"I'm terribly sorry for taking so long, but my colleagues were somewhat curious about the flurry of Patronus activity and came along. I hope that wasn't too much trouble?"
A ripple ran through the room. All conversation died as the newcomers stared at the unknown but very familiar looking people mingling with the others.
Lily broke the silence. She was well aware of what the presence of the newcomers would be somewhat shocking to her father, uncle and god-brother and so took matters into her own hands.
"Auntie Min!" she exclaimed loudly, her enthusiasm not entirely feigned. She bounded over to the normally prim and proper Professor McGonagall and gave her a quick hard hug. "It's great to see you!"
Professor McGonagall spluttered. She could only gape.
"Oh sorry" she said sheepishly. She stepped back and grinned widely, praying the others would help her out anytime soon. Anytime guys. "I'm a little rude, aren't I; you don't even know me yet! I'm Lily, Lily Potter."
Minerva let out a strangled gasp and seemed to be struggling to comprehend what she was hearing. The familiar greasy haired, hooked nose man made a convulsive movement. He was staring at Lily, his face bloodless.
"Oops sorry. It's nice to see you too Professor" she said awkwardly. She had only ever met the man in a portrait frame at Hogwarts and he had been somewhat similar when they had first been introduced. Still he had been a friend of her grandmothers and had saved her dad, and she was quite fond of him, even if he got on better with Al of all people.
"Yes it is" Rose, thank Merlin for her fabulous cousin, who was as smart as her mother and came to Lily's rescue. "It's great to see you guys, even though you won't be meeting us for a few good years."
"Yeah Auntie Min you look great" James said enthusiastically chipping in.
"Hi Professor Snape" Al said happily. By now he and Hugo had joined the future teens and were running interference for those who needed a moment to collect themselves before joining the conversation.
"What are we, chopped liver?" Tonks demanded teasingly but she was looking curiously at the knot of newcomers, particularly the young man with turquoise hair.
"Of course Aunt Tonks" James said smoothly and gave her a hug. Hugo, not to be outdone, gave Kingsley a hug too. The imposing Auror looked bemused while Hugo merely smiled, completely unabashed.
Tonks laughed.
"Aunt Tonks? Well looks like I taught you early on then."
"About what?" James said innocently. Though he might act like it on occasion, he wasn't a fool and had no intention of letting these people know they had died during the war. How could you tell someone that they would die in a couple of years? It was better to just waffle with what he knew. "Aunt Nym-"
Tonks had her wand out before he had even finished. "Try it kiddo."
"Try what Aunt Tonks?" James said hastily, stepping back. If she was anything like Ted, and considering her job occupation, he suspected it, then she had wicked spell work.
"I wouldn't try it James" his father's voice had an amused note in it, but he was clearly marshalling his thoughts together. "Your Aunt Tonks does not appreciate being called by her first name." He and Ron had joined the group. Ted was hanging back with his father and Victoire, petrified.
"Harry Potter" Minerva gasped, clutching her chest.
"Hello Minerva" Harry smiled fondly at his former Transfiguration teacher. He looked over to Snape, who's face was twisted and pale.
"Hello Severus" Harry said quietly. "It's good to see you."
Snape stared at Harry for a split second before a familiar sneer crossed his face.
"Unfortunately, the feeling is far from mutual" Snape spat. "Only Potters would have achieved something this idiotic and threaten to destroy the timeline by a foolish stunt."
"Actually" Ron interjected, his voice drowning out the low growl that was coming from the far corner where Sirius was "it was the combined forces of the Potter-Weasley and Granger line that almost threatened to destroy the timeline. The Weasley family it never far behind the Potters when mischief is occurring and only with my wife's genes could they actually manage such a feat."
"Hey!" five voices complained as one.
"What?" Ron raised his eyebrows at them enquiringly. "The Potters have the ability to find trouble where-ever they are, the Weasleys are creative enough make trouble out of nothing and the Grangers have the final incredibly rare genius that lights the fuse. Can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually agree with you Snape. Only our lot could actually do something like this."
"Ron please stop before I think too hard about what terrors our family unleashed by creating these monsters" Harry sighed, but there was a fond smile on his face at the indignant faces on his offspring and niece and nephew.
Fred and George started laughing.
"This is a brilliant day Gred." Fred (or George) proclaimed.
"Indeed it is Forge."
"Our future nieces and nephews-"
"Such a fine bunch the lot of them."
"Indeed they Gred, absolutely spiffing."
"Must be the Weasley genes."
"Though Harry and Hermione are undoubtedly fine."
"Too true my good man, too true."
"After all they have the Weasley creativity-"
"And good looks-"
"Hermione's intelligence-"
"Terrifying thought that-"
"And Harry's knack of finding trouble without even looking for it!"
"Being grandkids of the legendary Prongs probably helps too."
"Indeed my fellow-"
"ENOUGH!" McGonagall, Snape and Mrs. Weasley roared.
The rest of the room was too busy laughing. The present day Harry, Ron Hermione and Ginny were in doubled over in absolute stitches. The future teens were holding their stomachs and howling. Tonks, Sirius and Remus were laughing; Kinsley was chuckling hard and Albus, who apart from entering the room, hadn't said a word and was simply looking at the future people, his customary eye twinkle on overload.
The elder Harry and Ron were also laughing; Harry's more subdued than Ron's. He looked over at Albus, whose blue eyes met Harry's green. They simply looked at each other for a moment before Harry let out a breath and gave Albus a small smile. Albus returned it and then it broadened, as he gave a small proud nod of the head, causing Harry's to widen a fraction.
The laughter had died down a little so Albus took the opportunity to address everyone before Molly could berate the twins. "Well, since there are more people here than earlier and since Professors McGonagall and Snape have not been formally introduced to everyone, perhaps we should have an introduction? We will not after all, meet again for many years."
"That's fine Albus" Harry nodded and Al grimaced; this could get confusing. "It appears we have some cleaning up to do before we can leave anyway." He shot a sardonic look to his sons, daughter, niece, nephew and godfather for good measure, causing them to look slightly sheepish.
"Well I'll start off" Ron said brightly, swinging his arms slightly. "In case none of you have realised it yet, I'm Ron Weasley" the twins whooped, "husband to Hermione Granger" the twins let out catcalls to a furiously blushing younger Ron and Hermione "and I'm the father of those two" he gestured at Rose and Hugo.
"You and Miss Granger married?" Minerva looked delighted and her two students flushed even more heavily.
"Well at least you two dunderheads managed to realise your obvious interest in the other" Snape sneered. "The staff believed you two would never realise it."
"Neither did I" Harry laughed, while Ron glared at him without much heat.
"Well Rose and I are very glad you did Dad" Hugo said loudly, causing the room's occupants to snicker. Arthur was chuckling heartily.
"All right you little comedian" Ron scowled playfully at his son. "Your turn then."
"Hugo Weasley" Hugo said brightly. "And this is my sister Rose."
"I can introduce myself Hugo thanks" Rose snapped at her younger brother, who shrugged grinning.
"You look very like you parents" Minerva said softly. It was true, Rose had her mother's hair but was less frizzy and her father's blue eyes. Her brother had his father's hair and height with his mother's eyes.
"Thanks Aunt Min" Rose smiled and McGonagall could only blink at the endearment.
"Us next!" James announced. "I'm James Sirius Potter."
Minerva jerked at that and Snape's sneered intensified. Minerva stared at the boy.
"You look almost identical to your grandfather" she just shook her head slowly.
James sighed. "Yeah I know. Or, I look like my dad with my mum's eyes. I hear that all of the time."
"It does get tiring after the first fifty times" Harry smiled at his son. "I still get told how much I look my father."
"I just get told I look exactly like Dad" Al said ruefully. "My name's Albus Severus Potter."
Snape let out a choking noise while Minerva's eyebrows shot up. Dumbledore smiled softly.
"Actually, now that you're here Harry" Sirius came over. "Why in all that's holy did you name your kid that?"
"Hey!" Al yelped insulted, though when he was younger he had asked that question himself several times. The others in the present looked curious too.
Harry smiled. "Al's named after two men I greatly respected."
"You respect Snape?" the present version of Ron demanded, vocalising Sirius's thoughts for him. Snape looked flabbergasted, while those who knew Harry and Snape's enmity looked stunned.
"Yes I do" Harry said firmly. His eyes met Snape's for the briefest moment, before Snape looked away.
"I am deeply touched Harry" Albus said softly, smiling at Harry. He had noticed Harry's use of the past tense when he'd answered the question, and he was both touched by Harry's act and sad that it appeared Severus was to perish. Still it appeared Harry knew the truth about Severus, he could see understanding in the man's gaze as the he looked at his former enemy.
"Though I am sorry you had to carry such an old-fashioned and irksome Al" Albus continued, smiling at the boy who was the image of his father. "I was never particularly fond of my name-or any of my names for that matter."
"It's alright Professor" Al grinned while the others chuckled. "It could be worse. My folks could have named me Bilius or something."
"And just what is wrong with the name Bilius?" Ron demanded, sounding insulted. The others laughed.
"I'm Lily Luna" Lily gave a sheepish half wave.
"Another ghost" Minerva breathed. "You look very like your mother and grandmother."
Lily smiled. Snape looked away. Lily had her grandmothers (and father's) face and nose. Her skin was darker and had more freckles than Lily Evan's and her red hair was Weasley red as opposed to dark auburn. Nevertheless the similarity was there.
Minerva looked over to the couple who were older than the teens but younger than Ron and Harry.
"And who are you two?" she asked curiously.
Harry glanced over to his eldest niece and godson. He raised his eyebrows at Ted who steeled himself and nodded at Harry. Victoire guided him over the group. Remus followed, reluctant to move to far from his son, which seemed to please Ted.
"I'm Victoire Weasley" Victoire announced smiling at them happily. "I'm Bill's daughter."
"French?" Minerva enquired, by the name and the slight accent she heard.
"Oui" Victoire replied, smiling. "My mama is French."
"Who is your mother dear?" Molly asked eagerly.
"Fleur Delacour" Victoire replied.
There was a roar of laughter. Fred and George had to hold onto one another for support; they were laughing so hard. Sirius and Remus were baffled, looking questioningly at the Golden Trio which consisted of a surprised Harry, an oddly reminiscent and astonished Ron and a peeved Hermione. Molly looked ill while Ginny had her nose wrinkled.
"Fleur Delacour? The Triwzard Champion?" Fred choked.
"The one Bill's giving private lessons" George gasped and they cracked up again.
"Thank you Misters Weasley" McGonagall said irritably. As they would down she addressed Ted. "And you are, young man?"
Ted steeled himself and grinned at Minerva. "I'm Ted. Ted Remus Lupin."
Minerva let out a gasp and grabbed her chest. Snape's face puckered as though he'd sucked something unpleasant. Albus's eyes twinkled as Remus beamed and stood a little taller.
"Lupin? Of Remus how wonderful" the normally stern teacher gushed, beaming at Remus.
"Indeed it is. It's a pleasure to meet you Ted" Albus said merrily, holding out his hand.
"It's nice to see you too Sir" Ted grasped his hand firmly.
"Congratulations Remus" Kingsley murmured to the grinning man.
"Love the hair" Tonks said admirably, scrutinising Ted's turquoise duo.
"Cheers" Ted gave his living breathing mother a bright smile. She was so close, after so long...
"Indeed Mr. Lupin. A most enchanting shade" Albus agreed. "May I ask if you are a Metamorphmagus?"
Ted blanched. Well he hadn't exactly hidden his talent, but he was startled by the sudden question nevertheless. He blushed and his hair suddenly went baby blue.
"Ah, well, that answers that question" Albus said smiling.
There was a pause as everyone looked from Ted to Tonks to Remus and back. The older Harry watched his godson intently, concerned.
"Yeah" Ted said awkwardly, inwardly completely terrified. "I, uh, get it from my mum." Inwardly cringing he lifted his head to meet his gobsmacked mother's eyes.
A/N: OMG, OMG, I AM SO SORRY! PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!
I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW LATE THIS IS! NEARLY FIVE MONTHS! UNFORGIVEABLE!
I'M SO SORRY!
Ok, excuses time, I know they stink, but you deserve them. The last few months I have been desperately trying to study. It was my final year in secondary school and they were pretty important. I'm now finished school and am waiting in terror for my results which are due in two weeks. Despite all my attempts at study I don't think I did great. Add to that my attempts to find employment. I've NEVER had a real job, apart from odd bits and pieces and now there are NO jobs for unskilled workers. Wouldn't you know that the world would be suffering a recession when its time for me to leave school and find a job?
IRONY SUCKS!
Ok, I hope you like this, if not, let me know. This should be wrapping up fairly shortly, but I'm torn with adding more. I don't think I'm hitting the responses accurately. Give me your opinions, would you?
Alright, well, hope you like it, review and enjoy the remains of the holidays. Slan!