1
A/N: Gee, it's been forever since I updated. I thought I would be able to update more often during the summer, but it was even busier than during school! So, welcome to the sixth installment of Past and Present.
Disclaimer: Why repeat this every time? I don't own it. There. Happy?
Sometimes, Ignorance is Bliss
James and Lily quickly made their way to the gargoyle that guarded the entrance to Dumbledore's office. When they arrived, Lily and James shared and perplexed glance.
"You know the password?" James asked. Lily shook her head. James smacked himself in the forehead. Then, he seemed to get a brilliant idea. Or so he thought in said current situation.
He began kicked the gargoyle and pounding on it with his fists, all the while yelling," I need to talk to Dumbledore!"
Lily shook her head and rolled her eyes. Leave it up to James to act immaturely in such a desperate situation. Not to mention the gargoyle had come to life and had a very readable expression on his face which clearly said," I am going to strangle this boy if he doesn't knock it off!"
"James!" Lily exclaimed, grasping James by the shoulders and shoving him to the ground in an attempt to get him to stop trying to beat up a stone gargoyle. He glared at no one in particular and stood up, rubbing his left hand.
"It didn't work," he huffed like a three year old who couldn't have a cookie.
"Let me try," Lily suggested, turning to the gargoyle. She spoke to him in a demanding voice," My name is Lily Evans and I am a sixth year prefect. Please, I have forgotten the password and need to speak to the headmaster."
"Why should I believe that story?" the gargoyle asked. James' mouth dropped to the floor.
"Th-the gargoyle talks?" he stuttered in amazement. Lily ignored him.
"I am not lying! Please let us pass!"
Suddenly, the gargoyle leapt aside to reveal Dumbledore standing in the alcove. James and Lily both grinned enthusiastically. Being clueless can have this effect on a person.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Weasley, please follow me," Dumbledore said, gesturing for them to follow them. Lily thought of arguing, but followed silently with James tagging along behind her. When they entered Dumbledore's office, he shut the door and sat majestically behind his desk. Lily and James took the seats in front of him and Fawkes let out a jumble of notes in greeting.
"Professor, somehow-" Dumbledore held up a hand, silencing James. Then he smiled at them. James noticed that he looked older and more worn than usual, though his blue eyes still twinkled knowingly at them.
"James, Lily, I know exactly what has happened," Dumbledore said. Lily gasped and James felt his mouth fall again. Dumbledore made a triangle with his hands and began to explain. " You seem to have switched places with two students and gone forward in time. The year now is 1996. These students are named Harry and Ginny. Harry is in his sixth year and Ginny is in her fifth."
"Sir, why did we switch with them? Who are they? What's going on?" Lily asked, feeling overwhelmed with so much to handle. Dumbledore gazed at her sympathetically.
"Miss Evans, I will not tell you certainly who these students are. I will tell you however, that they affect your life greatly, whether in past, present, or future. Luckily, you and James greatly resemble them, so until my past self figures out how to send them back, you are...stuck in this time and will need to pass as them."
"You mean, we have to be disguised?" James asked, a frown on his face. Dumbledore nodded.
"First, Ginny has freckles," he aimed his wand at Lily. Something warm spread across her cheeks and nose. James grinned. Lily looked cute with freckles. Dumbledore turned to James.
"And Harry has a scar on his forehead," Dumbledore said. James thought he saw a fleeting look of sadness flicker across Dumbledore's face but then something strange jerked him out of his thoughts. Something seemed to be scratching him slowly on his forehead.
Lily's mouth opened slightly. James now had a lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead, something that made him look...different. Older, perhaps. She didn't know how a simple scar could do that, but she felt that for some reason, this scar was different.
Next, Dumbledore transformed their eyes. James' eyes became a mirror of Lily's, almond shaped and emerald green beneath his glasses. Lily's became a chocolate brown that seemed sparkly in the torchlight.
Soon, Dumbledore explained about Ginny's and Harry's schedules. Harry was quidditch captain and seeker. Ginny was a prefect. At last, Dumbledore mentioned one more thing.
"By the way, Ginny and Harry both have secret crushes on each other. So, no pranks, Mr. Potter and no insults, Lily," Dumbledore advised.
"Alright," James agreed slowly. Lily nodded. This wouldn't be too difficult, she hoped.
As they left Dumbledore's office, James and Lily both looked at each other at the same time. James smiled softly at Lily, earning a smile back.
"This is going to be interesting," they said at the same time.
A/N: Sorry it's so short and slightly boring. It's just a filler. The fun stuff is coming next chapter! I'll update by next week at latest! Please review!