was terrified that the baby would be born with the werewolf disease but Teddy was born only with metamorphmagus abilities. He wasn't even one and he was already having accidental magic, changing his hair."
"Teddy?" asked Snape.
"The boy's name. Teddy Remus Lupin, after his grandfather and father." replied Sly, noticing the look of pride in Snape's face "If I may, professor, I notice that in this universe you are close with the marauders?"
"Close?" replied an outraged James "Sevvie IS a marauder."
"I hate that name." complained Snape with a sigh while Lily laughed and both Sly and Gryff rose their eyebrows.
"Hold on, Snape is a marauder?" asked Gryff "Then why were you so shocked when we complimented Snape on his challenge in our first year?"
"I believe I can explain that." replied Snape with a chuckle "You see, Marauder Rule 7: A Marauder shall never compliment another Marauder for a Marauding job well done while in public."
"Ah." replied Gryff "It wasn't really a Marauding job, was it?"
Sirius shrugged.
"If I may, how did this happen?" asked Sly, genuinely curious "In our universes, Snape wasn't exactly fond of the marauders and the feeling was mutual."
"Well, I don't know about your universes, but in this one, it all began in fifth year, while in detention because of a bad prank we performed and Sev's retaliation." explained James with a smirk.
"And Lily." offered Severus, making the red head woman smile.
"Now I am curious." replied Gryff.
"AH, we come in to drink to Moony and end up telling the story of the marauders." laughed Sirius raising his glass "I wish you were here, Moony."
"He was the best." replied Severus, raising his glass "At least he was the best conversationalist of the group."
"I miss him." replied Lily and James dropped his head.
"I'm sorry, Moony, for everything." James whispered, loud enough to everyone listen. Sly and Gryff rose their eyebrows and looked at each other.
Everyone rose their glasses for the toast and drank.
"You see..." started Severus, when he realized that James wouldn't tell the story "In fifth year I was James' favourite target for pranking. One day, I had enough and we started to duel in the corridors. Needless to say we were caught and were given detention together and for some reason, we started to talk about hating each other. As it turned out, James bullied me because he was jealous of me spending time with Lily, who was pretty much my sister and not a romantic interest." Severus stressed the words, making Gryff and Sly smirk.
"Petunia?" asked Gryff in a knowing tone, making everyone gap. Severus almost blushed.
"I won't even ask how..." replied Severus with a sad smile "Yes, I fancied Petunia in my youth but she didn't reciprocate my feelings. James and I talked about it and I realized that Prongs had more than a crush for Lily. Since Lily had a crush on him as well, despite thinking him to be an immature and childish jerk and refusal to admit it, I decided that if James left me alone, I'd give him advice on Lily. He did and I kept my part of the deal. Eventually, Prongs came to me wanting help with potions for pranking and I ended up as the official brewer of the marauders and that got me membership."
"And!?" asked Sirius and James, clearly intending to do something. Severus sighed and Lily smirked.
"I'm Batman." he said and the other two men jumped in their seats and started to sing the Batman song. Sly and Gryff laughed and Severus just rolled his eyes.
"So, there were five of you in this reality?" asked Gryff, drying his tears.
"Six. Lily is an unofficial marauder too." replied James, looking sullen "Then Peter betrayed us and Remus..."
"What exactly happened?" asked Sly, taking a more comfortable position in the chair.
"I..." started James, unable to continue. It was Lily that spoke.
"When we went to fidelius, Sirius was the choice for secret keeper but as he pointed out, it was too obvious. Remus didn't want to be the secret keeper because he acted as a spy among the werewolves so he suggested the rat or Sev. Personally I'd go with Sev but Remus insisted that since Sev was a friend of ours, and a powerful wizard, many could consider that he was the choice. So we went with the rat and we all know what happened."
"I was livid." continued James "I had lost my son, one of my best friends had betrayed us and when Remus came to check on us, I outright accused him of being a death eater. It was the sole reason I could think for him wanting the rat to be the secret keeper. I even attacked him. Sirius stopped me and if he hadn't, I might have killed Moony." tears fell from James eyes "He swore to me that he wasn't a death eater and that he didn't know anything. He just wanted the secret keeper to be the rat because he really thought it was a good deception and that he himself was to keep him safe. I didn't believe him, even with the wizard's oath and I banished him from my house and my life. I never saw him again until..."
"Until we received a letter from him one morning, explaining that he had cornered the rat in Knockturn Alley and that he would take him down for the cub... that he was always innocent and hat although we had turned our backs on him, he still considered us family and had to avenge Harry" replied Sirius, also teary "He did take the rat down, in fact, only the head was recognizable. Damn, Moony was vicious."
"He was a werewolf. His anger always increased because of it." explained Severus looking down "We all betrayed him and he still cared about us. Damn it."
"He died but not without killing the rat, Greyback and several other known death eaters and werewolves that had escaped. His body was torn apart by the survivors but it was enough to recognize him, among the dead he made... James and I were part of the auror squad that went in to investigate and... I was the one that found him."
For moments none spoke. The silence was broken by James, who was being hold by Lily.
"I wish I had just apologized to him. Bring him back... I'm sorry, Moony." he whispered, loud enough to be heard by everyone. Lily held her husband tighter and mumbled some comforting words while Sirius drank his firewhiskey. Severus looked to the ground and Sly turned to Gryff, who was looking pensive.
"What would you do, if you had a chance to speak to Remus?" asked Gryff, looking at the firewhiskey in his glass.
"I'd apologize to him, beg him for forgiveness..." replied James and Gryff nodded, raising from his chair.
"Wait here." said Gryff, entering his room for a while.
"What did he mean?" asked Lily, while both Severus and Sirius had a look of not understanding what was happening.
"It's not my place to say." replied Sly, drinking from the glass " However, I believe that Gryff intends to give you a gift. If I may, use it wisely."
"I don't understand." replied Lily, narrowing her eyes.
"You will." was Sly's response and Lily thought to have seen a tear in Sly's eye.
Moments later, Gryff came back and sat again in his chair.
"Now, you said you'd ask for Remus forgiveness if you could speak to him. What if he didn't forgive you?" asked Gryff in a serious tone.
"I'd deserve it, wouldn't I?" was James dry reply. Gryff just nodded.
"Listen carefully, then. I'm going to give you a chance but that's it. I'll never do it again, for anyone else, clear?" asked Gryff in a serious tone, looking at them "I don't care your regrets, this is a onetime thing and you won't speak of this to anyone nor you'll ask me for a chance with others, are we clear?" no one realized what Gryff was talking. No one except Sly.
"Swear it, please." asked Gryff and they did it, even though they didn't realize exactly what Gryff was talking about. After the oaths, Gryff took a black stone from his pocket and whispered to it:
"Remus Lupin."
Then, in front of them, a silver shade appeared in the shape of the man they had been talking about.
"What? Where am I?" asked Remus.
"Moony!" the marauders all shouted at the same time, making the spirit to turn back in shock.
"James, Lily, Sirius, Severus... What... what is this? Where am I?"
"Moony!" shouted James again, jumping from his seat to embrace his friend. Unfortunately, Remus was a spirit and James fell through him, making everyone laugh.
"James, I'm dead and I have no body." chuckled Remus, noticing the sad looks on everyone "How did you do it?"
"You're a spirit? A ghost?" asked Severus, not fully understanding what had happened.
"I am a spirit, but I shouldn't be here. What did you do?"
"We didn't do anything, Remus. He did." replied Lily, pointing to Gryff in a mixture of curiosity and awe. Remus turned and saw the two young men.
"Hello." said Gryff, earning a wide eyed look from the spirit.
"You! I can feel it. You are the master." Remus exclaimed in awe and Gryff nodded.
"I summoned you here to speak with them." explained Gryff, looking at James.
"But... who are you? You look so much like James. You can't be Harry." asked Remus.
"Long story short, I am Harry Potter, as is this one at my side. We are dimensional travellers and have just recently arrived in this dimension." Remus eyes widened.
"They also took Voldemort down in one night." explained Sirius drawing the attention of the spirit again, who was gaping.
"You better talk. The summoning has a time limit." explained Gryff, cutting the conversation.
"Right..." said James, looking at Remus, still having difficulties in accepting what was happening "Remus... Moony, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for what I said back then and how I treated you. You didn't deserve it and it was wrong. I was angry, my son had been murdered, one of my friends had betrayed me and you had insisted so much for the rat to be the secret keeper... I vented all on you and..." James looked down in shame " I'm sorry. I truly am, for all I did to you and all I said. I don't know if you can or want to forgive me but I just wanted to apologize. I'm sorry Moony."
For a moment, no one said anything.
"I forgive you James. Hell, I understand perfectly how you reacted, I'd do the same thing." confessed Remus, looking at the floor. "I thought the rat was feeling left out and he truly seemed to be the best deception. But then, that son of a bitch betrayed us and shattered us completely... I wanted to kill him, so bad..."
"You did kill him." replied Sirius with a smirk.
"It wasn't enough..." admitted Remus "Harry died because of him. It will never be enough."
"Still, it was wrong of me. We were all hurting and I..."
"Enough, Prongs. You carried your guilt enough. I am to blame too. I could come back and attempt to talk to you. I didn't because I had to have my revenge on the rat and for that we both carried our guilt. I paid for it enough. I met your son in the afterlife, you know?" to that, they all widened their eyes "Harry will always be a child in the afterlife and he's with your parents. I live with them and he looks so much like you." James eyes became teary and so did Lily's, who was held by her husband "He's fine and one day you'll meet him too."
"I'm sorry that I never came back and attempt to talk." asked Remus "I'm sorry I never replied your letters, Sirius, Sev."
"I'm so sorry, Moony." asked James again. Sirius and Severus nodded with a smile.
"I'm sorry I didn't help you more, my friend." said Severus, to what Remus chuckled.
"You were my pack. You did enough. I'm sorry for everything. I hope you can find peace now."
"Thanks, Moony." replied Sirius with a nod from Remus.
"The time is almost up. If you stay longer, you will start to feel the effects." said Gryff, gaining the attention of everyone. Remus nodded.
"In the afterlife, there is talk about a master of death that should not be." explained Remus, ignoring the gasps "We all know that there is only possible to be one master of death at one time."
"Yes, I am aware of the rules. " replied Gryff cryptically. Sly nodded.
"Because there was no other, the hallows of this universe lost their link to death. Yours are the real hallows now, either until you vanish from this reality or you destroy them." explained Remus again, earning a nod from Gryff "Thank you for this chance."
"It was my pleasure, Moony." replied Gryff with a smile.
"I must go, now, my friends. I'll be waiting for you but I truly hope not to see you for a long time. "
To that, everyone chuckled.
"Bye, Remus. We'll miss you." said Lily with tears.
"Bye..." the spirit vanished and they all cleaned their tears. James walked to Gryff and hugged him.
"Thank you." he whispered.
"My pleasure." replied Gryff, holding James and being hugged by Lily, Sirius and Severus.
