Changing Times
By Neurotica
Chapter Two: Meet Professor Lupin
Harry continued to point his wand at the five students before him. "I asked you who you are," he growled.
"Wow, buddy… calm down a bit," Sirius said, eyeing Harry's wand.
"Harry…" Lily said quietly. Harry started a bit at her voice. "Just calm down. We're not going to hurt you."
"I might if you don't get that wand out of my face," James said.
"James, shut up," Remus said calmly. "I'm Remus Lupin. This is Sir–"
"Don't tell him our names!" Sirius said loudly.
Remus rolled his eyes and continued. "This is Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, Lily Evans, and James Potter."
Harry shook his head, keeping his wand steady. "You're lying," he said. They had to be lying…
"He's not lying," Lily said.
"Prove it, then," Harry said.
"How?" Remus asked just as calmly as before.
Harry looked at each of the Marauders and finally settled his eyes on Peter – his parents' betrayer. "You. Transform," he said.
Peter had tried to shrink back into shadows and was highly startled when Harry addressed him. "W –
what?" He squeaked.
"Transform," Harry said, moving his wand away from James and onto Peter.
"Oy! Back off!" Sirius yelled, moving between Peter and Harry, taking out his own wand.
Harry stared at Sirius for a moment as if debating something, but shook himself from whatever memory it was he was experiencing. "Tell him to transform," Harry said, his voice trembling slightly.
"Transform into what?" Lily asked, slightly startled at the boy's behavior.
"Into the rat," Harry said simply, not taking his eyes off of Peter.
James' eyes widened in realization. "How do you know about that?" he demanded.
"I know a lot," Harry said, avoiding James' eyes.
James, Sirius, and Remus exchanged a silent conversation with facial gestures. Sighing, Sirius nodded and moved out of the way of Harry's wand. "Do it, Pete," he said reluctantly.
Biting his lip, Peter nodded to his friends and closed his eyes tightly. A moment later, Lily screamed and pulled her legs up on the bench. In Peter's place was a fat rat with blue eyes and a bald tail.
"Shh, Lily, it's okay," James said, trying to hush the redhead.
"Satisfied?" Sirius growled at Harry.
"No," Harry said, but he lowered his wand.
"Change back, Peter," Remus said quietly. His calm demeanor was getting on Harry's nerves. Peter reappeared and sat, trembling, next to Remus.
"What…" Lily muttered, staring wide-eyed at Peter.
"He's an Animagus. They all are. Well, except him," Harry said, gesturing to Remus.
"How do you know that?" James asked furiously.
"I told you, I know a lot," Harry said, sitting on Remus' other side. "Too much," he added in a tone he thought to be inaudible. Remus looked at him oddly, but didn't comment.
"What's going on?" Lily whispered fearfully, tears filling her green eyes.
James sat back down next to her and put a comforting arm around her shoulders. To everyone's surprise – James' especially – she didn't pull away.
"Harry," Remus began cautiously. "What year is it?"
Sirius raised an eyebrow at the question, but let Harry answer. "1996," he said quietly.
"What?" Lily said disbelievingly.
Harry nodded.
"But… how?" Sirius asked.
"The barrier," James whispered.
"That's what I was thinking," Remus said, nodding to his best friend. "Is Dumbledore still headmaster?"
"Yes," Harry said quietly, staring at the floor.
Remus nodded and sat back in his seat. The lunch trolley passed by a few hours later, but for the first time ever, none of the occupants in the compartment had much of an appetite. Lily leaned on James and rested her head on his shoulder. James raised an eyebrow at her behavior, but didn't comment. Sirius continued to stare at Harry skeptically, not trusting him one bit. How did he know about them being Animagi? What else did he know?
The train arrived in Hogsmeade just after dark. None of the other students noticed the five new passengers as they made their way to the "horseless" carriages. "Maybe you should all ride with me," Harry suggested hesitantly. He would take them to Dumbledore the moment they reached Hogwarts. None of them argued, and found an empty carriage.
"Harry!" called a voice.
Harry turned sharply and found Hermione approaching with Ron just behind her. "Hey," Harry said quietly to them. "Listen, I'm going to have to meet you in the Great Hall. I've got to talk with Dumbledore."
"About what?" Ron asked. "We just got here!"
"I'll tell you later," Harry said quickly. "See you."
He climbed into the cramped carriage and shut the door behind him. The ride was bumpy but silent. They stopped in front of the school, and, to Harry's relief, they were the first out of the carriages. "Come on," Harry said to the other five.
"Where does he get off ordering us around?" Sirius muttered to his friends.
"Shut up, Padfoot," James and Remus said, following Harry up to the school.
To everyone's surprise, Dumbledore was waiting for them just inside the door. "To my office, please," he said. "Quickly now."
Raising their eyebrows at one another, the six students followed Dumbledore to his office. "Have a seat, please," the headmaster said, sitting behind his desk. Silently, they sat in the six chairs arranged in front of them. "I see, Harry, that you've discovered our guests. I did hope you would be the one to meet them first," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling.
"I… what?" Harry asked. Did Dumbledore know this was going to happen? Of course, he knew, you prat! He's Dumbledore! Harry thought.
Dumbledore sighed. "The memories I have of this situation are quite strange. I looked forward to finding out how this occurred."
"You know?" Harry asked. "But how?"
Dumbledore smiled and pulled out a very aged looking piece of parchment from his purple robes. He looked at it for a moment, and held it over the table for the students. James took it and read it out loud for the others to hear.
"Dear Albus,'" James began, "James Potter, Lily Evans, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew will be visiting Hogwarts once again for a short period of time beginning on 1 September 1996. The peculiarity of this event will be revealed to you in time. They will not cause much trouble. Beware the second floor corridor, third door on the left, the night before they leave. Signed, A.D. P.S. Your extra bag of lemon drops is behind the Floo Powder," James read. "What?" he added, looking up at the headmaster.
"Ah, yes, that reminds me. Accio lemon drops," Dumbledore said cheerfully. A bag of yellow candies flew from the top of the fireplace and landed in Dumbledore's outstretched hand. "Delightful," he muttered, popping one of the candies into his mouth.
Six sets of raised eyebrows appeared before Dumbledore. "Right, sorry," he said, setting the bag of candies on his desk. "Now, please tell me how you came to be here."
James opened his mouth to speak, but found he didn't know where to begin. Luckily, he had Remus. He explained about how they nearly missed the train, and met Harry.
"I see," Dumbledore said, nodding in understanding. "The magical barrier was about to seal itself as the five of you passed through. Somehow, a mix-up has occurred, sending you twenty years into the future," he said simply.
"So you believe them?" Harry asked.
"Of course, I do, Harry," Dumbledore said. "Lemon drop?" he offered his students.
Sirius and James reached out and took a candy each from the bag. "These are good," Sirius muttered. James nodded in agreement.
"How long will we be here, sir?" Lily asked, rolling her eyes at Sirius and James.
"I do not know, Lily," Dumbledore said. "It could be anywhere from a day to a year. Now, while you are staying with us, we must find somewhere to put you. You are all sixth year Gryffindors, if my memory serves me correctly. But it would not be safe to place you in the dorms."
"Why wouldn't it be safe?" Remus asked.
"Voldemort," Harry muttered. Dumbledore nodded. Peter jumped and squeaked slightly at the name causing Harry and Dumbledore to exchange a knowing look at one another.
"That git's still around?" Sirius questioned.
"He is, Sirius," Dumbledore replied, his eyes twinkling once more. "As I was saying, it would not be safe to for the other students to know of your visit. I will arrange temporary quarters for you."
"What about lessons?" Lily asked. Sirius and James groaned loudly.
Dumbledore chuckled. "I will also arrange for private lessons from all of the professors."
"Er, all of the professors, sir?" Harry asked, glancing at Sirius and James out of the corner of his yes.
"All of the professors, Harry."
"This should be interesting," Harry said, causing Remus to look at him questioningly.
A knock sounded on the door. "Come in," Dumbledore called, already knowing who would be missing the welcoming feast to come to his office.
A tired looking professor with slightly graying sandy-colored hair entered. Without glancing at the students, he addressed Dumbledore. "Albus, Harry wasn't in the Great Hall. Ron and Hermione said–"
Dumbledore held out a hand to silence him. "Remus, Harry is here." The sentence caused all five students who didn't belong there to turn to the professor. "I believe you know our guests?"
Remus nodded, and did a double take at the five sixth years. The color drained from his already pale face, and he had to steady himself with an end table to keep from falling over.
"Lily, James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter, I would like you all to meet our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor R.J. Lupin."
