Chapter 3: The Recovery Mission
29 June 1994, New York City
The international portkey dropped four humans and a house-elf in the Magical Customs Office of the Port of New York. A bored-looking Customs Agent looked up as they landed. He sighed as he got up from his desk.
"Welcome to New York," he intoned. "Passports and Wand Permits."
"Here you are," Andi stated as she gathered everyone's papers, handing them to the agent.
"From the UK, huh?" he nodded as he looked through the papers. "Purpose and length of your visit?"
"Finding a couple of long-lost relatives," Andi stated. "Not sure how long it will take. That's why the return date is blank."
"Anything to declare as far as food or animals, except the elf, of course?"
"No," Andi answered.
"Alright," the agent nodded as he handed the papers back after putting a stamp on them with his wand.
"Do you know who we could speak to about someone coming over, say, almost thirteen years ago or so?" Dora asked.
"You're the Auror, right?" the agent asked as the rest gathered their luggage. Dora nodded to him, showing her credentials. "I'd ask Magical Records in the MACUSA Headquarters building here in New York."
"Thank you," Dora nodded.
30 June
Sirius, disguised as Ted Tonks, grumbled as they exited MACUSA Headquarters. Yes, they had found a lead on James and Lily, but they had to Confound the clerk to get the information. A couple had come through New York that had fit James and Lily's description in the right timeframe, but not much else was known. The clerk had also told them James and Lily might not be in the same location anymore, as they didn't keep records of Naturalized citizens that had taken their tests for citizenship. Sirius knew it was a long shot to find James and Lily from the start, but he had hoped.
Remus placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We'll find them. We just have to keep looking."
"I know, Moony," Sirius sighed.
"It matches what Natty is sensing," Remus consoled Sirius. "We head West."
"I have the portkey arrangements made," Andi told them as she come up behind them. "We leave for Pittsburgh in the morning at nine, then on to St. Louis after lunch tomorrow."
"Let's head back to the hotel," Sirius sighed.
As they settled into the suite for the rest of the day, Andi looked at Sirius as the Polyjuice wore off. She had a hunch this was more than Sirius just clearing his name and finding his best friend and wife again.
"Why are acting like this is a setback, Siri?" Andi asked, trying to ignore the flirting between her daughter and Remus. "There's more to it, isn't there?"
"I failed Harry once, I'll not do it again," Sirius answered vaguely. "Not with this."
"Siri," Andi sighed. "Tell me."
"I shouldn't have gone after Peter," Sirius moaned quietly. "I don't even know why I let Hagrid talk me into giving Harry to him."
"Talk you into…" Andi spoke slowly. She sat straighter before pulling her wand.
"What are you doing?" Sirius asked her as she started running scans on him.
"It makes sense now," Andi nodded as she looked at the results. Sirius looked at her questioningly. Remus and Dora had stopped talking to look at the others.
"What is it, mum?" Dora asked.
"I knew Sirius wouldn't voluntarily let Harry go," Andi spoke with an edge to her voice. "Not after all the times he came over chatting Harry up to us."
"Andi…?" Sirius asked to get her attention.
"Someone put a Compulsion Charm and Confundus Charm on you that night," Andi answered with a frown. "But who would want…?"
"Dumbledore!" Sirius growled. A thought struck him then. "Check Remus. He was the one that had 'James and Lily' buried."
"What…?" Remus started as Andi started her scans.
"Think about it, Moony," Sirius started. "You would have seen two bodies, but by the time you got there to have them buried the Polyjuice would have worn off, and they couldn't be given more."
"Confundus and Compulsion," Andi nodded. "Wait. There seems to be an active Compulsion Charm on you, Remus. Give me a second."
Andi waved her wand over Remus, his face showing confusion, then anger. "That's why I never questioned Dumbledore about placing Harry with the Dursleys. Or went to visit him."
"I'm beginning to see why you don't like Dumbledore," Dora snarled the name as she placed a caring hand on Remus' arm. "If he's gone to these lengths to hide the truth of what he did, what else has he done and to whom?"
"That's an excellent question, Dora," agreed Remus with a smile and nod that made the young woman blush. Andi and Sirius exchanged shakes of their heads as they rolled their eyes at the other two.
After leaving the Pittsburgh Portkey Station, they landed tiredly at the St. Louis Station. Dora had volunteered to ask one of the attendants about how to find information while they had waited in Pittsburgh for their departure portkey. She walked over to one of the information booths as the others gathered their luggage.
"Excuse me," Dora spoke to the young woman behind the counter. She looked up at the accented greeting.
"How can I help you?" she asked with a smile.
"I'm a visiting Auror, working a missing persons case," Dora presented her credentials before she continued. "I'm in search of how to get information about a couple that may have come through here about thirteen years ago. Who would I ask about that?"
"Were they British?" the young woman asked.
"Yes, but they became MACUSA citizens here in St. Louis from the records we looked at in New York," Dora answered.
"Check with the Magical Immigration Office at the Federal Building," the young woman nodded, handing Dora a map of the city pointing to an X on it. "We're here. The Federal Building is four blocks south of us." She looked at her watch. "But they're closed for the day and the weekend. You'll have to check with them after nine Monday morning."
"Thank you," Dora smiled. She turned to the others waving the map, stumbling as she walked back to them. "The place we need to go doesn't open until nine Monday morning."
"On to the hotel, then," Andi nodded.
HPHPHP
Monday morning Remus and Natty approached the Magical Immigration clerk in the Federal Building.
"Good morning, how can I help?" the clerk asked as he looked up at the duo.
"Hello, sir," Remus greeted him. "I'm looking for some old friends of mine that immigrated here from the UK sometime in 1980 or 1981. They didn't tell me where they were because we lost touch after school. They were a married couple probably looking for work."
"That's not much to go on," the clerk frowned. "What were their names?"
"Well, you see, that's the thing," Remus chuckled. "They come here to hide from all the hullabaloo in the UK at the time. They were probably under aliases. However, I have their house-elf with me to recognize their signatures."
"Alright," the clerk nodded. "Let me get you a couple of record books. You can go through them over there at that table."
"Thank you," Remus nodded.
After taking the large books from the clerk, Remus and Natty sat at the table they were directed to look over them. Remus opened the volume for 1980 handing it to Natty. Natty held his hand over the records, closing his eyes. He opened his eyes with a shake of his head to Remus. Remus set the 1981 volume in front of the little elf. Natty's ears perked up immediately. He held his hand over the book, repeating the process.
The pages flipped rapidly to the right page. March of 1981. Natty opened his eyes pointing to two names listed in the book. John and Linda Porter. Remus smiled at the elf before he took the books back to the clerk.
"The names are John and Linda Porter," Remus told the clerk.
"One moment while I check their files," the clerk nodded. He returned after five minutes, holding two files. "Here we are. John was pursuing a career in law enforcement and Linda was pursuing a teaching degree. They were accepted into the Denver School of Magical Careers with an address in Leadville, Colorado."
"Thank you very much," Remus smiled.
Remus and Natty met Sirius, Andi, and Dora in the waiting area.
"We need arrangements to Denver, Colorado," Remus told them. "And their new names are John and Linda Porter."
"Great job, Moony," smiled Sirius.
"Don't thank me," Remus shook his head. "It was Natty that found them."
"Great job, Natty." Sirius grinned at the elf.
"Thank you, sir," Natty blushed at the praise.
"I'll get the portkey arrangements made," Andi nodded. "You lot head back to the hotel and pack our things."
5 September, Leadville, Colorado
A disgruntled Sirius sat on the front steps of the vacant house in Leadville, Colorado after weeks of searching the area, waiting for the appointment they had to have to speak with the Magical Careers Records Department, and the full moon. Even though Natty had sensed James and Lily were not still in the area when they arrived, he was disappointed not to find something to go on to track them down further. He heard a small pop, but didn't bother to look up. A woman about his age with reddish brown hair approached him as he sat there moodily thinking.
"Hi," she smiled. "Are you interested in the house?"
"No," Sirius sighed, not really looking at her, or even taking notice of her British accent. "Looking for the previous owners. John and Linda Porter."
"Are you friends of theirs?" she asked, noting his accent as Andi, Dora, and Remus joined them at the steps.
"Yes," Remus answered. "We went to school with them back in England. We're trying to find them to reacquaint ourselves with them."
"Well, I happen to be their Magical real estate agent," she smiled. "I can check their file and give you their current address."
"That would be most helpful," Andi nodded.
"Come back to my office with me and I'll get that for you," the young woman smiled.
"That would be splendid," smiled Remus. He dropped part of his smile at a look from Dora as her hair turned green.
"Honestly," Andi rolled her eyes at them.
"You better watch yourself, Moony. She is an Auror, you know," teased Sirius at his friend's reaction.
17 October, Pinot Point, Washington
Their portkey landed deep in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest a few weeks after they had visited Leadville. The portkey office in Denver had told them that only scheduled portkeys were allowed to go to the Magical Community in the national forest, something to do with not disrupting the forest or its natural Magical area. They also had to wait for another full moon to pass to make the trip. That had been another three weeks of waiting they had to do because the last scheduled portkey had been on the full moon. Sirius and Remus had gone camping in the mountains to ensure everyone's safety. After they returned, they had to wait for the next scheduled portkey, and now the moon was approaching full again.
They looked around the Community to see an inn close to the arrival spot, along with a variety of Magical shops that lined the street throughout the small town. Remus breathed heavily as he broke out in a sweat. Sirius looked at him knowingly. The full moon was tomorrow night, but the effects were already starting on his old friend. Dora put her arm around him, helping him with the bags that he was carrying. Andi led the way to the inn so they could get settled, all the time trying to ignore Natty's insistence to take all of the luggage.
As they walked into the inn, the desk clerk smiled at them. "Welcome. How many rooms can I get you?"
"Two double rooms, please," Andi told him. "And a place for our house-elf."
"Coming right up," the innkeeper smiled. He looked at Remus thoughtfully as he leaned on the wall by the door. He looked at something behind the counter before looking up at Remus. "Do you have any Wolfsbane Potion or you do need some?"
"How did…?" Remus looked up startled.
"We…uh…" Sirius gulped.
"Judging by your accents you're from England, right?" the innkeeper asked. They nodded. "Well, here in the States, and in this Community, werewolves have rights."
"Some potion would be most appreciated," Remus told him.
"Coming right up," the innkeeper nodded. He drew his wand, sending a message to someone. "My wife runs the Apothecary here in town. She's also an excellent brewer. We also have an area for those in our community with your condition. It's warded so no one can disturb you during the full moon. Animagi are permitted to run with the werewolves as long as they stay in animal form."
"That would excellent," smiled Sirius. "Don't worry, Remus, I'll go with you tomorrow night. Be almost like old times, eh?"
"That it will," smiled Remus.
"Oh, here you are," a woman came in with a smoking goblet. "Hector told you about the area already?" she asked as Remus downed the potion.
"Yes, thank you, ma'am," Sirius nodded.
"Oh, please," she waved. "It's Maureen. And that's my husband Hector."
"Ted, Andi, and Dora Tonks," Sirius introduced. "Our friend Remus Lupin and house-elf Natty."
"Well, welcome to Pinot Point," Maureen nodded. "Say, you're from the UK, aren't you?"
"Yes, we are," Sirius answered.
"I bet John and Linda Porter would love to visit with someone from their home country," she pointed to them.
"Actually, that's who we're here to see," Andi smiled. "Remus and Ted are old friends of John and Linda."
"We lost touch after we were out of school, and it's been bloody hard tracking them down," Sirius lamented.
"Well, you all get settled in your rooms, and I'll show you the way over to the school," Maureen smiled after looking at her watch. "If you hurry, you can catch Linda as school lets out for the day."
"That would be lovely," Andi smiled.
"There it is. Linda's classroom is the sixth from the left," Maureen pointed to the school that looked like a long, single-story motel. "I have to get back to my shop, but stop in tomorrow for another dose of Wolfsbane, on me."
"Thanks so much, Maureen," Dora smiled. Andi gave her daughter a look as Maureen waved as she walked back to her shop. "What?"
"You really care about Remus, don't you?" Andi asked, knowingly.
"Yes," Dora blushed as her hair changed to a bright red.
"I thought so," Andi nodded with a smile.
"You…you don't care about…the…?" Dora tried to ask, astonished at her mother's accepting tone.
"The age gap?" Andi finished for her. "Dora, in my life's work, I have seen many a happy couple with age gaps as great or greater than yours and Remus'."
"Then…you would…approve if…?" Dora asked haltingly.
"If you starting dating?" Andi asked. Dora nodded sheepishly. "Dora, you are an adult. That's not my choice nor do you need my approval. But with Remus being a friend of Siri's, then, yes, I would approve."
"Thanks, mum," Dora smiled.
The bell rang at the school and soon children were filing out, all talking and laughing as they went. Andi and Dora waited for the throng of school children to leave before walking closer to the school. They caught a glimpse of red hair coming down the covered walkway as they neared, but it was on a person too short to be Lily Potter. The little redhead went into the classroom they were walking toward, disappearing for a few minutes. Andi and Dora exchanged a look as they paused. The shorter redhead reappeared out of the classroom, talking to someone that was following her a couple of minutes later.
Andi and Dora had looked at the pictures Sirius had shown them many times so they would know who to look for when they found James and Lily. The woman that stepped into view behind the young redhead was most certainly Lily Potter! They exchanged a smile before they approached her.
"Linda Porter?" Andi asked.
"Yes?"
"I'm Healer Andromeda Tonks," she extended her hand. "This is my daughter, Auror Dora Tonks."
"Hello," Linda spoke a little guardedly.
"No, it's nothing about your husband, I assure you," Andi spoke before any bad conclusions could creep into the other woman's mind. Andi saw her relax slightly.
"You're an Auror, like my dad?" the young girl asked. Andi and Dora looked wide-eyed at the girl. She was a carbon copy of Lily Potter except for her eyes, which were hazel like James Potter's. They exchanged a shocked look as they stammered to reply.
"Yes, I am," Dora finally got out.
"What's this about?" Linda asked, suspicious again.
"Oh…uh…we're here with an old friend of yours and your husband's from school," Andi told her. "Remus Lupin."
"Doesn't ring a bell," Linda said flatly. "And anyway, my husband is away on Auror business for the next three weeks. Check at the Auror Station then, maybe John will remember him. Have a good afternoon." With that Linda Porter took her daughter's hand, gently pulling her away.
"Well, that could've gone better," Dora groused.
"It's the memory charm, Dora," Andi told her as she turned to consult her wand readings. "We need to get back to the inn."
"So, she didn't even recognize Remus' name?" Sirius asked after Andi and Dora returned.
"As I told Dora," Andi sighed, "it's the memory charm on her. Her memory wasn't wiped clean, but blocked and altered."
"But you got your scan?" Sirius asked, sounding hopeful.
"Yes, I did," Andi nodded. "On Lily, at least. And her daughter."
"Daughter?" Sirius half-shouted as he sat up straighter.
"Padfoot, please," Remus covered his ears.
"Sorry, Moony," Sirius turned to Remus, who was laying on the bed with Dora sitting beside him. "They have a daughter?" Sirius asked in a normal tone as he turned shocked eyes back to Andi.
"Yes," Andi nodded. "From my scans, she's thirteen years of age."
Sirius ran a hand through his hair as he stood exhaling deeply, beginning to pace.
"Harry is going to go nutters, in more than one way, when we tell him," frowned Remus.
"He'll be ecstatic about his parents and sister," Sirius nodded.
"And rightly hacked off about what Dumbledore's done," Dora added darkly.
"The only problem is James is out of town on Auror business for the next three weeks," Andi stated to get back to the subject at hand. "And I think we spooked Lily by approaching her the way we did."
"We'll just have to work on that after the full moon," Sirius told her as he met Remus' eyes. "Until then, we just act like tourists and try to convince her we mean no harm to them."
"This is Lily, we're talking about," Remus gave Sirius a look.
"Yeah, I know," Sirius agreed. "We have our work cut out for us."
The next evening, Remus and Sirius entered the warded portion of the National Forest just outside of Pinot Point. Remus spotted Lily checking the wards a short way from them. She looked up at him with a curious stare. She tilted her head before shrugging, going back to her work. Dora was on the outside of the wards where she had told them she would wait all night and help them back to the inn in the morning.
"Dora Tonks, wasn't it?" Lily asked.
"Yes, Mrs. Porter," Dora answered still staring at Remus.
"Someone you know?" Lily asked. "And it's Linda."
"Yes," Dora nodded. She pointed into the wards. "In fact, that's Remus Lupin."
Lily looked at Remus for a long minute. Remus stared back just before the full moon rose above the trees. Sirius changed into Padfoot as Remus started his transformation. Moony panted heavily as the transformation completed. The wolf looked up to see Dora standing on the other side of the wards and whimpered seeing her tears. Padfoot nudged Moony to get his attention. Moony looked at Padfoot with a sorrowful look before giving Dora one last look. The werewolf and big black dog loped into the trees, leaving Dora to stare after them.
"They'll be alright," Lily assured her. Dora looked over at the other woman for the first time. She noticed a strange look on Lily's face. Lily reached up, rubbing her temple. "Where'd this sudden headache come from?"
"Maybe your brain is trying to remember Remus," Dora suggested as she wiped her tears.
"Maybe," Lily shrugged. "Are you going to stay here all night?"
"Yeah," Dora swallowed as she looked back at the trees.
"We have a waiting shack, just up that way," Lily smiled. "Come on, I'll show you the way." She placed a hand on Dora's back to lead her away from the gate. "Besides, some tea will do both of us some good."
"You drive a hard bargain, Linda," Dora chuckled.
"I'm on watch duty tonight since John's away, and I could use the company," Lily shrugged. "Most of the other family members rarely like to talk until morning."
"Where's your daughter?" Dora asked to glean some information.
"Rose is at a friend's house for the night," Lily answered.
"She's what, twelve?"
"Thirteen," Lily smiled.
"But doesn't she start school at eleven, like back home?" Dora asked, giving Lily a strange look.
"Not necessarily," Lily shook her head. "Here we have the option for home or public schooling in Magical families until they're fourteen. Then, out here on the West Coast, they can go to West Merlin Academy or West Ilvermory. It's a better setup than Hogwarts."
"So, you're waiting to send her to school?" Dora asked.
"John and I have had some…disagreements about that," Lily cringed slightly. "I think we should wait, but he wanted to send her this year." She shrugged. "I just had a strange feeling we shouldn't send her yet."
They entered a small shack with several sofas and armchairs. Most were occupied by others waiting until morning. Lily waved as she was greeted by several of them. She motioned Dora over to the kitchenette in one corner with a small table and chairs.
"I'm sorry if my mum and I spooked you yesterday," Dora told Lily as she set a cup of tea on the table in front of her. "That wasn't our intention."
"What spooked me was your mother running some kind of scan on me and my daughter," Lily told her. "If it was just me, I would have said something to her then, but Rose was with me…"
"And you're very protective," Dora nodded. "I understand."
"What was your mother looking for?" Lily asked.
"Confirmation on something," Dora answered vaguely. She took a sip of her tea to stop herself from revealing too much, too soon. "It has to do with why we're here. And before you ask, I can't say more without your husband present."
"Auror business, I take it?" Lily raised an eyebrow.
"Something like that," nodded Dora.
"Alright," Lily nodded. "What kind of case is it? I know the procedures; you can tell me that much."
"Missing persons," Dora sighed.
"Someone close to you?"
"No," Dora shook her head. "Someone close to my cousin and Remus."
"And you think we may have information for you?" Lily asked a little confused.
"I'm certain of it," Dora smiled mysteriously. "But…"
"We have to wait until John gets back," Lily nodded. "Alright."
7 November
During the three weeks that they had to wait, Dora had spent time getting to know Lily Potter in the other's guise of Linda Porter. Dora had even gone to the school to give a presentation on International Aurors to Lily's fourth-grade class. She had also gotten to know Rose Porter as a side effect of getting to know the girl's mother. Remus and Sirius had agreed to keep a bit of a distance, so they wouldn't let anything slip and to contain their excitement as the time passed. They had seen Lily a few times around town but didn't approach her. Both of them had noticed the temple rubbing Lily did every time she stared at Remus.
Dora had just finished answering questions from Rose's class when the bell rang. She waited for Rose to gather her things before escorting her to Lily's classroom. As they walked in, Lily smiled as she looked up at them.
"Hi, mum!" Rose smiled.
"Did you enjoy Dora's talk?" Lily asked as she hugged her daughter.
"Loads!" beamed Rose. "Daddy's supposed to be home today, right?"
"Yes, he is," Lily smiled. She looked up at Dora. "Would you and others like to join us for dinner? That way we can get this out of the way quickly and you don't have to spend too much more time here."
"That would be lovely," Dora smiled. "I'll let everyone know."
"Be there about six tonight," Lily nodded.
"We'll be there!" Dora smiled.
Dora walked into the inn room Sirius and Remus were sharing after telling her mother to follow her. She found Remus reading a book and Sirius napping on his bed.
"Wake up, you snoozing sod!" Dora yelled at him.
"Huh? Wha…?" Sirius sprang up looking around wildly with his wand in his hand. His eyes landed on a giggling Dora and laughing Andi. He shot Dora a glare as he lowered his wand. "You better have a good reason for doing that!"
"How does dinner with John and Linda Porter and their daughter sound?" Dora asked with a smirk.
"You did it?" Sirius asked with astonishment.
"Yes, I did," Dora smiled proudly. "We need to be there at six."
"Half a dose of Polyjuice should get you until after we eat and we can start fixing this mess," Andi told him as she headed for the door.
"Right," Sirius nodded.
"Well? What are you two waiting for? A written invitation?" Dora asked as the men were still sitting in a state of shock. "Start getting ready!"
"They're here!" cried Rose before opening the door. "Hi, Dora!"
"Wotcher, Rose!" Dora smiled as she hugged the young girl. Remus and Sirius exchanged a wide-eyed look. Rose was a miniature Lily at thirteen with James' hazel eyes.
"Come on in," Rose motioned them in. "Mum and dad are getting the food on the table."
"Lead on, little miss," Sirius smiled.
They followed Rose into the dining room as Lily placed the last of the food on the table. Sirius and Remus stared at James Potter as he turned to them as they entered. Sirius swallowed hard as he looked at his best friend's face for the first time in so many years. How were they going to pull this off without tipping their hand too soon, or making them angry because they weren't making sense?
"Won't you join us?" James spoke into Sirius' thoughts.
"Of course," Sirius nodded.
As they made their way over to the table, Lily made the introductions to her husband. He smiled pleasantly at Andi and Dora. He shook hands with Remus, giving him a strange look, and "Ted" before they sat down. Rose and Dora led the conversation around the diner table as they told James of the talks Dora had done at the school. James sat fascinated as Rose and Dora went over the presentations in detail for him. Sirius and Remus shared a look with each other, knowing James would be the same way with Harry. Lily caught the look, raising an eyebrow at them. But as she stared at Remus, she closed her eyes, rubbing her temple once again.
"You alright, Lin?" James asked concerned, placing a hand on hers.
"Just this strange headache I get if I look at Mr. Lupin too long," Lily told him.
James turned to stare at Remus as Lily had done, he flinched as a throbbing headache struck him. "I think it's time you tell us why you're really here," he ground out as he rubbed his own temple.
"Please, allow me," Andi spoke to Remus and Sirius. She turned to James and Lily. "We haven't been completely honest with you, but there was a good reason."
"Start talking," James growled, placing his wand on the table.
"You and your wife aren't who you think you are," Andi started. "That was part of why I scanned you when we met, Linda. I was making sure you were who thought you were."
"And who do think we are?" asked Lily with narrowed eyes.
"Firstly, I am a Healer, and I'm here to help you," Andi raised her hands. "Secondly, I was confirming that I could help you with a very powerful Memory Charm that was placed on you some thirteen years ago or so."
"Memory Charm?" James asked confused.
"That explains the headaches," breathed a wide-eyed Lily.
"It does," Andi nodded. "Your mind is trying to piece it together, but the charm won't let it, hence the headaches."
"Alright, say we believe you," James looked at Andi. "Who are we? And can you take the Memory Charm off?"
"Yes, I can," Andi stated as she stood. "As for who you are, well, I'll let you discover that after I heal you." She turned to Rose before stepping over to James. "This won't change who they are to you, Rose. It will change everything else though."
Andi stepped over to James first, waving her wand in a complicated pattern over his head. James slumped forward as the spell broke. "Just give him a minute," Andi told Remus and Sirius. She then repeated the process on Lily. Lily grunted as she closed her eyes tightly. She leaned forward but recovered much more quickly than James.
"James!" Lily shouted.
"Lils?" James groaned. He looked around the room. "Where are we?" He looked at the people gathered around the table. "Moony?"
"Prongs!" Remus whispered. "Lily?"
"Remus?" Lily looked at him. "What is going on?"
"Mum? Daddy?" Rose asked. She sounded terrified.
"It's us, sweetie," Lily assured her. She looked around suddenly. "Wait! Where's Harry?"
"At Hogwarts," Sirius answered. He felt the Polyjuice wearing off. "Be with you in a second." He doubled over as the potion wore off. He breathed heavily for a few seconds before sitting up.
"Padfoot!" James sprang out of his chair.
"Prongs," Sirius swallowed as he hugged James tightly. "Merlin, I've missed you."
"Wait! Who are we then?" Rose asked confused. "And whose Harry?"
"Rosie, our last name isn't Porter," James started as he turned to her.
"Figured that out on my own, dad," Rose frowned at him, crossing her arms.
"Got that from Lils, I see," Sirius barked out a laugh.
"Not funny, Black," Lily glared at him as she crossed her arms the same way.
"Proof is in the pudding, Lily," snickered Remus.
"Shut it, Lupin," Lily huffed.
"Moony, Padfoot, please," pleaded James. He turned back to Rose. "Our last name is Potter."
"Potter?" asked an astonished Rose. Her arms fell to her sides. "Harry Potter is my brother?"
"He most certainly is," Sirius smiled.
"Rosie, these are your 'uncles', Sirius Black and Remus Lupin," James introduced them to her again. "They are the brothers I never had."
"But why did you call them…?" Rose started as Sirius grinned at her. He changed into Padfoot, wagging his tail at her as he loped over to her. "You're an Animagus?"
Sirius nodded his dog head.
"That's enough, Sirius," Lily told him pointedly. "Don't need Rose getting ideas about becoming one yet."
"Like she wouldn't from Prongs?" Sirius asked with a frown after changing back.
"Or yourself, Lils?" James asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Not the point," Lily growled at them. "I want to know: why we're here? Why Harry isn't with us? And who put that bloody Memory Charm on us?"
"Master James!" Natty popped into the dining room.
"Natty!" James smiled as he knelt to hug the elf.
"Mrs. Lily!" Natty shouted as he run over to her.
"Hi, Natty," Lily smiled as she hugged him as well. "Natty, I would like you to meet our daughter, Rose."
"Oh, it being such a pleasure, young mistress," Natty grinned.
"Hi, Natty," Rose smiled and waved. She turned to her father. "We have a house-elf?"
"Several, actually," James told her.
"Is something wrong, Natty?" Sirius asked.
"Oh, Mister Sirius, there being an owl coming for you," Natty answered.
No sooner had he spoken, then there was a tap on the window. Sirius looked over with a smile.
"You know the owl?" asked Lily as she let the snowy owl in the window.
"Hello, Hedwig," Sirius smiled as Hedwig landed on his arm. "She's Harry's owl."
"Harry's?" Lily half-shouted. Sirius nodded as he took the letter. He frowned deeply at the words. "Well?"
"This isn't good," Sirius sighed. "We need to head back to England as soon as possible."
"Not before you answer my questions, Black," Lily snarled pointing at him.
"It's a long story, but the short of it is Dumbledore did this to you," Sirius looked at her darkly. "And now he's got Harry competing in the Triwizard Tournament."
"He what?" yelled Lily. Sirius looked upon Lily Potter as one of her famous angry moments was happening in front of him. It scared him years ago, now it terrified him. He would not want to be in Albus Dumbledore's shoes when the terror that was Lily Potter finally got ahold of him.
"I'll start making the arrangements," James snarled out. "We are heading back to England as soon as we can!"
Harry and Ginny waited on the sofa as the time approached for Sirius to fire call. Ginny held a still shocked Harry after seeing the dragons. If she wasn't there for Harry before, she certainly was now. It was insanity that a fourth-year had to compete in this stupid tournament, not to mention face a dragon for the first task! She looked up at the fire as it burst into green flames. Ginny nudged Harry to tell him it was time.
"Sirius!" Harry breathed as his godfather's smirking face appeared.
"Hiya, Prongslet," Sirius greeted him. "Now tell me what's going on?"
"For some reason, my name came out of the Goblet of Fire, even though I didn't enter," Harry started. "They said I have to compete because the Cup creates a Magically Binding Contract. And for the first task, I have to face a dragon."
"A dragon," Sirius gulped. Harry could see beads of sweat forming on his godfather's forehead. Sirius looked slightly behind him nervously. "Whoever put your name in that Cup is no friend, Harry. And neither is anyone who allowed this to happen. I can't think of anything that will help with the dragon. Just keep your friends close." His eyes flicked to Ginny, the smirk returning. "And certain friends closer."
Harry glanced at Ginny. "Alright."
"Now, I'll be in touch soon. Watch for me," Sirius grinned before disappearing.
"Watch for you?" Harry asked. "What does that mean?"
"No idea," Ginny answered.
Harry stood from the fire, looking lost again. He walked over to the window as he stared into the night.
"You don't have to help me, Ginny," Harry started. He took a deep breath. "I can do this on my own."
"Have you gone mental?" Ginny growled. "I'm helping you, Potter!" She stomped over to him but stopped as she noticed his hands were shaking. "Harry, why are your hands shaking?" she asked softly.
"I…I'm scared," Harry whispered. "Scared to face that dragon. Scared I won't figure out a way to get passed it."
"Oh, Harry," Ginny turned him around. She hugged him tightly. "I will be there to help you, no matter what. I promise we will figure this out. Together."
Harry pulled back to look for any doubt in her eyes. He didn't find any. Something took hold of his brain again as he leaned forward, capturing Ginny's lips with his. After a muffled sigh, Ginny wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. She ran her fingers through his messy black hair, just like she had always wanted to. Harry ran his fingers through Ginny's hair as they continued to kiss. He wondered why he had waited so long to do this.
Unseen by either of them was the bright golden glow that surrounded them. They felt something inside them break. Energy seemed to flow between them as they stood there, lost in each other. Something seemed to slip into its rightful place during that kiss, and nothing seemed to feel so right except the other in their arms.