Switching Places
Chapter Five

Disclaimer - If you don't know by now that this isn't mine then you haven't been paying attention! =P



As Santa was leaving the room James touched the portly wizard's arm, to which he turned his cheery face to the other's somber one. "Thanks Marv, that means a lot to us," said James.

"No problem James. I do this every year," Santa smiled.

"I know, I've read the papers. And you'll be back for New Years Eve too."

"Maybe the tradition will live on, eh?" Marv gave James a meaningful look.

James laughed, "I'm too young, I'd never be accepted. You'll just have to hang out for a few more years, Marv, if you really want me to have a shot at it."

Marv snorted, "Your ego doesn't need anymore inflation," he paused, "I was referring to the need to a reindeer to pull the sleigh, by the way," he smirked.

James pretended to be insulted, "I don't think so, you'd try and light my nose again."

"It looked rather good, if I say so myself," Marv looked meaningfully at James' nose.

"And only yourself," James retorted.

"Ah well, there's always next year," he looked wistful, though he was still joking around, "I've got more rounds to make," Marv grasped James' shoulder in a paternal fashion, "I do hope Harry gets better soon. No one deserves this."

James' eyes flashed, "So you think it was an attack?"

"I don't know. However, we can't rule it out," his tone became grave, "When you reach a certain level of power, the need to watch your back is superceded by the need to watch your loved ones... To protect them from attack or to prevent a scandal," then Marv smirked, "But that could just be the Slytherin in me talking."

James snorted, "Loyalty to one's own is a trait of both Slytherins and Gryffindors, Minister Riddle."

"And Hufflepuffs," Marv chuckled.

"Their whole house is about loyalty."

Marv smiled at James as he swung the sack up on his shoulder, "Well, I've got to go James. I'll see you in the office on Monday. Have a Happy Holiday. Don't let this get you down, Harry'll pull through." Marv waved as he waddled off in the direction of the Nurse's station.

"You too, Marv. Tell Mrs. Riddle "thank you" for the gifts. See you on Monday," said James as he waved at the other wizard, then re-entered the room.

---*---


Breakfast was eaten mostly in silence. Remus tried desperately to start a conversation but things would get stuck once they hit some of the more blatant difference between the two dimensions. Apparently the Quidditch teams had radically difference rosters there.

When the silence stretched again the older men tried to examine the younger boy, and vice versa, without being too obvious. Remus and Sirius saw differences, however subtle, in the boy's manner and appearance. He seemed younger and less weighed down, as a fifteen year old should.

On the other end, Harry saw the two men as tired, Remus especially. Sirius just looked angry, having a stiff posture and shadowed eyes. This place was certainly different, and the people fit with its mood.

Harry pushed the last bit of sausage around on his plate, "So, now what?" he asked.

"After we clean up, we'll get dressed and wait for Dumbledore," replied Remus.

"Aren't you going to contact my dad?"

Sirius's fork hit him in the nose.

Remus glanced at Sirius who was hiding his face behind a napkin, "No, Harry."

"Why not?"

"Because he's not here," Remus tried to dance around the topic and move on.

Harry didn't understand, "Is he on a business trip or did your Harry do something to him as well?"

"He's-" Sirius started to say in a dead tone.

Remus cut him off before he could do too much damage, "You seem to be accepting this situation pretty calmly. We know so little. Is there something you know that we don't?"

Harry shrugged, "I know next to nothing about this, but I know how to handle it," to answer the confused looks he continued in his explanation, "You see, my family travels all over the world and we have often diplomats stay for dinner. I've been exposed to many different cultures in different situations, and learned to observe then ask questions if it's appropriate," he then smiled sheepishly, "and it doesn't help to freak out."

Remus nodded appreciatively. "I see. What do you understand about this situation?"

"Well... I remember being questioned under the influence of Veritaserum. I told you about playing in the woods and waking up here. From what I've seen, I'm guessing there was a accident with someone's Time-turner," Harry looked thoughtfully at the two men.

"Interesting, though incorrect," Remus commented as if he were lecturing, "What led you to that conclusion?" asked Remus.

"Things here seem older, it's all different even in little ways. I know I'm somewhere else, because you're not my uncles and people who should be here are missing," Harry mused a moment, "And Snape works for Dumbledore. I wonder how that happened."

"Snape is a Professor at Hogwarts," Remus was amused by Harry's startled expression, "He teachers Potions."

"Does he now?" Harry looked thoughtful.

"For several years now," Remus nodded.

"Why would he want to teach?" Harry asked.

"That's... complicated," Remus replied slowly.

The conversation lulled again for the moment, no one really knowing what to say next. Eventually it was Harry who spoke up with what was obviously a practiced comment, "One thing I've also learned," he began quietly while Remus and Sirius looked at him with interest, "is not to be distracted," he gave them a hard look, "Where's my family?"

Sirius became extremely interested in the crumbs on his plate while Remus struggled with how to answer him. No matter what this wasn't going to be easy, but hopefully he could stall until Dumbledore came. "That's also complicated," he said sadly.

"How so?" Harry pressed.

"You're not going to let me off, are you?" Remus raised a sardonic eyebrow.

Harry's expression was tight and controlled, but his eyes were flashing with suppressed frustration, "No. Now answer the question."

His expression fell. I really don't want to be having this conversation... Remus thought sadly. "Harry," he began, "You said that you did not know who Voldemort was - is," he corrected, though he still looked uncertain.

"And I still don't. How is he connected to my family?" Harry was getting worried now. Why couldn't Uncle Remus just tell him where his family was. Has something happened?

"He's ... We're in the middle of a war here."

Harry stiffened, this news wasn't going to be good.

"Voldemort is an evil wizard. He and his followers, Death Eaters..." Remus tried to think of how to explain more twenty years of history, "They were very powerful once and those were dangerous times. No one could be certain whose side another person was on. There was a lot of paranoia..." Remus took a deep breath before continuing. "I was friends with your parents," beginning to get into Harry's personal history.

But Harry was processing this information rapidly and whispered in confusion, "Was?"

Sirius, who had been silent up to this point, stood up abruptly, "Excuse me," he murmured before fleeing the room. They could hear him climb the stairs and go into Remus' room.

"What was that about?" he asked quietly.

"I'll get to that," Remus replied stiffly. He continued to explain, "We were always in danger back then, no one was really safe. My friends, your - Harry's parents, Sirius and Peter..." Remus trailed off and then asked, "Do you know who I'm talking about?"

"Yes," he nodded.

"It got to the point where...where we realized there was a spy amongst us and that we needed to take the next step in protection and self preservation. Basing our - their decision on intelligence reports that Dumbledore received James and Lily decided to take you - him - er, Harry, and go into hiding. To protect them further they opted to perform the Fidelius Charm. Their Secret Keeper was supposed to be Sirius, but at the last minute they switched to Peter as a ruse." Remus spoke in a sad voice, being forced to relive his memories for the imposter. "But it turned out that Peter was the spy..."

Harry started, "No..." he whispered, his anger replaced with grief.

"On Halloween night of 1981 Peter betrayed his friends to Voldemort."

"Why would he do such a thing?" he blurted, horrified that his amiable uncle was capable of such an act.

"I - We are not sure. There are several reasons he could have had."

"So this is why your Harry went through all that trouble to mess with time and space? Some evil bastard and a bunch of lackeys try to take over the world and he wants to play hero?" Harry looked at Remus in disbelief.

"It is much more complicated and serious than that," Remus frowned.

"I'm sure it is, but didn't anyone see how stupid the whole thing was? I mean-" Harry huffed.

Remus cut him off, "Why don't you get dressed? Dumbledore will be here soon." When Harry grabbed his plate Remus continued, "I'll clean up down here. Just get ready to go." Anyone who knew Remus well would know that tone in an instant and stop whatever they'd been doing or saying (and more often than not make an apology).

"Right," Harry put the plate back down, "Sorry."

When he heard the bedroom door shut Remus put his face in his hands. Didn't this boy understand how serious this was? Or how they simply could not know back then? Everything was so uncertain then! A single decision or thought could mean a great deal... light or dark... life or death. Just how naïve was this version of his friend's son? How much would he wave off and ignore like it wasn't his problem? This was wrong... it just felt wrong.

---*---


It was half past ten when Dumbledore appeared through the fire, "I hope I'm not too early?" he smiled.

"No sir, we've been up since dawn," Remus replied.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.

"Harry seems to have a certain tradition where he comes from," Remus commented dryly.

"Ah."

"Would you like some tea?" Remus motioned towards the kitchen where Harry was sitting at the moment.

"No, I'm afraid not. I have to collect Mr. Potter and must return to Hogwarts. Things are moving much faster than I suspected."

Remus looked at Dumbledore with concern, "Of course, Headmaster."

"Also, would you and Sirius apparate to Hogsmeade and see me in my office this afternoon? I know it's Christmas..."

"But this is a special case," Remus supplied, "We'll be there."

Remus and Dumbledore entered the kitchen to see Harry flipping moodily through the Daily Prophet. "Time to go, Harry," Remus smiled reassuringly at the nervous boy.

"Already?" he looked surprised.

"Yes, we need to get this sorted out as soon as possible," said Dumbledore.

Harry nodded. Minutes later he was clutching the mantel of the fire place in Dumbledore's office. He brushed his hand roughly through his hair in an attempt to get the soot out. He was about to start on his robes when he heard an incredulous, "Harry?!" and someone latched onto him in a tight hug.

"Where have you been?" cried the bushy brunette who had glomped him; her voice muffled from speaking into his robes.

"Hermione, you're going to choke him. Let go."

"You're right," she wiped her eyes, "he wouldn't be able to answer if he couldn't breath." She then grabbed him by the collar of his robes and gave him a glare normally reserved for Malfoy, "Where have you been?! Do you have any idea how worried we've all been?"

Harry could only stare at her, "I - I'm starting to get the idea."

"Miss Granger? Would you please release Mr. Potter so that we may discuss the situation at hand?" Dumbledore asked cheerfully as he exited the fireplace.

---*---


After a bit of chaos it was decided that Harry would sit in between Ron and Hermione. Harry was delighted to see his friend Ron, but was a little disconcerted about Ron's girlfriend hugging him like that. At least, he hoped Hermione was Ron's girlfriend. Oh God, a horrific thought struck him, What if she's my girlfriend?! He looked at her and then back at Ron. Both of them were listening to Dumbledore, entranced in the story. Harry then looked to Dumbledore, but he was as lost in the tale as his two listeners. It was no good. I hope she doesn't try to kiss me. Oh God... He leaned back in his chair, wanting the whole affair to be over with, while his thoughts ran in circles. Quidditch, Susan, classes, Quidditch. He was so wrapped up in the concept of things being different (How did I not see how bad...weird...horrible...crazy...arg!! Terrible this is?!) he jolted when Hermione touched his hand.

"Come on Harry. We're going back to the common room. We need to work out a few things," Hermione said gently.

"Gryffindor, right?" he blurted. Bugger...

"No. Slytherin," Ron smirked.

Bloody hell...

Ron laughed, "I'm joking!"

Harry mock glared at him, "Oh very funny."



AN - I must have tried to write the breakfast scene about five times! And it's still weird! (Ok, I'll stop grousing. Eh he) Nothing accomplished except getting him to Hogwarts... -.-;;; And if you didn't realize who the Minister of Magic is I'm going to beat you with a wet noodle! (jk)

Thank you:

Otaku freak (Eh he, well, here's a new chapter), Anon, neutral (He doesn't really know what to think and he's being a prat because of it. But that's part of the plot...what plot? but hey! The duplicate Marauders are comming...I think. There's not much action or anything where they are concerned so I'm not sure what to do with it.), Roxy, DF Miei, feorge, Bon (It is a bit dull, isn't it? Oh well, there are some fun and action (and funny action) along the way. I'll try to spice it up.), Endriago Luna aka tsuki tatsu, Lady Knight of Kennan, Nicky (I had this idea about magic being affect by mood...so the decorations kinda flopped out. They were much nicer three days ago, eh he), smile7499, ast-lumos-draco, Tarawen (Twisted? hehe. He's immature, but I can see where you think he is twisted ^.^), Scent of a Rose, and Phoenix.