(10) Back To The Future

Sirius, Peter, Lily & Harry all sat clustered around James who was lying asleep in bed. Madam Pomfrey had patched him up & he would stay for most of the day while she monitored him. They hardly spoke to each other, each lost in their own thoughts. Harry stayed closer to Lily than any of the others but both were staring in opposite directions.

Madam Pomfrey had to shoo everyone out when lunch time came. Startled at the time, Sirius & Lily both worried they had missed half their classes. Harry reminded them it was Sunday & there were no classes. As the others slowly made their way to the Great Hall, Harry turned to the outer doors leading into the grounds.

Sirius ended up beside him. "Where are you going?"

"I think Remus would be in the Shrieking Shack," Harry said.

"Oh no!" Sirius gasped. "It's been hours since breakfast. I didn't think of him!"

"James had bigger problems," Harry shrugged. "I'll get Remus."

"Jas ...or, what should I call you?"

"Jason, so the timeline doesn't get even more screwed up," Harry opened the door to go out. "Although by now, I don't think it matters any more."

"I'll come with you Jason," Sirius began as they headed across the grounds. "Remus might be a bit ...unfriendly at the moment."

"I know what he is," Harry muttered irritably. "By the way, I'm not going with you on Valentine's or any other time. Since you know who I am now, you're my Godfather ...so…ew!"

"Stranger things have happened," Sirius winked at him.

"Do you want to go to Azkaban?"

"No."

"Then get off my case!"

"Gees, fine." Sirius stuck his hands in his pockets & said no more. He sulked along until they got to the Whomping Willow. "We have to pro—"

"I KNOW!" Harry finally lost it. Sirius shut up once more as Harry grabbed the nearest long stick & whacked the knot.

They descended into the tunnel & headed to the Shack in silence. Harry led the way. When he got to the other end, he cautiously opened up the trap door & peered out. The place seemed empty so Harry climbed up all the way & helped Sirius through. Sirius switched to Padfoot & sat on his tail, waiting for Harry to lead the way. They slowly went up stairs side by side, Padfoot ready to bound out & attack if Remus was in a mood.

Remus was lying on the bed, back towards the door but he heard the boards creak as they entered. Remus lifted his head to glare amber over his shoulder. He hissed. Harry stopped walking as Padfoot moved in front of him protectively. Remus half heartedly hissed again, then lowered his head back to the pillow, ignoring them.

"Easy Moony," Harry slowly moved forward again, keeping Padfoot between them. Irritated, Remus shifted a little on the bed. They heard a low growl under breath. "Moony ...it's ok. She's fine with it." He moved to the foot of the bed. "Did you hear me? Lily's ok wi—ARGH!"

Harry had put a hand on the edge of the foot of the bed. Like a rabid wolf, Remus had turned himself around, barking & snapping viciously. Harry had pulled his hand back just in time. Padfoot jumped on the bed, pouncing on Remus & both fell over the edge on the opposite side. Remus hissed like a wildcat, making Padfoot growl at him. Harry could no longer see either of them, but heard their growls just fine. He waited by the door for Remus to calm down.

Padfoot's growl was lower than Remus, more calm than angry. Remus just growled since he was in a bad mood & they vocalised back & forth between each other for several moments. Harry seemed to be forgotten. Finally Harry said, "Moony, I'm going to tell Dad what you almost did if you don't shut the hell up!" There was a snort ...silence. Padfoot's head appeared as he looked across the bed at Harry, who crossed his arms. "Getting irritating. Snap out of it, moon mutt. You're in human form right now." Padfoot gaped at him.

Padfoot suddenly tumbled across the floor & hit the opposite wall. Remus had thrown him off in the distraction. He stood up, shooting his amber glare at Harry. "If you really are Jim's kid, then you're a pup born into this pack."

"That's right."

"So mind your Alpha," Remus snapped.

"Make me!" Harry sassed. Padfoot shook his head wildly. Remus launched himself for Harry. "Expecto Patronum." A great stag began bounding around the room, looking for Dementors. It huffed silver mist at Remus as if offended that he was a wolf, not a Dementor.

Remus stared at the thing. "That really does look like Prongs."

"You teach it to me, during my third year," Harry explained. Then he thought of something. If things worked out, there would be no Dementors & therefore, no reason to learn the charm. In turn, that meant that he & his cousin would be destroyed during the summer before he started his fifth year. "Remus, make sure you teach about Dementors in your first class. My boggart becomes a Dementor & you teach me this. Be sure you do!"

"Why?" Remus muttered.

"Ray it is imperative I learn this charm when you come to Hogwarts!"

"If what you say is true, that's years from now!" Remus huffed. "How am I supposed to remember?"

Harry dismissed the stag & moved to the bed to sit down. "I'll leave notes with you & Dumbledore before I shift back. Ray, if you forget, I'm worse then dead. My cousin to!"

"Let's hope I don't forget then," Remus growled low under breath.

"Will you relax now?"

Remus glared at him but Harry could see the dark green, darker than even Lily's, seep through the gold. Remus hung his head. "Sorry."

"Don't mention it," Harry sighed.

"I was really upset," Remus explained. "But I wish I didn't try to attack you earlier."

"You get better," said Harry. "Don't worry. You're going to teach here some day, during my third year. You do so much better." Remus managed a short smile. "You're just a puppy right now," Harry went on. Remus scowled & looked down again as Sirius appeared & sat next to Harry.

"How's Lily?" Remus asked the floor, ashamed to look at anyone.

Sirius & Harry shared a look, then launched into an explanation of what had recently happened. By the end, Remus was sitting cross-legged on the floor, head in hands. "Jim's alright," Sirius finished. "Pomfrey fixed him up. He's resting now."

"This entire mess is my fault," Remus whimpered, sounding puppy-like.

"No," said Sirius. "It's Lily's."

"What?" Harry was suddenly defensive.

"Nosey brat," Sirius went on. "She'd have figured us all out someday anyway. Might as well get it over with."

"Why do you hate my mother Sirius?"

"She hates me," Sirius defended.

"What's going on between you then?" Harry tried a different tactic.

"Look, Jason," Sirius rolled his eyes. "Some people just naturally don't like each other. Look at Jim & Snivellus & I. We hate him, but Jim & I are forever. It's just the way it is."

"You better start being nice to my mother, or I'll remove you from the picture," Harry glared.

"How so?" Sirius laughed.

"I have knowledge of the future that our Divination Professor would sell their soul to have," Harry replied. "So don't test me."

"You know, you're more like your mother than Jim," Sirius scowled.

"Good," Harry returned evenly.

"So, what do you look like?" Remus asked before the pair could hex each other. "Jim mentioned something about glamours?"

"Oh right," Harry stood up & exposed himself.

"Whoa!" Sirius jumped from the bed & hurried to Remus's side. "Wow, you're a lot like Jim!"

"Not the eyes," Remus smiled softly.

"No wonder he's such a brat," Sirius scoffed. "Combining Black-Potter blood with that of Evans." Harry glared at them as they laughed.

"Oh that is EXACTLY how Lily glares," Remus added.

Harry replaced his glamours. "I hate you both!" They just laughed harder.

Remus eventually led the way back to the castle. He headed straight for the hospital wing to see James, only to end up facing Lily. They stared at each other: Remus unsure if she wanted him around or not despite Harry & Sirius telling him otherwise; while Lily just watched him for a moment, then smiled softly. Remus moved closer & sat down at the foot of the bed.

"Hi there," Lily said.

"Hi," Remus was again talking to the floor.

"I knew something was going on," Lily went on. "You honestly don't surprise me. Being a werewolf really explains a lot."

"Y-Yeah?" Remus laughed nervously.

"It's those three idiots you call a pack," Lily went on. "When the horns of Prongs came out, I nearly fainted."

Remus cast a fleeting glance at James. "They are idiots, aren't they?" He laughed again. "I was bitten when I was almost five. I used to spend those nights alone. I'd tear up the den. Tear myself up. More than once, I nearly killed myself & once I even got out. I could kill an entire town if that happened again. But then these guys figured me out & learned Animagic at great risk to themselves. If they're ever caught, they go to Azkaban & I'll probably be put down. But when I'm with them, I don't hurt myself as much & if I get out, I have two large animals pushing me back." Remus had spoken in nearly one breath. He finally forced himself to look at Lily. After glancing around to make sure no one would see, apart from the pack, he lifted the right side of his shirt. Lily saw scarring all along the ribs. Most looked like slashes but several looked like round holes had been punctured in his flesh. "Those round scars," Remus pointed at James. "His horns. I have lots of those. He beats me up a lot." He sent a scathing look at James who had just woken up.

"Eh whatever," James mumbled.

"How you feeling?" Lily asked.

James stared at her. "You stayed?"

"Where else would I go?" Lily shrugged. "I know all your secrets now."

James scoffed. "Will you please go out with me then?"

"Pathetic," Remus muttered to Sirius, Peter & Harry. All of them turned away, hiding smiles.

"No,' Lily said. Sirius, Remus, Peter & Harry all moved away from the pair, expecting yet another row. James however, seemed too tired to argue. Dejectedly, he lay back on his pillow. In that moment, he decided to give up on Lily for the first time in his life. "I may know a lot more about you all of a sudden," Lily went on. "But it's a lot to put together."

"Yeah," James sighed, turning his face away from her. "Whatever Evans."

Harry noticed a few tears in his father's eyes & realised he was looking at someone who just had his heart broken in so many pieces that it was unlikely they would fit back together properly again.

"I'd like it better if we just ...start," Lily added. "We're not even friends. Why would I date you? Just 'cause I know things about you doesn't mean I instantly like you. Let's just get to know each other first."

James looked back at her. "Take things slow you mean?"

"Well ...yeah, I guess," answered Lily. "Maybe in a year or two, we can talk about dates."

"Ok," James had brightened up a little. "That I can do."

Sirius, Remus & Peter were all gaping at the pair by now. Harry however, slipped away. He finally understood why his parents hadn't liked each other at first. It had been all the secrets. Now it seemed like they were on the same path & slowly but surely, drawing closer.

Those last few weeks were the best out of Harry's time shift. He was finally getting along with all the Marauders even though he was unable to join them on the last full moon. James was being extra nice to him, hoping to repair the damage he had done. Sirius found someone else to date on Valentine's Day, a very happy girl who was glad to be on his arm even for a moment. Harry even managed to stay civil with Peter.

Two days before Valentine's Day was the match between Gryffindor & Hufflepuff. Harry was able to watch his father & Godfather fly. They pulled stunts Harry himself had never dared. But they were both Chasers. He had hoped to watch James play Seeker, but perhaps coming here had changed a few minor things & James was suddenly a Chaser.

On the evening before Valentine's, Harry sought out Severus by the Slytherin dungeons. They had become good friends & Harry hoped the change would affect the future. But he was leaving for the future in a few hours; whereas, Severus wouldn't see it for a few years.

The moment Harry found him, Severus asked, "What's wrong Jason?" He watched him with unblinking black eyes as if reading Harry's very soul.

"I'm leaving," Harry said. "I'm going home tomorrow."

Severus sighed. "Write to me, won't you? And Lily?"

"I can't for a while," said Harry.

"I understand," Severus nodded. "Voldemort right?"

"Uh sort of," Harry evaded. "But we'll meet again. It will be several years though."

"Years?" Severus stared at him. "That long?"

"I'll explain everything when we meet up again," Harry said. "I'm going to look very different. This isn't me. I have glamours on me. It's to help me hide."

"I ... don't quite understand that," said Severus.

"I can't explain anything right now," said Harry. "But I will some day. Do you have the set of potions I gave you for Christmas?"

"Yeah it's in my bag," Severus sat down on a bench & pulled out the black chest. Opening it up, they could see the neat rows of vials clamped firmly into shaped holes in the velvet lined lid. Each vial was a different shape & color. The bottom half was filled with various ingredients to use, each in their own labelled container. "This is one of my favorites," Severus pointed at one of the containers that had a flower carved into its onyx lid. Harry understood why. It was a lily & his mother was the only other good friend Severus had.

Harry pulled out an empty vial from his own bag. "May I borrow that?" Severus pulled the small box out & handed it over. Harry dumped the ingredients into his vial & gave the vial to Severus who looked rather confused. He had expected Harry to take the ground ruby powder. "I'll give this box back to you when we meet again. That way you'll know it's me. Sev, please trust me on this. I can't tell you now."

Slowly, Severus took the vial & watched as Harry put the box with the lily carved on its lid into his own bag. They stared awkwardly at each other & after a slight hesitation; Harry moved forward & hugged Severus. "I'll see you really soon." At that, he let go, turned & ran away without a backwards glance.

That night, Harry didn't sleep. He packed a small box with things he would leave behind for when he returned to the future. He put in the Auror's book James had given him, the little onyx box with the lily on it, the Potions book filled with Lily's notes & a letter he had written to give to Dumbledore before going back. It would tell him what would happen in 1981.

The next morning, Harry dressed in the clothes he was wearing when he shifted & put the Map & Cloak under his robes. He went into the common room & glanced around. Frank, Alice & Philip were in one corner. Peter & Remus were playing exploding snap. Sirius was on the floor by the fire, writing something. Lily was curled up in the armchair, reading & James was sitting on the couch. Their eyes met & Harry waved as he moved by, making it look like he was heading out for breakfast. He wondered if that would be the last time he'd see his parents. Would this work?

Harry arrived at Dumbledore's office a short time later, having skipped breakfast. He gave the letter to Dumbledore first, explaining that it was important to keep his parents safe as well as Frank & Alice. It also mentioned telling Remus about teaching him the Patronus. Harry left a second note with Dumbledore for Remus. Then he gave the box packed with the items Harry had selected. Dumbledore would put it aside in a vault until the date in the future that Harry would arrive.

"Are you ready now?" Dumbledore asked, once Harry had gone over a few things for the umpteenth time.

Harry stared at the wall. He had done all he could. "Let's get this over with."

"Alright, stand over here," Dumbledore pointed to an open area on the carpet. He picked up a bottle from his desk & turned to Harry. They shared one last look.

"See you on the other side," said Harry as Dumbledore cast down the bottle at Harry's feet.

There was a bright flash of light once more amidst a mild explosion of glass, grey-blue smoke & bright red sparks. Harry was knocked off his feet. He landed hard on his face as he hit the carpet. He lay unmoving for a few moments, groaning, before he slowly got up to his hands & knees.

"You're ten seconds late," Dumbledore said.

"Sorry," Harry pushed himself up to stand. He looked at Dumbledore. He was still in the office.

Dumbledore got up from his desk & moved towards Harry. "Welcome back."

"Back?"

"To the future," Dumbledore said.

(AN: What? So I stole that movie's title. Shut up. LOL)