"She can't be missing. Lily doesn't go missing. She's a responsible, stately…"

  "Fiery, pissy…"

  "Reserved, elegant…"

  "Feisty, vengeful…"

  "Graceful, quiet…"

  "Who are you talking about, James?" Sirius gave his friend an inquisitive look. "I am god-damned surprised she didn't run earlier. This has got to stop."

  James bit his lip, knowing Sirius was right. "I want it all to stop. I just… How do I apologize? How can I?"

  Sirius rolled his eyes. "Are you asking how you can swallow your big ego, dump that whore Aphrodite and beg your wife, partner, Queen and mother of your heirs to come back?"

  James nodded sheepishly. "Yes."

  "I don't have the faintest. Just do it." Sirius murmured, sweeping out of James's office.

   "Yes, mother?" Harry asked quietly as he entered the room. For the first time, she stood up to full height and Harry found it odd that she was about four inches shorter than he was. Her long red hair was held back by a bejeweled band around her head, and her clothes were made of rich, hunter green velvet and sparkling golden silk.

  "I'm afraid you know that I have brought you and Libby here from Primo." She said offhandedly, staring at the spot on his arm that she was dusting off.

  "Pardon?" Harry asked, scooping his head to meet her eyes.

  Lily looked at her son, a very well-mixed version of James and herself. "Well, the little brat is good for something. She certainly knows not to voice her worries until she has them better sorted out. Sit down, Harry."

   Harry slowly sat down, a look of confusion sinking into his features. Lily sat behind her desk. "Harry, I was the one who brought you from the dimension you used to know. And you have a choice to go back. Both of you do."

  Harry held back a sigh. "I know we have a choice to go back."

  Lily stared off into the distance for a moment, then breaking her reverie. "Harry, my son, the little boy I raised, became spoiled and wild, as did Liberty Black. The loss of her mother made her rebellious and uncontrollable, and with my son beginning his teenage years and having no one else he felt he could vent against without being punished, the two started to battle. They became these unrecognizable people that I knew would destroy our country if they had the chance."

  She unhooked the clasp of her locket and opened it with an ease that had never been there before. "Take a look at these pictures."

  Harry was handed the locket and he saw a portrait of him and Libby looking unhappy, and a picture of burning Gryffindor.

  "I cried when I realized our fate. I knew that James would die young, it was part of the prophecy that came with the locket. But I didn't want the country to disintegrate because I had failed." Lily continued. "I couldn't love my son anymore. And neither could I stand seeing Libby in my place."

    "So I called upon the books of Olde Magik Sirius had just gotten me… Restored with embroidered covers. I looked at the other dimensions. In lune you and Libby were all too jaded to even appreciate this world. But you and Libby in primo, you were grounded, you were actual people I was proud of, and you'd love it here."

  Harry gulped. "Libby doesn't. She wants to go back."

  Lily smiled painfully, as if trying to encourage him. But it changed and she sighed. "I was afraid of that. But you want to stay, right?"

  Harry's eyes lit up. "I couldn't imagine leaving. I have all my friends, I have my parents, and I have a big family! It's everything I wished for as a little kid. Why would I want to leave?"

   Lily cocked her head to one side. "Maybe because the Libby you know and have gotten to like is leaving?"

  Harry nodded. "True as that may be… I really like it here."

  After a moment, Lily reached out and touched her son's hand. "Are you going to be okay?"

  Harry shook his head. "She just rejected me. She practically screamed, 'No way. No way ever, no way in hell!'." He looked up apologetically. "Sorry, ma'am. But… She wasn't going to give me… Or this world a chance. She's too suspicious. She thinks it'll all come crashing down."

  Lily smiled. "Who's to say it won't?"

  Harry snorted. "Who is to say it won't? But who's to say it won't be okay?"

  Lily gripped her son's hand affectionately. "That's very wise of you, Harry. Libby just needs security, because in your world, she had none. Maybe it's up to a certain someone to convince her she has it."

  Harry looked from the edge of his mother's desk to his mother's playful green eyes and grinned sheepishly. "How long do I have?"

  "A week. You better get started, Potter. Funny, your father has a thing for stubborn women, too." Lily said, and Harry didn't catch the pain in her tone. "Go!"

  Harry smiled at his mother gratefully and excused himself.

   "Harry!" James shouted across the corridor, and Harry stopped to face his friend. "I would like to thank you."

  Harry raised one eyebrow and tried to remember what his mother had said about him and Libby in general. He couldn't quite figure it out. "For what?"

  James grinned. "For stopping that damned immaturity you and Libby were going about doing. You've given her a good example, and she seems happier than ever."

  Harry smiled, a bit proudly. He had transformed a bit of Libby. Not the bit James was thinking of, but most certainly a bit. "I just led the horse to water. Never made her drink."

  James snorted. "Always the modest one, Your Highness."

  "Always, Sir Black." Harry retorted, and flashes of his alter ego's life flashed in front of his eyes. He'd have to investigate the dimensional swap side effects later. Now he just had to make this week the most perfect week in the world.

  This world, that is.

  "The Queen's farewell ball is on Friday night, the day before she leaves. See to it that the finest gowns are given to first Libby, then Ruby, Reggie, Ginger and finally Hermione." Aphrodite instructed through gritted teeth. Under her breath, she muttered something about being a professor, not an assistant. She turned to Libby, who stood on the gold and white striped platform being measured for some sort of dress.

  "Fetch the design book, will you?" Libby asked with a sickly sweet voice, then standing up properly, her eyes void of… Anything.

  Aphrodite continued muttering as she fetched the leather-bound book, but her eyes lit up when she saw her true love  walk through the door of the dress shop somewhat distractedly.

  Libby stepped down from the platform and began flipping through the book. "No, too sultry. Nah, too… Hermione. No offense, Herm."

  "None taken." The bookworm said, not looking up from her fashion magazine.

  "What about this…" Libby looked up to ask Ruby, but Ruby was in a kneeling position… A bow. Libby promptly shut her mouth and followed Ruby's example, and suddenly, the ruckus the Queen had been complaining of stopped.

  "Your Majesty?" Professor Greenbaum asked softly of the Queen, who was busy signing checks. She took the glass platter out of his hands distractedly and stood up straight, still eyeing the checks.

  "What now, Sebastian?" She asked, not looking up.

  A man cleared his throat and Lily looked up.

  She dropped the platter in shock with a little squeak and it crashed on the floor.

  "James." Lily murmured dreamily. Sure, she had seen him two days before. But she didn't remember him looking so dashing… He had shaved and gotten his hair cut, and the suit was new. Dark gray was a good color for him. And she hadn't seen him give her that look in over five years… That look that completely convinced her that she was indeed his only love.

  "Pleasant to see you, too, my dear." He said, hanging up his hat and smiling. "Ah, Libby. Might I recommend Mr. Tonpuillair's design on page seventeen?"

  Lily looked at him, perplexed. "Darling, might I see you in the other room?"

  "I have business to handle, Princess." James soothed, going over and kissing his wife on the cheek. "But, ah, we have dinner."

  He pinched her nose affectionately and smiled at the rest of the room. His smile faltered when his eyes rested on Aphrodite, but he nodded all the same before leaving.

  "That man." Lily muttered with what seemed like amused scolding, returning to her work. "Damn him for being so charming, and damn me for falling for it. Every single time."

   Libby's eyes rested on a beautiful design, inspired by Pierre Auguste Renoir's floral impressions. It was a masterpiece of silk chiffon in periwinkle blues, powdery purples and pinks, with soft patterns of yellow accents. The scooped neckline of the bodice featured delicate beading accented with purple-pink flowers. The skirt was flipped up on one side, revealing an under-layer of tulle and chiffon with embellishments of jeweled blue beads, sequins and flowers. A beautiful blue chiffon bow decorated the opposite side of the skirt, and there was an additional pair of matching sheer opera gloves. The model in the design had upswept dark curls accented with flowers, pearl drop earrings, a black choker with a single pearl drop charm and a pair of periwinkle t-strap sandals.

  It was indeed a classy choice. James had been mysteriously right.

  "Mark that one down, please." She murmured dreamily. She could get use to this… Beautiful gowns, diamonds, sapphires, pearls… Some only to be worn once and sold to charity. Some only to be worn once and copied over and over again. She could definitely get used to living in the lap of luxury.

  "Excellent choice, Madam. It seems as if you girls are fascinated by Monsieur Tonpuillair's blue formal designs." The lady who had been measuring her remarked. "Ah, Her Majesty requests that we have you dressed for your R.O.Y.A.L representation this afternoon. I believe, Mademoiselle, that your suit is absolutely perfect for the future Queen."

  She fetched several hangers from an open bureau. Libby was fitted into a navy pinstripe A-line skirt and a white, silky halter top with a navy fitted jacket. They fastened a diamond choker around her neck and got her into a pair of dark, sheer silk stockings and a pair of black pumps.

  "Power to the people, Libs, power to the people." Draco muttered sarcastically as she stormed out of the shop towards Hogwarts. He got up from where he was leaning on the wall and tried to keep up. "You're going to ruin those shoes, you know."

  Libby scowled, her newly straightened hair flowing out behind her. "I need to get my paper."

  "Already taken care of, Libby, love." Draco said, presenting the packet to her, neatly typed and put in book form.

  "Oh, thank you!" Libby sighed, taking it from him and skimming it. "As future monarch of this country, I was raised in the palace, knowing all of the international affairs. Perhaps if we required all children to keep up to date with current events, as adults they'd be better prepared to make decisions based on what they know. These people need an opinion before they're thrust out into the world. Yep, sounds like a power bitch to me. Who am I debating against?" She stopped to look at him with a feigned interest.

  Draco stopped and looked at her quizzically. "Why, Harry, of course."

  Libby rolled her eyes as they both began to walk again. "We're gonna go get me a butterbeer."

  "Not before the debate, Libby, love. I managed to get someone to go out to one of the Muggle grocery stores, where they sell those bottles of Stardollars or something. Caramel, right?" Draco confirmed, pulling the bottle out from behind his back.

  "Why aren't I marrying you?" Libby asked gratefully, taking the bottle and continuing towards the castle.