Chapter 9
Harry yawned as he struggled to keep his eyes open. The excitement of the night before had overwhelmed him considerably and now it was taking its toll. He hated the fact that he was forced to sit through Potions and Snape seemed to be watching him. Harry could guess that the Potions Master knew what he had done but couldn't comment on it as Harry had had permission from Dumbledore to go play Quidditch at night. He was obviously very sore with it.
As the day passed agonizingly slowly, Harry turned his thoughts to his father and mother. He had been given an impossible chance to get to know his parents, an incident that a wayward professor in his father's time had done. Now, however, they couldn't get back.
He wanted to help his parents but he didn't want them to leave. The problem was that if they remained in this time they would change the future. Harry wouldn't be born in 1980 and the Wizarding World could suffer drastic consequences.
As he walked to the Great Hall with Ron and Hermione, Harry made a promise. A promise that he meant to keep at all costs. He promised that he'd help James and Lily get back to the past, no matter the cost, even if he died trying.
"It was brilliant, Moony!" James exclaimed.
"You should've seen Prongs on Harry's broom! It was cool!"
Remus smiled lightly. "I would have been there had I been able to. And in a physical non-scary form."
"Sorry mate," James replied, "We will say no more of it."
"Hey, Prongs were has Lily gone?" Peter asked.
James looked around the room, heart pumping fast. "I don't know," he said weakly.
"Don't scare him, Wormtail," Sirius said coolly, "Lily has just gone to see Harry. She wanted to speak to him alone."
James rounded on his friend. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Sirius shrugged. "I didn't think it was that important."
"Well, it is! I don't want to lose her, ever! If I could change this future I would, I don't want to die in a few years, knowing that I'm leaving a son behind."
"Prongs, you won't remember this happening," Remus explained.
"We don't know that," James returned, feeling awkward, "we won't know until we have go home."
Lily was careful to not be seen by the wandering students in the halls. She had made the mistake of walking between classes, but she hoped to catch Harry as he left to the Great Hall for dinner.
Hiding between statues, which was hard for her, as her red hair stood out, Lily made herself small enough so that she could remain hidden behind a statue. She crouched low scanning the crowd of students making their way, chattering excitedly, towards dinner.
Then she caught sight of a boy with red hair, walking towards the crowd. Beside him strode a girl and a boy. Harry seemed to be musing on something and was slipping behind. They walked straight past her hiding place and Lily, called out Harry's name.
Harry turned and saw Lily looking at him. He said something to Ron and Hermione and strode over to the statue in which Lily hid behind.
"Hey," he said, smiling the smile that Lily had so long ago had accustomed it to James' arrogant grin. However seeing her son, she smiled in return.
"I just wanted to talk to you about something." She said.
Harry nodded. "Alright. Where do you want to go?"
"Somewhere." Lily said.
Harry led Lily through the crowd of dwindling students. There were a few curious glances but no one spoke to them. He took his mother to the Transfiguration room, where Professor McGonagall was marking work.
"Potter?" she asked, seeing Lily standing behind him.
"Could I just speak to my – I mean Lily – in your room please?"
She nodded and swept from the room. "Of course."
Lily settled herself down to speak and Harry sat opposite her.
"Well," he prompted.
"I just wanted to say thank-you for last night. You really made James happy."
Harry raised his eyes. "You didn't drag me from tea just to tell me that, did you?"
Lily sighed. "No. I..." she frowned, "I want to know who betrays us. I know you can't tell us, but...I just can't help feeling that if we knew then we might stand a chance of changing our future. I wouldn't tell the others, I promise, Harry, but I just want to know who would dare do a thing, who would really betray us, and who James would trust enough for us to allow him to be secret keeper for us."
Harry bit his lip. Could he hold her to this secret? Could he really trust his own mother? Of course he could. She was truthful and would keep her promises if he asked her to. He would tell her, not because she wanted to know but because he could trust her.
"Alright, I'll tell you." Harry said.
Lily moved forward.
"Its hard knowing that he's here now in my own time but a year older then me. Hard to tell you," Harry gathered himself and spoke the name. "Peter. Peter Pettigrew betrays you."
TBCI didn't mean to leave it there but it is a convenient place to leave it. Sorry!