Chapter 4:
Good-byes and Leaving
"Harry, Ron," James said the morning the trio was leaving, "We think you guys should come to the Hospital Wing before breakfast, and meet Peter. You'll like him, I'm sure."
Ron looked at Harry apprehensively. Harry, for some strange reason was grinning. "I think I'd love to meet him. Let's go get Lily and Hermione, see Peter, eat breakfast and – leave."
Ron was gawking at Harry. For some strange reason, Harry wanted to meet the person who would betray his parents. Then, a horrible thought came to Ron's mind. What if Harry were to hurt Peter. Now that would take a long time to explain. He ran out of his room, and up to Hermione's. He had to drag himself up the stairs, using the railing, as the stairs turned into a slide. He burst into the Girl's Sixth Year Dormitory, not realizing there might be girls changing. To his relief, only Lily and Hermione were in there, shrinking Hermione's trunk to fit inside her pocket. He could see something bulging out of the front of her robes. The time-turner. "Hermione!" Ron panted, "Harry. Visit. Hospital. Wing. See. Peter" And he fell onto the floor, gasping for breath.
"No!" Hermione cried, "Are you sure?" Ron nodded his head.
"Why is Harry visiting Peter bad?" Lily asked interested.
"We can't tell you. It might ruin the future!" Hermione cried. Lily seemed fine with this answer.
Ron, Hermione, and Lily caught up to Harry, James, Sirius, and Remus outside the Hospital Wing door. Ron and Hermione pulled Harry aside, and Hermione frantically whispered, "Harry, don't be irrational. Think of the future!"
Harry just nodded and winked, then followed the boys into the Hospital Wing. Ron, Hermione, and Lily stayed out. It would be way too weird to be seeing the boy who would become his rat for Ron, Hermione didn't want to see Peter, the person who took all of the joy Harry had these past three weeks, away from the rest of his life, and Lily just didn't like Peter, he gave her the creeps and she felt as if she could never trust him.
Amazingly, the four boys came out, all happy. Harry had thankfully held his temper.
When they entered the Great Hall, almost everyone gasped. Bewildered, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Sirius, and Remus looked at James and Lily, who were holding hands, fingers interlocked. Whispers suddenly broke out all over the hall. "Lily Evans and James Potter? They hate each other!" A couple of girls were crying; almost all of the Slytherins scowling.
"Could I please have your attention!" Dumbledore called out to the Great Hall. "I'm very sorry to say that our three exchange students will be leaving after breakfast this morning. I speak on behalf of the whole school, students, teachers, and ghosts, that it was a privilege, honor and quite an adventure having you with us this year. Best of luck in the future!" The whole hall, except for the scowling Slytherins, applauded.
Up in Dumbledore's office, the teenagers were all saying their last good-byes. "Well Sirius, it was great getting to know you. I mean, well, you'll see me later on, and I will too, well actually, in my past, but anyway, this was so much fun! God, this is really weird!" Harry said to Sirius, who just nodded and they hugged each other.
He moved onto Remus, who said, Harry, it has been great getting to know you! Knowing me and Dumbledore, I'll be seeing you in twenty years of my life, right away for you, in this office, ready to talk about your adventure in time. And, could you tell me one last thing?" Harry nodded, "Was it really me who showed you how to produce a patronus?"
"Yes, it was you Remus. You are an awesome Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, best we've ever had! You are one of the best people I know, even if you are a werewolf…actually, you are better than most people I know. I don't know what I'd do with out you. You've been my comfort, and I've been yours. We've both lost James, Lily, and Sirius, but we still have each other. Remember that. After James and Lily die, and Sirius is in Azkaban, come to me, I'll be with the Dursleys, Little Whinging, Surrey. Just don't mention or do anything magic, I won't know about any of it yet, and the Dursleys might murder you! Well, until, really soon I guess, see you!" And he gave Remus a hug. Remus just said, "Until your third year."
He and Harry shared one last smile before Harry moved onto James and Lily. He ran up to them, gave them each a huge hug, tears welling up in his eyes. "Mom! Dad!" These words sounded so strange coming out of his own mouth. "I love you, and I'll miss you, like you'd never believe. You have always been a source of comfort, confidence, and joy t me. I won't ever be able to tell you that again, so, I need to say that, and this now. I love you so much, you'll never be able to be there fro me in person, but your spirits are always with me, and they will be forever."
He gave them each another huge hug; all three of them crying. Dumbledore called the trio over. They got all set up to travel back to their time. The last thing Harry heard was James saying, "Lily, we have a truly remarkable son, no doubt about that!" Then they both called to him, "Good-bye Harry! We love you!" And the trio was whisked off to the future.
