After a rather harrowing conversation, where Sirius had to explain the story to the other members of the Order of the Phoenix (omitting several important details, such as the fate of the Potters and Longbottoms in his reality, and Harry's involvement.), Remus suggested that a trip to see Albus Dumbledore was in order. James, of course, insisted on coming along as well, something which gave Sirius mixed feelings; he still felt like he was talking to a ghost every time he spoke to James.

They used a portkey, conveniently set up to allow any member of the Order immediate access to the headmaster's study. Dumbledore seemed more than a little surprised to see them.

'To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?' He asked, smiling benevolently at his ex-pupils.

'Sirius has some news for you', James blurted out at once, 'only this isn't the Sirius we know. It's a different one.'

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. 'A different one?' His light blue eyes surveyed Sirius closely.

'Yeah', Sirius replied, 'I'm...I'm from another reality.'

And Sirius told the whole story once more...well, not quite the whole story. With many nervous glances in James' direction, he told Dumbledore the abbreviated version of events. When he had finished, Dumbledore sat back in his chair and looked slightly amused. 'Very good, Sirius', he said, 'now, if you would be so kind as to tell me the true story, leaving out none of the details, please.'

Sirius and Remus both looked at James, who stared back, puzzled. 'Is someone not telling me something?' He said at last, looking from Sirius to Dumbledore, to Remus, and back again, 'Sirius, what's going on?'

As Sirius' eyes met those of his best friend, he felt tears prick the back of his eyeballs. He shook his head to clear them away-crying like a baby would help nobody.

Why can't I always be in this reality, he thought bitterly, why did I have to be in a world where James dies?

'Sirius?' James prompted, looking anxious, 'what's the matter?'

'Remember, Sirius', Dumbledore said gently, 'you were brought to this reality for a reason. It would be a foolish waste not to reveal the truth now, however painful it may be.'

Sirius looked at Dumbledore, and realised that the headmaster already knew what he was going to say. He opened his mouth to ask a question, but shut it again. Now was not a time for questions.

And so he told the whole story this time, trying his best not to look at James as he did so. When he had finished, there was utter silence in the room. Then, after several minutes, James leapt to his feet.

'Pettigrew...I'm gonna kill him...he...he betrayed...Voldemort...Harry!' James was not even capable of forming a proper sentence any longer, so immense was his fury, 'let me out of here, Dumbledore, I've got something I need to do.'

'I will not allow you to go and kill Peter Pettigrew, James', Dumbledore replied calmly, 'take your seat, we have much to discuss.'

James slammed his hand down on Dumbledore's desk, making Sirius and Remus jump. 'I WILL NOT SIT HERE AND DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS!' He bellowed.

'It's not happening in this reality, Prongs, old friend', Remus intervened tentatively, 'so there's no point in attacking an innocent man.'

'How do we know he's innocent, eh?' James demanded angrily, 'he could be...I dunno, off talking to some Death Eaters as we speak, grassing us up, telling Voldemort where we are, what we're doing! We've known there's a mole for some time-I say it's him!'

'Wild accusation won't get you anywhere, James', Sirius said sadly, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. James turned to face Sirius.

'Quite aside from murdering me and my wife, he put you in Azkaban for twelve years', he shouted furiously, 'and then he wouldn't even take his punishment like a man when you caught him! He can't be so different in this world, can he?'

'James, just shut up for a minute, will you?' Remus shouted exasperatedly, 'sit down and listen to us! This prophecy business is far more important right now-we may have found a way to destroy Voldemort!'

James stared at him, his mouth wide open. 'I'm not letting Harry anywhere near Voldemort! I don't care about the prophecy!'

'You can't ignore one part of my reality, and believe another, just 'cos it suits you!' Sirius cried, 'if only you knew...you've never been there! Harry's faced Voldemort four times and survived! He's been tortured, followed, spied on, injured...he had to watch a boy die, for goodness' sake! Any other kid would've given up long ago, but he's got through it and I bet he's a lot stronger in this world than you think.'

'Professor Dumbledore', Remus interjected, ignoring the shocked look on James' face after Sirius' outburst, 'do you know if prophecies hold true in all realities?'

'I am unsure as to whether I know of anyone who has ever come from another reality, so I really cannot say', Dumbledore replied, 'although I do know that our fate, whatever it is, cannot be avoided. I suggest that you go and check the Department of Mysteries, Remus, check for a prophecy regarding Harry. It may have been recorded, but nobody overheard, as they did in Sirius' world.

Remus nodded curtly, stood up, went to the fireplace, and returned to the Ministry using Floo Powder.

'James', Dumbledore said, turning to the shell-shocked man, 'James, look at me please.'

With an effort, James turned to face Dumbledore.

'Go and see if Harry is all right', the headmaster requested, 'it may set your mind at rest. Perhaps Sirius could accompany you! Though I would not advise either of you to mention what has happened today. It would be unwise to cause unneccessary worry to Harry.'

Sirius and James nodded, and headed for the door.

'One moment, Sirius!'

Sirius turned around again, as James left the room (signalling that he would wait outside).

'Sirius, I have three questions for you', Dumbledore informed him quietly, 'will you answer them honestly, and listen to what I have to say?'

'Of course', Sirius replied at once, sitting down again.

'My first is this: Do you believe Peter Pettigrew to be a danger to the Order?'

Sirius gulped, then replied, 'I would have my doubts about him, yes.'

Dumbledore nodded. 'Number Two: Would it be your desire to return to your reality if this was over?'

Sirius nodded immediately, but then hesitated. 'But, I'm dead in my reality', he said softly.

'We will worry about that when and if the time comes', Dumbledore responded calmly, 'and thirdly, Sirius, are you prepared to save this reality from Voldemort, no matter what the consequences are for you?'

Sirius thought about this for a moment; the thought of having to die in this reality, as well as having died in his own one, was a little much. But then, he imagined seeing the happiness on James' face, and all the lives that could be saved...

'Yeah', he replied huskily, 'course I am.'

'Very well then', Dumbledore said gently, 'we shall wait until Remus returns...then we will talk again. Now, go and see Harry.'

Sirius smiled, and stood up. 'Thank you, Professor', he said, 'I...I hope I can be of some help...'

'You already have been, Sirius', Dumbledore answered, his eyes twinkling, 'by showing us that, at least in one reality, Voldemort was almost defeated, you have given us hope. I do not understand fully how you came here, but I am very glad you did.'