Previously:

"Simple, James," said Hermione. "He's your son."

Chapter Two: Talks

James spluttered, trying desperately to understand. He couldn't see how he, at seventeen, could have a son that was approximately the same age as him. While he was wrapped up in his thoughts, the redheaded boy turned to Hermione.

"Blimey, 'Mione! What did you tell him that for?" Ron asked.

"Simple. All they have to do is crack a book and they'll know," she replied.

"Which book? I know for a fact that they won't find it in 'Standard Book of Spells Grade Seven' or any of the other books they'd need."

"You know as well as I do that Pro… Remus read just as much as I do. And he'd find it easily in 'The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts'."

Neither noticed the young Remus Lupin watching them intently, trying to absorb every spoken and unspoken word between them.

Remus cleared his throat to get their attention, and was focused on by all four of his company.

"Perhaps you can tell us what is going on?" he asked Hermione. "And, possibly, who you are?"

Hermione blushed slightly and nodded.

"I'm Hermione Granger, and this is Ron Weasley."

"Nice to meet you. Now, what the devil is going on here?"

"Well, let's look at the facts, shall we? Then we can figure out what exactly is happening," Hermione said. "One, I believe you should understand that you are in the year 1997. Two, I believe that Professor Dumbledore knew you were going to be here. Other than that, I'm afraid I have no idea what happened. I don't know how you got here, but I'm determined to get you back before you change time."

Remus nodded thoughtfully. He and his fellow Marauders had had enough time to absorb that they were in the future. How could they not be when two of them were there, older but definitely there?

"I think I can help a little, with how we got here at least," he said. "We went to visit Peter –I'm sure you know him, right?- and this was the first time the three of us came to the Hospital Wing together. Normally were visiting Sirius or James. But when the three of us touched the doors, they glowed. There was a fog, then nothing. Everything seemed normal. Except when we opened the door, it wasn't Peter there."

Hermione nodded, muttering to herself. "Some kind of time-turner portkey, I assume. But how? Why? And why you three? Why not Snape? Or Lily? Or the Founders themselves?"

Sirius had had enough. He turned to the redhead and the girl. "I don't know what you're up to, but you'd better stop right now! Who put you up to this? Snivellus? The other Slytherins? Who?!?" he was practically yelling by the end.

Hermione looked shocked, and Ron was blushing a furious Weasley red. Their temper was famous, and he wasn't one to control his. Not when it came to his best friends. And calling Hermione a liar was like calling Harry evil. But before either could say a word, another voice interrupted them.

The present Sirius poked his head out from behind the curtain around Harry's bed and, in a voice that could freeze fire, told his younger self to kindly shut the hell up.

Present Sirius pulled his head back in and refocused on the conversation at hand. What to do about Harry's aunt and cousin. After Voldemort got to Vernon, they couldn't be sure he wouldn't be able to touch Lily's sister. Harry had brought up a very interesting point, as well. The protection on Privet Drive was created using Blood Magic. But Voldemort had used Harry's blood to resurrect himself. Wouldn't that make the Blood Magic null and void?

"Professor Dumbledore? Can I tell you something?" Harry whispered.

Albus Dumbledore nodded.

"I.. I felt it. When Voldemort cast the Cruciatus on Vernon."

The Headmaster's face tightened, and his whole body jerked at the confession.

"Was there anything else, Harry?" Concern marred the old man's forehead, and all eyes focused on them. "Any other curses?"

Harry shrugged, and winced. The action spurred the Headmaster into action, and with a muttered spell Harry's shirt was off. The gasps from the four adults echoed through the large room, silencing the five teens and causing them to rush around the curtains before the professors could head them off. Harry's chest was riddled with welts and partially healed gashes, some still oozing blood. The dark haired youth closed his eyes, not wanting to see the pity and horror in his friends' eyes.

Dumbledore's voice brought his eyes snapping up, however.

"Severus, I want you to bring some of your special potions for this."

"Albus! Surely Poppy can-"

"No, Severus. You know as well as I that Poppy is not equipped for" he gestured to Harry, "this sort of situation. Now go!"

Blue eyes filled with a fiery fierceness few had ever seen locked on cold black ones. Severus dropped his eyes in resignation and nodded. "Yes, Headmaster."

With that, he swept from the room, black robes billowing menacingly behind him. Ron shuddered, Hermione sighed, and the three time travelers gaped in shocked silence after the great bat-like man.

Dumbledore pulled Sirius and Remus aside to confer with them about the current situation. Ron sat heavily in the chair next to Harry's bed.

"The git's going to poison you, mate. I just know it!" Ron said with a melodramatic air.

"Ron Weasley! Really! You know better than that! He's a Hogwarts Professor-" Ron snorted and Harry managed a weak smile, "-and Professor Snape has saved Harry's life countless times. Do you really think he'd try to poison him now, when we're in Seventh year? Honestly!" Hermione finished.

The unnoticed boys stayed well out of the view of the Golden Trio, but close enough to hear every word. When Hermione mentioned Professor Snape by name, they exchanged startled and faintly disgusted looks, one thought on all their minds. 'Snivellus is a professor???'

"Ms Granger, Mr Weasley. I would like for you to take our guests to the Room of Requirement for the evening, and make sure the door is protected. A password would be best, I think," Dumbledore said.

Hermione nodded. "Yes sir."

At the word guests, Harry's head swiveled around until he could see them. His face drained of all remaining color. One word made it past his dry throat and bloodless lips.

"Dad."

A/N: Thanks to all my reviewers! I really appreciate it. I will be listing names, but only responses to questions left. I do this to try to conserve space, and so that my chapters are not shorter than any replies I may have, and so my chapters do not look twice as long as they really are. If you do not like this set up, feel free to let me know. Thank you again, and please review. Also, while this is not strictly OOtP compatible, being as Sirius is alive and all, I will be having major spoilers and the Prophecy will be made known to Ron and Hermione, as well as some others. I apologize for the lateness of this chapter. I have been very busy, and as such my story suffered. I will try to not make that mistake again. Special thanks to ataraxis (formerly goldenpaw) for telling me the first chapter was good enough to start a story, and for the suggestions she made about it to make it so much better.  

Avestia ~ alex ~star estrella~ Marauders-Lover ~ Nymphadora14 (Lady Candlelight) ~ Angelina Granger ~Ang