Changing Times
By Neurotica
Chapter Nine: Back to the 70s
The inevitable day unfortunately came when it was time for Lily and the Marauders to return to their own time. Dumbledore had put it off until the following weekend to allow Harry to spend more time with his parents. They'd all gotten along amazingly in the short time they'd known each other, and Dumbledore couldn't bring himself to separate them again just yet.
Dumbledore and Lupin, as always, were the voices of reason in the matter. If the Marauders and Lily remained in the future, it would only be a matter of time until Voldemort found out. The repercussions were endless, and it couldn't possibly be allowed to happen.
Remus and Lily had both prepared their things to go the night before, like the good Prefects they were. James, Sirius, and Peter, however, had waited until the very last moment, and were now running around like hippogriffs with their heads cut off trying to gather their things from around their quarters. Dumbledore, Lupin, and Harry would be arriving any second to say goodbye and send them back.
"Has anyone seen my boxers with the broomsticks on them?" Sirius called, searching in between sofa cushions and under desks.
"That's disgusting, Black," Lily called in a sing-song voice from where she sat on her trunk beside Remus. Over the last two weeks, Lily had gotten to know the Marauders quite well, and was realizing they weren't as bad as she thought.
"That's nothing," Remus said dismissively. "There was one time in fourth year when the space under his bed had become so dirty, James swore something was living under it. Sirius checked and was nearly attacked by a rabid Kneazle that had moved in over the summer."
"Okay," Lily said slowly, chuckling.
"So, you ready to go back?" Remus asked, watching James help Peter look for his shoe.
"Just summon it, Wormtail!" James yelled.
"I can't find my wand!" Peter whined.
"Yes, and no," Lily answered. "Yes, because I'm anxious to get back to normal. And no because, well, because of Harry. I've only known him for two weeks, but… he's my… son," she added hesitantly with a sidelong glance at James. "Not to mention I've actually gotten to know James a bit more."
"Told you he's not so bad," Remus interjected with a grin.
"Yeah," Lily said, watching James with a soft smile.
A few moments later, Dumbledore entered the room followed by Lupin and Harry. Dumbledore and Lupin smiled as James and Sirius ran past them throwing socks at one another. Peter had finally located his wand and shoe, and was now hastily throwing his things into his trunk.
"Is it time?" Remus asked the headmaster.
"It is," Dumbledore said a little sadly.
"Hey, Harry," Remus said, noticing the withdrawn look on Harry's face.
"Hey," Harry said with a small smile.
"Do you have everything packed?" Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling.
"Er," Remus said, looking around. Peter and James closed and locked their trunks in unison. Sirius pulled his owl cage from his room and sat it beside James'. All three of them turned and smiled at the new arrivals. "Yes, sir, everything is packed," Remus finished.
"Marvelous," Dumbledore said. "Well, I am sure you all wish to say goodbye. Take your time," he added, taking a bag of lemon drops from his robe and sitting in an armchair.
"So, Harry," James said awkwardly, approaching his future son with his future wife by his side. "Um… well, it was good meeting you, and… er…"
"What James is trying to say is that we've had a wonderful time getting to know you. And no matter what happens, we'll always be with you," Lily said, taking James' hand.
Harry smiled. "Thank you." He hugged Lily, and she gave him a quick peck on the cheek before walking away, her hands covering her eyes.
"So, I guess this is it," James said.
"Guess so," Harry said.
"You're a damn good Seeker, Harry. And you're a better flier than I am – and that's saying something," James grinned.
Harry laughed. "Thanks."
Awkwardly, James pulled Harry in for a quick hug and joined Lily on the other side of the room.
"Well, Harry, I'll see you in a few years, eh?" Remus said.
"I guess so," Harry smiled.
"Take care."
"You, too," Harry said, shaking Remus' outstretched hand.
Sirius was next in line to say goodbye. "I might not have been the greatest godfather in the world, but I'm sure the future me – before I die, I mean – would have been really proud of you."
Harry nodded, thinking of the changes the Sirius he had known had gone through over the years. In school, Sirius had been energetic, highly protective of his friends – something that never changed – and happy. There was no deadness in his gray eyes. It was good for Harry to know his godfather wasn't always unhappy. "See you, Sirius," Harry said quietly.
"So, Moony," James grinned to the older Lupin. Lupin's lips twitched. "Any advice you can give us before we go?
Lupin looked at the sixteen-year-old version of his best friend. Many things came to his mind as advice, but he thought he'd go with one thing that could benefit everybody in their sixth year at Hogwarts. "There is something that happens towards the end of the school year. Sirius is going to pull a 'prank' on Snape that will send him into the Whomping Willow…"
"It's okay, Peter," Harry said to the last Marauder, who was stammering apologies. "It was nice meeting you. At least now I know you weren't always evil…"
"I'm still sorry, Harry," Peter said. "It was nice meeting you, too."
Harry smiled and shook the hand of the man that would eventually betray his parents.
Lupin said goodbye to the Marauders and Lily, and nodded to Dumbledore. The headmaster stood and motioned for the time travelers to gather around him. "The way you will be sent back to your own time is perhaps predictable and clichéd, but it is the easiest," Dumbledore said. "You will use a very special time-turner that will disappear the moment you reach my office in 1975. Unfortunately, I will have to erase your memories." Dumbledore held up a hand as James and Sirius began to object. "I understand your wishes to change the future, boys, but you must realize the terrible things that could happen if you did." There was no arguing with Albus Dumbledore; Sirius and James closed their mouths promptly.
"Now, I ask you to place the time-turner around your necks – the chain is long enough to cover all five of you. Professor Lupin will shrink your belongings for travel," Dumbledore said.
Once all five trunks were shrunk, the Marauders and Lily placed them safely in the pockets of their robes. Their owls in hand, they waited for Dumbledore to erase their memories.
Just before the headmaster raised his wand, James said, "Wait!" He turned to Lily and hesitated. "I don't know what's going to happen when we get back, so I want to do this while you don't hate me as much."
Lily raised a questioning eyebrow until James dipped her in a rather passionate kiss. For a moment, it looked as if Lily was going to slap him, but thankfully for James, she began to kiss back.
Once they'd finished, both Lily and James had goofy grins and blushes on their faces.
"Way to go, James," Sirius muttered to his friend. James couldn't stop grinning long enough to answer.
Dumbledore chuckled and raised his wand. "It was wonderful seeing you all again. I wish you luck," he said. "Obliviate!"
For a moment, the Marauders and Lily had dazed looks on their faces.
"Oh, I almost forgot," Dumbledore muttered, taking a piece of parchment with black writing on the front. To Albus Dumbledore. Do not open until 31 August 1996. He tucked the letter into Remus' hand, placed the time-turner around the necks of the travelers, and activated it. Next moment, James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, and Lily Evans were gone.
"Sir, will they forget everything?" Harry asked curiously.
"They will forget the large things that have happened, or will happen. Smaller things, they will remember vaguely. Like Quidditch," Dumbledore said with a smile and wink to Lupin.
"It's been an interesting few weeks," Lupin said, smiling.
"Understatement," Harry muttered, causing the older wizards to chuckle. "Um, sir, are you going to wipe our memories, too?"
Dumbledore looked thoughtfully from Harry to Remus. Both looked as if they wanted nothing more than to keep the memory of the last two weeks. "You know, Harry, I don't believe I will. The both of you deserve these memories, and I can not bring myself to take them from you." Harry and Lupin smiled at each other. "Now, if you will excuse me, I must go re-arrange my socks. Good afternoon, gentlemen."
