A/N: --UPDATED-- Surprise! I'm back with another chapter, including a sneak peak at everyone's favorite—*her mouth is covered up by a big, black paw, and a protesting Cellie is pulled off stage.*

- Cellie

Note: It is advised that you read I Never Knew before trying to tackle this piece.

Disclaimer: Evan Rivera, Wendy Figg Rivera, Venna Rivera, Cellie Rivera, James Metz, and Cassie Black Woods (No relation to Mother's Curse) are all mine. The plot, however odd, is mine. Annie (Andromeda) Black is loosely based on a character created by the great and mighty fanfiction writer Kaydi. The Potters, and anyone else I may mention are property to J.K Rowling, and her alone—I'm ba-ack..—That's nice, Cassie.

Chapter Seventeen
Never Act Your Age


Over the remaining days of the summer holiday, James seemed to jump into the father' role. Maybe it was just because of his horrible nightmares about Lily, but either way, he became incredibly involved. With Sirius tagging along, for Arabella seemed to have no time for him anymore (Something about her work), James seemed determined to show Harry and Cellie every inch of the castle he had found back in his school years.

On this particular day, they were traveling through an intricate maze of raising platforms, which supposedly led to the Slytherin commons.

Got the surprise', Padfoot? James yelled back at Sirius as he jumped from one moving platform to the next, nearly missing the jump.

Yup! A lucky Slytherin's gonna have a fun time with this! Sirius threw back, patting the satchel slung over his back. Cellie looked down from the platform she, Sirius, and Harry were on. Big mistake. An eon of nothingness leered below.

Uh, Sirius? She asked, warily, as he motioned for Harry to jump. The black haired teenager jumped as reluctantly as Cellie felt, and had to have James pull him up onto the block.

Not now, Cells. Jump! She shut her eyes and leaped forward. She felt ground underneath her feet, and relaxed slightly.

Oh, Cellie.. Sirius scolding voice could be heard from—above? She opened her eyes and found herself suspended in mid air below the block.

She screamed up at him. I'M GONNA DIE!

Just relax! It's fine, the space is just carpeting! Cellie glanced down at her feet.'

WELL, IT DOESN'T BLOODY WELL LOOK LIKE CARPET! She retorted back. Sirius made a noise of frustration, and the next thing Cellie knew, she was being levitated up to the next block. Harry and James stood there, wands out, magicking her up. As her feet touched solid ground, she flashed Harry a sheepish grin of thanks. James looked offended.

What, no thanks for me? He said mockingly. Cellie sent a roll of the eyes his way as Sirius jumped onto the block.

Hey, why isn't this one moving? She asked.

Harry shrugged. I think this one's mounted. Sirius nodded.

Right you are, Harry. This is the entrance to the Ravenclaw dorms. We can rest here, before attempting that. As to what that' was, Sirius pointed to a long row of rocks.

They fall down at the slightest pressure. We're going to have to sprint over them together. If we all had wands, I'd suggest we levitate each other—

Which is what we used to do. James interjected. Sirius nodded.

Exactly. But since we don't we all need to run, and run fast. Got it? Both teenagers nodded in agreement.

Er, Harry? Cellie whispered to her friend.

He said out of the corner of his mouth. She gestured to the adults, who were focusing on the blocks, discussing ideas on how to pass them.

Is it just me and my ignorance about this world, or do they seem to be acting a tad under their age? She questioned. Seeing Harry's look and mistaking it for anger, she went into an explaining spiel. Oh, it isn't that I don't think it's proper or anything, hardly that, but James didn't really seem to be the pranking type anymore. Neither does Sirius. Cellie said all this in a soft whispering tone.

Harry frowned slightly. I'm not angry, I understand completely. They're acting a bit odd. After all, considering everything that's happened.. He trailed off, implying where the sentence was going. Cellie bobbed her head in agreement.

'S'as if they've magically been transported back into 6th year or something. She pointed out.

Yeah, and they're bound by the code of the Marauders to make as much trouble for incoming Slytherins as possible.. Harry whispered back jestingly. Cellie snickered rather loudly, bringing unwanted looks over their way.

Uh.. we're.. uhm.. ready? She said sheepishly, under the sarcastic looks of her uncle and former teacher.




Upon returning from their trek, James and Sirius were greeted with a welcome surprise. Remus had returned from his travels across the countryside, notifying the old gang'. Unfortunately, Remus looked worse than ever, and not only did his hair look even grayer, but his face was becoming dangerously pale.

Hey, Harry, d'you mind showing Cellie how to ride a broomstick? Sirius asked him softly, then turned to Cellie. I know it's been at the top of your to-do list for awhile.

Cellie remarked. Harry cocked an eyebrow at her, and the girl grinned.

Sorry, slang for awesome back in California.. still have to get used to things here. Off they went, leaving Sirius, James, and Remus in the Great Hall. Observing their sooty muggle clothes (Sirius refused to even try to go into Hogsmeade to get robes under a disguise, after what had happened last time, understandably), and disheveled appearance, Remus chuckled.

Showing our young friends some of the more dangerous passageways, I gather. Both men nodded as if they were on death row. Remus frowned.

Sirius, that look is a bit unbecoming.. Especially if you want to look like a proper wizard and not a convic—

Padfoot, I do think that old Moony's hit a bedpost one too many times, eh? Unbecoming.. What kind of a word is that? James said, cutting Remus off.

I certainly agree, Prongs. It sounds much like a Lily word. James grinned and nodded.

It does, it does.. Remus looked at both men strangely.

Have you two been.. drinking? He asked precariously.

Jus' a bit.. House-elves dunno when to stop.. Sirius imitated, sending James into gales of laughter.

Remus stuttered. Sirius only came out of character once and pointed to his hair, and then continued the imitation game. Remus, finally realizing what—or rather, who his friend was imitating, gave a weak chuckle.

Quite funny, Sirius. Now, where can I throw these bags down? He said, in stiff tones. Both James and Sirius came out of the trance, then, and looked at their friend in concern.

Hey, Remus, you good? I mean, I guess it's none of our business about what's wrong— Sirius started to say.

You're right. It's none of your business. Remus intercut. Now, where's the sleeping corridor?

Sirius shook his head and stepped in front of Remus. No go. These topics are not to be avoided.

Oh, really, Sirius? I seem to remember a slight slip of information on who was the Secret Keeper.. Tell me, was I even in the loop? Sirius's eyes narrowed.

That has nothing to do with the bloody topic! He retorted.

But it does. If I can't trust you.. Remus dropped off the rest of his sentence. Sirius looked ready to murder someone, but before he could open his mouth to answer, James stepped in-between the two.

Remus, that was uncalled for. Sirius, stop pestering him about it. It's Remus's choice to tell us, and no amount of battering— He glared at both. From either of you—will help that. So both of you, shut up.

For a moment, both men were silent. Finally, Remus managed to shoot James a tired smile.

The peacemaker, as always. He said. Sirius raised an eyebrow.

Funny, I thought that was up your alley, Remus. The fight had been momentarily forgotten, as Remus gave him a quick grin.

Sirius stated, obviously meaning the topic of the fight. Remus nodded.

Letting out a sigh of relief, James sat down on the stairwell. Good. I was starting to think this was gonna be sixth year all over again. Sirius and Remus groaned.

Uh, James, maybe you were out of it when we made this rule, Remus started.

More like into it.. It being Lily, of course, Sirius remarked, a crafty smile upon his face. James swatted at him.

Not funny. He stated.

Of course it is! You just don't see the humor in it, as of yet. Sirius said, while Remus rolled his eyes in disgust.

Anyway, before I was so rudely interrupted, Sirius snorted. We sort of made a pact to erase sixth year from our minds.

That include Malfoy's— However, James didn't get to finish the sentence, because someone had decided to clear his throat at the top of the stairs. All eyes looked up to see Professor Dumbledore standing there.

Ah, Remus, so glad to see you've come back safe and sound. I have a matter I wish to discuss with you in my office, if you don't mind. Remus turned to his friends.

Mind losing me for an hour or so? Probably has to do with my job. James and Sirius shook their heads, and Remus got up, taking his luggage with him.

After he and Dumbledore disappeared into the corridors, James and Sirius looked to one another, devilish grins spread on their faces.

What d'you say we go and.. test some of the school's broom models? I've seen Harry on his Firebolt, and they never made brooms like that when we were in school.. Sirius said, grinning. Besides, you haven't been on a broomstick in the last decade and a half, excepting the ride you took on Harry's—but no broomstick flies well with four people on it.. James pondered things for a second, his classic look reserved usually only for thinking up pranks, and a grin lit up his face.

Yes, let's. And if the Slytherins's brooms happen to get in the way.. James trailed off, Sirius understanding perfectly well what his old friend meant. The two ran off, as if they were still just carefree teenagers, towards the Hogwarts broom shed.



Meanwhile, Cellie was having the time of her life on Harry's Firebolt. It had taken her quite a few tries to get the broom to respond (It's not used to other people riding it,), but after that it was like clockwork.

Currently, she was flying big loops around the Quidditch stadium, admist Harry's yells for her not to fly too high. YOU DON'T WANT TO FALL OFF, CELLS! IT IS YOUR— Cellie responded with a quick nosedive of the broom, down to eyelevel with Harry.

At his stupendous look, she just grinned. Maybe I'm just a natural with this broom stuff. You wouldn't happen to have any openings for a chaser on your team, would you? Harry chuckled.

Show my teammates that kind of flying, and you'll probably be welcome to almost any position on the team.

Yours excluded, of course. She replied.

Of course. Harry glanced at his watch Ginny had given him for his birthday. Cellie hovered over, her eyebrows raising in interest.

Cool watch. Didja get the whole mortal peril' thing silk screened on or something? Harry shook his head.

Nah, wizarding watch. Her eyes lit up.

Kickass! I've got to get me one of those.. She frowned, suddenly. How much do you think they cost? Harry grimaced. The cost of the watch had crossed his mind before, and it certainly didn't look cheap. Ginny hadn't spent too much on it, had she?

I, uh, wouldn't know. Friend gave it to me. Cellie grinned.

You have very cool friends, Harry. Must introduce me to them when they come to Hogwarts.. They won't.. I mean.. they're not prejudiced against.. Americans? Harry raised an eyebrow.

Why would they be? Cellie laughed rather shakily.

Well, you see, the people I met when Dad and mum took us over to England.. Well, they treated us just fine when Dad was around, but if it was just mum and myself.. Well, shopkeepers didn't seem to be too friendly to Americans. Kept on muttering something about Americans spoiling London. I dunno, but it sure didn't make me feel welcome. Harry frowned.

Well, I know for a fact that Ron and Hermione would never do that! They're just about the nicest people I know.. Unless you get into a fight with them. Cellie brought the broom down to the ground from its hovering position and handed it to Harry.

Remind me never to get into a fight with them, then. She said, a grin on her face. Now, if you don't mind, I'm starving. Catch you later! With that, she ran off the field, towards the locker room. Harry rolled his eyes and started running after her, Firebolt in hand.

But you don't even know where the kitchens are! He shouted hoarsely at her.

I'LL FIND She yelled back. GOOD SENSE OF DIRECTION! Harry snorted and stopped running, to take a breather. It had taken Cellie forty minutes to find her way to the dining hall that morning.

Yeah! Right! He yelled back, too tired to run on. Running all over the field for the last couple of hours, making sure she didn't fall off his broom, had tired Harry out. He walked the rest of the way to the Gryffindor locker rooms, where they had entered.




So, how are we doing? Did you manage to contact everyone? Dumbledore asked, as they walked down towards his office. Nodding, Remus pulled out a scroll from his satchel.

Fletcher's good, Amos is ready to help in any way he can, because of his son, Remus shuddered. That was truthfully awful, he remembered vaguely teaching Cedric in his class. The boy was a horrible loss to the magical community. Taking in a deep breath, he continued. The Weasleys, as always, are gung ho, though their newest graduate.. Percy, if I remember correctly, is swaying a bit towards the Ministry; The Walkers, however, seem to have disappeared. I think they're up in Japan, either way, I couldn't contact them. Arabella's missing as well. Dumbledore nodded.

Well, that is unfortunate about the Walkers.. Arabella is already here, so no worries about her. Dumbledore and Remus rounded the corner, and stopped in front of his office. And, it seems we have two more candidates. Canary Creams! The gargoyle swung open, and both men climbed onto the moving stairs.

Glancing at the Headmaster, Remus observed a curious smile on his face. Who would the two be, Headmaster? Dumbledore chuckled.

Well, of course, the first would be the elder Mr. Potter. Now that he is curiously back, he'd be a valued ally.. However, I am worried to how Harry might take it. He has rediscovered his father once, and I daresay he does not want to lose him again. Secondly, we do have a problem on our hands. How do we present to the public a living, breathing, James Potter, and notify the magical world that he blatantly misused a Time Turner to change the course of time? Dumbledore nodded, slightly. Ah, but things will right themselves, soon enough. We will find a way. They reached the top of the steps, and got off on the landing.

There's still one character missing, Professor. Who is the other person?

Dumbledore smiled cryptically. Why, the person sitting in my office, of course. Remus looked at the old man strangely as he opened the door while saying this.

However, all thoughts fled from Remus's brain as he realized the identity of the new candidate.

He gasped out.




James Metz was a very unhappy teenager. Not only was he stuck in his home on account of bringing in a very wild and savage Hippogriff into the house (The Hippogriff was currently tethered in their backyard, under an invisible screen), Cellie, Professor Evans, and Sirius Black were nowhere to be found. Of course, his parents didn't believe a word he spoke to them, but why should they? As he spoke his story out loud, Metz had realized how incredibly stupid it sounded.

Cellie, whenever you come back from wherever you are, you are dead meat. Having an adventure without me, humph.



A/N: I know I haven't updated in awhile, so an extra long chapter for you all. Noting that Sirius, Remus, and James don't seem to be acting their age, I have one simple explanation—if you hadn't seen your childhood friend in ages on account of him being supposedly dead, and then you all were transported to your childhood playplace', what would you do? :P


Mr. P: Okay, Hydrophobic. I'm not a language expert, so you can blame my stupidity on that.

Kay: Alright, maybe I can straighten a couple things out for you. There was something messing around with the Sorting Hat to screw with Cellie's brain. Sure, it sounds like the normal Sorting Hat, but something's different. Kudos to anyone who can point it out, and no, Voldie's not in the hat.

As for the portrait hole dealio, that was all a strange dream. James wasn't really in Hogwarts, he had gone into an odd trance of sorts. The portraits, in actuality, were not Head Boy and Girl portraits, but James thought they were because he was delusional. The whole sequence of events was just a dream, because James keeps on wondering about if life would be different if he had talked to Lily then, before Remus, before any of that.

Hope that explains a bit.

Tarawen: Yup, the oldies are a bit of a mudslide right now.. Voldemort's rising, they've all run into each other again, and everything's so confusing.. Poor you, on the fanfiction deal.. At least you didn't miss that much.. FF.net decided that it was going to crash and burn for a couple of weeks.

ra-chan: Yeah, Sirius and Arabella are with the Headmaster in his office, James is out in the hallway, and Harry and Cellie are in rooms across from each other.

Katxue: Yeah, I know that Percy got the Head Boy position, the big deal of this was that James was in a dream. These weren't the real suites, he just thought they were. So, naturally, James wouldn't know about Percy, nor would it apply, since James dreamt himself into a dreamlike state of the past..

Jennie: Yeah, I know, but I wanted to do something different than the usual, Let's bring Jamsey back with a spell/something kind of theory.