Wow, I am sooooo sorry this took so long. This week was tech week for my school's Dessert Theater, and I'm a student producer, so I've been out every night. I usually don't take this long to update. Oy, I'm sorry.

Disclaimer: Not mine. JK Rowling created everything and everyone in the story and she's cool enough to let us borrow them. Thanks!

Chapter 2/4

"So who are you?" Lupin asked a little while later. They were still in the dorm, having taken up Ron on his offer for food. Chocolate Frog and Every Flavor Bean containers littered the floor.

"I'm Hermione."

"Ron."

"Harry."

"Harry." Lupin repeated. "Are you by any chance related to a James Potter. You look just like him."

"Yeah, I am."

"How?"

"He's my father."

The look Hermione shot him made him realize that he probably shouldn't've said that. But he had asked.

This was surreal. Here they were, eating sweets and talking with someone who had been twenty years in the past that morning. Somone whom they knew and respected as an adult was lying across Neville's bed and trading Chocolate Frog cards with them. He had no idea what was in store for him. But Harry could tell he'd been through a lot already. At sixteen, his face already looked tired and there were a few strands of silver already in his light brown hair.

"Your father? Old James a father, imagine that." Lupin leaned back and smiled. "Bet he taught you how to ride a broomstick before you could walk."

He laughed and shook his head. "And who's the unlucky lady he wound up with? Wait, don't tell me." He inspected Harry closely. "Evans! Ha!"

Harry forced a laugh. "You look like her. I mean, you look so much like James, it's scary, but there's something..."

Harry didn't say anything. "Let me guess, they named Sirius your godfather?"

Harry nodded. A sharp pain went through his heart at the mention of Sirius's name. But Lupin didn't know that all these people were dead and Harry wasn't about to tell him.

"That's how you knew me." Lupin said. "I was wondering about that. You've probably been stuck with all of us for sixteen years. So we're going to stay together? Good. I think about that sometimes, wonder what's going to happen when we leave school."

Again, the other three exchanged looks. Hermione knew that they couldn't tell the truth. That could affect the timeline in ways she couldn't even imagine. It hurt to listen to Lupin go on about the life he thought Harry had, looking forward to the future. He didn't know that now, in 1996, all but one of his schoolfriends were dead and the others were dead at that man's hand. He didn't know that he himself already had one foot in the grave. He didn't know that he would believe one of his best friends to be a spy and in return, that friend would believe it of him.

"I suppose we all went to work after school. James and Sirius joined the Ministry, no doubt." Lupin chuckled, shaking his head. "It feels strange to be talking about this in past tense. But I know James wants to be an Auror. Sirius has mentioned it a few times, so maybe he is too. Peter probably found a desk job. Maybe at the Ministry as well. You know what, I'll bet we're all there. If they've loosened up regulations a bit. I'm probably washing the floors."

There was no bitterness in the last statement. Resignation, perhaps, as though he was used to the idea.

"We should let Dumbledore know soon." Harry said.

"You're right." Ron agreed.

Before they could move the door burst open and Seamus and Dean came in.

"Oh Harry! Glad to see you, mate." Dean said, "What was Snape's essay last night?"

"Properties of wormwood, ten inches."

"How does he expect...never mind, I'll write big. Thank you."

"Who's that?" Seamus asked, looking at Lupin.

"Friend." Ron replied.

Lupin held out his hand. "Remus."

"Seamus." They shook hands.

"Have to go do that essay." Dean said, "I'm Dean, by the way."

"Nice to meet you Seamus, Dean."

The two boys left. Lupin started to unwrap a Chocolate Frog, then froze. Harry knew what was coming.

"Snape?" he said, "That git's a teacher?"

Harry nodded grimly. "What subject, Defense Against the Dark Arts?"

Ron shook his head. "No? Then what other subject....oh hell."

Lots of thanks to everyone who reviewed. I really appreciate your wonderful comments. See you soon!