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"Who performed the Replacement Charm?" Dumbledore repeated harshly,
striding into the center of the room. His blue eyes seemed to crackle with intensity, and his purple robes billowed out behind him. Everyone pointed to Remus, who was still lying unconscious, surrounded by the blue light. Dumbledore knelt by him and took out his wand.
"Ennervate!" He muttered. Lupin's eyes flew open and he sat up. He looked around frantically.
"Lily! James! Sirius!" Lupin exclaimed. Lily rushed over and dropped to her knees, close to where Lupin was encased.
"Remus! Oh, are you all right?" She asked breathlessly. She was unaware that she was being studied by Harry. Harry's green eyes ran over her frame, drinking in every detail. Her long red hair fell into her face, framing the soft green eyes. She wore a green blouse with long black pants and black shoes. There was a lily pendant hanging around her neck.
"I'm fine, Lily. But I think you have quite a rapt audience." Remus said quietly. Lily turned abruptly and her eyes met Harry's. Slowly she stood and looked uncertainly at James. Sirius moved over to where Harry stood and clapped Harry on the shoulders.
"James, Lily, come and meet Harry again." Sirius said encouragingly. James moved forward, not about to stand down to his best mate. Finally, James was a foot away from Harry. James rumpled his hair awkwardly, as if for a distraction. James laughed proudly and he looked up at Sirius.
"Looks just like me!" Sirius grinned. Harry swallowed hard. This was his dad! His dad! And he could finally speak to him!
"Hi." Harry finally uttered. James looked down at Harry again and took a shaky breath.
"Hi." Suddenly, Harry was nearly knocked over as someone wrapped their arms tight around him. His vision was blocked by a red curtain. Or maybe it was just red hair.
"James, its Harry!" Lily said again when she lifted her head. James's eyes were watery.
"Hi, Mum." Harry said awkwardly, the new word falling rather ungracefully off his tongue. Lily faced her son.
"Oh, what we gave up to keep you safe, Harry!" She sobbed, tears falling down her face like small rivers. James put his hands on Lily's shoulders. Suddenly, James wrapped his arms tightly around Harry. Harry fiercely locked his arms around James's body. James shuddered hard, and Harry realized he was crying.
"All right, all right, break it up! More waterworks than we need to see!" Sirius drawled. James receded off of Harry and put his arm around Lily, grinning sheepishly at Sirius.
"Even in our second lives, you still boss me around!" James teased.
"Oh come on Prongs, don't pretend you don't order me around every time you get the chance."
"Well Padfoot, maybe if you were so,"
"Sirius! James! Lily!" Dumbledore interrupted, clapping his hands. Everyone immediately transferred attention over to Dumbledore, who was still standing beside Remus. Harry felt a pang of remorse as he saw Lupin, unconscious once more under the blue light.
"What's going on, Headmaster?" Sirius asked sharply.
"As I asked of you when you graduated, Sirius, please call me Albus. I ask all of you to come with me back to Hogwarts. We will sort this out as best we can." Harry looked around uncertainly, wondering whether he would be one of the people who got an explanation, or whether Dumbledore would pull him aside later. A pleasant tingle spread through his body when he realized he could now live with his parents and Sirius, and get to know his parents. Dumbledore, Sirius, and James moved towards the door.
"What about Remus?" Lily asked quietly, standing near him and studying his face. The trio near the door paused.
"We must leave him here. But Harry, you must come along." Albus said quietly, his blue eyes still forceful. Harry felt relief instantly and followed along. Lily came up behind him, resting one graceful hand on his shoulder as they went into the room with the fireplace. They all Flooed back to Dumbledore's office, where he immediately conjured enough chairs to fit all of the newcomers. Harry took a chair in between his parents, and Sirius was on James's left. Dumbledore went wearily to stand behind his desk. He sank slowly into his chair and then leaned his elbows on his desk. He seemed reluctant to speak.
"Well?" Sirius snapped barkishly after a few minutes passed with no sound.
"Mr. Black, Mr. Potter, did you know the name of the charm that you four had studied for so long?" Albus asked tiredly.
"No." James admitted. Sirius glared quickly and then turned back to stare at the Headmaster.
"As you heard me say its name earlier, perhaps you regret it? Or at least now fully understand it." James and Sirius glanced at each other, both looking apprehensive.
"I don't understand. Enlighten me, Albus." Lily spoke up from Harry's right. Her green eyes were concentrated with intensity on Dumbledore, reaching for the ability to understand. Albus nodded.
"Very well. The spell is called the Replacement Charm." Harry saw his mother's eyes close and her face turn grim.
"What?" Harry asked uncertainly. Sirius leaned forward to see Harry past James. James attempted to help Sirius see by leaning forward, so Sirius leaned back, while James leaned back, thinking Sirius was going to stay bent forward. Sirius finally put his hand on top of James's rumpled hair and pushed him down.
"Move your big, swollen head, mate!" Sirius ordered. James grinned his charming smile and stayed scrunched down. Sirius met Harry's gaze finally.
"Let me explain, Harry. The charm is called the Replacement Charm, and Remus is unconscious and surrounded by some freaky, protective blue light while we're..." Sirius paused. Harry grimaced. Remus had exchanged his life for his friends.
"I get it." He said quickly.
"What's going to happen to Remus?" James asked. Harry closed his eyes and listened to his father's voice. "And what will happen to us?" It was deep and pleasant, and Harry was glad that after so many years of wondering what his father's voice would sound like, singing lullabies and calling him over, he finally heard his father's adult voice. (I say 'adult voice' because in James's Pensieve, Harry has already heard his father's voice.)
"The charm recognizes that Remus is the replacement, and he isn't dead. Instead, his life source will be sucked away and given to you three," He indicted Sirius, James, and Lily, "until there is no more life source."
"What happens then?" Harry found himself asking.
"Then, the three of you will die, no matter what, unless you find someone else to take Remus's place."
"So you're saying that as long as we live, Lupin will die?" Sirius asked suddenly. Dumbledore sighed heavily, and his blue eyes looked cloudy.
"I'm afraid so." The three adults, excluding Albus, exchanged looks. Lily put her hand over Harry's and squeezed it gently.
"We have to go back." She said simply. James and Sirius nodded.
"No!" Harry shouted, standing up.
Sorry if you think this is another mean cliffhanger! I intend to update again tomorrow! Sorry about such a long wait, it's just that I've started field hockey camp and there isn't much time for me to write. Please review your thoughts!