Impossibilities
Chapter 5 - Food for Thought
Disclaimer: If I own this I'd have to own that, and to have that you have to have these, and these can't be without those, and to have those I have to have this... in fact I don't even own this disclaimer... I borrowed it cuz I thought it was funny... NOT MINE
A/N: have a nice day. BOOK FIVE WHERE ARE YOU?
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"James."
"James!"
"James!"
"What- huh? Oh, Remus... what is it?"
Remus laughed, "You sleep like a rock, sheesh. Anyway, we're here. Come on." Remus started to walk between the rows of beds to the front of the Knight Bus. James rolled out off of his bunk, and followed him fighting to keep his eyes open. He had to steady himself several times on various bedposts, but he eventually made it.
The two of them walked down the steps of the bus and had barely set foot on the ground when there was a loud crack and the Knight Bus disappeared from view.
James was still fighting a loosing battle to keep himself awake. He reached up to stifle another yawn and push his glasses into place. He did not like these rectangular lenses, they refused to stay put.
After a few moments of fighting to keep his spectacles perched on his nose, he pulled them totally off and handed them to Remus. Ignoring his friend's laughter at his antics James said, "Ok. That's it, change them back."
Remus willingly obliged and once more James had his nice round glasses firmly on his face.
"Ready yet? Good, because that's my house," Remus announced, pointing to the house before them.
James had been so busy trying not to be tired that he hadn't glanced at his surroundings yet. Now though, he followed Remus' indicating finger. Unfortunately, he couldn't see anything due to the night's lack of moonlight.
"Uh... very nice place," James said.
Remus just rolled his eyes, "Oh gee thanks. I know you can't even see it."
James grinned and said, "Right then, shall we go in?"
"But of course."
The two marauders walked up the path, climbed the stairs, and stood on the porch. James once again had a hand on Remus' shoulder to maintain balance, but he appeared to be slowly gaining strength.
Remus pulled out his wand and muttered an unlocking charm. The door swung open and they stepped into the entryway. Remus quietly shut the door and pulled a string turning on a light.
He motioned for James to follow him, and James did so, leaning occasionally on the wall as he went.
James sank gratefully into a chair when they arrived in the neat living room. Without a thought Remus pointed his wand at the hearth and started a roaring fire. Next he turned to James. Remus wanted to ask him if he should go get Sirius now or wait until morning, but James was already asleep. He sat slumped in the armchair his hair was still lightened and rested (mostly) flat on his head his glasses hung awkwardly on his face. Remus chuckled softly and pulled them off. James didn't even stir.
Remus returned from the hall closet with a blanket. He tossed it over James, trying not to wake him. James was so deeply asleep its doubtful even tornado in the living room would have woken him.
Remus leaned back deep into a chair sighing of contentment and propped his feet up on an ottoman. He was very happy: he was finally home, finally comfortable and best of all: his friend was finally back.
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~Earlier that evening~
Harry's luggage fit easily into the expanding trunk of Mr. Weasley's car.
Fred climbed into the front passenger seat beside his father. Ron, Harry, and George slid into the back seat.
"So how you been doing Harry?" asked George.
"Yeah!" Fred joined in, "we know what Ron gave you for your birthday." He grinned and winked at George.
George winked back then asked Harry innocently, "Have you gotten a chance to use it."
Harry laughed and glanced at Mr. Weasley wondering if he knew what they were talking about, but Arthur was pretending not to hear any of this conversation. He didn't want any reason to have to report anything to his wife.
Harry looked back at the three expectant faces. "No, I haven't had a chance to use it," he said regretfully. He chuckled as three faces "Don't worry, I have big plans for those when we go back to Hogwarts," he grinned wickedly, "Didn't want to waste any on Dudley."
Ron patted Harry on the back saying, "I know you just couldn't stand the thought of having fun without me," Harry laughed at him and Ron pretended to look hurt, "Oh come on, you know you couldn't pull anything of without me."
"You keep thinking that Ron," Harry said, "if it makes you feel important." Ron scowled at him.
The other three laughed and Fred said, "Harry, I think the Marauders would be proud. We've successfully corrupted another fine student," Fred sighed looking woeful, "I only wish we could tell them."
Harry and Ron looked at each other, than quickly looked away to keep from bursting out laughing again. Unlike Fred and George, they knew who the remaining Marauders were, and exactly what they would say.
At this point they were driving through a non-populated countryside outside of Little Whinging.
"I'll just push this little button here, shall I," announced Mr. Weasley, "and we'll be home in a jiffy. Just don't tell your mother," he added nervously, "you know what she thinks about this car."
The boys promised and Arthur pressed his thumb on a blue button the size of a bronze knut. Immediately the car was rocketed high into the sky. Harry immensely enjoyed his flight to the Burrow. What with good company, laughter, and the wind in their hair- What more could one want?
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~OK time frame- while the Weasley's are picking up Harry, James is becoming "alive" and Wormtail is...~
I'm going to be the greatest of all Death Eaters! Wormtail thought excitedly as he watched Mr. Weasley, George, Fred, Ron, and Harry walk to the waiting car carrying Harry's belongings between them.
Peter licked his lips in antisipasion and his long tail whipped back and forth. Just a few more steps and Harry would be clear of his relatives protection. Five... four... three... two...
AND....
Nothing happened.
Harry and the Weasleys continued to walk down the path chattering happily.
What went wrong? Where was Wormtail? Well, Wormtail was having a bit of a problem. He was busy violently swearing under his breath.
Just as Wormtail was going to leap out of the gutter and become the most highly held Death Eater of all time, he experienced a very odd sensation that made him pause mid leap.
It was like someone was ripping something out of his chest, dragging something away, and leaving poor Wormtail panting breathlessly with sweat pouring off of him.
Without thinking he started to transform into human shape, an automatic reaction when an Animagi is injured.
As his body began to increase in size his head slammed into the low ceiling of the gutter. Swearing like a seasoned sailor, Wormtail returned to his rat form. He glared resentfully at the unyielding cement above him, trying to rub his aching head and chest with his paws.
What the bloody hell was that! he thought furiously.
His eyes were watering madly, and stars exploded above his head from his whack on the concrete. It took him several minutes to focus his thoughts. When he finally composed himself he could only panic all over again.
Oh no! Oh no oh no oh no! Wormtail thought as he scampered into the street. In the distance he could see a Ford Angila driving off. This is bad. This is really really bad. Wormtail thought.
He was suppose to kidnap Harry. What had happened? He looked down at his chest. It looked perfectly normal.
What was going on? Had he imagined it? No, no his chest still hurt.
What was he going to do? Master was going to be so mad!
On a last, desperate inspiration Wormtail turned dashed down the street. If he could just go fast enough maybe he could catch up to that car by cutting though some backyards. He scurried along the road in Animagus form, cursing his pounding head.
He dashed under fences and cut through gardens with one thought on his mind: Must stop car!
Yes! There it was. Wormtail halted as he came to the road. The Weasleys had had to make a wide loop to get out of the town. Wormtail had been able to catch up by taking off-road short cuts.
All he had to do now was leap out and change to human form when the car came to him. He could magicked the tires to blow out before anyone could register what was happening. Nothing could stop him now!
The car came closer and closer.
Peter transformed to his human self and leaped into the street his wand brandished.
But there was nothing there.
The car had disappeared.
Wormtail spun around wildly. Where had it gone? What had happened? What- How- ARG!!!
A roar of engines overhead turned Wormtail's attention to the skies. He looked upwards and nearly screamed allowed with rage. There was the car- flying peacefully several stories above the ground speeding out of sight.
It figured that they have a flying car, Wormtail thought bitterly. He pointed his wand towards the rapidly disappearing automobile and fired several spells. Nothing even came close.
Wormtail swore again, this just wasn't his day.
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~The next day~
'Hey you!'
Lily didn't even turn her head.
She heard the voice well enough, but they weren't addressing her. No one EVER addressed her. She'd learned that right away. And much as it annoyed her, Lily couldn't really blame anyone.
Who is going to talk to someone they can't see, can't hear, can't touch- can't notice in anyway?
It's been said before, it's about to be said again: Being a shade really isn't fun!
However rules are meant to be broken, and I suppose that includes the rules of nature as well because the voice kept on talking.
'Hey you! Wait up.'
Lily paused, confused and curious. The voice seemed hollow somehow. Almost as if it wasn't being spoken aloud.
Almost as if-
But that was impossible. All the other shades were gone.
'Mrs. Potter-'
This time she turned around. That was too direct of a salutation to ignore. Yet who in the world did she know that called her Mrs. Potter?
Unless...
Lily Marie Potter surveyed the young man addressing her. He looked to be in his late teens. Blonde hair, blue eyes, handsome, probably smart too. (It would figure.) He had a type of transparency to his body much as she did as well.
It was that boy. The one she'd bet briefly in the wand. She shuddered as she thought about that night, even though it had been several weeks since. This boy had disappeared with the others, maybe he could tell her something.
Lily blinked recalling where she was. The poor young man she was gawking at was starting to shift uncomfortably as he waited for a reply. With a slight laugh, she gave it to him.
'Uh. Hi, where'd you come from?'
He grinned ruefully as he said, 'I dunno, but I'm very glad I found someone who can hear me. I thought maybe I'd mistaken you when you didn't reply.'
Lily grinned back slightly apologetically. Then she held a hand forward saying, 'Well you seem to know my name, but what's yours?'
He shook her hand firmly and smiled saying, 'Cedric Diggory, and I'm at your service if you can tell me what the heck is going on.'
'Well its very nice to meet you Cedric,' Lily said sincerely, 'Are you related to an Amos Diggory perchance? The name's not a common one I would think.'
'Yeah, he's my father. Do you, wait- maybe its 'did you'... either way, did you know him?'
'Not well- I knew of him during school. A very nice man, several years ahead of me however,' she paused lost in thoughts of her past life, abruptly she changed the subject, 'To answer your previous question: I'm terribly sorry but I don't really know what's going on either.'
The two of them wandered over to a bench and both shades settled themselves into 'floaty' sitting positions: hovering a bit off the bench seat. Cedric looked depressed when he learned that Lily didn't know what was happening. He rested his chin in his hands staring moodily at the ground.
Lily glanced at his glum expression nudged him playfully in the shoulder, 'Oh come on. It's not so bad. At least we can talk to each other now.'
Cedric sighed, 'Yeah, but what is there talk about.'
Lily scowled at him, 'If I didn't know better I think you didn't like my company.' Cedric took her seriously and hurriedly started to apologize, but Lily just laughed at his nervousness.
'It's all right lad. I know you didn't mean it.'
Cedric looked at her with a crooked grin. 'Thanks, it's just I've never been dead before.' He laughed outright at his own statement. 'I guess it takes some getting use to,' he stole a sidelong glance at Lily.
Lily nodded sadly. 'What year is it?' she asked suddenly.
Cedric answered watching Lily's eyes widen, then he asked, 'Did you spend that whole time in that- that wand?'
Lily nodded grimly and Cedric mouthed a silent 'Oh.'
They sat together awkwardly, neither knowing quite how to restart a conversation. Cedric was still in a type of shock. His friend's dead mother was sitting next to him! That just doesn't happen every day. What could he say? What should he say?
Lily was faced with a predicament of her own. She desperately wanted to ask this boy about everything he knew about the living world. She had missed so much, but she was wary of how he would react. It had often happened during those years in the wand that she would try to make conversation with fellow shades. Some were cheerful and eager for the change of pace, but others were very reluctant to discuss their lives.
It was Cedric who finally broke the silence. 'I hope Harry's all right, he looked pretty bad when we last saw him,' he said, his tone of voice and eyes were worried.
Lily glanced at him in surprise saying, 'Do you know Harry well?'
Cedric felt rather thrown by the question, 'Umm, I guess so. He goes to my school and stuff...'
Lily was eager for more information, 'Then will you explain to me why you two were at the graveyard? I'm still trying to figure out what happened.'
Cedric looked upset as he remembered that evening and he glanced away as he replied, 'We- Harry and I- were in a contest. The Tri-Wizard Tournament.' He looked back at Lily for a sign of recognition. She nodded understandingly, but her eyes betrayed her confusion.
'You said you both go to the same school right?'
Cedric nodded, frowning.
Lily tilted her head to one side as she asked curiously, 'Didn't the tournament usually take students from three different schools? I know it hasn't been held in a while, did they change it?'
Cedric shook his head as he answered, 'No, there was only suppose to be one champion from each school...'
'Then how di-'
Cedric interrupted her, 'No one knows how, but the Goblet gave out four names. I thought maybe Harry had snuck his name in- he's not really old enough you see- but by the end I doubted that.'
Lily leaned back on the bench contemplating what she was hearing. Her son, her Harry, had participated in the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Lily felt a rush of pride. She savored the feeling for a few moments, then asked, 'But what does this have to do with that night?'
Cedric's expression darkened, 'It was the last task. We decided to both take the prize cup. Like Harry said, it would still be a Hogwarts victory. But then we found out it was a portkey. I didn't have any time to think before- before I died.' Cedric hung his head unhappily and Lily patted his shoulder sympathetically. She knew from experience that dying was not what you would call enjoyable.
'You know the rest,' Cedric said glumly.
Lily regained that thoughtful expression, her contemplation lasted longer this time, finally she announced, 'The thing that perplexes me still, is the fact that Harry is even alive to begin with. Why-' she stopped looking sad, 'why didn't he die the night James and I did?' Lily sighed wistfully at the thought of her husband. Poor James, where was he now?
'You don't know?' Cedric asked in amazement.
Lily eyed him, 'No...'
Cedric sighed. The lady was Harry's mother for crying out loud! It seemed so- so off that she of all people didn't know what everyone else in the entire wizarding world knew.
'Uh well,' Cedric started grandly, 'You-Know-Who did try t- to kill him too. You know, after you and his dad. But somehow Harry deflected the curse,' Cedric shifted uncomfortably than hurried on with his explanation, 'It rebounded and You-Know-Who lost his powers... No one really knows exactly how or why it happened.'
Lily sat still, totally stunned.
'That's why he has that scar you know,' Cedric added.
Lily still didn't say anything.
'He's famous too,' Cedric said, trying to cheer Lily up.
Lily still didn't say anything.
Cedric shifted in his seat again. This was a very strange situation, a very strange situation indeed.
And still Lily didn't say anything. She just sat looking shocked.
Several minutes later she returned to reality.
'Wow,' she finally managed to whisper. 'That's- that's incredible.' Suddenly she stood up. Cedric hesitantly followed suit. 'Let's walk!' Lily ordered, 'I hate sitting when I'm thinking.'
'Uh, all right.'
They walked a few moments in silence. Cedric kept glancing at Lily, but she stared straight ahead, it was impossible to tell what she was thinking.
His own thoughts were racing through his mind like wildfire. He couldn't believe what was happening. He was dead for one thing, but this was NOT what he had expected as an afterlife. And for another thing he had been conversing casually with a very famous person: Harry Potter's mother! Wow. Seriously... wow.
Cedric decided to take a stab at conversation again. 'So...' he began, 'Where do you think we are?'
'I was just wondering that myself actually,' came the calm response, 'I'm pretty sure I use to know someone out here. No doubt he's probably moved though.'
Cedric's curiosity was fired, 'Who?'
'An old friend names Mundugus Fletcher, ever heard of him?'
Cedric was about to reply in the negative when he felt a blow like a train ramming into his chest. He swayed uncertainly on the spot, one hand clutching his pounding heart. Lily looked at him questioningly, moving to help steady him.
'I felt- I'm-' Cedric rasped out. Growing more concerned Lily reached out to touch his arm, that's when the feeling took her.
It was like a hook caught on her heart being pulled by a rope. She too pressed a hand to her chest, but the tugging persisted.
Two sets of huge confused eyes met.
The pulling came again. Cedric was unpleasantly reminded of traveling by portkey. Both he and Lily were slowly being drawn towards something. Lily tried to resist by digging her heels into the ground, but that did not work. Her insubstaceable feet created no friction against the ground. Looking back to Cedric she say he was on the verge of panic.
'Don't worry, what is the worst that could happen?' she said, trying to sound lighthearted, 'I'm mean we are already dead.'
She herself felt that the joke failed miserably, but Cedric seemed to appreciate it. In any case his expression changed from horror to bewilderment. A step in the right direction, one could say.
But what was this all about?
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~Several miles away~
Wormtail fell to his knees, one hand rested on the ground, steadying himself and the other was holding his chest.
Once again he felt like something had been ripped from him.
Something was happening... something big...
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~The morning of the day Lily meets Cedric: in another part of Britain~
What a pleasant dream, James Andrew Potter thought to himself. A pity it had to be only a dream...
He dreamed he'd been alive, he'd found Remus, learned his son was alive as well... such a wonderful dream. Unfortunately the moment he opened his eyes it would all be gone. He would be trapped inside that same cursed wand.
James opened his eyes. He was rewarded with an array of blurry shapes in bright colors. Sunlight poured into the room and flooded the chair he rested on. James turned his head to one side, finding a small table where his glasses sat neatly folded. He picked them up and slid them almost reluctantly onto his face. He feared that when the room came into focus the color and warmth would disappear, and he would find himself back in the wand.
With his glasses perched on his nose James peered tentatively around the room. His face lit up with joy and astonishment.
This wasn't the wand. This was... Remus Lupin's house. Yes, and there was the man himself asleep in another chair. James sat up quickly. He was alive. It wasn't a dream.
Not realizing he had a goofy grin on his face, James got all the way up. Leaving the blanket cast over one arm of the chair, he began to peruse the room.
He was examining a collection of glass-blown trinkets when a snore from Remus reminded him that he wasn't alone.
Eyes dancing with mischief, James tiptoed over to a large rolltop desk in one corner. He searched to piles of parchment for what he wanted. Yes, here was just the thing.
James picked up a large raven-feather quill. He tiptoed back to his sleeping friend, a smile growing ever wider on his face. He just loved doing this.
Holding the writing tip of the quill between his fingers and feeling very childish, James tickled Remus' nose with the feather. The reaction was immediate and incredible satisfying. Remus always had made an excellent victim when it came to waking people up.
James leaped back at Remus' nose first twitch. He watched his eye lids flutter. All of a sudden Remus sat up sneezing repeatedly. His eyes were watering like mad, but they searched the room anyway.
Spotting James Remus jumped up and tackled him with a pillow. By the time he was through they both sat panting on the floor loose pillow feathers strewn about the room.
Remus glared primly at James, his nose in the air. "That was very childish of you," he said in his best professor voice. James had a wicked glint in his eye. Uh oh, Remus had time to think before a pillow smacked him full in the face.
He sat very still after the impact- trying to appear unruffled. He frowned again, looking down his nose at James who merely grinned back at him. Finally neither one could take it anymore, the two friends dissolved in to fits of laughter.
James and Remus sat with there with identical ridiculous grins on their faces, their backs leaning against the couch. James had feathers stuck in his hair (the charms had worn off and it was back to looking normal...) and Remus had finally stopped sneezing.
"Hey Remus,"
"Hmm?"
"Can we see Sirius now?" James sounded like a little boy asking his parent for a treat.
"Of course, I'd forgotten about that..." Remus grimaced, "I think I'll leave you two alone though, I don't want to be part of this."
"Stop it, you'll make me nervous," James complained. He looked to Remus his eyes growing worried, "You don't think he'll do anything rash, do you?"
Remus smiled, "Oh I'm sure he will. But I'm not going to worry about that," Remus pointedly stood up and offered James a hand, "because I'm going to be safe downstairs, and you are going to go up and talk to him." Remus sat down once more, this time though, he was in a chair. He picked up a pair of reading glasses, and set them on the tip of his nose. With a small wave of his wand, a steaming cup of tea appeared on the table beside him.
James stood staring at his friend. He was suppose to do this alone? Wasn't Remus the least bit concerned that Sirius would react very badly?
Remus showed no sign of joining James however. He sank back into his armchair and picked up a book from the table beside him. Opening the leather bound volume and removing the bookmark, he began to read. He glanced up with irritation several minutes later, James remained motionless in front of him.
"You were going to reunite with your friend, were you not?" Remus asked calmly.
James stared at him, "You want me to go up there by myself?" he looked horrified, "With Sirius?"
Remus surveyed him patiently, "Yes. He won't kill you, and I can repair most other serious (Sirius) damage. Now," he looked pointedly at the door, "be a big boy and go say hello."
Without another word, Remus returned to sipping his tea and reading his book. James continued to stare at him with disbelief.
Finally Remus looked back up at him. With a sigh of exasperation, he replaced his bookmark and set aside the both book and teacup. "Fine," he exclaimed, "I'll come and wake him up and tell him that you're here." James looked delighted but Remus wasn't finished yet, "However, you are going to convince him, I am going to return back downstairs."
Together they began the long climb upstairs.
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Sirius was fast asleep. He lay sprawled face down on his bed, arms flung out ungracefully to either side. His wild black hair stood out against the white pillow like spilled ink. The sheets were twisted about his legs.
The rest of the room wasn't nearly as much a disaster as Sirius himself. He didn't have enough belongings with him at Remus' to make a proper mess. Though that was not from a lack of trying.
The door to the bedchamber inched cautiously open. Remus poked his head inside, rolling his eyes when he saw his friend. Slowly he opened the door the rest of the way and walked in. James remained in the hallway, peering around the corner and into the room. He almost laughed when he saw his friend. Sirius sleeping habits hadn't changed much.
Remus gave up being quiet and strode purposefully to the bed. He firmly grasped the pillow under Sirius head. With one movement he pulled it out causing Sirius to be jerked into wakefulness. But before Sirius could fully recover Remus flung the pillow back down, this time on top of Sirius' head.
"S'wasn't very nice of you," Sirius muttered, "Why'd ya hafta wake me up?"
Remus smiled pleasantly a him, "Good morning sunshine, how are you today?"
Sirius glared at him, "I hate it when you're so cheerful in the morning." He sat up yawning and stretching his arms and neck.
Remus wasn't in the slightest. "I ran into an old friend last night," he said, Sirius paused mid-stretch to glance at Remus curiously. "I hadn't seen him in years, and I was very surprised when I did."
Sirius swung his legs over the side of the bed and pulled on a pair of muggle jeans over the boxers he wore to bed with a white tanktop. "Who?" he asked.
Remus had wandered over to the bathroom attached to Sirius' room. "James."
Immediately he turned on the tap and began to wash his face, letting what he said sink into Sirius' mind.
Sirius stood up quickly and went over to the bathroom. He watched Remus towel off his face then looked him dead in the eye. "Remus?" he whispered, "Did you just say James?"
Remus tilted his head and appraised him. Tossing the towel at Sirius he announced, "Wash your face, you look like hell." Sirius just stood there with the towel flung over one of his shoulders as Remus walked past him into the main bedroom.
"Yes, I said James," Remus said as Sirius opened his mouth to ask him again, "James. James Potter."
Sirius dropped the towel his eyes huge. "Remus," his voice shook, "are you feeling all right?" Sirius looked genuinely worried about his friend's health.
He became even more worried as Remus began to laugh. Sirius inched his way towards Remus, but Remus held a hand out to stop him. With a bit of difficulty Remus composed himself. "Don't worry, I'm perfectly fine," he said, "and I know perfectly well what I'm saying."
Remus looked thoughtfully and Sirius who was staring at him with disbelief, concern, and maybe even a hint of fear. "Yes Sirius, last night I found James. Or rather he found me. Naturally I invited him home for the evening."
Sirius looked shocked but Remus kept on talking, "He looked rather tired, and he fell asleep before I could wake you up to say hi. But now he wants to see you." Remus stopped talking fully aware how much he was upsetting his friend. He couldn't do anything about it though; Sirius would have to except facts the way they were.
With out another glance at his now trembling friend, Remus walked out of the room. He found James waiting in the hallway. "He's all yours," Remus said cheerfully, "and boy am I glad I'm not you." With that, Remus went whistling downstairs leaving James to face the music alone.
James watched Remus leave until he was out of sight down the hall, then he turned back to the waiting open door. With a quick prayer that he wasn't about to killed (again), James walked into the room.
Sirius was still standing where Remus had left him. The towel was in a rough pile on the floor. His eyes were huge as he looked distractedly down at his feet. Has Remus gone mad? he wondered.
He heard a footstep and looked up, expecting to see Remus returning. Instead he saw a young man with messy black hair, grey eyes, round glasses, and an uncertain smile on his face.
James shifted nervously as Sirius stared at him. The explosion would be coming any moment now.
Five...Four...Three...Two...One...
"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN TELLING REMUS? HOW DARE YOU GO AROUND LOOKING LIKE THAT. HAVE YOU NO RESPECT..."
James let the endless stream of questions wash over him. Yep, this was Sirius, no question there, but how could he possibly convince Sirius that he was James.
After a while Sirius paused to take a breath, and James dared to approach him. Sirius backed away, tripping on the towel at his feet, and ending up falling onto his bed. "Who are you?" he asked again, much more quietly, but his eyes were wild.
"James," James said calmly, "James Andrew Potter."
"Go away," Sirius said. If he'd been much younger his expression could have been called a pout. "You're a liar! I can't believe you would do this. How could you? How could Remus believe you?" Sirius stood up and advanced towards James, "I'll give you ten seconds, then you'd better be gone."
James rolled his eyes. "I'm not going anywhere," he with a dignified air, "Now what the heck do you want me to do to prove it?"
Sirius stared at him his arms hung slackly at his sides. "What do you mean?" he asked, letting more uncertainty creep into his voice than he would have liked.
"I want to know what I have to do prove it to you," James paused then grinned at Sirius, "I mean, I don't suppose you'll just believe me?" Sirius glared daggers at him, and James laughed, "I didn't think so. You see, Remus didn't believe me either."
Sirius' mouth had dropped open by now and he was simply staring wide eyed at James.
"This is impossible, you know," Sirius pointed out.
James rolled his eyes again and responded, "Yes, so I've been told. Now do you want me to prove it to you or not."
Sirius appeared not to have heard him he was looking down at his hands muttering to himself, "Impossible, impossible..."
James sat down on the bed. He longed to sling a friendly arm over Sirius' shoulders, but he held himself back. He just sat there, his elbows resting on his knees and his hands clasped loosely in front of him. "Sirius, do you remember our sixth year?"
No response.
James continued, "We were all Animagus by then," Sirius stiffened, "Remember?" James persisted, "You were a dog, so we called you Padfoot, and Remus was Moony for obvious reasons, and Peter, he was a rat so we called him Wormtail," Sirius growled deep in his throat at Pettigrew's names, "And I, I was Prongs... a stag."
Sirius glanced at man. It couldn't be true. This was a trick, it couldn't be James.
James didn't notice Sirius' gaze, he stared at his hands as he spoke. He was hoping that somehow something he said would make Sirius believe him... but what? "Well, sixth year, we were out in the Forbidden Forest... and I got lost. Do you remember?"
Sirius didn't answer, instead he stood up and began to pace to room.
"I was scared I'd be trapped out there forever, but you found me. Do you remember how you found me?" James paused his eyes followed Sirius around the room, "My scent. As Padfoot, you could find me anywhere- unless I flew, I would leave a trail." Sirius was now leaning against a wall refusing to believe what he was hearing. It was impossible, impossible.
"I want you to turn change into Animagus form, Sirius," James told his friend. Sirius only shook his head, but James kept at him, "change Sirius, then you'll know. It's impossible to duplicate the scent, even with a spell. The magic taints it. Remember we use to try. We tried everything, but we never found a way to do it."
Sirius looked up and their eyes met, James was startled to see tears on Sirius' cheeks. Sirius never cried, never. "James," he started, "this is impossible, you're dead. You can't be here. Maybe I am finally going insane..."
James laughed, he just looked at Sirius and laughed, "Padfoot, I can't believe you just said that. Aren't you the one who always claimed that anything could be done? Well I've done it. The greatest prank of all time. I came back from the dead."
"Well I don't think it's very funny," Sirius snapped.
James held his hands up in defense, "I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't make a joke of it." He stood up and straightened his glasses, "Ok look Sirius, I'm going to change into Prongs, I'm going to prove this to you." He looked pleadingly towards his friend, "Please believe me."
Sirius gazed stonily back. James took a deep breath and for the first time in 14 years he morphed into his Animagus form. A large grey stag, stood in the room. Its great antlers reached proudly up to the ceiling, and its calm grey eyes looked steadily into Sirius'.
Sirius took and unconscious step back.
This was Prongs, it had to be. Suddenly he was extremely excited, and more than a little afraid. Could it be?
Sirius trembled with apprehension. He forced his body to change to that of a dog. He had to find out if it was true. It had to be true- it had to be.
James returned to his human self and watched the large shaggy dog before him. No sooner had the dog taken one whiff of the air around him, did it leap forward towards James with a loud bark.
James lifted his hands in self-defense. Had something gone wrong? Was Sirius going to attack him? His friend had been surprisingly calm, perhaps it had been too good to last.
Halfway to James, Sirius changed back to a human and grabbed James up in a huge hug. Lifting him clear off the ground Sirius squeezed James until his glasses were nearly shaken from his face.
"Sirius, I can't breathe." But James was hugging back for all he was worth.
Eventually the two parted and just stood staring at each other.
Sirius spoke first. "Don't you ever scare me like that again, young man," he said sternly waving a finger accusingly at James, "you'll give me grey hair before my time."
James just laughed and Sirius grinned back at him saying, "I can't believe your back. How did you- what did- Great Merlin James, where the hell have you been?" James didn't get a chance to respond before Sirius was off dancing around the room, "You're back, you're back! YOU'RE BACK! YOU'RE BACK! YOU'RE BACK!!!!!"
Downstairs Remus looked up from his book, listening to the happy shouts and ringing laughter above him. Yes, things were as they should be. He took his last sip of tea, then stood up. With a massive grin claiming his entire face, Remus headed up stairs to be with his two greatest friends.
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A/N: So... how was it? Please review! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! And thank you for kindly overlooking all the spelling and grammar errors that I know are in there.
The James and Sirius scene was just as hard to write as I expected... I hope I did ok... I hope... I hope... I hope...
kaydee: WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW!!!! I LOVE IT WHEN YOU REVIEW, I FEEL VERY SPECIAL NOW 'someone likes my stor-y someone likes my stor-y!' *dances round the room* Ok then.... I definately want to put you in as a student but you didn't tell me much... like what you wanna look like, personality (although i already know you're halarious!!!!! You make me LAUGH so hard (in good way don't worry) when I read your reviews) I LOVE IT I LOVE IT! I'm all motivated-like now... and what house you would like to be in (i'll surprise you on that one if ya like)... thanks for pointing out the wand thing *blushes* i can't believe i did that... oh well too late, i could change it but i'm gonna leave it and see how many people notice... lol *slaps self in forehead* dumb tempest dumb dumb dumb. So you're from canada? kewl. I LOVE canada. I'm a born in america, but i lived in canada for a few years when i was younger. it was GREAT. i lived outside of toronto, that anywhere near you? also- ever been to the quebec winter carnival? i highly recommend it. *grin* please keep reviewing!!!!!! i LOVE your reviews... have I said that yet?
Crazy_Babie_Meg: Ok this time I feel like 3 MILLION BUCKS! wow... that's a lot... *dazed look* anywho... I wanted to tell you I'll be sure to put you in my story. Can't garentee anything big or important... but YOU WILL BE IN IT. I think stories are more interesting to read when you have a character to look for... it may be a few chapters yet though... i'm gonna have one about harry at the weasley's first before i send them off to school... i think...
Kat: You reviewed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You reviewed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so happy!!!!!!!!!!! However I still think you should have to tell me your penname. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!!! I told you mine, and I don't even have that great of a story... Anywho I'll tell the lady in my basement to hurry up. *grin* although she doesn't seem to be listening to me. oh yea: my hand is still swollen from that game... its almost funny, even though it sometimes hurts when I type... lol !!!! R. and I was such dorks... do you wanna be in my story?
WeasleyTwinsLover1112: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Here's the next part, didja like? I love James is back stories too (duh tempest, that's why I wrote one), so if you find any really good ones, will you tell me?
Cammy: Thanks for reviewing. Hope you liked it.
Jessica Black: THANK YOU THANK YOU. I'm glad you like it.
Star Kitty: I hope you like this part too. THANK YOU SOOO MUCH FOR REVIEWING!