WHEN TIME STANDS STILL
girlknight: I rather think you meant to review something else, but thanks anyway.
Constance Truggle: Thanks – Remus is being careless, isn't he? We know he wasn't all that responsible as a student.
babyjayy: I have. And thanks for reviewing.
Silvercrystal77: Harry hasn't chatted with Remus much in the future; I've always wondered why.
Indiangurl: Tell me how you like it – I've tried to pull it off as naturally as possible.
insanechildfanfic: Thanks!
Kaaera: I'm only too happy to oblige.
gaul1: Thanks – things are happening ;)
missprongs: Thank you!
The Vampire Story Hunter: Thanks – most people seem to like Harry and Remus.
restless_soul: I'll try not to keep it up too long!
supernova8610: Would you call this soon? But the next will be sooner.
Von: Thanks; it's nice to be appreciated ;)
colorado-chick: GO GRYFFINDOR!
Limegreenlion: Here; I hope you like it.
An Anti-Sheep Cheese Muffin: I'll try to curb any 'un-chappy' tendencies I have ;)
Amandinka: Thanks, and here it is.
Musicstarlover: Ah, if only Harry didn't have a conscience.
blip-dragon: Thanks for reviewing!
Talamh: Wow! I can't believe you actually like it so much.
LeRaFeA: Here, and thanks!
Japonica: This is going in your Favourites list? Wow!
Calen: I do try. This is about the same length as the others though... I just had to stop there or go on too long.
The Lady Reaper of the Shadows: At your service, m'lady ;)
KEmperor: Here's 'more'. I hope you like it.
SilverKnight7: Thanks; I'll try to make it quicker next time.
Riser155: YES!
volleypickle16: Thanks for the review, and here it is.
EriEka127: Thanks; this is as soon as I can.
Lil Miss Potter: I will; I want to finish this before the end of April.
PhoenixPadfoot89: A future without Vernon Dursley... too bad; it would have been bliss!
sab: Thanks!
Stefanie2: This isn't much longer, but at least it's there.
Potterlvr1212: Here, and thanks!
Rosaleena: Thanks! The next will – hopefully – be up quicker.
JerseyPike: Thanks for the recommendation, and for actually managing to read this at 3:00 am.
MuGgLeNeT27: Here is more, and thanks for reviewing.
charmedlily: Thanks, and... read and find out.
BlueSki007: Thanks, I will!
goddess of darkness3: Thanks!
Olivia Wood: Thank you, and I will... there is an explanation, but I'm not giving it yet.
Watcher Tale Neith: Too true.
Moni: Thank you.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: OK, this is a bit late, too, but my exams are over at last, so I should hopefully have the next chapter up in three or four days. I've only replied to Chapter 12 reviews here – for those to whom I haven't replied, I'm really sorry and I appreciate your effort.
CHAPTER 13: FOLLOWING THE TRAIL
Sirius and James sat by the lake. Remus had gone to the library and they had encouraged Peter to go with him so that they could work out the mystery of Thomson in peace.
"Except, of course," Sirius said sourly for what seemed the hundredth time, "that Moony insists there is no mystery."
"Moony is shielding Thomson – although for what reason I can't imagine. Right, now let's go over this logically, Sirius; don't start shouting about him halfway through. There's only half an hour before sunset and we're not allowed to be outside after dark."
Sirius snorted.
"All right," James said, "'not allowed' has nothing to do with it, but we have to get somewhere. Start at the beginning – what do we know about Thomson?"
"First, that his name isn't Thomson. It's probably Potter. Remember what Remus said about his reacting when Professor Williamson called you?"
"Right, so his name is Potter –"
"And he looks like your twin brother –"
"Which he is not."
"His eyes are like Evans's."
"And he has managed to get closer to Evans in a few weeks than I have in five years."
"So he and Evans are related?"
"Maybe. He might be her cousin or something."
"He can't be!"
"Yes, he can," James said excitedly. "How else can you explain that he's been here for such a short time and she already likes him better than she does me?"
"Stop, Prongs; this is not making sense. Evans is Muggleborn, her relatives are all Muggles."
"So? Thomson is Muggleborn too."
"A Muggleborn who looks exactly like you and responds to the name 'Potter'? I don't think so."
"So he's not Muggleborn. So what is he?"
"Halfblood?" Sirius suggested tentatively. "If he were a pureblood one of us would have heard of him."
"So one of the Potters married a Muggle and I don't even know."
"That's not possible, is it?" Sirius sighed. "This is ridiculous. We've not got anywhere."
"Let's try again. Pretend you'd never seen Thomson before, never heard of him. Now you're introduced to him for the first time and told his name is Harry Potter."
"Right," Sirius said, trying to imagine such a situation. He grinned suddenly. "You know what I'd say, Prongs? I'd say you and Evans finally got together and had a son."
"So helpful," James muttered.
"Well come on, it does make sense. He looks like you, and he looks like her..."
"Except for the fact that I do not have a son, Padfoot."
"Well, you might. You keep saying you'll get Evans to go out with you eventually. There's the result."
"She hasn't gone out with me yet, Padfoot! I don't have a son yet! Don't talk about things that haven't happened."
"That's it!" Sirius, who had been lounging against a tree, sat up suddenly. "Prongs, what if he's come from the future?"
"Don't be ridiculous, Time-Travelling's illegal."
"You think 'illegal' would matter to any son of yours?"
"But..." James shook his head. "It's not possible, Padfoot. It's just not possible."
"Why not? It would explain how he knows his way around Hogwarts. And remember what Professor Xeno said? 'If you choose to call yourself Thomson, then who am I to object?'"
"Yes," James said, absent-mindedly running a hand through his hair. "Yes, I know... I guess it does make sense... But I can't have a son."
"And he's brilliant at Quidditch because he inherited your skill!" Sirius said triumphantly.
James nodded slowly, for once not threatening physical harm to anyone who said Thomson was brilliant at Quidditch.
"Padfoot, we don't have proof."
"Proof," Sirius said, with a dismissive wave of his hand. "We know. We can get the truth out of him now."
"My son," James said, with a slight shake of his head. "It isn't possible."
"Only one way to find out," Sirius said briskly.
*~
Harry hurried through the deserted corridors to Gryffindor Tower. He had been in Dumbledore's office; the Headmaster had made him go over every single step he took on the night he found himself in the Past.
What were you doing just before you noticed the calendar? Did you touch your wand at all? Not even by accident? Did you say anything? Are you sure you did not touch your wand? Did you feel a Portkey?
This was getting out of hand. Harry was used to running to Dumbledore for help; used to believing that his Headmaster had a solution for everything. He simply had to return to his own time!
He gave the Fat Lady the password and scrambled through the portrait-hole to the Common Room. Remus was sitting in one of the squashy armchairs beside the almost-dead fire.
"Well?" Harry shrugged. "He thinks he may know a way, but he'll have to check something with his friend first."
He collapsed into a chair.
"I have to get back."
"Come on, are we really that impossible to live with?"
"You don't understand... I'm the only one who can kill Voldemort. If I don't go back soon, he'll take over the wizarding world." He sighed. "Why do these things always happen to me?"
"I think it's something in the Potter blood – James is always saying the same thing."
"Where is he, anyway?"
"He and Sirius went for some food – you'd better get to bed before they come back, or there'll be difficult questions coming your way."
"Right," Harry said, standing up. "I'll see you in the morning."
He started for the boys' staircase, but he hadn't got halfway there when the portrait swung open.
girlknight: I rather think you meant to review something else, but thanks anyway.
Constance Truggle: Thanks – Remus is being careless, isn't he? We know he wasn't all that responsible as a student.
babyjayy: I have. And thanks for reviewing.
Silvercrystal77: Harry hasn't chatted with Remus much in the future; I've always wondered why.
Indiangurl: Tell me how you like it – I've tried to pull it off as naturally as possible.
insanechildfanfic: Thanks!
Kaaera: I'm only too happy to oblige.
gaul1: Thanks – things are happening ;)
missprongs: Thank you!
The Vampire Story Hunter: Thanks – most people seem to like Harry and Remus.
restless_soul: I'll try not to keep it up too long!
supernova8610: Would you call this soon? But the next will be sooner.
Von: Thanks; it's nice to be appreciated ;)
colorado-chick: GO GRYFFINDOR!
Limegreenlion: Here; I hope you like it.
An Anti-Sheep Cheese Muffin: I'll try to curb any 'un-chappy' tendencies I have ;)
Amandinka: Thanks, and here it is.
Musicstarlover: Ah, if only Harry didn't have a conscience.
blip-dragon: Thanks for reviewing!
Talamh: Wow! I can't believe you actually like it so much.
LeRaFeA: Here, and thanks!
Japonica: This is going in your Favourites list? Wow!
Calen: I do try. This is about the same length as the others though... I just had to stop there or go on too long.
The Lady Reaper of the Shadows: At your service, m'lady ;)
KEmperor: Here's 'more'. I hope you like it.
SilverKnight7: Thanks; I'll try to make it quicker next time.
Riser155: YES!
volleypickle16: Thanks for the review, and here it is.
EriEka127: Thanks; this is as soon as I can.
Lil Miss Potter: I will; I want to finish this before the end of April.
PhoenixPadfoot89: A future without Vernon Dursley... too bad; it would have been bliss!
sab: Thanks!
Stefanie2: This isn't much longer, but at least it's there.
Potterlvr1212: Here, and thanks!
Rosaleena: Thanks! The next will – hopefully – be up quicker.
JerseyPike: Thanks for the recommendation, and for actually managing to read this at 3:00 am.
MuGgLeNeT27: Here is more, and thanks for reviewing.
charmedlily: Thanks, and... read and find out.
BlueSki007: Thanks, I will!
goddess of darkness3: Thanks!
Olivia Wood: Thank you, and I will... there is an explanation, but I'm not giving it yet.
Watcher Tale Neith: Too true.
Moni: Thank you.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: OK, this is a bit late, too, but my exams are over at last, so I should hopefully have the next chapter up in three or four days. I've only replied to Chapter 12 reviews here – for those to whom I haven't replied, I'm really sorry and I appreciate your effort.
CHAPTER 13: FOLLOWING THE TRAIL
Sirius and James sat by the lake. Remus had gone to the library and they had encouraged Peter to go with him so that they could work out the mystery of Thomson in peace.
"Except, of course," Sirius said sourly for what seemed the hundredth time, "that Moony insists there is no mystery."
"Moony is shielding Thomson – although for what reason I can't imagine. Right, now let's go over this logically, Sirius; don't start shouting about him halfway through. There's only half an hour before sunset and we're not allowed to be outside after dark."
Sirius snorted.
"All right," James said, "'not allowed' has nothing to do with it, but we have to get somewhere. Start at the beginning – what do we know about Thomson?"
"First, that his name isn't Thomson. It's probably Potter. Remember what Remus said about his reacting when Professor Williamson called you?"
"Right, so his name is Potter –"
"And he looks like your twin brother –"
"Which he is not."
"His eyes are like Evans's."
"And he has managed to get closer to Evans in a few weeks than I have in five years."
"So he and Evans are related?"
"Maybe. He might be her cousin or something."
"He can't be!"
"Yes, he can," James said excitedly. "How else can you explain that he's been here for such a short time and she already likes him better than she does me?"
"Stop, Prongs; this is not making sense. Evans is Muggleborn, her relatives are all Muggles."
"So? Thomson is Muggleborn too."
"A Muggleborn who looks exactly like you and responds to the name 'Potter'? I don't think so."
"So he's not Muggleborn. So what is he?"
"Halfblood?" Sirius suggested tentatively. "If he were a pureblood one of us would have heard of him."
"So one of the Potters married a Muggle and I don't even know."
"That's not possible, is it?" Sirius sighed. "This is ridiculous. We've not got anywhere."
"Let's try again. Pretend you'd never seen Thomson before, never heard of him. Now you're introduced to him for the first time and told his name is Harry Potter."
"Right," Sirius said, trying to imagine such a situation. He grinned suddenly. "You know what I'd say, Prongs? I'd say you and Evans finally got together and had a son."
"So helpful," James muttered.
"Well come on, it does make sense. He looks like you, and he looks like her..."
"Except for the fact that I do not have a son, Padfoot."
"Well, you might. You keep saying you'll get Evans to go out with you eventually. There's the result."
"She hasn't gone out with me yet, Padfoot! I don't have a son yet! Don't talk about things that haven't happened."
"That's it!" Sirius, who had been lounging against a tree, sat up suddenly. "Prongs, what if he's come from the future?"
"Don't be ridiculous, Time-Travelling's illegal."
"You think 'illegal' would matter to any son of yours?"
"But..." James shook his head. "It's not possible, Padfoot. It's just not possible."
"Why not? It would explain how he knows his way around Hogwarts. And remember what Professor Xeno said? 'If you choose to call yourself Thomson, then who am I to object?'"
"Yes," James said, absent-mindedly running a hand through his hair. "Yes, I know... I guess it does make sense... But I can't have a son."
"And he's brilliant at Quidditch because he inherited your skill!" Sirius said triumphantly.
James nodded slowly, for once not threatening physical harm to anyone who said Thomson was brilliant at Quidditch.
"Padfoot, we don't have proof."
"Proof," Sirius said, with a dismissive wave of his hand. "We know. We can get the truth out of him now."
"My son," James said, with a slight shake of his head. "It isn't possible."
"Only one way to find out," Sirius said briskly.
*~
Harry hurried through the deserted corridors to Gryffindor Tower. He had been in Dumbledore's office; the Headmaster had made him go over every single step he took on the night he found himself in the Past.
What were you doing just before you noticed the calendar? Did you touch your wand at all? Not even by accident? Did you say anything? Are you sure you did not touch your wand? Did you feel a Portkey?
This was getting out of hand. Harry was used to running to Dumbledore for help; used to believing that his Headmaster had a solution for everything. He simply had to return to his own time!
He gave the Fat Lady the password and scrambled through the portrait-hole to the Common Room. Remus was sitting in one of the squashy armchairs beside the almost-dead fire.
"Well?" Harry shrugged. "He thinks he may know a way, but he'll have to check something with his friend first."
He collapsed into a chair.
"I have to get back."
"Come on, are we really that impossible to live with?"
"You don't understand... I'm the only one who can kill Voldemort. If I don't go back soon, he'll take over the wizarding world." He sighed. "Why do these things always happen to me?"
"I think it's something in the Potter blood – James is always saying the same thing."
"Where is he, anyway?"
"He and Sirius went for some food – you'd better get to bed before they come back, or there'll be difficult questions coming your way."
"Right," Harry said, standing up. "I'll see you in the morning."
He started for the boys' staircase, but he hadn't got halfway there when the portrait swung open.