Summer arrived soon enough and the Marauders were able to spend two nights with Moony in the Forbidden Forest. At first, the other Marauders were nervous about it, but after an hour on the first night, they were off on adventures in the forest.

Harry still remembered those two nights. The moon shone through the trees, casting a silvery glow over the forest. Though it was dark, his eyes easily adjusted and Harry and James – or Blackpaws and Prongs – led Moony through the forest while Padfoot took the rear, occasionally jumping on Moony and wrestling with the werewolf for fun.

The sense of freedom as they ran through the forest was exhilarating. The wind blew against them, the branches and twigs snapped under Blackpaws' strong feet and they were having the time of their lives.

Remus didn't remember much of it, which was unfortunate, but Harry knew it was going to happen. He couldn't wait until the Wolfsbane potion was invented and then Remus would have that taste of freedom as well.

Prongs, Padfoot and Blackpaws were Moony's new pack mates. And Moony, along with the rest of them, was content. The scars on Remus' body had decreased drastically and the fourteen year old Remus was happy as well.

So now the four boys – three fourteen and one thirteen – sat in their reserved Marauders compartment, silently watching the fields go by. Lily and James were still going strong and were sickeningly sweet together. Harry and Sirius had mocked them on more than one occasion. Lily was not with them but instead with her own roommates. It was 'man bonding time' as Sirius called it.

When Harry was thirteen or fourteen – the first time – he hated being called a child. He thought he had been mature enough and strong enough but looking back on it, he saw how stupid he had been. So 'man bonding time' was really 'boy bonding time,' and this time, Harry didn't mind it. He had missed his childhood when he was older and wished that his teenage years hadn't been spent worrying over Voldemort.

So this was his second chance.

"Checkmate! I win!" Harry yelled. He almost squealed with delight but – ah hem. Males do not squeal, though James had before – over Lily of course.

James scowled. "You won one game of chess and people would think that Voldemort is gone."

Harry didn't listen though. He was too busy happy dancing. After all those years, he finally won a chess game.

Admittedly, it was a very close win. Another move and James would have won. But still, Harry won.

"You, James Potter," Harry said, pointing a finger at his twin. "Just got bested by Harry James Potter!"

"How did you lose, Prongs?" Sirius scoffed.

Remus sighed, shaking his head. "Even I'm disappointed."

"Hey!" James and Harry shouted.

"It was a lucky win," James protested.

"And I'm not that bad!" Harry argued, but Remus and Sirius continued to sigh.

The twins shared a look and then they smacked the heads of Remus and Sirius.

"So we did it," Sirius said as they settled back into their seats. Sirius was still in awe because they could transform into animals. To be honest, Harry was too. "At fourteen."

"We did," Harry nodded.

"Did what?" came the voice of Lily Evans, who had opened the compartment door.

The Marauders scrambled for a reply, all of them coming up with different answers. Remus came up with: "We got O's in our Transfiguration exam!" That was the most realistic one.

"We did surgery on Remus' rabbit," Harry blurted out. When he said it, he immediately regretted it. Did surgery on a rabbit? Harry berated himself inside his own head. But his was not as bad as James'.

"We got McGonagall to profess her love for Sirius!" he said. Then he clamped a hand over his own mouth, hazel eyes wide. At least it was better than Sirius'.

"We got a picture of Snape snogging Slughorn!" Sirius said.

The Marauders' glared at Sirius, making him sink into his seat. Lily blinked. It was obvious that they were lying to her.

"Tell me the truth," Lily demanded. Harry sighed. His mother… or friend… or future sister-in-law (now that was creepy) was too nosy for her own good.

"It's nothing," Harry said, biting his lip. Lily narrowed her eyes and Harry sighed.

"The truth is," Harry began and the other Marauders shot him a look. Harry had watched Tom Riddle lie to Slughorn. The key was to be casual, slightly hesitant and subtle compliments. "I'm only telling you this because I know that you can figure it out on your own…" Harry said, he paused for a bit, watching Lily blush slightly before counting to three seconds in his head and Harry looked down at his lap. "We gave some weak love potion to Slughorn and he… uh… kind of really likes McGonagall right now."

His friends shot him an impressed look. Harry looked as earnest as he could and Lily believed it immediately. "How could you?" Lily demanded. "They are your professors!"

"Sorry, Lily," they chorused.

With a nod, Lily sat down next to James. As the two talked, Harry exchanged sneaky high fives to James, Sirius and Remus and they all smirked as the train chugged back to London.

…

"I don't trust the boy," Moody said immediately. "He's suspicious, too powerful for his own good – he might be chugging down Polyjuice potion!" Moody said, slamming his hands down on the table. His magical eye watched each person at the table carefully. His wooden leg kept making clunking sounds on the floor as he moved. Otherwise, Alastor Moody was whole.

"He's not a Death Eater," McGonagall sighed.

"Still," Moody insisted. He knew that the boy wasn't a Death Eater. His magical eye could see the blasted marks though some people could hide it so well that it was difficult for even Alastor Moody to see it.

"He's not a Death Eater, nor is he someone we can't trust," Dumbledore said calmly. "In fact, he got us closer to defeating Voldemort than we ever have been."

Moody crossed his arms, still unconvinced.

"I must go," Dumbledore said, standing. He nodded to the other Order members. "I will tell you when the next meeting is," Dumbledore said. He walked to the fireplace, taking some Floo powder next to it. "Hogwarts!" Dumbledore barked and with a flash of green flame, Dumbledore was back in his office. He stepped out of the fireplace, casting a silent cleaning charm on himself as he walked to his desk.

Harry Potter – something that even Dumbledore had not foreseen. But it made everything so much easier. Tom had made Horcruxes and though Dumbledore still saw a bit of his old, handsome student… Tom Riddle had already gone astray when he stepped into Hogwarts. A small sliver of hope had been wedged in Dumbledore's heart, but when he heard of Horcruxes… Those infernal things… that held parts of a broken and damaged soul… The murder… the consequences…

That hope Dumbledore held for Tom Riddle was almost extinguished. But remorse and regret could still lead Tom into the right path. Dumbledore sighed. It was as likely as Mundungus Fletcher being the next Minister of Magic.

The diadem was finished. As was the locket and the diary. All they were missing was Hufflepuff's cup and the Gaunt ring. Harry had said it was in the Gaunt shack, near the place where Riddle Manor was, but Harry had forbid Dumbledore to go alone. He had told Dumbledore of how the pull of the ring made you wear it and there was a curse to go with it. And that had been the cause of Dumbledore's death in the future.

How were they suppose to get into the Lestrange's Gringotts vault though? Rodolphus Lestrange was out of Dumbledore's reach. At times like these, Dumbledore wished the security on vaults weren't so strict.

He sighed, leaning back on his chair. There was a whole summer before Harry came back and their search for Horcruxes began again.

"Oh, Tom," Dumbledore sighed. How could you have gone so far astray?

...

"On the count of three," James said, eying the front door of the manor. He stared at the back of it, waiting for his parents to come home. But not alone. Lily Evans was coming and James could not have been more excited. "One…" James said, probably wishing for them to hurry. "Two…" He bit his lip. "Three!" he yelled, making a big show with hands, but the door didn't open.

It stayed shut and no one walked through it.

Sirius howled with laughter. Remus sifted through the Daily Prophet. "They're coming in… three… two… one…" he said nonchalantly and after he finished counting down, the door opened, revealing the bright faces of Lily and James' parents.

"How did you…" James started, but Harry narrowed his eyes. James immediately got it.

"When you chase rabbits, you have to hear very well," Remus shrugged. Harry snickered.

"It sounds like you eat rabbits," Harry whispered to Remus.

"Who knows," Remus said, smiling as well. "Maybe I do."

It was rare to see Remus so light-hearted about his lycanthropy and Harry was glad. He wasn't as happy as James though, who's face had broken out into a grin so wide it looked like it hurt. James swept Lily up into a large hug, swinging her around. His parents chuckled before leaving, heading towards the kitchen. James had filed out over the summer. He had grown much taller, though he wasn't as tall as Sirius yet. He was not as bony and he definitely looked more handsome.

Obviously, Lily had noticed too, for she was still blushing when she was released from their hug.

Sirius flopped onto the couch next to Harry, who was next to Remus. Since Lily was there, they were going to be ignored. They were used to it, though Sirius was most unhappy.

"I love them, but they get on my nerves," Sirius sighed. "I wish Prongs wouldn't forget us whenever Lily is there."

Harry shrugged. "They'll grow out of it. They're immature fourteen year olds right now."

Sirius sighed again. "Wanna play Quiddich?" he asked.

To be honest, Harry didn't want to. He hadn't finished reading the school list of books (not that he needed to) and though he had finished his homework, he wanted to think of more ideas of how to retrieve the remaining Horcruxes. School started in a week – which meant the Horcrux hunt would begin again.

But looking at the hopeful face of Sirius Black, Harry found himself saying yes. "Come on Remus," Harry said, stealing Remus' book away from him. Remus scowled, glaring at Harry. "You have to practice your announcing skills!" Harry said, pulling Remus up. The three boys walked outside, holding their brooms. Harry's was cleverly disguised as the broom James had given him.

They didn't have hoops to practice with, but since Harry was a Seeker and Sirius a Beater, they had no need for it. Remus was up there as well, awkwardly dodging the Bludgers Sirius sent at him. There was only one Bludger and there was one Snitch. Sirius laughed as Remus tried to dodge the Bludger again, jerking his broom to the left. Remus was a fair flyer, but once there were balls in action, he would freeze up.

Sirius whacked the Bludger to Harry, but Harry dodged it, hand outstretched to the small, Golden Snitch.

But the Bludger came back and just before Harry could snatch up the snitch, the Bludger came zooming towards Harry's hand, making Harry almost fall off his broom in his haste to dodge it.

Sirius laughed at Harry, pointing at Harry's fumble. "Shut up, Padfoot!" Harry hollered.

The three boys didn't notice the wistful look on James' face as James and Lily watched them play.

"You can go up there, you know," Lily said, nudging James lightly. A hopeful look passed James face, but he shook his head.

"I wouldn't leave you down here," James said.

Lily looked touched and from where Harry was flying, he could see a slight blush on her face.

"Wait!" James shouted. Everyone froze, including Sirius, who almost got hit by the Bludger. "I have an idea!"

James dashed back inside, disappearing behind the door. Remus and Harry shared knowing looks as Sirius fended off the Bludger again.

Then James came back out, red-faced and panting. His broom was clutched in his hand. "Lily, let's go!" he shouted, getting onto his broom. "We're going for a ride."

Harry raised an eyebrow. It wasn't a bad idea. He would have his girlfriend's arms around his waist, he would be spending time with his girlfriend and his friends – and most of all, he would be having a lot more fun than sitting there and talking about Merlin-knows-what with Lily.

James swung his leg over his broom, flying towards Lily.

"Oh no. No, no, no, no," Lily said, shaking her head, but Harry and Sirius had neared them already. Sirius and Harry got off their brooms and lifted a flailing Lily to James' broom. Once Lily got on, James soared into the sky, forcing Lily to wrap her arms around James and bury her head in his shoulder blade.

With a hoot of laughter, everyone got back on their brooms as they flew. They put away the balls, simply flying. Harry did several loop-de-loops to let off his feelings. Then James turned around and kissed Lily.

Was it their first official kiss? According to Lily's blush – it was.

Sirius and Harry hooted loudly, ruining the sweet moment. But James was grinning like a madman and Lily held on to James again – perhaps a little bit tighter than before.

These were the moments Harry lived for .The carefree ones that could power a Patronus. Those made everything worthwhile. Though Ginny and his family, those people that he left behind, would always be on his mind, he had James, Sirius, Remus and Lily – the people that he had then.

Perhaps everything would be okay.

Perhaps.

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT NOTE THAT NONE OF YOU SHOULD MISS BECAUSE IF YOU DO, THEN I'M NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR... well whatever.

I'm going to Europe. There's no Internet. DUN. DUN. DUN. DUUUN. Know what that means?!

No updates -_-

Once I get internet back again, I'll try to update. So you might not get an update until August. If I'm lucky, I can get a chapter up in three days... but usually, I'm not. So... I'm sorry if you'll have to wait a month.

That's why I didn't end this chapter on a cliffhanger. That would be way too mean. While I'm at Europe, I'll continue to write chapters so when I have my internet back, I'll BOMBARDA MAXIMA you with chapters!

Sorry!

Until next time!