Dumbledore gestured for silence. "I am very sorry to inform you, but one of our students passed away during the night - James Potter."

Lily started laughing - it had to be a joke.

Meanwhile, Harry 'Patterson' wondered how it was possible he still existed, because he shouldn't - but then he wouldn't have gone into the past and James wouldn't have been showing off with his antlers (or, well, maybe he would've except he'd survived the first or else Harry wouldn't have been born in any time line) and would've survived, resulting in Harry being born - and then coming back into the past and James showing off with antlers…

NOT!

Everyone thought I really injured James. I actually meant for James just to get sick, but this made a lot more sense. I got so much concern and then there was flaming bunnies: "James only has a small concussion. He'll be fine as long as his future career doesn't involve math." LOL!

And yes, the green feathers were from Sirius, not Harry magically morphing. James transfigured his arms into wings - NOT into his Animagus wings. (They'd be a lot smaller anyway and Harry would've been really, really off-balance!) A lot of people liked Lily's drug talk - y'all inspired that with wanting him to know about his head-nuzzling! Someone pointed out it was their first mother-son talk - well it won't be the last!

Best review goes to: BeccaBaby

"Poor James, but it's his own fault! He's just like a guy, he has to show off how big he is." O.o, -nervous laughter- Tell me I'm imagining how dirty that sounds.

Second place: Shrimp Chip

"ohmigodiloveyou. I read this whole entire thing in one night, my friend. . and I loooove how well you wrote this. Everyone seems so... realistic. AND STUFF. But yeah. You're a beast. Be proud." LOL!

A Fan, AquaRibbon, Toes of the Tickled Kind, XranXXXshinichiX, The Green Eye, Yolen Yui, MinervaEvenstar, beauty0102, isigirl, female half - breed, DanI, Ihonestlydontknow, TwiPrincessSami, Sabishii Kage Tenshi, YourDyingLullaby, AFairy88, Goldeneyedgirl247, MYsweetAngel, Avatar Rikki, altering (thanks!), Runswithvampires92, xitwa74, Friglit, sierra's scarlet , Anonymous (I'm very anti-super!Harry), DarkBombayAngel, ariex04, SilverIceBlueEyes, Hitokiri Shinzui, LupinandHarry, KG86, irezel, Technophobia678, X8jessica8x, Stina Whatever, JustAnotherParallelDimension, Payce99, Selene467, DanniGirrl0001, killing u with umbrellas, cuddly vampire teddybear, stefunny2010, Serpent91, Erroneously, AHewlett (lol!), MrsHellman, VanessaWolfie101, missingmara, Wandering Hail, Savi2070, IReadNoNonsense, Saati (exactly), SilverLily1, B00kw0rm92, epholge.

No one guessed! Well, that's good. Cause this chapter's super-fun! Next chapter: Christmas Break, at long last!

Walking the talk

o

o

He didn't sleep it off.

"Great, potions presentation is today! Slughorne always takes off major if you're not in for his 'important designated days.'" Remus fretted. "I knew we should've taken him to Pomphrey. Then we'd have proof he's not up to presenting." He glared at Sirius, who didn't even notice, as the other boy had brushed off his concerns.

"I gotta go," James grumbled, moving to roll out of bed - and nearly ending up on the floor. Sirius grabbed him right before he hit the floor. "Just lil' balance issue."

"You are not leaving your bed," Remus said sternly.

"Now just stay in bed like a good little Pronglet," Sirius agreed, dumping him ungracefully back on the mattress. James groaned, blinking owlishly.

"But I gotta…" They all cringed. James was a horrible whiner when he wasn't feeling well.

"So who's going to take his place?" Sirius asked. "Me doing it kinda defeats the whole point considering we're partners."

"Take his place?" Harry asked.

"Oh, we've always fill-ined for each other-"

"Well, Padfoot and Prongs at least," Remus clarified. "Between the hair and height and a little magic, they managed it."

"Came in handy with pranks," Sirius grinned. "Can't be in two places at once, yeah?"

Remus pursed his lips. "Until they started figuring out that you two always worked together."

Harry could picture it; Sirius and James did just about everything together. "But you're a few inches taller."

"He shot up this summer," Peter piped up, half-way through dressing. "Guess it figures he'd mature last, right?" Sirius chucked a sock at him.

"You're one to talk, shorty!"

Remus ignored them. "I'm the 'last resort' so to speak, but Marna and I are presenting too."

"That just leaves me." He thought he'd only thought it, but every head turning in his direction made it clear he hadn't. This was a bad idea, a really bad idea - "Lily and I are presenting next class," he said slowly, topping it with a shrug.

Remus and Sirius exchanged looks. "You think you can pull off being James," Remus said, sounding doubtful. Peter, done dressing, looked intrigued.

Harry swallowed. A really, really bad idea - but hadn't he heard that refrain a million times? You look just like your father…you're so much like him…And hadn't he wondered, really wondered if it was true? He was different, he knew that, had experienced that here in the past, but - just how different? What was it like being James? He'd wanted to understand his father; couldn't he see how much?

He gave a shadow of a smirk, deciding step one to being James was being reckless. Yes, because acting and looking like your future father is going to make no one wonder about you at all…"Can't be that hard," he ran his hand through his hair.

Sirius snorted. "There you go!"

James grumbled, but reached for his wand. "Just gimme a minute," he blinked again, "um, need my glasses." He felt his night table like a mole feeling his way and Harry blanched.

"Uh, that's okay, I can take care of it," James paused.

"Really?" Harry wasn't known for his transfiguration, but Remus just shot him an amused look.

"You probably shouldn't be doing any magic anyway," he said diplomatically and James slumped back horizontal. "And we have been practicing human transfiguration in class anyway." Harry nodded and then scurried into the bathroom.

This was such a bad idea, but… He hunched over the sink, staring into the mirror.

"You sure you don't need help Harry?"

"Yup."

He took out his wand and muttered a double 'Scourgify.' The contrast from super-blonde to black was blink-worthy - and Harry was hit with a wave of nostalgia. He ran his fingers through his hair, getting used to the sudden return to his natural hair color. The loss of his glasses was one thing, but his hair? Blinking his contacts out, he patted himself for his contact case and took out his ultra-emergency round-framed glasses that Hermione had thoughtfully provided. They were camouflaged to look like sunglasses if necessary.

And there he was, Harry Potter again. He froze, staring into the mirror of his past, his future.

The door rattled and he jumped. "We only have five minutes if we want to catch the mail Harry - uh, James."

"Don't spend too much time primping!" Sirius' bright remark came through the door clear as day.

"Just getting into character." Not that he needed much more prep. He took a deep breath and charmed his eyes to a nice hazel. Last was his scar. Hermione had shared with him a strong, but short-term spell she had promised covered up anything 'unsightly' on a face. (If only it was so easy to erase its history…) Turning, he looked into the mirror to see an eerie reflection of James.

He swallowed. This was such a bad idea.

"That's not funny-" James grumbled, not bothering to open his eyes from his prone position.

"'Course it is," Sirius said, getting dressed.

"-and besides, it's not like I'm the one who freaked out when someone tried to use his shampoo." James had ran out sometime two weeks prior and had grabbed a random available bottle. It had proved impossible to open (actually a spell over a child-safe cap, not that Harry was going to tell James that) and Harry had nearly flipped out when James complained later. They'd all concluded Harry was strangely anal about his hygienic products.

"You have the voice candies?"

Sirius rummaged through his wardrobe, finally tossing out a battered tin. "Yup!"

Remus tapped on the door again and this time Harry stepped out.

Except it wasn't Harry Patterson.

After a minute of silence, Peter gave a low whistle, looking back and forth between James and Harry with big eyes. Remus stepped forward. "Good job Harry," he said with admiration.

Sirius prowled forward, going nose-to-nose with him.

"Your nose is too short," he frowned. "And your eyes are too light."

Harry blushed and shifted awkwardly. Remus made a mental note to remind him he had to emulate James' attitude.

He pulled Sirius back, "No one's going to examine him that closely, Padfoot. It's great. Now let's go." He turned back to Harry as Sirius scooped up the metal tin and shrugged into his cloak. "You first James."

Harry swallowed and gave a tight nod. "Right."

How hard could it be?

He managed successfully for ten minutes.

Mr. Owlett was very in tune with his wizard. He'd been a gift when the wizard was only a fledgling, grown up following him round the huge mansion, knew all of his likes and dislikes (a certain red-haired female being one the best likes according to Mr. Owlett). So one might say, he was a tad possessive of his wizard.

That morning, he leisurely flew into the Hall. He could tell his wizard wasn't there, but he wasn't fussy about letting his broodmate Sirius collect his mail. (Sirius had also amply rewarded him for sending Valentines to Lily once and Mr. Owlett recalled the candied walnuts very fondly.)

So when he dipped down to the Marauder brood, he was surprised to find two black-haired boys sitting together. And the broodmate Sirius was calling him James! He slowed his descent, trying to decipher this mirror image of his wizard. But he could feel it wasn't him!

He probably would've simply circled warily, but for the fact a stodgy, old school owl winged past and ungracefully dropped a letter - in front of the wizard that looked like his! The look-a-like accepted it! And, already breaking it open, offered the pompous windbag a candied walnut - his candied walnut!

With a battle cry, he launched himself at the usurper!

Harry still wasn't sure what exactly happened. One moment, his eyes on his long-awaited letter from Ron and Hermione, he was offering a nut to the school owl - the next, there was warbling cry and a thump as a bundle of feathers and claws started rolling around on the breakfast table. Heads started turning.

Sirius was swearing, but recklessly trying to reach into the tangle - Peter had backed up hurriedly, but Remus thankfully had the presence of mind to pull out his wand and cast an Immobilization spell at the rolling mass of feathers. Immediately, half froze and hastily one bird, his school loan, fluffed itself, snapped up the forgotten nut and shot into the air. The other bird, which Harry belatedly realized was James', looked even more furious - if it was even possible to decipher emotions from an owl's face. Gingerly, Sirius picked up the immobilized bird, scooped a handful of candied nuts - placed on the tables to celebrate the holidays, and settled the bird on his shoulder. Removing the spell, he coaxed the bird from taking off after the other owl he was eying, with the handful.

Mr. Owlett, after some grumbling, accepted the bribe, but glared at Harry the entire time.

"What just happened?" Harry finally asked.

Sirius shook his head. "Never give treats to other birds when you're James."

"Huh?"

Mr. Owlett just fluffed his wings, wondering if his little exploit would get back to that pretty little owl with the fine eyes…

Thankfully, the potions presentation went off without much of a hitch. It was simple enough - half the class made potions they'd picked, from memory and then presented them at the end of class. Sirius had memorized the potion and so guided Harry through it, making sure to call him James or Prongs.

Harry didn't talk much - though for a very good reason. Just before they got to class, Sirius had remembered the voice candies.

"Here," he said, proffering the tin. "Suck on one like every hour. They'll make you sound like James." Harry opened the tin, warily taking in the collection of muddy-brown hard candies.

"What is it, like Polyjuice?" he asked.

"Nah. We thoughta that, but Polyjuice has gotta be fresh. Singers came up with this though, for when their voice goes out. Moony found the potion."

Giving a shrug, Harry popped one in his mouth. It was only after ten minutes or so that he realized there was at least some similarity to Polyjuice.

He choked, nearly spitting out the candy. "There's hair in this thing?!" It was so odd actually sounding like James, he kept wanting to check around to see where the other boy was.

Sirius snickered, but wagged his finger. "Don't even think about spitting it out. It took us a month and a haircut to make that candy!"

Harry gagged, but dutifully kept sucking.

The presentation itself was short enough - Slughorne made them demonstrate a small sample of their brews. Severus and Rosier had chosen, interestingly enough, a Euphoria Elixir. Rosier was the one who demonstrated it - Harry was glad. Seeing Severus euphoric would've probably given him nightmares for years. Slughorne was very impressed; apparently, singing and nose-tweaking were among the usual side-effects, but Rosier was simply, well, euphoric. Severus had preened under the attention, 'humbly' admitting he'd modified the recipe just a little. Sirius nudged him right after and Harry realized James would've made a snide comment there. He nudged the other right back. He wasn't adding any fuel to their rivalry.

Remus and Marna showed off the Living Death Draught, which personally creeped Harry out, but Slughorne took points off for cloudiness (it was supposed to be clear). Severus smirked and Harry was sure, as he tapped his battered potions book, he'd managed to perfect that one as well.

Last, Sirius and 'James' presented their Hiccupping Solution, Sirius being subjected to it as a short whispered conversation made it clear that Harry was not chancing the Solution interacting with the voice potion. Harry thought he did a decent job pretending to be James - he cracked a great joke about zombie hiccups, if he did say so himself, and he'd even gamely joined Sirius in his hiccupping rendition of 'God Save the Queen.' (And given James' singing voice, that took guts.)

No one was giving him suspicious looks, so Harry concluded he did a good job. Unfortunately, Remus had forgot to mention something to him. Or well, the werewolf honestly hadn't considered that Sirius and James' little game might extend to Harry. But Sirius had other ideas…

They were nearly out the door, Harry counting himself lucky. Being James wasn't so bad…

"Oi Lilyflower!" Sirius hailed with a great, big grin. 'James' froze. Oh no, he wasn't -

Sirius nudged him. "Prongs has something to ask you."

Lily sighed, with a definite air of long-suffering. Marna hovered at her shoulder, smirking at the potential entertainment about to erupt.

"No I don't!" he blurted out. Lily blinked, mouth half-way open to give a no-doubt disparaging comment. Sirius just gave a laugh.

"Of 'course yah do, you always have something to ask Evans." He winked at Harry, who was really trying to keep sheer horror off his face.

"But, not right now," he stalled, grasping at straws. "It's only a few days before the end of break and ah, I'm sure she's busy with midterms and studying and preparing to go home for the holidays and-" he cut himself off. Sirius was still grinning big while Remus, behind the two girls, made a cutting motion at neck level.

Lily, looking confused, shifted her books and muttered, "She is right here."

"Of course you are, Lily," Harry rushed to reassure. She blinked again - right James never used her plain name. "Evans," that sounded awkward and he cleared his throat, looking at Remus for help, "Lily - flower?"

Now Lily was looking at him worried, Marna coughing out a laugh. "Are you all right Potter?" Harry swallowed again.

"Oh, he's just fine," Sirius' thump to his shoulder nearly rattled the glasses off Harry's nose. "Just bit with the love-bug, y'know."

"I am not!" This situation was steadily getting worse. "I mean," Remus had dropped his head into his hands - no help there, "of course, I, James, like you - and, and respect you and find you attractive?" Lily was staring at him, they were all staring at him (Sirius' shoulders were starting to shake suspiciously) and Harry just wanted to shut his mouth, but damn it, James would be able to talk himself out of this mess, "But that has nothing to do with you - or well, it does but it doesn't mean you have to like me, well I mean you should like me, but not right now, especially not right now, but then in the future I should mature and-" he was steadily talking faster and faster and finally, Lily stopped him with widening eyes.

"Oh my God. You are on drugs!" Sirius choked.

"What?" Remus' head shot up.

"I'M NOT ON DRUGS!" One accusation, eh he could understood, but two? And he must certainly was not acting that crazy. All heads in the room swiveled in his direction and he quailed just a little. Slughorne raised a bushy eyebrow. Er, was he? He cleared his throat, yet again. "We - none of us - are taking drugs!" He stressed in a lower voice. Marna snickered, batting her eyes at Sirius.

"Really, Mr. Black?"

Harry looked at Sirius in dawning realization. Sirius shrugged. "A guy's got to live a little." Lily sniffed and Sirius waved a hand. "Eh, 's in the past anyway."

"Okay, that explains a lot," Harry muttered to himself.

Lily eyes him warily, shifting her books in her arms. "So what Black, did you slip him something?"

Harry drew himself up. "I happen to be acting completely normal right now, haven't I Remus?" Remus, looking very reluctant, gave a kind of head shake, before stepping in between the ladies and Harry.

"Uh, he might be coming down with a touch of the same thing Harry has, y'know flu season and everything," he confided in the girls. Harry flushed, but just pursed his lips.

Lily didn't seem to buy this explanation, but she reluctantly said goodbye and wished 'Harry' would get well soon. Marna sniggered helplessly after her.

"Brilliant job Tailfeathers," Sirius slung his arm around Harry's shoulders.

"Sirius-" he hissed. Remus sighed.

"Sorry, I should've warned you - when Sirius and James swap, they end up doing things that'll completely embarrass the other. James wore a tight neon jumpsuit once and proposed to Flitwick as Sirius."

Harry blanched.

"Incoming," Sirius said, face darkening as he dropped his arm around Harry. "What do you want Snivellus?"

Severus's nose scrunched up as if he detected a particularly potent odor. "Nothing from you, Black." Sirius' eyes narrowed and his hand convulsively clutched his wand. Harry grabbed it.

"We're still in the classroom Sirius," he hissed.

Severus regarded him narrowly. "Oh very considerate Potter - or should I say Patterson?" Harry froze. "As if I'm dumb enough to fall for such a thin ruse. Really I did expect better though, to actually pretend to be that idiot-"

Blearily, Harry was aware that Sirius really was pulling out his wand and getting ready to hex Snape - but all he could think was, he can tell the difference.

Slughorne started walking in their direction and with a muttered oath, Sirius stowed his wand, glaring poisonously at Severus, who just sneered back before walking off.

"I'll remember that," he murmured to himself.

The rest of the day passed rather smoothly, as long as Harry pointedly avoided Lily and Sirius' attempts to thoroughly embarrass him. The only other close call was when they walked into lunch and 'bumped' straight into Allouva. The divination teacher looked them over, before smiling widely. She gently took a hold of Harry's shoulder.

"Oh how adorable! You really do look just like him - but the eyes of course! Such pretty eyes," she appeared to get lost in thought and Harry just knew Sirius and Remus were exchanging looks. Well, Sirius was probably going 'what a loony' and Remus was trying 'be polite and let's get him out of here!' Harry agreed with Remus - this was the second time she'd inferred she knew what he really looked like.

Letting go of his arm, she patted his hand, stalling excuses. "My dear, I'd like to have a chat with you before the holidays, I imagine they'll be eventful. Oh and give the poor boy my sympathies, he should be more careful really." Without another word, she walked into the dining hall humming.

Predictably, "What a loony," Sirius said, Peter nodding vigorously beside him.

Harry swallowed hard. "Right." Remus looked at him, examining his face. "What?" Unease prickled Harry's spine.

"Your eyes are still hazel," he muttered. "You still look just like James." Harry shrugged off his comment.

"Loony, remember?" Despite himself though, he couldn't help but remember a loony blond girl. You heard them, just behind the veil, didn't you? They were just lurking out of sight, that's all. You heard them…

He avoided Remus' eyes for the rest of lunch.