Disclaimer: Sorry, forgot about these 'till now. This goes for the whole story: I don't own Harry Potter, and I'm not making any money off of this. If I missed any legal language that I ought to have put in there to keep from getting sued, please copy and paste it here Thanks much, Rhen.
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James' declaration was, for a moment, met with stunned silence.
Perhaps it was stress. Perhaps the insanity of the past few hours had simply become too much. Whatever the case, the intensity and seriousness of the moment was broken by Hermione's laughter. "Here I've been going on about how much I trust you three, and you lot were eavesdropping right in the middle of it."
The moment was an odd sort of turning point. Hermione and Harry relaxed almost completely, into laughter at the irony. They were inordinately comforted by the presence of those they trusted most - even if they weren't yet the adults they would become. They felt, for the first time since their arrival, that things just might work out. Draco, on the other hand, seemed to have suddenly found his customary attitude. Which was far from a good thing, considering.
"Oh, look, another Potter who likes to play hero. And the Traitor and the Werewolf, as well. Here to save us all, how disgustingly Gr-" Here he broke off, uncertain for just a moment, but it went unnoticed by most. It's hard to say if the last bit had been heard at all, really, since the room had become a cacophany of sound.
Remus had turned white as a sheet, obviously terrified that someone knew his secret, and that the someone didn't appear to like him enough to keep it. James had immediately reacted to this in the best way he knew how; physical force. Not that this action made any sense, mind you; it was simply James' way. Sirius was startled enough by being referred to as a "traitor" to restrain his friend; he was in fact demanding to know what the boy meant by that. Hermione, usually the calm one, could not believe that Draco would say such things, especially after the almost kind way he'd been acting since they got here, and was loudly reprimanding Draco for his reprehensible behaviour. Even Dumbledore was firmly demanding an explanation, in between attempts to calm the group.
It was Harry, who'd sat gaping at the scene before him since the moment the three boys had burst into the room, who managed to silence everyone. Just as James Potter was about to pummel Draco Malfoy to tiny bits for the sake of his wolfish friend, Harry moved directly in the small space betweent the two boys, and magicly, wandlessly froze James' fist mid-punch. The silence postceeding his action stood in sharp contrast of the noise a moment before. Harry didn't speak, even then. He simply looked straight into the eyes of his Father, and shook his head.
James, however, was not to be so easily dissuaded. Glaring at Harry, who, being currently eleven, was significantly smaller than fourteen year old James, he growled out "Let me go. He'll expose Remus. I'm not going to let that happen."
"And what, exactly, were you planning on doing to prevent that?" Harry responded. "If you hit him, it would hardly give him incentive to keep secrets for you."
James, despite the logic of the argument, seemed ready to turn his wrath on Harry for dissuading him. Hermione stepped in this time "Can't we sit down and discuss this like rational adults?"
Again silence reigned, until Harry spoke, with a bit of a laugh in his voice "Um, Hermione..." He gestured to himself, helplessly. Hermione seemed to suddenly remember her eleven-year-old appearence, flushing with embarassment as the rest of the youths, minus Draco, shared a quiet laugh. Draco began to make a disparaging remark, but was interrupted when Dumbledore spoke.
"That is quite enough." Dumbledore spoke, firmly. "There is much to be done, and, as Miss Granger pointed out, we must discuss this in depth if we hope to find a solution."
"But Professor, we have a solution." James said, his mercurial personality allowing the swift change from anger to calm conversation. "We three, we'll bond with them. Well, maybe not with him." James added, nodding towards Draco.
"Mr. Potter, while I admire the sentiment, that may not be entirely possible. If you remember, you must be compatible in order for the bonding to be effective."
James was not to be deterred "Well, how do you check?" he asked, impatiently.
"There is a spell, which -" Dumbledore began.
"Good, cast it then, let's see" James interrupted again, appearing to brace himself for whatever spell might be sent his way.
Dumbledore looked over the top of his glasses at James. "Mr. Potter, if you would allow me to finish." James looked somewhat chagrined, but grinned winningly. Dumbledore continued "We would have to cast it over each individual and their potential match. While that would not be time consuming with this group, there is another problem. The spell that checks compatibility is actually the first step in the complete spell. If the individuals are found compatable, and the binding is not done within one months' time, it may become impossible to bind the individuals at all. If you are truly serious about helping, that should not be a problem. But you must be certain this is what you wish to do. There are a great many reprecussions to this, after all."
Sirius spoke up "Live twice as long or more and suddenly be super-powerful? Sir, with all due respect, that isn't about to make me not want to do this."
"Mr. Black, you are not considering the situation in its entirety." Dumbledore responded. "As I assume you three were listening the entire time, I am sure you know that the powers you gain may well be enough to drive you insane. And while you may live a great deal longer than you might otherwise have, those around you will not have the same privelage. You will have to watch an entire society grow old and die, two, perhaps three or even more times before you yourself face the same. Even should your friends make this decision with you, there is no guarantee they will be compatible, and there are many others in your lives, your parents, your family, that will not have this option. Also, I must mention, the process of the bond itself is painful, as it is an ancient blood-magic."
"That changes nothing, sir" Remus said. "This is - it is right, sir. I know it is. I... I would like you to test, well, me at least, tonight. These..." he gestured at Harry and Hermione, unsure of what to call them "I know we don't really know them, but they know us, and they, well, they obviously consider us family. And... sir, what I mean to say is..." Remus, normally eloquent, was unsure of how to say that his friends were his, for lack of a better word, his pack, and that these others felt like they were already a part of that.
Dumbledore was silent a moment. It was clear the youths didn't really understand the risks, but it was also clear that they would pursue this until he gave in. There was enough danger to the students from the future, considering Harry's importance to the side of the light, that he was willing to take the risk. "If you are quite certain, then?" Dumbledore spoke, looking at all three fourth-year boys. The three nodded thier heads without hesitation. Dumbledore sighed.
"Even the matching process involves blood-magic. Fortunately, it does not require much. How shall we do this? There is a fourth time-traveler as well, as you boys may not know."
"There is a fourth of us, as well, professor, and I'm sure Peter'd do this as well." Sirius spoke. The time travelers,even Draco, all flinched at the thought of Pettigrew. "As for who to try with whom, sir, you know us best, why don't you just try to match us up? If worst comes to worst, we'll just try each of us until we find a match."
"Very well, then. James, Harry, if you would." Dumbledore said. He motioned them to a spot on the floor just in front of his desk. He drew a small, black box from within his desk. It was lined with a rich, red velvet, and encased a sharp, small silver dagger. "Now, hold out your right hands." The boys did as asked. Dumbledore began to incant a spell in a soft, fluid language, drawing the knife in a small, shallow cut on each of their palms, at the base of the third finger. Still muttering the incantation, he indicated they clasp hands. As they did, a white light glowed around their joined hands, growing brighter until Dumbledore ceased the incantation. They all watched anxiously as the light dimmed, disappearing, and was replaced with a red light.
Dumbleore sighed, "Not compatible at all." He said. "If they were basically compatible, but too alike, their hands would glow yellow. This was the color originally desired when the spell was designed. We are hoping for blue." Dumbledore looked at the other two fourth-years. "I'm sure you understand why Harry is a priority. If you would each try? Remus?"
Remus looked upset "Professor" he spoke, his voice soft. He cleared his throat. "Is the dagger... silver, professor?"
Dumbledore suddenly understood "Yes, Mr. Lupin. I'm afraid you won't be able to help in this regard, after all"
Remus looked defiant. He wouldn't be allowed to help? When it might mean the death of these who saw him as thier family? "Professor, it's alright, forget I said anything. I just wanted to know. A cut will not kill me, sir. There's a risk in this for all of us."
"Mr. Lupin. While this part of the ceremony only requires one cut, the bonding itself requires a great deal more. I do not believe you would be able to survive it. Though there is a risk involved in all of this, that risk is unnecessary. I will not take it unless there is no other choice, despite your opinion on the matter."
Remus looked about ready to disagree. "I promise" Dumbledore interrupted, "that should no other options seem to be available, by the end of term, I will re-evaluate my decision." Remus relaxed at that, and nodded, though obviously unhappy.
Sirius, though now horrified to think that he might be outliving one of his dearest friends, stepped up to take his turn with Harry. A few minutes later, unsurprisingly, their hands glowed red. James, looking warily at Draco, obviously hoping it was not him with whom he was compatible, smiled winningly at Hermione and offered her a hand up before once more approaching the headmaster. They held out their hands, Hermione mentally wincing slightly at the thought of the blade, and Dumbledore once again spoke the incantation.
To everyones' suprise, their hands glowed a bright, brilliant blue. Surprised as they were, and curious as to what similarities and differences would cause their compatibility, both sagged in relief. James that he would not be bonded to Draco, and that the decision was conclusively made, now. Hermione was just relieved that she'd have one less thing to worry about. Though, none of the others had a match yet, and this worried her enough to prevent her from being happy about the absolution. She shared a look with James, filled with curiousity, and they smiled at each other.
Sirius looked to Draco in distaste. "I'd rather not bleed for a Malfoy, if you don't mind" Sirius groweled. Hermione looked between the two. The connection was rather obvious, actually. Both raised in a Pureblood wizarding family, both obviously Griffindor at heart. One chose to follow his family anyways, and turn his back on who he was. One chose to break free of the family Slytherin mould, and be his own person in Griffindor. There was little doubt in her mind as to the outcome of the test.
Harry, too, had realized the many obvious connections between Draco and Sirius, and the equally obvious differences in personality. While he could not, for the life of him, pick out the similarities and differences that would make Hermione compatable with his father, he had more than somewhat of a suspicion that these two would be compatible. Harry wasn't quite sure what he felt about that. On the one hand, knowing that Dumbledore would stop at nothing to find a match for the boy-who-lived, it was good to know that he wouldn't be the only one going through this. As many friends, and pseudo-family members as he'd lost in the travel to the past, he wasn't keen on loosing any more any time soon. No, he'd be facing this with Hermione, the one friend who'd always been faithful. Not only that, but he'd have a chance to get to know his father. Actually, this whole thing might not be so bad, Harry mused, I even have Sirius back. Remus is here too. And my mother, and... but God, I miss Ron.
Draco was also aware of the intense possibility of a match with Sirius Black. He knew Black's history quite well, being a Malfoy. Sirius Black was often discussed, often held up as an example to children of pureblood families such as his own. They had been raised the same, both had, obviously, Griffindor tendancies, and yet had made opposite choices regarding the wishes of their families. Added together, it made a match seem imminent. And Draco was scared out of his mind. Scared of having someone do such a thing for him, scared of someone knowing his thoughts, having his memories, seeing some of the horrible things he'd seen; most of all, scared of a bond that would give him a brother. A brother that, knowing all those things about him, would see through his facade.
Sirius himself was aware of the connecion, though his greatest fear was that their hands would turn yellow, that he'd turn out to be too much like the part of his family that he'd turned his back on. This Malfoy seemed entirely too much like the older generation, which was well known to the Blacks.
James, however, despite his already apparent lack of people skills, knew how to resolve Sirius' conflict. "Honestly, Siri, don't worry about it. If it turns out that you're compatible, it just means you're the complete opposite of the git. And if you aren't compatible at all, no harm done."
Sirius shot a nasty glare at Draco, who sneered in return "No one's making you do this, you know"
"Shut UP, Malfoy" Hermione bit out tiredly. "Stop acting like a spoiled child. If he's willing to risk this for you, the LEAST you can do is be greatful about it. Unless, of course, you'd rather cease to exist in about four or five years."
Hearing it that way, that there really were only about four years until they would-have-been born, was a sharp reminder of the urgency, and the seriousness of the situation. Draco's mouth clicked shut, and he sat back in his chair. Sirius looked to James, and they appeared to be having a wordless conversation. It was one thing to form a blood-bond with someone who already saw you as family, but quite another to accept into a close-knit brotherhood (which the Marauders certainly were) someone who not only was a complete unknown, but who already seemed to be at odds with your friends and your beliefs.
Finally, Sirius sighed, and nodded. He looked at Draco, and said "This doesn't mean I'll for sure go through with the bond. But there's no harm in finding out, right? I mean, it doesn't do anything bad if we're compatible and don't bond, right? Just that we wouldn't ever be able to if we didn't in a month's time?"
Dumbledore, who'd been silent to let the teens sort things out amongst themselves, responded at this. "That is true, Mr. Black. However, if you are so uncertain, perhaps it would be better to wait for another time. Once you begin the process, you have only a month. There are, however, no penalties for waiting to begin, excluding the loss of time."
"No, sir, I'll do it now. I'd rather know. And a month is plenty of time to choose." With one last half-hearted glare in Draco's direction, he turned to Dumbledore, and held out his hand. Draco's expression showed surprise, for an instant, before he schooled it back into careful neutrality and stood beside Sirius.
As the silver blade drew down their palms, both Sirius' and Draco's eyes glazed over, as though the blade brought forth, with the blood, memories they would much rather kept within. Unlike the others, they seemed to understand the chant, and both, without prompting, grasped the hand of the other at the right moment. The white light was different than it had been before, though no less intense; the light seeming to be more black than white. This startled both of them, though perhaps it shouldn't have, and they shared a look for the first time, both recognizing that the other knew what that meant. Then they looked away, both resigned to what they knew would come next. Their hands glowed blue.
Sirius stepped back, and slumped into the chair that Hermione had vacated. He was defeated. His ancestery had come back to haunt him, no matter what he'd tried to do in order to avoid it. Draco, on the other hand, looked scared. Not just startled, or frightened, but downright scared. He, too, fell into a chair - the same one he'd left a moment before - and slouched down, putting his head in his hands.
Straightening up, he looked to James. Sirius' eyes flicked in Remus' direction, seeming to be asking a question. James sighed. The'd figure out something to do about Remus. They weren't going to go through all this just the two of them, they'd find a way.
"I do believe that is enough excitement for one night, children. I am quite certain that you have a great deal to talk about. If I may suggest, there are suitable rooms in the annex, which should prove adequate for your purposes. Miss Granger, if you will key these three into the warding on the passageway wall, they will be able to enter your rooms, provided the inner seal is not activated." Dumbledore then addressed the Marauders "You boys will be excused from classes today. I expect you back in classes on Monday. Please use the time wisely. I will bring your homework by tomorrow, and we can go over the rest of the details of the spell at that time."
The group of teens (and not-exactly teens) knew a dismissal when they heard one. None of them spoke as those who had been seated stood, and the whole group filed out the door. The last few hours had been an incredible emotional roller-coaster, and it still seemed completely surreal. They were silent as they waited for the stairs to re-appear to the headmasters' office, uncertain how to relate to each other, now that the moment of crisis was over - or at least... temporarily settled. They exited single file, James first, but as he didn't know the way to their rooms, Hermione quickly moved to the front. Harry moved up to be by her side, both giving and taking whatever comfort he could.
James, Sirius, and Remus walked together behind them. Though silent, the three were engaged in a conversation consisting of looks and hand-gestures. As they had an entire silent code worked out, it was really rather a lively discussion, ranging across many points.
Draco was trailing behind all of them, completely lost in his own thoughs, and feeling utterly alone.
Harry glanced behind him to check that everyone was still following. Out of the corner of his eye, Harry caught Remus questioning, by virtue of said code, what the Marauders should trust the time-travelers with just now. James' response was mostly beyond his field of vision, but Harry got that he was just as confused in the situation as the others were. Hermione, noticing the direction of Harry's gaze, glanced back over her shoulder in time to discover that James had every intention of adopting her as a sister, though he wasn't sure what should be done about Draco, and thought it better to get to know him before making any stupid decisions.
Hermione, unlike Harry, didn't wish to eavesdrop. Especially since the boys were completely unaware that they were being understood. She turned back forward, and cleared her throat, loudly. Feeling three pairs of eyes on the back of her head, she simply stated "Harry and I both know the code."
The boys exchanged dubious glances, and Sirius began a disparaging silent-comment on Hermione's intelligence, as no one knew the code, and they'd sworn never to teach anyone. Hermione snorted, and Harry grinned at them. Turning and walking backwards, Harry signed a suggestion that they never underestimate Hermione, and questioned the intelligence of anyone that would in terms that made Hermione snigger.
Sirius looked flabberghasted, Remus immensely surprised, and James as proud as could be. Draco, on the other hand, was now looking at all of them as though they'd gone entirely mad. Which changed, after a moment, to a smirk. Oddly, matching smirks were suddenly also worn by the three Marauders, who couldn't possibly have seen Draco. Harry wondered what could possibly have caused such a thing, and cocked his head in question. Just before he crashed into the wall behind him.
Harry shot mild glares at the three Marauders, and a third, more venomous one, at Draco, before turning back around. They'd reached the passageway to the annex. He looked to Hermione, and discovered that even she was fighting a grin. "You could've told me, Hermione" Harry muttered, disgruntled. At that, Hermione's grin broke through, though she quickly stilled it and began a long incantation aimed at the wards. The wand movement was equally complicated, and Harry took the moment to contemplate exactly how much his friend knew. Catching the looks of awe on the faces of the three Marauders, Harry got his chance to smirk. Hermione sure is something else Harry thought, proudly.
She completed her incantation, and waved them all through. Once they'd touched the space of wall, the boys could see the odd glow that indicated its presence. "You'll have to do that for Peter, tomorrow" James said "he couldn't join us tonight. And I don't think I'll remember all that."
Harry's face again became a mask, and he shared a meaningful look with Hermione. "We should probably discuss a few things, first" Harry said.
James was about to object, and to defend his friend, when Sirius laid a hand on his arm. Remus flicked his eyes in Hermione's direction, reminding James they had a lot to discuss with the time-travelers, as well. "We do have a lot of things to talk about with you guys, too. Though, I think I really need some sleep, now. Later, if that's okay." James said.
Hermione smiled at the three boys. As soon as the three turned away, she looked at Harry, signalling in their own code to meet her after this and talk.
"Um, not to interrupt, but where are we supposed to sleep?" Sirius asked, somewhat unhappy that these two could converse in a secret code, when the one he shared with his friends was currently ineffetive.
Just then, the door at the other end of the passageway opened, revealing a very awake, and very alert, Neville. Draco, suddenly appearing at the front of the group, immediately swept past him, nearly knocking him over, and headed off towards his rooms. "Professor Dumbledore fire-called while you guys were on your way. He filled me in on everything you all talked about, and sent a house-elf over to fix up rooms for you. I know whose is whose. Professor Lu - er, Remus' is near mine. Harry, James' is the floor above yours. Hermione, Sirius' is below yours." Neville spoke, without ever once looking at the representatives of the past. At the end of this speech, he simply turned and walked back into the common room. Remus looked a question at the others, then shrugged and walked off after Neville.
James and Sirius looked at the remaining time-travelers "Is he, er, always that... nice?" James asked
"We've had more time to get used to this all than he has. It is a bit of a shock, the whole thing, you know?" Hermione offered. Harry and Hermione exchanged a glance as they entered the main room, what was up with Neville?
James and Sirius followed them into the room, but then stopped in awe. After hearing the words "common room", they'd been expecting something on the order of Gryffindors' common area, except perhaps a smaller, considering. But this... where on earth had this been hidden? And why had they never seen it before? Surely, you would notice such a place when looking out some window in the school... somewhere.
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Neville was convinced that the world was truly out to get him. Storming back to his room, he indulged in a mental tirade. He'd cut the flu connection just as the Headmaster had finished the bit about the bonding, and answered Nevilles' question about his own parents. He didn't care how rude it was. Neville wished those three boys weren't going to be here for the whole weekend. Of course, famous, perfect Harry Potter gets his parents back. Harry'd prallie get to bond to his father as a brother, and, unless he missed his guess, Harry's mother would bond to Hermione as a sister.
That's just the sort of way things would work out in the life of famous Harry Potter. He could spend the rest of his life with his mum and dad; not only that, but he would know them as a sibling as well as child, and truly be their friend. And Hermione would be the next best thing to his sister. There would be a bond between the lot of them that Neville would never have with anyone. That only left professor Lupin and Draco, who would obviously bond as well. Lupin to stay with his friends, and Malfoy to save his sorry arse.
Figures. It would leave Neville behind. As always.
But... didn't he remember Harry saying, once, that there were four Marauders?
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A/N: Thanks so much to my reviewers. I promise there'll be some action soon, hope I haven't bored you all to death!