A/N: this chapter is number 18! Wow, I can honestly say when I started this story, I really didn't expect myself to stay committed to it like most peoples do. But your encouragement has leaded me to new ideas, and great plots in the forming, and happiness from all the positive reviews!

This chapter is in quite a bit different povs, and it skips back and forth between characters, something which hopefully wont happen often unless you peoples like it, but it will hopefully all make sense… lol hopefully! And there is some feuding between the characters; I just wanted to show some inner depth to the characters as well. Normal family stuff! Lol he he-HAW! Lol okay enough donkey song and on with the story…

So thanks everybody again!

And without further ado…Chapter 18!

Disclaimer: do I really need to go over this again? This is getting really irritating…

Chapter 18: Confusion on a Silver Platter

Harry shifted slightly in his sleep.

He had just had the best dream in a long time. He was dreaming that he was sitting on the astronomy tower after he had fought with his friends, and he somehow had fallen through time and space, landing in his father's strong arms.

The dream had felt so real though! Like he was actually there, and it had happened. He would. Never forget the feeling of his father's arms around him. It felt so write to be held like a child, someone who needed to be loved.

The best part though, was when his dad whispered three words in his ears, three words nobody had ever said to him before…

"I love you Harry"

Those words would forever remain etched into his mind, if not for a sign of comfort. It may have seemed pathetic to many people that a dream would have that effect on you. But Harry was no normal person, and had no normal dreams.

The feeling of warmth spread through him as he relished the dream. If only that could happen, if only it were true…

He sighed in contentment, shifting slightly as he lightly slept. A soft prickly feeling crept onto his neck as he breathed. The feeling that he was not alone…

Harry wearily opened his eyes, and saw to his amazement, that he was quite alone in the Hogwarts Hospital Wing. How had he gotten there?

Feeling more awake, he opened his eyes wider, and listened for the sound of approaching teachers. Certainly somebody was there…

When no sound came to his ears, he immediately felt suspicious.

Usually a whole crowd of his friends and teachers flocked him the moment he entered the wing. They usually stayed till he woke up…

The blurriness of the room just wasn't doing anything for Harry, as he reached over to the familiar beside table to reach for his glasses. The skinny frames met his fingers, and he gently slid them onto his bruised face. He was right to expect the hospital wing. What he was not expecting though was the state he was in…

Bandages wrapped him around his left arm, right leg, and he could tenderly feel a tightly wrapped bandage across his chest. No wonder he could hardly breathe.

His panic rose however when he ripped open his pajama shirt to see all of his past injuries wrapped up, and smothered with some sort of healing cream. Did they know?

They couldn't know! What if they did? What would they say? What would he do?

Panic stricken, Harry flipped over in his bed - only to fall off the bed in shock.

What the…?

This had to be some kind of sick joke.

He did not just turn around too see his dead father lying next to him…

Breathing more smoothly, he slowly raised himself up to look over the side of the bed. He froze.

Sure enough, there was a sleeping figure… looking way too much like Harry's twin to be fake.

Shaking his head, to relieve him of this vivid dream- or whatever it was- he scrambled way from the bed, and sprinted towards the Hospital Wing doors…

"Tap, tap, tap"

The insufficient tapping on the windowpane awoke young Lily Potter from her restless sleep.

"Alright, alright…" she mumbled tiredly. Getting up, she stretched briefly before attending to the inpatient snowy owl at her window.

The bird didn't stop for a biscuit as he roughly dropped the letter in her outstretched hands, and flew crookedly out the window. Feeling slightly irritated now, Lily examined the letter from the obnoxious bird.

It had a beige envelope, with a familiar crest stamped in gold on the front. Feeling relieved that the letter wasn't some anonymous threat – or a trick form Sirius – she opened it curiously.

Dear Ms. Potter,

We are Happy to inform you that you have received the position for the new Healer at St.Mungos. Your training will be with Healer Montgomery. It starts on February 1st, and will be extended till May 23rd, when you receive your full license.

We are looking forward to your response, and will enjoy having you as one of the staff. Congratulations on your performance.

Head Healer Albert Walter,

St. Mungos Hospital for Magical injuries and Melodies

Lily gasped in excitement and did a little happy dance. She was going to be a Healer!

Lily had taken a bunch of courses to apply for the job of becoming a healer, and she had sent in her applicant a couple weeks ago. She has been waiting for the response ever since.

Wait till she told James!

Her smile faltered, and she stopped dancing cheerfully.

She had left for home before the others had, and not shortly after, she was informed that James had some unknown 'cause' and was staying at Hogwarts for the remaining evenings of that week.

She had of course, accepted that excuse, knowing it was for a good cause, but she couldn't help but get this sixth sense that something bigger was happening right under her nose…

Shaking it off, she resolved to go visit James and tell him the good news after her breakfast.

Lily ventured down to her cozy kitchen, enjoying the view out of the expansive window ahead of her.

Her and James lived in a large house, situated in the middle of a beautiful wood. A large lake surrounded their home, and flowers bloomed everywhere. The peaceful quiet was comforting and it warmed Lily's heart. She loved to sit by the fire at night and write poetry by the moonlight that streamed through the beautiful window.

At first, she had been totally against James buying the land, it was too much. She had grown up with not very much money, and suddenly she was loaded. It was too overwhelming. She had always been self-conscious about it, and having a super rich husband wasn't helping the matter.

James had insisted though, even after her protests that it would break the bank, he could see in her eyes how much she truly had fell in love with it. Heck, he had too.

So even living in the middle of the large acres woods, with their own private lake, and wood, Lily still refused to spend more money then necessary, but James didn't mind, anything for his Lily.

Lily smiled at the memory of her wonderful husband. The once so immature (although he still was at times) teenager had grown to be a loving husband, and more responsible (to a certain extent) soon-to-be father.

Taking a cup of warm herbal tea she had just brewed, she situated herself in the spacious living room of their home.

She laid a hand lightly on her stomach, a small lump was juts beginning to form there, and she smiled.

She was just barely 19, very young for a mother she knew, but her and James had been married since they turned 18. Only a couple months after they graduated from Hogwarts. They had a home, some land, a wonderful career, and more then enough money to buy the whole continent. She was pretty sure she was ready, both physically and mentally for this baby.

Sighing heavily, she reflected on the scene she had just witnessed in Dumbledore's office. The unforgettable words her future son had to carry on his shoulders…

A crystal like tear fell down her face, but she angrily wiped it away. She would not cry, she was going to be strong, if not for herself – for her son. She would be their every step of the way, and watch his every move, giving him loves and care for all of eternity. Because she loved her son- Harry Potter.

The name flowed beautifully with him. She remembered the first time she laid her eyes on him. The striking likeness of him to James was uncanny, and those emerald eyes… so like her own…she had the distinct impression that her son had taken after some of her stubbornness as well.

Directing her crystal clear emeralds towards the sparkling lake outside, she sighed in contentment. If only the birds sang in happiness forever… maybe some people wouldn't give up their faith, and hope…

Giving her belly another rub, she got up regretfully slowly, to go do the dishes and check up what was going on with James…

James opened his eyes slowly. The morning sun was streaming in through the wide windows of the hospital wing, and he relished in the warmth of it all. The comfort of the feather mattress made him want to sleep for a long time…

A smile met his face again, as he remembered his sleeping son. He was so… precious.

Moving his arm again, he felt for the familiar lump, that was his son. There wasn't one.

Huh?

He opened his eyes wider and felt alarmed at the sight that met his eyes.

The bed was empty-save for him- and his son's glasses were gone from the side of the table. The bed was ruffled, as if somebody had left in a hurry, and the hospital doors were slightly ajar…

"Shit" he muttered. Taking his wand form the other bed he was at before, he ran quickly but silently through the large hospital wing doors. He had to find his son, but first he was going to inform the headmaster… he couldn't have gotten far…

"I'm coming Harry"

Sirius stretched his well-toned arms above his head; his upper torso gleamed in the sunlight through the window.

"Bloody sun," he muttered, squinting through the light towards his dresser where his wand was. Soft snores came from the room across from him, and he gained a suddenly wicked grin…

Getting up and grabbing his famous wand, he crept towards the door, which was slightly ajar…

His roommate Remus Lupin was sleeping rather awkwardly with his arms pinned beneath his back, and his head lolled halfway off the impending bed.

Sirius smirk widened as he crept towards the bed slowly, with the stealth on a marauder could possess. A large bucket of cold water appeared from the tip of his wand, and floated slowly over the sleeping figure…

'SPLASH!'

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Sirius highjacked his way out of the room, towards the kitchen, but ti was too later as a steaming werewolf came in clad in only his boxers, and tackled him to the floor.

"Humph!" Sirius muffled into the floor.

"That was Soooooooo old school!" Remus remarked through punches at the whining Sirius.

"Well-ow! -It-ow! -Worked-OW!" he shrieked in a very high voice as Remus continued to tackle him.

The young wrestling adults were so preoccupied they didn't even notice the other presence that marked their own.

"Sorry! Did interrupt something?"

The sweet smiling face of Lily Potter smirked at the two men – dressed only in a pair of boxers wrestling on the floor.

Smiling sheepishly the 2 slowly got up and gave her a big –rather sweaty- hug.

She made a face. "Not that I don't love you guys… but you really could use a shower" she scrunched up her nose even more " you stink! I'm serious…"

"No your not, I' am!" Sirius countered playfully.

Remus shook his head. "Anyways, what did you need Lils?"

"Oh!" she regained her serious face "James had spent the night at Hogwarts yesterday for reasons he wouldn't give" Sirius suddenly had a guilty expression "…and I was wondering if you peoples knew what was going on – and if you wanted to come check it out with me"

Remus cocked his head to the side "whys James at Hogwarts? Are their any more aparations?" he inquired.

Lily shook her head " I don't think so, the Order would have probably been informed if there were"

"All right, I guess we should go, I have not idea what James was up too…" he trailed off suddenly and they both looked suspiciously at the guilty looking Sirius.

"…Padfoot…?" Remus questioned cautiously.

Sirius squirmed under their insistent stares and he looked at the floor, scratching his head nervously.

"Well…" he coughed nervously "you see…umm…"

Lily's eyes narrowed dangerously "Sirius Orion Black…"

His eyes widened, and suddenly everything came out in a big rush. "You see, me and James were walking back from the castle after the thing in Dumbledore's' office, and after you left we kind of walked outside – and-,"

She was tapping her foot impatiently, sending a glare Sirius' way that could melt molasses. "And…?" she prompted.

"AndJamescaughtaliveHarryoutofthinair" he rushed out nervously. Suffering Lily Potters' wrath was not a pleasant experience.

"Pardon?" she inquired impatiently.

"I said" he began again really slowly "James-caught-a-live-Harry-out-of-thin-air"

Silence.

"What!" they both shrieked in sync. Sirius sent them a weird look.

"Have you two been practicing ESP or something? Cause that was juts creepy-,"

"Sirius" Lily cut in threatingly. "We don't have time for kidding around – I can't believe this – why didn't anybody tell me – oh I' am soooo going to kill him!"

Remus diverted himself from her insane rambling and grabbed Sirius' arm roughly. "And when" he began slowly " were you planning on telling me this?"

Sirius gave him a sheepish look. "Hey! Look, I was just as shocked as you two were, and James made me swore before I left that you two didn't find out yet!"

Lily's eyes narrowed to dangerous slits "oh? And when were you planning on breaking that promise and coming to inform me?"

Sirius blanched. "Hey! Sorry! But I couldn't break his trust! No matter what-,"

"This is my son were talking about Sirius!" she growled lowly. "This is not the time to blubber at me about your personal trust issues!" Sirius flinched back form the steaming red head "Now both of you get your sorry arses dressed and floo yourselves to Hogwarts" without another word, the red head floundered out of their like a steaming tea pot ready to burst.

Sirius whistled, "Wow, that's one fiery-,"

"Sirius?" Remus cut across him.

"Yeah?"

"I think now is not the time to admire your best friends wife, when your arse is millimeters from getting scalloped." Remus remarked dryly.

Sirius stuck out his tongue. "Fine" he stomped all the way to his room, leaving a bemused, but extremely worried Remus behind.

Harry reached the Gryffindor tower out of breath. It was a long way to sprint from, especially when you weren't in that great of shape being cooked up inside all the time.

"Fairy Dust" he gasped out between breaths.

He had to tell his friends about seeing his father… it was just way too sick of a joke – and he wasn't really up to being quizzed by Dumbledore at the moment.

The portrait of the fat lady just gave him and incredulous look. "Wrong password, sorry"

Harry gaped. What? "I said Fairy Dust," he repeated. He was positive that was the password… Hermione had just told him earlier that day!

What time was it anyway?

Harry glanced towards the expanding window, which viewed the expansive grounds. The early morning sunlight streamed through and he realized he had been in the hospital wing for more the night. But why was he even in there? It was like a memory had been removed from his scalp. The last he remembered he was sitting atop the astronomy tower, when he saw a flash that looked distinctly like his father, and then he had woken up in the hospital wing beside an imposter of his dead father.

Why did his dead father keep appearing in front of his eyes!

And why did his body ache like not tomorrow? What had happened in between the time of sitting atop the astronomy tower – waking up in the hospital wing.

Was he obliviated?

How come he was more bandaged up then usual? What happened?

Feeling slightly panicked, Harry didn't notice the portraits concerned look "are you sure you're alright dear? Would you like to try the password again?"

Harry just waved the offer away "no… its okay, I'll just go somewhere else…"

The fat lady eyes him suspiciously but nodded anyways and went about singing some random tune Harry had never heard before.

Coldness gripped around Harry's heart like raw fear. It was seeping through his skin, making him feel oddly suddenly aware of his surroundings. Something was up…

And he was going to find out what.

With the final thought he charged determinedly towards the direction of the Headmasters office. He needed answers, and if being quizzed was the only way to get them then so be it…

James reached the Headmasters office and knocked tiredly, the run had thoroughly worn him out. Why the castle had to have so many trick stairs and doors, he would never know.

The ancient door creaked open slowly without acknowledgment, and James entered silently.

Dumbledore was sitting with a tired expression on his face, writing furiously on a piece of spare parchment, but when he noticed James he hurriedly put it away and motioned for him to sit down.

James found it odd Dumbledore hadn't realized he was there at first, he usually always did. It was probably just the stress of the recent events, the order, and running a school probably didn't help the stress level much.

"James, what can I do for you today?"

James opened his mouth, but paused. Maybe it was best not to mention he probably scared the poor kid away, who in turn obviously thought he was dead.

Thins were sure looking screwed.

"Err… I…umm…" Dumbledore suddenly gave him a hard stare.

"Is it …Harry, James?" he asked softly, but worry etched his voice.

James looked down, shame faced. If only he had been more careful, maybe the kid wouldn't have gotten such a shock at waking up to that…

"Well… longs story cut short – Harry's missing" he purposely excluded the part about him probably freaking the poor kid out, and smothering him in his sleep with fatherly love and tears. No, this was definitely not the time for those little details…

Dumbledore's twinkling blue eyes hardened, and his faint smile of concern turned to grave 'time to take action' expression.

"When… did this happen?" he asked cautiously.

James shifted uncomfortably. In reality he had no idea, Harry could have woken up in the middle of the night, freaked out, and stormed off to South Africa by now!

"Uh… I'm not sure…"

Dumbledore stood up and gently called Fawkes to him, whispering something into the soft feathers of the magnificent bird, before it was gone in a flash of golden light. James blinked. Was it his imagination, or did Dumbledore finally loose it? Talking to birds?

He turned back to the anxious James, who wanted nothing at the moment more then to just find his son, and make sure he was safe and sound.

"I think it best to alert-,"

Dumbledore's voice was cut off buy the rushing sound of the floo coming to life, and 2 very disgruntled 19-year-odls toppled out. Black soot rose everywhere as they brushed themselves off, and James had to laugh at the impeccable timing they had come. Just when he was beginning to wonder when they'd show up…

"Err…" Sirius looked slightly abashed at his randomly timing again. To him it probably looked like an important discussion they were both having. "Sorry?"

Dumbledore chuckled at the two young adults. "Quite alright actually, we were just going to alert you of recent events that had just come t the surface"

Remus and Sirius exchanged knowing looks, ones that didn't go by James, who lept to his feet.

"You told him Padfoot? I told you not to tell anybody!" the injured expression on Sirius and Remus' face pained him slightly, but his anger took over any of those emotions. "Nobody was supposed to know yet!"

"And why bloody not?" he threw back "its not like you can hide this forever! Their bound to find out sometime!"

Remus looked dejected almost "and why wouldn't you want me… or lily to know?"

James ignored the hurt laced into Moony's voice and he answered truthfully. "Because… because if it wasn't really him I didn't want people to get all worked up over it" Sinking back in his seat, he put his head in his hands. "I should have though- I'm sorry"

Dumbledore interjected with a quiet cough. The three friends looked at him sheepishly.

"As I was saying before you two showed up" the two adults held guilty looks "… We were discussing what we should do about the missing boy in question."

Sirius sat up alarmed "what! He's missing!" he shot a look at his best friend "now whose keeping secrets?"

He looked indignant "hey! I didn't get time to tell you with your constant shouting-,"

Dumbledore held up a hand. "Please gentlemen, hold your tongues for juts one minute while I explain"

The two instantly shut up, but shot small glares at each other every once in a while when the other wasn't looking.

Just then they were all interrupted again, when the door burst open and a furious Lily Potter stormed into the office looking livid at Sirius and James.

"Lily…" James started but she cut him off angrily.

"I don't want to hear it James," she snapped before taking a seat in front of Dumbledore's desk and waiting patiently for him to continue as if she hadn't juts barged in.

Their was an awkward silence, before Dumbledore coughed politely and continued with his speech.

"As I was saying before all the interruptions, we have a minor problem on our hands"

"Minor problems?" James shot back snappily. " I wouldn't necessarily call them minor"

Lily shot him a glare at his tone of voice before looking questioning back at Dumbledore. "I – for one am confused. Would you mind possible starting from the begging, like when my future son happened to fall out of thing air and people going behind my back saying nothing?"

Nobody needed to mention names to know that she was making the point straight to James and Sirius, if not Dumbledore as well.

"Very well" he said quietly. "Well, as you all know the events which took place in the office only yesterday…"

"What?" Remus cut in "what happened exactly?"

James rubbed his head and groaned… not again.

Dumbledore sighed heavily "Remus, I'm sure one of the other three will fill you in later, but at the moment we have more pressing matters" he said pointedly. Remus huffed and crossed his arms over his well-toned chest.

"Alas, we met the Harry aparation, apparently after you left this office from what I gathered yesterday with my brief meeting with Sirius, who filled me in on how their was a now solid boy in this time that shouldn't be.

"Harry had apparently fallen from the astronomy tower-," Lily gasped loudly so did Remus "- and landed rather roughly in James arms, am I correct?"

James nodded his consent that the statement was correct and Dumbledore continued.

"James and Harry were knocked unconscious from the blow, and Sirius was left to go find me and tell the news as I have already said, thus being done, we brought them to the hospital wing where they were currently supposed to still be…"

"And?" Lily prompted once more, very much like she did that very morning to Sirius.

"…And Harry seems to have escaped our grasp, he is currently lost from our sight. That is why James had come here to warn me about when you three entered rather - suddenly" he remarked.

Lily didn't seem satisfied with this though. "So what are we going just sitting here? We should be out their looking for him! He could get injured even more if he hasn't healed totally yet!"

Dumbledore seemed lost in thought for a moment "yes, I haven't quite had the time yet to talk to madam Pomfrey about their injuries, but I was noted that he was resting and alive." He cast a look at James "I presume you saw Harry before you fell asleep again?"

Darn him! He always seemed to know everything…

"Ya…"

"Well?" Lily almost shouted again in irritation at her husband's lack of info. He was being way to secretive at the moment "Was he okay? What injuries did he have? Was he awake? What did he say?"

Dumbledore held up his hand. "If you will be patient, I'm sure James will explain what he knows."

James frowned in concentration. He hadn't honestly seen the injuries on his son very well; he was just so overwhelmed that he was real that he hardly saw the injuries…

"Well, he was sleeping when I saw him, so no, I did not talk to him. I didn't see many injuries, just a couple bandages on his arms and legs… that's about it" he finished lamely.

The image of the large bruise from one of the aparations they had witnessed flashed into his mind, but James pushed it away…how did he get any bruises like that? And where were they from?

His wondering mind was drawing the unwanted attention of the others, and he inwardly chided himself for sidetracking again.

The group was left in uncomfortable, and somewhat of a feuding silence. The ringing in James' ears was really not helping his growing migraine…

Then something happened which kind of surprised them all, but made James' heart leap with relief.

The ancient door to Dumbledore's office banged open to reveal a rather disgruntled and confused looking Harry Potter…

A/N: Confusing? I need to know! So you know what to do…without further ado… lol I like saying that.

Thanks for reading my (hopefully) wonderful story! Lol! The only way for me to know that though is for you to tell me… isn't I awful at giving review hints? I personally think it's painfully obvious…