MORPHING THRU TIME
Chapter 10-Getting it Right
The light continued to engulf him. He kept his eyes closed tightly. Finally, after a few minutes, the light vanished.
He slowly opened his eyes, expecting to see David Owens and the Riddle house. Instead, he realized he was sitting on the porch of a house on a swing bench. Remus slowly and shakily stood up. He glanced around and realized it was his parent's house.
Just then, the door opened and someone stepped out onto the porch.
"Remus? Are you still out here? It's 2 o'clock in the morning," a painfully familiar voice said with concern.
Remus was almost afraid to raise his eyes because he was afraid that it was just a dream and that he had passed out in the Riddle house somehow. But when he did, Michelle was standing there looking at him with concern. The moonlight fell across her face, illuminating her hazel eyes and making her engagement band and wedding band glitter on her left hand. She was dressed in a tank top with spaghetti shoulder straps and pink jogging pants. She had white socks on her feet and her hair was slightly tousled, but her pretty face was contorted in an expression of pure concern.
Remus swallowed causing his Adams apple to move up and down as he slowly approached her. He realized he was dressed in navy flannel pajama pants and a white tee shirt.
Michelle kept her eyes locked on his as he slowly stepped toward her, as though seeing her for the first time in his life.
He stood in front of her. Because he was so tall and slightly towered over her, Michelle had to look up at him.
"Remus, what is wrong?" she asked with pure concern. "You look like you're going to be sick at any moment."
Remus put a hand on the side of her face, cupping the side of her jaw in his hand. He raised a thumb up and stroked her cheek. Michelle still patiently waited for him to reply.
Michelle was warm to his touch…warm and solid.
"Is this really you?" he asked quietly.
Michelle looked confused.
"Of course it is," she said. "Remus what is going on? Did you hit your head at some point out there?"
"I'm not sure of anything anymore," Remus choked out thickly.
Michelle didn't say anything, but instead she stepped closer to him and wrapped her arms around him, drawing him into a tight embrace. She pressed her cheek against his shoulder. The top of her head brushed against his chin.
Remus felt his body responding to Michelle's embrace. He slowly wrapped his arms around her and drew her tighter against him. He rested his chin on top of her head.
He just pressed his face into her hair and sobbed. For the first time, all his emotions just poured out of him as he held her.
He caught sight of his reflection in the window. He was young again…about 25 years old.
"Remus what is going on?" Michelle demanded now alarmed as she went to pull back, but Remus held onto her. "Come on inside. It's cold out here!"
She snaked her arm around Remus' waist and led him inside the house. She sat Remus down at the kitchen table. Remus propped his elbows up on the table and buried his face into his hands as Michelle bustled around the kitchen, getting him coffee. The tears were still flowing freely.
Michelle poured the coffee and placed it down in front of him. She sat down next to him and scooted her chair closer to him. She placed a hand on his back.
"Remus talk to me…what happened?" she demanded keeping her eyes on him.
Before he could reply, he heard another familiar, sweet little cry.
"Be right back. Hillary just woke up," she said softly as she got up and headed into the hallway.
His heart jolted. He got up, ignoring the coffee and he followed Michelle.
Michelle was standing in a nursery type room on the first floor. In her arms was Hillary. She caught sight of Remus and broke into a huge grin. She happily cooed and extended her arms out to him.
"She wants to go to you," Michelle grinned broadly as she faced Remus.
Remus slowly opened his arms and Michelle placed Hillary in them. Once in his arms, Hillary placed one arm around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder.
She groggily began shutting her eyes.
"Sure," Michelle laughed. "She falls asleep in your arms."
Remus pressed his face into Hillary's back and just inhaled her familiar scent. He shut his eyes and hugged her tightly.
He felt like he could never let her go again.
He gently set her down again in the crib and Michelle pulled the blanket up over her. She was fast asleep.
Michelle and Remus left the nursery and returned the kitchen. Remus took his seat and wrapped his hands around the hot mug.
Michelle stood behind him and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind. She leaned down and pressed her left cheek against his.
"Get some sleep," she said softly. "Tomorrow I'm heading to Godric's Hollow to see why we haven't heard from James and Lily lately. I love you, wolfie."
She gave him a soft kiss on his cheek before turning and heading upstairs.
Remus took a sip of the coffee and suddenly, his memory jolted causing him to pause his hands in mid air, the rim of the mug inches from his lips.
Wait. This is the night before Michelle went to the Potter's house to see why they hadn't replied in months! She's going to die tomorrow! Perhaps destroying the Book of Days brought me back to this time to try and stop her from going? To set things right?. Harry's born, and so are Hermione and Ron. But they're all babies now. They won't meet for several years…11 years to be exact.
Remus finished his coffee and then headed to bed.
Michelle was sound asleep in bed, facing the window. A gentle, but cool breeze flew in, ruffling the curtains. Remus slowly approached the bed. He sat on the edge of it before bringing his legs up and pulling the covers up over himself. Michelle was sound asleep, her back pressed against his. Remus pinched himself, wondering if this wasn't some sort of dream or illusion. No, it was real and he was awake. Eventually, he fell into a troubled sleep.
The next morning, he woke up to warm sunshine on his face. Immediately, he groped next to him for Michelle. She wasn't there.
Panic settled in and he threw the covers off of him and leapt to his feet.
He quickly flew out of the room and headed downstairs. He found Michelle making breakfast.
He let out a relieved breath and sat down at the table.
"Morning," Michelle said warmly grinning at him. "You sleep okay?"
Remus shrugged.
Hillary was sitting in her highchair at the table next to him.
Remus didn't answer right away.
He was still in shock and full of emotion. Dozens of emotions ran through him…grief, happiness, anger, guilt and hope.
"Remus," Michelle prompted.
Remus nodded.
"Yeah," he said finally.
"Are you alright?" she asked worriedly plopping a plate of sausage, eggs and bacon down in front of him. "You'd been acting strangely since last night. What's going on?"
Remus went to open his mouth but then thought against it.
She wouldn't believe me anyway. But I've got to stop her form going to Godric's Hollow today…I will do everything in my power to stop her.
"Stress," he finally answered. "I'm just worried about things in general."
He gave her a false smile.
Michelle raised an eyebrow but she seemed satisfied with his answer. She took her own plate of food and sat down next to him. She grinned at Hillary, who was happily eating her own breakfast.
Michelle's hair was pulled into a sloppy ponytail. Several shorter strands had come loose and hung down against her shoulders.
Remus just watched her eat and play with Hillary.
Her hazel eyes were full of life. Remus realized he didn't remember this part of the past, the morning when Michelle had headed off to Godric's Hollow. Perhaps it was a second chance and Remus was going to certainly take advantage of it.
"Have you heard from Lily and James?" Remus asked curiously and lightly, clearing his throat as he began eating.
"No," Michelle said shaking her head. "But I'm going to go over there to see if everything's alright."
"No," Remus said quickly. "I'm sure it's nothing."
Michelle turned to him.
"We haven't heard from them in a while, several months exactly. Aren't you worried about them?" she inquired skeptically.
"Yes," Remus said. "But I don't think it's a good idea that you go over there."
Michelle raised an eyebrow.
"Why? Is there a monster lurking there?" she asked lightly.
Remus had to smile.
"No," he said "But if you go, I will use a Full Body Binding Charm on you."
He had said it lightly, but he meant it. He was going to completely stop her from going over there no matter what it took.
Michelle heard the seriousness in his voice and realized that he'd meant business.
"Sure," she said. "Remus, I want the truth now. Spit it out. You are not worried about things in general. What's really going on?"
She let her fork drop to her plate with a clatter and she faced him, crossing her legs and folding her arms across her chest, giving him that familiar no nonsense look he remembered.
He had to smile.
Michelle however, didn't return the smile.
He sighed and then launched into everything from the very beginning.
Michelle listened to everything Remus said. She knew him to never lie or make up stories and he seemed genuinely upset and shaken by what he was telling her. She never once interrupted.
When he finished, Michelle bit her bottom lip.
"Remus," she said quietly. "For one thing, I'd never turn to Voldemort. Never. Secondly, if I ever did what you said I did, believe me…I'd want you to kill me."
Remus flinched at that memory. It was too vivid in his mind.
Michelle was suddenly hit with the realization on why Remus said what he said about not going over to Godric's Hollow.
"That's why you didn't want me to go," she said staring into his green eyes. "Because I get killed by Voldemort."
Remus nodded.
Michelle inhaled deeply.
"Well," she said softly. "You don't have to worry about it cause I'm not going. But what do we do about James and Lily? They're supposed to die?"
Remus sighed.
"I'm afraid so yes," he said sadly.
Michelle's hazel eyes filled with tears.
Remus slowly opened his arms and Michelle slumped into them. She leaned into his embrace and Remus' arms tightened around her, pulling her against him in a tight embrace. Michelle pressed her face into Remus' chest as she sobbed.
Remus picked up Michelle's sweet scent of lilacs and raspberries.
He held her tighter and pressed his face into her hair. He'd missed this so much. Just to hold her and he missed her embrace.
He squeezed her even more.
"I love you so much," he whispered.
"I love you too," she whispered back.
Remus pulled back from the embrace and took her face in his hands. The palms of his hands were cupping her jaw line. He raised his thumbs and stroked her cheeks, wiping away the tears.
Her hazel eyes were already glistening with fresh tears.
"It will be alright," he said reassuringly. "Trust me."
Michelle just stared up into his eyes and Remus gave her a soft and gentle kiss.
Michelle kissed him back just as soft and gentle. She could feel the love in his kisses. They were done so softly and gently, but passionately.
After a few minutes, Remus pulled back and they went back to their breakfast.
They spent the rest of the day just enjoying each other's company.
Remus realized that the image of Hillary in the Riddle house was her ghost giving him the strength. But things were finally set right.
Later on around dinner time, they'd received an owl from the Ministry of Magic stating that James and Lily had been found dead at Godric's Hollow and that their baby, Harry, had been safely removed.
Things were in the right order now.
Michelle cried again after the news. Remus once again, comforted her.
That night, they headed to bed. Remus felt Michelle's body pressing against his. His backside was pressing against Michelle's abdomen and her arm was draped over his side. He smiled contently in the darkness. Shortly, he dozed off but didn't realize the bright light engulfing both of them and surrounding the entire bedroom. It kept getting brighter and brighter until it was once again, blinding.
Remus opened an eye sleepily. The clock read 7:00 AM. He opened his other eye and yawned, turning over to greet Michelle happily.
She wasn't there.
Panicking, which he seemed to be doing a lot of lately, he got up and immediately headed down stairs.
Michelle was once again cooking, but his eyes were drawn to Hillary.
She looked exactly like she had when she entered her 7th year of Hogwarts. In fact, Hillary was already dressed partially in the uniform. She was wearing the grey pleated skirt, and white winged collar. She had her maroon/gold striped tie on as well. Her dark, chocolate brown hair was pulled into a French twist and her green eyes landed on him.
"Hey Dad," she said brightly.
Remus' knees momentarily felt weak and he leaned against the counter, gripping the edges so hard that his knuckles were white.
Michelle looked up.
"Hey wolf boy," she said affectionately. "Care for some breakfast before you have to take Hillary to Kings Cross Station?"
"K-Kings Cross?" Remus stammered out.
"Yes," Michelle said frowning. "This is her last year at Hogwarts…Remember?"
This is the year that she finds the book! I've got to go along with her. I have to talk to Dumbledore.
"Right," Remus said finally snapping to reality.
Hillary grinned at him and gestured to the seat next to her.
"I'm so excited," she said eagerly. "Dumbledore said you were going to come and speak to us about careers…since you taught us in our third year."
Remus slowly sank into the chair beside her and just stared at her as though seeing her for the first time in his life.
Hillary studied him closely.
"Are you alright Dad?" she asked worriedly. "You look pale."
Michelle jumped in quickly.
"He's fine," she said. "He's just amazed at how you've grown up."
Heh. That's partially the truth.
He gave Michelle a grateful look, but Hillary didn't see it.
Shortly after breakfast, Remus helped Hillary to Kings Cross Station.