Disclaimer: I don't own it. That honor is J.K. Rowling's, not mine. Now I'm just depressed!
James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter were all sitting in the common room talking in slightly hushed tones. Hermione clambered through the portrait hole, and upon spotting Harry and Ron in a corner, strode over to them,
"Harry, Dumbledore told me that we need take the Marauders and Lily to Hogsmeade to get clothes and other neccesities for them as they don't have anything with them."
Harry tore his attention from the fight that was occurring in the game of chess that he and Ron were playing and looked up at her frowning, "We need to take them to Hogsmeade? Why? They know how to get there."
"We are supposed to keep an eye on them. You know, make sure something doesn't happen to them." She said meaningfully.
"We don't need a baby sitter." Sirius said looking up from his conversation.
Hermione looked slightly flustered, "Of course not! I just thought...maybe you guys would want some company. Sort of...make a day out of it."
They looked at her suspiciously, "We wouldn't want to be a burden on you." Remus said.
"No, you're not a burden!" Hermione said quickly.
"Might as well go. I haven't finished my Christmas shopping yet anyway." Ron chimed in.
"Yea, same here." sighed Harry, "Do you guys want to go now?"
"Well, we aren't really doing anything else today." James said slowly, "Now is as good of time as any."
"Alright then, I'll just dash upstairs and get Ginny and Lily." Hermione said as she started climbing the stairs.
James tensed. Oh no, I don't want to have to spend the day with her! Well...I do, but after last night...I don't think it'd be a good idea. That's all I need, to have another row with her! Why is it that I can't control what I say around her, I've been trying but I don't see the point anymore!
"James are you all right?" Remus asked, the worry apparent in his voice.
"Yea, I'm fine! What made you think otherwise?" James replied silkily.
Remus was about to answer when Hermione bounded down the stairs,
"They said that they will be down in a minute."
IN LILY AND GINNY'S ROOM
Lily was flushed. I do NOT want to have to spend ALL DAY with that JERK! He always thinks he is right about everything! But...even I'm starting to wonder...is it true what he said about me last night? No..it can't be. But maybe he was right. No! He's not! He has always acted like a jerk around me! He never showed that there was anything more than that, so who could blame me. But...then again...didn't how he act last night show me there might be something there besides his ego?
"Alright Lily, what's going on?" Ginny said waving her hand in front of Lily's face.
Lily jerked back slightly surprised to see Ginny standing directly in front of her, "What?"
Ginny laughed, "That's exactly it! You been zoned out for the past few minutes. You asked me to hand you the hair brush and then you sat there staring off when I was trying to hand it to you!"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I...I was just thinking." Lily sighed.
"About James?" Ginny asked when she caught her tone.
"What! How did you...I mean, why would you think that?" She asked sharply as her head snapped up.
Ginny smiled slightly, "I saw how upset you were when you went to bed last night. And you muttered, 'egotistical jerk' after you turned the light off. Did you guys get into a fight?"
Lily shook in anger at the memory, "Yes and it was all his fault! He made some remark about me never trying to get to know him, and just labeling him as a jerk. I...well, I told him that it wouldn't have mattered if I did because that's all he is, there is nothing else for me to get to know!"
Ginny frowned, "Do you really believe that?"
Lily grabbed the brush and defiantly said, "Yes I do!" She brushed her hair a bit too roughly, and after a pause mumbled quietly, "and no."
Ginny continued calmly, "Why do you believe it is true?"
"Because, he has always been that way around me! He acts like he is the king of everything and people should bow down before him. He thinks he knows everything, or at least pretends to. I have never met anyone as conceited, self-absorbed, egotistical, and ignorant as him before!" Lily began hotly. Her face softened a bit and she said gently, "He had never given me a reason to believe that he wasn't how he seemed until last night."
Ginny nodded and said softly, "Like I said before, James Potter is not a bad guy. So what happened last night that helped you see that?"
"I don't know really. It...It was just, what he said to me...and how he said it. I felt like he generally cared. I mean, I always thought that him liking me was just some sort of game. Like he wanted me because he couldn't have me or something. But...last night...for once I thought that maybe he did care and it wasn't just a game to him. Do you know what I mean?" Lily asked uncertainly.
I nodded and sat down next to her, "He does care Lily. He...just isn't very good at showing it. His personality gets in the way I guess. From what you say it seems like he has people fawning over him all the time. He has to live up to his name. Harry is like that sometimes. People expect something from you and you don't want to let them down, even if it means you can't really be yourself. It's only normal."
Lily shook her head and sighed, "So then if your right, I guess the first time he finally tried to be himself in front of me, I threw it back in his face. Way to go Lily."
Ginny hugged her slightly, "Don't worry Lily. I'm sure he'll try again. I mean, after all...it is James Potter we are talking about here. Like he'd ever let you go!"
Lily laughed a little so Ginny continued, "Alright well we'd better hurry up and finish getting ready before we have Hermione up here dragging our butts down the stairs!"
They went downstairs to meet up with the others and headed to Hogsmeade.
"So where do you guys want to go first?" Ron asked glancing around at all of them.
Sirius was the first to answer, "Let's go to Zonko's, I want to see what kind of stuff they have now."
Lily frowned, "I wanted to go get some robes and stuff."
"I wanted to go get some Christmas shopping done." Ron chimed in.
Remus thought for a minute and said, "Why don't we all just split up and meet back in a few hours at the Three Broomsticks."
Harry nodded and said, "Yea, that sounds good to me."
"I'm not sure if that's a good idea." Hermione said pointedly.
"Like I said before, we don't need a baby sitter!" Sirius replied angrily.
"Don't worry Hermione, I'm sure it will be fine." Harry agreed. "So...we'll meet back at the Three Broomsticks in about...2 hours?"
"That will work." said James as him and the marauders headed off towards Zonko's.
"Yea, we'll see you in a couple hours." said Ginny as she grabbed Lily's and Hermione's hands and left in the opposite direction.
"So Harry, where should we head to first?" Ron asked watching the girls walking away.
Harry looked thoughtful, "I'm not sure...might as well walk around to see what catches our eyes. Who do you need to buy presents for anyway?"
"Well, I finished most of it, but I still need to buy a gift for Hermione and Ginny." Ron answered.
Harry smirked, "What, you haven't found the perfect gift for Hermione yet? You don't need help finding a gift that say 'I'm secretly in love with you' do you?"
"No I don't, and I'm NOT secretly in love with her!" retorted Ron hotly as the back of his neck flushed red.
"Oh, ok I'm sorry, your right," Harry said. Ron suddenly looked confused and Harry continued, "Because it's not a secret."
"Don't you have any shopping to do?" Ron asked irritably.
Harry froze, what he was about to say seemed strange to him, "Well...I guess...I dunno, but...I should probably get something for my parents."
Ron's face softened and he encouragingly said, "Yea mate, that sounds like a good idea. What are you thinking about getting them?"
"I have no idea, said Harry softly. "I've never really had to deal with this before. It's all kind of new."
"Don't worry, I'm sure we'll come across something." Ron replied as they started walking by the shops.
When they passed a quidditch shop Harry stopped him and peered in the window. After a moment he motioned for Ron to follow him inside.
THE MARAUDERS
"So what do you think that was about?" Remus asked as they were walking towards Zonko's.
"What Hermione said back in the common room was kind of dodgy." Sirius agreed thoughtfully, "Why was she so intent on us not being here by ourselves, I mean...we have been here before."
"I don't know. It's probably just because she thinks it has changed since our time." James said unsurely.
"Yea...maybe your right." Remus sighed.
"Anyway, enough of that, let's hurry up and get to Zonko's! I'm just itching to get a hold of the future pranking stuff!" Sirius said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Don't worry Sirius, if you can manage to restrain yourself, we'll be there in a few minutes. It's only a few stores down." Remus replied obviously amused.
Once they did arrive however, it was proven that restraint was not one of Sirius's strongpoints. While Sirius and James were both running throughout the store, each trying to hold as much as possible, Peter approached Remus and said in an undertone,
"So what do you think about this Harry character?"
"What do you mean?" Remus asked slowly.
"Well...I'm not sure. But I don't think he should be trusted." Peter said.
Remus frowned, "Why not? He's James's son. I don't think there is a person that we could trust more."
"There is something wrong with him. The way he acts around us isn't right. He tries to hide it, but the way he looks at me..." Peter said crossly.
"Peter, I think you should be more careful about the things you say. And it would do you good to remember who you are talking to when you say them." Remus said shortly and walked over to where James and Sirius stood practically quivering in excitement as they bought the numerous items in their arms.
"So do you guys have any other shopping to do?" Remus asked.
"Well, I was thinking since it is Christmas, I should probably get my future son a gift. Don't you think so?" James said.
"You know, I think I should get him something as well!" Sirius said thoughtfully.
"Yea, I think that would be nice. What are you thinking about getting him?" asked Remus.
James was about to answer when something on the wall caught his attention. He smirked and said, "Moony, I think I just got an idea. And it is something that could be from all of us!"
LILY, HERMIONE, AND GINNY
"Oh that robe looks fantastic on you!" Hermione squealed.
Lily smiled at her reflection. She was trying on a bottle green robe that really brought out her eyes. She sighed and said irritably, "Oh I wish that we were allowed to wear colored robes!"
"I know! But you could buy that one anyway. Just to wear on special occasions and stuff." Ginny said from the chair to the left of the mirror.
"No, I'd better not." Lily said sadly. She got changed and gathered her black robes and went to pay. Once they had left the store Hermione asked,
"Well where should we go now? We still have about an hour left and we've already gotten everything you need for school. Is there anything else you want to do?"
Lily frowned slightly and turned to face the two girls, "Do you guys think I should get a present for Harry?"
Ginny and Hermione shot each other a surprised look and Ginny said, "That's really up to you."
Lily nodded and said, "I'm going to."
"You don't have to, you know." Hermione said softly.
"I know I don't have to, I just...want to." Lily replied quietly. "But I don't know what to get him. What does he like? I want to get him the perfect gift."
Ginny thought for a moment and said, "It doesn't really matter what you get him, as long as it is something that's important to you he'll love it."
Lily stared at her in confusion, "What do you mean?"
"Well, I think Harry would like something more personal from you." Ginny said slowly.
Once again Lily just stared at her, "Something personal? Like what?"
Ginny chose her words carefully, "Something important to you, that shows what your really like and how you think about things. That would be the perfect gift for Harry."
"Why?" Lily asked.
Ginny looked her in the eye and said gently, "I just think that it would be something that would help him. You asked me to fix something for him. I think that a gift like that, one that truly came from your heart, would help him the most. Something he could look to for advice and such."
Lily continued to stare at her, still confused but determined also, "If it will help Harry, then ok.
They continued walking down the street, walking into some shops, while just peering into the windows at others. When Lily was distracted with color-changing ink Hermione pulled Ginny aside,
"I can't believe you did that." Hermione said shocked. Ginny was preparing herself to get told off when Hermione said gently, "I think that was the best thing that you could have told her to get him."
Ginny exhaled, "Your not mad?"
"Mad, why would I be mad? I admit that did seem like a strange request for a gift, but...it would be the perfect gift for Harry. And you were able to tell her without her being too suspicious of what will happen to her in the future." Hermione said sounding slightly impressed.
"You don't think she'll catch on do you?" Ginny asked worriedly.
"No, not from that anyway. It could always be pushed off onto another explanation. Like Harry's too proud to ask for help...which he is sometimes." Hermione replied thoughtfully.
"I hope your right." Ginny said tensely.
HARRY AND RON
"It's perfect! The best idea I think you have ever had!" Ron said excitedly as they left the store 15 minutes later with Harry's purchase.
"Well, it would help us out as well." Harry replied.
"That is true. We just have to hope the stories are true." Ron agreed.
They continued to walk in silence. Ron suddenly pulled Harry into a shop. There was an assortment of items, mostly for women.
"Hermione..." Ron mumbled when Harry gave him a questioning look.
Harry nodded and began to look around himself. Maybe there would be something in here his mother would like.
LATER ON IN THE COMMON ROOM
"I'm going to go get some food. Anyone want to come?" James asked stretching as he stood up.
"Yea I'll come." Ron answered also getting to his feet.
The pair left the common room as Sirius began making requests, "Get some more éclairs will you?"
They walked in silence. "So...your my son's best friend," James began hesitantly. "Maybe you can tell me then...what's he like?'
Ron paused, "Harry is...well, he's modest to start with, and of course he's a great quidditch player, and...well what do you want to know? Why don't you ask him?"
"Well, I just want to know if he is like me," James said shaking his head and frowning. "I've been trying to find out more about him, but he's so nervous around me. And come to think of it, he always disappears shortly after..."
"Don't pay too much attention to that," Ron began hurriedly. "Harry's always been---"
But what Harry always was James never found out, because Snape had just appeared in their corridor.
"Potter...Weasley," he sneered. "What are you doing in the corridor at this time?"
James looked as if his birthday had come early, "Snape? Is that you, you greasy haired git?"
"Why you little---" Snape snarled breathing heavily.
"Don't you recognize me Snivellus?" James pressed grinning slyly.
Snape stared and then realization dawned on his face, "YOU? But...it can't be...your de---"
Ron cut him off just in time by saying, "It's him." He leaned closer and said in an undertone, "And he doesn't know!"
Snape looked like he had just been forced to eat a dung beetle. He continued to look between the two of them and when he regained some of his composure, said, "I need to speak to Dumbledore." And brushed violently past them.
James had bewildered kind of look on his face, "What was that about."
"Come on...we'd better go get that food." Ron said hurriedly and began dragging James towards the kitchens.
The next morning, Harry found a note on his bedside table from Dumbledore asking him and the others to meet him before lunch. Harry woke Ron and showed him the note and they started getting everyone else up.
When they traipsed into Dumbledore's office shortly before noon, McGonagall and Snape were there to meet them.
"You wanted to see us Professor?" Harry asked cautiously.
"Yes...due to a certain incident that occurred yesterday, we've decided that it would be best if James, Sirius, Remus, Peter, and Lily all have their appearances altered." Dumbledore said calmly.
"But..why?" Sirius asked suspiciously.
"We wouldn't want to alert any teachers that you have had in the past." Dumbledore stated simply.
"But they know we are here." Peter said nodding at Snape and McGonagall.
"True they have found out," Dumbledore began unwavering. "But they have agreed to help conceal your identities."
Lily, James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter nodded slowly.
"So if you are ready please take a seat." Dumbledore said as him nodded pointedly to the chairs in front of him.
They all took their seats and Dumbledore looked to McGonagall, "Minerva, would you please begin on Ms. Evans while I work on Mr. Pettigrew?"
"Of course." McGonagall said as she strode over to Lily and faced her. She scrutinized her closely, and waved her wand. She smiled reassuringly and handed her a mirror.
"Oh my..." Lily breathed as she gazed upon herself in the mirror. She was completely unrecognizable to herself. She had long blonde hair and brown eyes. She looked over at James who was sitting next to her and saw that his hair was a light brown now. Sirius also had his hair brown, but it was darker color than James. She looked farther down the line to see Remus with black hair and Peter with dirty blonde hair.
"James, of course, should wear contacts." Dumbledore said as he passed James a box.
"Dumbledore, they will need to change their names as well." McGonagall said softly.
"Yes, well do you have any preference to your names?" Dumbledore asked, his eyes twinkling.
They all shook their heads no so he continued, "Then Ms. Evans will be Laura Edlyn, Mr. Potter will be Jay Parker, Mr. Black will be Sean Brinley, Mr. Lupin will be Randie Lennor, and Mr. Pettigrew will be Pierson Porter. It is important that you remember these names and try not to slip up."
They all nodded but Sirius looked uneasy.
Dumbledore smiled, "That is all, you may return to your common room or do how you please."
A/N- Is it just me or did that seem kind of rushed? O well, anyway...sorry for not updating sooner, I had to go out of town for a family reunion with my grandparents. I had no idea how much family my grandma had. (I guess that means they are my family too :( ,) I was being so good about updating too! I didn't intend to end it here, but it was getting SO long! Well anyway thanks to my reviewers:
maddie- grins I'm glad you like it! Sorry it took so long, it's good that I kept writing while I was away or it would have been longer! The next one shouldn't take this long. Thank you so much for the review!
madamwolf- Of course I want and care about your opinion! I absolutly LOVE the feedback and suggestions! Pandas rule the world told me to put him in there too. So don't worry, he'll be in there. Hopefully soon if I can stick to my outline! I need to make up for not updating for like 2 years so I'm trying to stick with it and write continuously so I don't forget! I'm soo happy that you reviewed and I hope to hear more from you! Thanks!
pandas rule the world- I was glad too when that happened. He did deserve it (and more)! I think I am going to name you my most faithful reviewer so far! Everytime I see that you reviewed, I just get a huge smile on my face! I'd hug you and give you a shiny medal if I could! Anyway thank you very, very much for reviewing! I hope you will always like this story and if there is something that you don't like or feel like I'm getting too off character let me know!
THANKS AGAIN TO ALL MY REVIEWERS! So if it's not too much trouble...review again! I hope to get some more new reviewers too!
