Chapter Nine

Suspicion and Stares

"Impressive," stated Sirius crossing his arms and nodding his head. "Very impressive. It took Pron—James and I years to become Animagi."

"I can't believe he had to do that," Lupin was shaking his head. If I had bitten him… you… both of you…" he couldn't finish his sentence, head buried in hands.

"Well, you didn't that's what matters. And the danger is gone," said Dumbledore quietly.

"So what else does this 'Harry' do?" asked Sirius curiously.

"I can't remember," Lupin's eyes were screwed up, trying to remember.

"Anything with the Map? Quidditch?"

"I remember I was really suspicious of him, and then one day he acted normally again, like nothing had happened." Sirius nodded.

"That means that eventually we'll trade back," Sirius concluded.

"Yes, but we don't know how long it will take," said Dumbledore. "Sirius… Remus and I need to speak only for a few minutes. Could you kindly…" he gestured towards the door.

"But this is ME we are talking about!" Sirius protested loudly, arms flapping wildly.

"Still, there are things in the future better left unknown by you," Dumbledore answered smoothly.

"Yeah? Like what? I mean, there really isn't anything—" he was interrupted by the doorbell and screams of Mrs. Black.

"FILTHY MUDBLOODS DISGRACE THIS HOUSE!" shrieked the portrait, among other things.

"I'll get it," Remus vanished, leaving Sirius standing in a huff at Dumbledore.

"Professor…" Sirius started, but Dumbledore gestured him to silence himself.

"Sirius," Dumbledore sighed, "I don't want you to get hurt, or attempt to change the future." Sirius snorted.

"I'm not that thick."

"It has nothing to do with that fact of being stupid."

"Then what does it have to do with?"

"Emotion." This word struck Sirius with such a brutal force, his heart skipped.

"Whaddo you mean 'emotion'? Has something happened to James?"

"Sirius, this is enough."

"TELL ME WHAT'S HAPPENED TO JAMES!" Sirius was standing inches from Dumbledore now, but Dumbledore did not have time to answer.

Lupin entered the kitchen again, trailed by Hermione and Ron.

"HARRY!" Hermione exclaimed, throwing her arms around Sirius. "What the hell were you thinking?"

"How did you get here?" asked Ron curiously

"I took the Kn—"

"Are you alright?" urged Hermione

"Yes, I'm—"

"Why did you leave? What did the Muggles do to you?" Ron looked a bit angry.

"Nothi—"

"I hope you didn't do anything illegal to them, Harry," Hermione told him sternly.

"I didn't!" Sirius raised his voice in exasperation. "And I'm not Harry!"

Hermione and Ron exchanged inquisitive looks.

"We have something to tell you guys…" started Lupin. Hermione nodded and sat down, but Ron still stood up.

"I'm not Harry," repeated Sirius. "I'm Sirius. Sirius Black."

Hermione looked at each of them, waiting for someone to tell her this was all a huge joke. Ron laughed.

"Hokay, there Harry. Whatever you say," his eyes were wide, however.

"It's true. This is not Harry," Dumbledore started. "We don't know how it happened, but Harry is in Sirius' time and he got sent here."

"How?" Hermione asked.

"We don't know," said Lupin. "Powerful magic, to state the obvious."

"Is Harry okay?" asked Ron.

"How would they know that?" snapped Hermione. "Unless… Professor Lupin…"

"PROFESSOR LUPIN?" Sirius cracked up.

"Yes, I became a Professor, Padfoot," said Lupin, calling Sirius, for the first time, by his nickname.

"It's so weird to see you say that to Harry," said Ron nervously.

"Well, will you please excuse us?" asked Dumbledore. "Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley, could you show Sirius around?"

"I…" but he stopped. He wanted to see his house now. His natural curiosity got to him. "Fine."

-xXxXxXxXx-

"So… Sirius…" Ron started.

"What happened to James?"

"Nothing," said Hermione quickly. "Oh, check in the attic, there's a surprise."

Sirius knew she was just trying to change the subject, but he climbed the stair anyway and opened the door. There stood a beautiful, black hippogriff.

"Cool!" exclaimed Sirius.

"He's yours in the future," Ron explained nervously.

"What's its name?" asked Sirius, bowing to it, and receiving one back.

"Buckbeak," said Ron. "So, do you reckon Harry's okay?"

"Yeah, he had to become an Ani…" he stopped abruptly.

"An Animagus?" suggested Hermione. Sirius nodded. "Yeah, we already know you can change into an animal." Ron gasped

"He did that in a day?" Sirius nodded.

"Oh, well, he's fine now. Moon—I mean Professor Lupin remembers some things."

"Well, he had the ability to become an Animagus because he was in your body, but didn't know how. It was probably easier for him than it was for you and James the first time," explained Hermione. She opened the blinds and sunlight washed over her face. She's really hot, thought Sirius, noticing her for the first time. Hermione noticed Sirius gazing at her chest.

"Sirius?" she folded her arms. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing," the three of them shifted awkwardly. Then Ron spoke:

"So, what's it like in the past?"

"Great!" Sirius grasped the moment. "James and I and Peter and Remus make these pranks," Sirius laughed. "Before I left James and I fed Snape, do you know Snape?"

Ron and Hermione nodded.

"Well, we fed him this potion to make him grow feathers, I wish I could have seen it. At least Harry got to enjoy it."

"You could have gotten Harry into a lot of trouble!" exclaimed Hermione, angry.

"I didn't know he'd be in my body, thank you very much," Sirius snapped. He was sick of this speech, even from a beautiful girl. A very beautiful girl.

Oh god, this is going to be a long night.