Hey. I'm so, so sorry it took so long to get this up, but my monitor stopped working and I only got a new one today. I'm so incredibly happy my computer works again!! I missed this so much. Anyways, this chapter should be pretty good because I have had plenty of time to be working on it. Oh, and thanks everybody who reviewed!!! I really, super appreciate it...I'd thank you all individually, but I want to get on with the story. Thank you!!!!
Anyway, on with the story, then!!!
*~*
Harry woke up with a lump in his stomach. Not of fear, but of excitement. Today was the day. He could feel it. Today was the day that he, Harry, would tell his parents.
Harry was out of bed in minutes. He didn't take time to yawn, stretch or rub his eyes. He kicked back the piles of voluminous crimson sheets and wrenched the hangings apart. Harry stood by his bed in complete silence. All the other boys were asleep. He turned his head to where James was sleeping, and tried not to laugh when he mumbled Lily's name. He tip-toed past Remus, Peter and Ron, and Sirius. He really had to stifle his laughter when he saw Sirius, who was lying with half his body dangling from the bed, yet still sleeping soundly, never missing a snore.
Harry stole a glance at Peter's bedside clock. 5:17, read the glowing green numbers. Harry hadn't meant to wake htis early, but there was no use in trying to get back to sleep. At least he'd have a wicked good speech to present to his parents.
*****
The common room waas empty. There was no light execpt for the soft moonlight pouring in through the windows. The fire was out, only a few embers were glowing. Harry sat himself in an extremely comfortable crimson-velvet armchair. He had thought of composing his speech on parchment, but decided against it. He was always better at doing things in his mind.
"Alright, then," Harry whispered to himself, "Here we go."
He wanted his speech to be simple, yet from the heart. He wanted them to get the point, and really understand, but he did not want to reveal their entire lives. He couldn't decide whether or not to include Sirius-he was the best friend, after all. He couldn't decide whether he actually should prepare something, or just go for it and say what he felt. He most of all couldn't decide how great his life would be with his parents, and Sirius, and Remus...together and happy and healthy.
*****
Harry woke with a start. He had fallen asleep on the job. He glanced at the clock hanging over the fireplace. 7:30, it said. Harry rubbed his eyes and rose from the chair. His neck was sore from the position he had been in, so he did a few neck rolls. They seemed to help.
He had come up with an outiline for The Speech, as he liked to call it. He would simply tell his parents that, when the time came, not to pick Peter as the secret-keeper. Pick Sisrius, or Dumbledore, or Remus, but *not* Peter. After that, he could simply improvise.
*****
Harry went to go get dressed. On the Christmas holidays, they were allowed to dress in "normal" clothing, so Harry put on a pair of blue jeans and a Gryffindor sweater.
When Harry came back down to the common room, he was delighted to see James and Lily, hunched over together, conversing in whisperrs. He smiled broadly as he approached them.
"Hi," he greeted, "D'you think I could talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure," replied Lily, smiling warmly.
James agreed, but really, what else could he do? The future Mr. and Mrs. Potter stood up from their seats and followed Harry past the fireplace, the numerous armchairs, and chattering students up to the boy's dorm.
Only one bed in the dorm was made, and that was Harry's. Passing by his bed, James quickly hid a pair of his boxer shorts, causing Lily laugh.
"Sit here," ordered Harry, pointing at his bed. Lily and James obeyed. Harry could not sit, he was far to excited to stay still. Instead, he paced the room, waiting for the perfect opening line.
Harry paced, wringing his hands. He honestly had no clue why he was having so much trouble with this. Stop being a wimp, he told himself. Don't think about yourself when this is so clearly about them.
"Lily, James," Harry started, "I need to tell you something very important. You have to promise me that you'll listen, and do as I say, because if not, it will cost you your lives."
Lily gulped, and took James' hand in hers.
*****
Lily was confused, even angry. Cost her her life? What was he talking about? Well, whatever it was, she would listen. She wasn't about to lose her life over it. Inside, Lily's heart was pounding. Half from this "cost you your life" thing, and half because James and asked her out, again, and she had accepted. She had been considering it for months, possibly saying yes, but then James went and did something pricky. After a few months, though, he wasn't so bad. Lily was actually finding him attractive. So after several "Come on, just do it's" from her friends, she decided to give him a chance.
Lily squeezed his hand a little tighter, a sign of her affection. He squeezed back, and, ever so slightly, winked at her. Lily was loving this. He was so adorable! The smile that used to infuriate her now melted her heart. The way he rumpled his hair still bothered her, but not nearly as much.
Lily Evans was in love.
*****
Harry took in a deep, rattly breath. This was the moment he would change his life forever. Change Lily and James' lives forever. Change Sirius', Remus' and even Peter's life forever. This was the moment he would change everybody's life forever.
Lily and James looked at him expectingly, clearly wondering what, exactly, would cost them their lives.
Harry decided it would be easier to sit down. He placed himself in front of Lily and James, so he could look both of them in the eye.
"My name isn't Harry Palmer. It's actually Harry James Potter."
James looked at Harry quizzically.
"Wait a minute," he said, "This is too weird. We look nearly exactly the same, and you have my same last name, *and* my first name is your middle name? Who are you?"
"I," said Harry nervously, "Am your son."
In unison, Lily and James' jaws dropped.
"You're kidding me, right? I'm 17! I don't have a son!"
"Yes, you do. But not now. You see, I'm from the future. 1997, to be exact."
"The future?" scoffed James, "You've had too much Butterbeer, Harry."
"No, I haven't!" shouted Harry, growing more and more exasperated. "You've got to believe me! Hermione and Ron are from the future, too! Dumbledore knows, ask him!"
Lily reached out and put her hand over Harry's.
"Calm down," she soothed. "We believe you. Who else could you be? You look exactly like James...and you have my eyes."
James let out a whoosh of breath.
"Wait a minute...Lily's eyes? Are you saying that she's your...mother?"
"Yes," Harry replied, coolly.
"Mother? You mean to say that we get married?"
"Yes," Harry replied, coolly. "If you don't mind, I'd like to continue."
"Please do," came a voice from the doorway.
*****
Harry felt his stomach falling. He reconized the voice. How could he not, when it belonged to his future godfather?
Harry had decided last night not to include Sirius. He half wanted to, but how could anybody lead a happy, normal life knowing that they may end up in Azkaban? He didn't want to put that burden on Sirius. Of course, he did have a right to know...
*****
"From the future, huh?" Sirius asked, bemused.
"Sirius," Harry said, "I'm telling them something very important. Unless you want to know your fate-"
"My fate? Cool!" Sirius said, jumping onto the bed like a little kid.
"Where was I?" Harry said.
"Me first!" Sirius said, sounding like a two-year-old.
Harry sighed. "Alright, what do you want to know?"
"Do I get married?"
"No."
"Why? Do I have mulitiple girlfriends?"
"No."
"Do I have a cool job?"
"No."
Sirius frowned. "Why not?"
"B-because," Harry stammered, "You get sent to Azkaban for a crime you didn't commit."
Sirius's face paled. "Azkaban?" he whispered.
Lily and James's faces were equally as white.
"Harry," James said carefully, "I have a feeling all this ties together. How 'bout we start from the beginning."
*****
Sirius could barely breath. Azkaban? Him? It was pure tripe. But then why did he believe it? He couldn't go to Azkaban...not that hell-hole...
He ran a hand through his black hair. Maybe, he thought, maybe I can change my fate. No doubt that's why Harry's here.
There is no way in Merlin, he thought, that I am going to Azkaban.
*****
Harry started from the beginning.
"Lily and James, you get married and have me. Voldemort is after you, exactly why I'm not sure. You decide to go into hiding, and are going to use Sirius here as your Secret-Keeper. At the last minute you decide to use Peter, thinking he's the less obvious choice, since everyone knows you'd pick Sirius."
Harry stopped to breath.
"Peter sells you out to Voldemort, who in turn...kills you. He tries to kill me, too, but the spell backfires and hits him. Doesn't kill him, but he's right on the brink of death. Sirius goes to track down Peter. He corners him in a muggle alley, where there are plenty of witnesses around. Peter, trying to save his butt, blames Sirius. Nobody but you four knows that you switched Secret-Keepers, so they think you did it," he said, looking at Sirius.
"They come and take you to Azkaban. Peter faked his death and transformed into his rat form. Sirius, you're in Azkaban for twelve years."
"Twelve years," Sirius repeated, "Only twelve years? Do I die?"
"No," Harry said, "You escape. You're the first one to ever do it. You come to Hogwarts to see me."
"Hmm...," Sirius contemplated, "Not bad. First to escape, huh?"
"You don't have to escape, though," Harry said, "As long as you do not pick Peter as your Secret-Keeper. Do you understand."
Lily nodded gravely. Sirius's face fell, he was no longer smiling.
"Peter...," he muttered, "The little rat..."
Harry turned to James.
His face was white. He looked murderous. Evil and capable of anything.
"Peter," he snarled, "The little rat sold us out..."
*~*
Ah, and thats the end of the chapter I like to call "Lily Pad Returns" Actually, I don't really call it that, I just needed to say something. Anyway, i say casually, if you want to review, you should. Pretty please with a cherry on top? Hee hee. Next chapter will be up soon, now that I have computer access!! *shouts happily*
'Til the next chapter,
*Lily~Pad*
Anyway, on with the story, then!!!
*~*
Harry woke up with a lump in his stomach. Not of fear, but of excitement. Today was the day. He could feel it. Today was the day that he, Harry, would tell his parents.
Harry was out of bed in minutes. He didn't take time to yawn, stretch or rub his eyes. He kicked back the piles of voluminous crimson sheets and wrenched the hangings apart. Harry stood by his bed in complete silence. All the other boys were asleep. He turned his head to where James was sleeping, and tried not to laugh when he mumbled Lily's name. He tip-toed past Remus, Peter and Ron, and Sirius. He really had to stifle his laughter when he saw Sirius, who was lying with half his body dangling from the bed, yet still sleeping soundly, never missing a snore.
Harry stole a glance at Peter's bedside clock. 5:17, read the glowing green numbers. Harry hadn't meant to wake htis early, but there was no use in trying to get back to sleep. At least he'd have a wicked good speech to present to his parents.
*****
The common room waas empty. There was no light execpt for the soft moonlight pouring in through the windows. The fire was out, only a few embers were glowing. Harry sat himself in an extremely comfortable crimson-velvet armchair. He had thought of composing his speech on parchment, but decided against it. He was always better at doing things in his mind.
"Alright, then," Harry whispered to himself, "Here we go."
He wanted his speech to be simple, yet from the heart. He wanted them to get the point, and really understand, but he did not want to reveal their entire lives. He couldn't decide whether or not to include Sirius-he was the best friend, after all. He couldn't decide whether he actually should prepare something, or just go for it and say what he felt. He most of all couldn't decide how great his life would be with his parents, and Sirius, and Remus...together and happy and healthy.
*****
Harry woke with a start. He had fallen asleep on the job. He glanced at the clock hanging over the fireplace. 7:30, it said. Harry rubbed his eyes and rose from the chair. His neck was sore from the position he had been in, so he did a few neck rolls. They seemed to help.
He had come up with an outiline for The Speech, as he liked to call it. He would simply tell his parents that, when the time came, not to pick Peter as the secret-keeper. Pick Sisrius, or Dumbledore, or Remus, but *not* Peter. After that, he could simply improvise.
*****
Harry went to go get dressed. On the Christmas holidays, they were allowed to dress in "normal" clothing, so Harry put on a pair of blue jeans and a Gryffindor sweater.
When Harry came back down to the common room, he was delighted to see James and Lily, hunched over together, conversing in whisperrs. He smiled broadly as he approached them.
"Hi," he greeted, "D'you think I could talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure," replied Lily, smiling warmly.
James agreed, but really, what else could he do? The future Mr. and Mrs. Potter stood up from their seats and followed Harry past the fireplace, the numerous armchairs, and chattering students up to the boy's dorm.
Only one bed in the dorm was made, and that was Harry's. Passing by his bed, James quickly hid a pair of his boxer shorts, causing Lily laugh.
"Sit here," ordered Harry, pointing at his bed. Lily and James obeyed. Harry could not sit, he was far to excited to stay still. Instead, he paced the room, waiting for the perfect opening line.
Harry paced, wringing his hands. He honestly had no clue why he was having so much trouble with this. Stop being a wimp, he told himself. Don't think about yourself when this is so clearly about them.
"Lily, James," Harry started, "I need to tell you something very important. You have to promise me that you'll listen, and do as I say, because if not, it will cost you your lives."
Lily gulped, and took James' hand in hers.
*****
Lily was confused, even angry. Cost her her life? What was he talking about? Well, whatever it was, she would listen. She wasn't about to lose her life over it. Inside, Lily's heart was pounding. Half from this "cost you your life" thing, and half because James and asked her out, again, and she had accepted. She had been considering it for months, possibly saying yes, but then James went and did something pricky. After a few months, though, he wasn't so bad. Lily was actually finding him attractive. So after several "Come on, just do it's" from her friends, she decided to give him a chance.
Lily squeezed his hand a little tighter, a sign of her affection. He squeezed back, and, ever so slightly, winked at her. Lily was loving this. He was so adorable! The smile that used to infuriate her now melted her heart. The way he rumpled his hair still bothered her, but not nearly as much.
Lily Evans was in love.
*****
Harry took in a deep, rattly breath. This was the moment he would change his life forever. Change Lily and James' lives forever. Change Sirius', Remus' and even Peter's life forever. This was the moment he would change everybody's life forever.
Lily and James looked at him expectingly, clearly wondering what, exactly, would cost them their lives.
Harry decided it would be easier to sit down. He placed himself in front of Lily and James, so he could look both of them in the eye.
"My name isn't Harry Palmer. It's actually Harry James Potter."
James looked at Harry quizzically.
"Wait a minute," he said, "This is too weird. We look nearly exactly the same, and you have my same last name, *and* my first name is your middle name? Who are you?"
"I," said Harry nervously, "Am your son."
In unison, Lily and James' jaws dropped.
"You're kidding me, right? I'm 17! I don't have a son!"
"Yes, you do. But not now. You see, I'm from the future. 1997, to be exact."
"The future?" scoffed James, "You've had too much Butterbeer, Harry."
"No, I haven't!" shouted Harry, growing more and more exasperated. "You've got to believe me! Hermione and Ron are from the future, too! Dumbledore knows, ask him!"
Lily reached out and put her hand over Harry's.
"Calm down," she soothed. "We believe you. Who else could you be? You look exactly like James...and you have my eyes."
James let out a whoosh of breath.
"Wait a minute...Lily's eyes? Are you saying that she's your...mother?"
"Yes," Harry replied, coolly.
"Mother? You mean to say that we get married?"
"Yes," Harry replied, coolly. "If you don't mind, I'd like to continue."
"Please do," came a voice from the doorway.
*****
Harry felt his stomach falling. He reconized the voice. How could he not, when it belonged to his future godfather?
Harry had decided last night not to include Sirius. He half wanted to, but how could anybody lead a happy, normal life knowing that they may end up in Azkaban? He didn't want to put that burden on Sirius. Of course, he did have a right to know...
*****
"From the future, huh?" Sirius asked, bemused.
"Sirius," Harry said, "I'm telling them something very important. Unless you want to know your fate-"
"My fate? Cool!" Sirius said, jumping onto the bed like a little kid.
"Where was I?" Harry said.
"Me first!" Sirius said, sounding like a two-year-old.
Harry sighed. "Alright, what do you want to know?"
"Do I get married?"
"No."
"Why? Do I have mulitiple girlfriends?"
"No."
"Do I have a cool job?"
"No."
Sirius frowned. "Why not?"
"B-because," Harry stammered, "You get sent to Azkaban for a crime you didn't commit."
Sirius's face paled. "Azkaban?" he whispered.
Lily and James's faces were equally as white.
"Harry," James said carefully, "I have a feeling all this ties together. How 'bout we start from the beginning."
*****
Sirius could barely breath. Azkaban? Him? It was pure tripe. But then why did he believe it? He couldn't go to Azkaban...not that hell-hole...
He ran a hand through his black hair. Maybe, he thought, maybe I can change my fate. No doubt that's why Harry's here.
There is no way in Merlin, he thought, that I am going to Azkaban.
*****
Harry started from the beginning.
"Lily and James, you get married and have me. Voldemort is after you, exactly why I'm not sure. You decide to go into hiding, and are going to use Sirius here as your Secret-Keeper. At the last minute you decide to use Peter, thinking he's the less obvious choice, since everyone knows you'd pick Sirius."
Harry stopped to breath.
"Peter sells you out to Voldemort, who in turn...kills you. He tries to kill me, too, but the spell backfires and hits him. Doesn't kill him, but he's right on the brink of death. Sirius goes to track down Peter. He corners him in a muggle alley, where there are plenty of witnesses around. Peter, trying to save his butt, blames Sirius. Nobody but you four knows that you switched Secret-Keepers, so they think you did it," he said, looking at Sirius.
"They come and take you to Azkaban. Peter faked his death and transformed into his rat form. Sirius, you're in Azkaban for twelve years."
"Twelve years," Sirius repeated, "Only twelve years? Do I die?"
"No," Harry said, "You escape. You're the first one to ever do it. You come to Hogwarts to see me."
"Hmm...," Sirius contemplated, "Not bad. First to escape, huh?"
"You don't have to escape, though," Harry said, "As long as you do not pick Peter as your Secret-Keeper. Do you understand."
Lily nodded gravely. Sirius's face fell, he was no longer smiling.
"Peter...," he muttered, "The little rat..."
Harry turned to James.
His face was white. He looked murderous. Evil and capable of anything.
"Peter," he snarled, "The little rat sold us out..."
*~*
Ah, and thats the end of the chapter I like to call "Lily Pad Returns" Actually, I don't really call it that, I just needed to say something. Anyway, i say casually, if you want to review, you should. Pretty please with a cherry on top? Hee hee. Next chapter will be up soon, now that I have computer access!! *shouts happily*
'Til the next chapter,
*Lily~Pad*