Disclaimers and Notes: Harry Potter is not mine, nor are any of the characters or items used in this fanfiction (thus, the word/term "Fanfiction"). HP belongs to J. K. Rowling, and she's a wonderful author for it. I respect her. Her work is beautiful, to say the least.

READ and REVEIW, as always. ^__~

Thank you.

Geuna~

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Charmed Curses

By Lady Geuna

Rated: This chapter will be rated PG-13 for some cursing and threats

Summary: What if James Potter wasn't killed on Halloween, 1981? Voldemort devised the perfect punishment for his insolence. A curse that would cause James more pain than the Cruciatus Curse could ever. But things don't exactly turn out as planned, and fate takes a strange turn for those in the past, as well as the future.

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"..." speech

'....' thoughts

/.../ with italics means a flashback or a part of a flashback. Longer pieces of memory may or may not be in italics.

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Meetings

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"Are... Are you real? Or just another dream..." He heard the sadness in his own voice. 'I've had far too many dreams lately... Just let me stay in reality and let my suffer there, and there alone...'

And as he touch the boy's skin, Harry didn't fade away... His skin and tears were warm and real. He was real!

'Merlin, this is my son. My son!'

James Potter ~ Fanfiction "Charmed Curses", Reunions: First Steps (Part 3 of 3), by Lady Geuna

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Dumbledore sat back in his armchair, folding his long fingers delicately as he starred forward into the fire, the bobbing head of the Minister of Magic starring right back and not looking half as patent. They had been talking for about an hour now, though nothing of great variety. Information would be repeated, uncertainties voiced over and over again.

James Potter.

Death Eaters.

Dementors.

Voldemort...

And now Fudge was becoming very frustrated over Dumbledore's latest request.

"The werewolf!?"

'Here it comes... How predictable.'

"What is he doing at Hogwarts?"

Dumbledore didn't like Fudge's suspicious and even insulting tone, but he couldn't let himself become angry. No, that would only make Fudge even more unwilling to agree to anything... "He came because we were in need of immediate assistance for our little Skrewt problem in the dungeons. You do remember that, don't you, Cornelius?"

"W-Well of course I do--"

"The night of the full moon has passed, and it will be a while until that 'time' comes once again. There is no need to fear. And Professor Snape can still conjure Wolfsbane Potion, if need be, though I highly doubt it. Professor Dorrey, our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher quite yesterday." Once again, a DADA doesn't last more than a year... Not even a few months in this case. "It was a dreadful situation for him yesterday, and his heart just couldn't take the strain. You understand."

Fudge cleared his throat, looking somewhere to the side. "I'm sorry to hear that..." Or course Fudge had been the one to recommend Robbie Dorrey in the first place.

'Hm, he doesn't sound very sorry at all. More embarrassed than anything, certainly.' "And now with Potions unavailable, it will be very difficult for classes to continue on schedule. Ah! I'm sure Mr. Weasley can also be of some assistance with that as well! If of course you would give him permission to do so..."

Fudge growled, looking beaten and considerably peevish. As much as the man couldn't make any decisions for himself in the first place, Fudge didn't like being pushed around. "He may stay, but only temporarily. And you will find a replacement immediately! I don't want to be responsible for any angry parents, Dumbledore. They don't like their children being taught by such--such creatures. Werewolves, honestly!"

'And here I thought you fought for werewolves rights, Cornelius...' "Then may I also offer Mr. Potter sanctuary and freedom at Hogwarts once--and if--he is proven to be who is says he is?"

At was like playing a game of gambling, with Fudge's reputation on the line. "Well, I would assume--of course!"

"Thank you, and I should be going now. Lunch will be starting in about an hour or so, and I will need to announce Lupin's stay to the students and faculty." 'Severus won't like this at all...' "I must make sure they all attend." He gave a pleasant, yet secretly false smile. He was a man of many false smiles. "It was a pleasure talking to you, Cornelius. You are a very patient man."

Fudge's head bobbed as though he were nodding, and quickly said, "My people will be at Hogwarts around noon tomorrow.

Before Dumbledore could even respond, Fudge's old and very annoyed looking face disappeared. Dumbledore looked after him, shacking his head and sighing, "Patient indeed..."

And now he had lunch to attend to... But first...

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Such a lovely dream.... His dad was there, smiling... Oh, he looked so happy, and Harry felt glade for that.

"... Potter..."

He looked so cheerful and alive, like nothing had ever gone wrong, and he'd always been there.

"Mr. Potter, do wake-up immediately." The voice was hushed, though it sounded very angry. How disappointing.

Harry groaned, rolling over and away from the hand that relentlessly shook his shoulder, burying his face in his pillows. "Not yet, Ron," he yawned, forgetting that fact that Ron never called him 'Mr. Potter'. "Good dream... Just a little--"

"Enervate."

Harry's eyes shot open, the sleep instantly ripped from him, and he sat up only to come face to face with the blurred image of none other than Madame Pomfrey! And, oh my, even without his glasses Harry could tell she looked deadly cross! He was still in the infirmary!? What time was it!? What's going on!?

The next thing he knew, his glasses were placed clumsily onto his face, and Harry had to quickly take hold of them himself to prevent the things from poking his face or falling. "M-Madame Pomfrey, I--"

"Sssh!" This quickly silenced him with her index finger to her lips, then whispered, "Don't wake him, child."

Harry blinked, then looked to were Pomfrey's eyes lay, and...

'Dad!' His father was laying right there next to him. It hadn't all been a dream! YES!! YES, YES, YES!!! And unlike Harry, who was covered by blankets, James lay on top of them... He must've put Harry in the bed after he'd fallen asleep, and without covers the man appeared to shiver from cold... 'He... Oh no, the things I said! I'm such an idiot!! And he's freezing, I did...'

This were so complicated... Yet he also felt a little giddy for some reason...

"Here now," Pomfrey whispered through her teeth, "out of that bed. Gently now-don't wake him! Honestly, he needs a proper, good rest-you shouldn't be here-you left your dormitory after hours, didn't you?"

Harry practically stumbled from the bed, all the while starred at his father, dumbstruck. "B-But I swear," he whispered desperately, not wishing to wake his father as Pomfrey said, "I didn't mean anything, I would never do anything to him. I just needed to see him, Madame Pomfrey, and..." He trailed off, images of the night before playing anew in his mind... He... Harry had really embarrassed himself. Oh God.

"Young Mr. Potter, I can't help that." Pomfrey had folded over the blankets Harry had been using so they covered and rapped around James like a soft taco shell, and now that the boy was on his feet, she walked back around the bed and gently began ushering Harry toward the door. "Now, it's nearly lunch time, and--"

"Wait," Harry insisted, slipping under her extended arms and getting out of reach. "Y-You can't make me go, not now! Please, he's my Dad! You don't understand! I just had to see him, Madame Pomfrey, please!"

"C-Calm down, child! You'll wake him!"

"How can I?! He's my Dad... My Dad..." It was so simple. How could she not know...?

Pomfrey frowned, but stopped in her efforts to apprehend the young man. Instead she stood and looked to be thinking hard about something, her eyes reaching. She turned and looked at James (Who was now sleeping soundly under his covers), crossing her arms as she did. (1) Then she finally nodded to herself, turning to Harry, her eyes flashing slightly and a smile almost forming on her lips. It was the look most kids get when they're about to break a rule, like skipping out of class or staying out after hours. Hopefully this was a good thing...

"Come back later... before the supper hour. You can visit him then, alright?"

Harry's face lit up and a grin undoubtedly threatened to split his face in two. "Thank you, Madame Pomfrey," he said excitedly, trying to be as quiet as possible and resisting the urge to hug the nurse. "Thank you so much, I'll never forget this, I--"

"Now go on, Mr. Potter," she insisted, trying to fight off her own urge to grin, only in an attempt to regain her air authority. But in the end she couldn't help it, a almost satisfied smirk crossing her as she stood proudly, her breathing becoming a bit quicker as if she were excited and full of adrenaline. Her eyes were sparkling with life. "Now, off with you, before I change my mind! Go on!"

Oh, Harry didn't need to be told twice.

He turned immediately toward the door, until Pomfrey called out quietly, "Oh, Mr. Potter. I think you left this." She held out a folded piece of silvery fabric. "I found it on the floor. What in the world is—"

"ThanksMadamePomfrey-it'snothing-justahandmedown-bye," he rambled off at the speed of a golden snitch, grabbed the cloak from Pomfrey's outstretched arms, and ran right out the door without looking bad.

Pomfrey just stood there, looking very, very confused...

Neither noticed something watching them...

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

It watched the nurse with minimal interest.

It watched the boy very closely, though.... It watched the boy talk, watched him move. It watched Harry leave, watched him smile...

Why do people... smile...?

Very interesting... Yes...

Chuckle...

Laughter

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Snape blinked... What was that...? A sound? What could that have been? Hmpf, no matter now. It was gone. Must have been his imagination, of course; besides, his chest was still making his suffering long and hard to coup with. Especially with.... with.... 'Damn.'

He'd been quiet. He'd been patient. He'd even been respectful to the unspoken wishes of someone he was.... less than fond of... particular to... up until now the bane of his very existence. Hm... Oh, frankly, Snape hated that man, but that was plainly obvious by now. Though, better it be James Potter than Sirius Black... Snape had been nice enough to actually remain silent as Young Mr. Potter decided to give his long lost daddy a late night visit. The two had woken Snape up with all their sobbing and yelling and humming.

Disgusting. All of it... They were lucky he did wretch.

Snape refused to admit it to himself that he had actually done the right thing (Though he would've loved to break up that little family "get-together")... That the only reason he didn't was because he may have felt.... just a little... pity.... for the two of them............... No, of course not! The very thought was preposterous! At least the boy was goin before Snape woke-up.

And now he was alone, Potter still sleeping restfully, it would seem. Madame Pomfrey, the maddening woman, had finally gone to do something useful and went off the fetch some food for him. Snape hadn't eaten since yesterday, and his tired and injured body desperately required some sure of sustenance (He had already visited the *ahem* wash closet by him self. As painful as it was, he would be daft if he needed Madame Pomfrey help with that. He certainly wasn't that disabled!).

And then out of the blue, just as he lay quietly, stashed away in a far corner of the infirmary, was that sound again....

Chuckling..... someone was laughing... Potter?

James was the only one left in the room. They were alone, Pomfrey had just left, no one else was expected to come.... The room... so cold..... but wasn't it warm a second ago...? Unconsciously Snape closed his open night shirt and wrapped his arms around himself, over the gash in his chest. His teeth wanted to chatter, but he kept his jaw set.

The noise, where was that noise!? It was coming from Potter's bed. He couldn't see Potter's bed, not from here, not with the many screens that surrounded Snape's bed. He wanted to reach out and fling them aside, but to move would mean submitting even more with this feeling of ice, but he had to block out that noise, somehow. No, covering his ears wasn't doing any good, and his eyes squeezed shut, hoping to block out at least a little of the pain.

That noise.... Something about that noise was wrong. So very wrong. Horrible... It was horrible. Something in that sound, something that induced his heart to pounce harshly, his wound to throb anew with fiery pain like hit had been ripped open and exposed to hot flame. Stop it, stop it, stop it!

I-It was so deadly cold...

A hand on his shoulder shocked him out of his thoughts, making him jump and then groan as the movement caused great pain from his wound. But it wasn't the same pain as a second ago. Snape felt deeply relieved to meet a pair of familiar blue eyes behind half moon spectacles. Those eyes showed a fair amount of concern.

"My goodness, Severus, are you feeling well? You were deadly pale just a moment ago."

Snape opened his mouth to respond, but stopped himself. He took in the fact that besides a slight sour feeling, his wound was no longer throbbing mercilessly. Not only that, but his heart was no longer pounding, and he could no longer hear chuckling from somewhere in the room.... From James Potter...

Then he realized that he hadn't spoken in all this time, and Dumbledore was still waiting patiently for him to respond. "My apologies, Albus... I think my mind must be playing tricks on me." He took a deep breath, laying his left hand gently over his bandaged wound and the other hand to his forehead. "I think I'm not reacting well to that sleeping potion." But no, that couldn't possibly be it. Sleeping potions doing cause such aftereffects, so.... In that case.... "Did you hear... Laugher just now? Any at all? Is Potter awake?"

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, a gesture that said he was curious. "I heard nothing, my boy, besides the air and Madame Pomfrey's mumbling ("Mr. Black has yet to show himself so he may be treated"). And Mr. Potter is still fast asleep." He step aside while pushing open one of the screens, allowing Snape a good view of the rest of the Infirmary. He managed to get a good glimpse of James Potter's sleeping form before Dumbledore slid the screen back into place. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Fine," he said, forcing his voice to come out clear and calm.

"How are you fairing," Dumbledore asked then, gesturing toward Snape's slightly bloodied bandages. "Is it feeling better."

Snape managed not to grimace when he touched the bandages, nodding. He was actually feeling better, but with what happened a moment ago... "It still stings, but I can walk. I am sure I will he healed enough before the week is up, though I think Madame Pomfrey may think otherwise." He sneered a bit when he said this. "How are my dungeons?"

This question--and obvious change of subject--didn't appear to bother Dumbledore at all. "Still a bit 'rough' around the edge, so to speak, but it's nothing a bit of sweeping and few cleaning solutions won't fix."

Funny. Very funny.

Severus seethed, unable to help himself. There are many irreplaceable things in the laboratories, some of which are-were, his person possessions. And he had yet to look upon the damage with his own eyes. "It is no laughing matter."

"No, it's not." Snape wasn't sure what it was in Dumbledore's tone that made it impossible to response, but the older man continued anyway. "Severus... I want you to tell me something, honestly. What would you say we should worry about most?"

Snape wasn't entirely sure what Dumbledore meant, but it surely had nothing to do with the dungeons. "How do you mean?"

Dumbledore said simply, "Who do you think the enemy is, at the very moment?"

He had to think about it for a moment, but then the answer became painfully obvious (pain, being the key word). No, the enemy wasn't Voldemort, not this time, it couldn't be. He'd never expected any of this to happen, after all. He hadn't ever even told any of his Death Eaters what really happen to James Potter that night... But Snape did have an idea of who their enemy was now...

"I think I—we," he grimaced, "brought back something dangerous to Hogwarts. Something that shouldn't be here."

Dumbledore nodded his understanding. "And you are worried that there will be trouble if we don't find out what it is. Do you think it has something to so with Mr. Potter?"

Snape couldn't help but feel unnerved; either because of Dumbledore's ability to know exactly what his thinking (which by now he was fairly used to, really), the fact that this subject didn't seem to bother or worry the man at all, or the mention of James Potter. "I'm not certain, but I don't think Potter is all that he seems to be. I have always valued the fact that I follow my instinct, and it tells me now not to trust that man."

Dumbledore looked at him for a moment now.... and then said, "I can see that this has nothing to do with your difference with Mr. Potter... Voldemort never told any of his followers what he going to do, did he?"

"Never," Snape nodded, "and he went alone to Godric's Hollow that night..." His eyes flitted to the curtain, in the direction of James' bed. He still had a doubt... "Is the bloody man still asleep?" 'Or is he just faking, making me look like a fool?'

"The man is asleep." He emphasized the word "man" for some reason, and Snape didn't want to know what that implied. Dumbledore smiled, tapping the side of his nose and whispering lowly, "But he still might be listening, you know. There's always someone listening in Hogwarts. Even the walls have ears."

Snape couldn't very well comment on that one, could he? "What are you saying, Albus?"

Dumbledore didn't say anything, but he did stare at Snape for a while. Finally, a small smile appeared on his face and he reached up a hand to rub his beard. What was he thinking...? "You do realize..." Dumbledore let the sentence hang, but nevertheless, there was an undoubtedly mischievous glint in his eyes....

This could only make Snape suspicious rather than anxious. What was he talking about now!? "Realize..? What?" No answer. "Well? Do go on and tell me, already? What should I realize??"

"That you can no longer call Harry and James 'Mr. Potter' while they are both in the same room. You must call them by another title."

Snape paled until he almost appeared green, horrified by this idea. "You can't honestly expect me to--well, I can think of a few good names to call Mr. Potter over there!" Maybe Snape expected Dumbledore to change the subject at some point, but not like this!

"Really, do try to be kinder to the poor man, Severus."

"That's asking for another impossible favor, Albus. You promised, never again."

Dumbledore just shook his head and stood, smiling. "But at least, do try."

And then he turned and was gone...

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

The dark man was funny. He'd heard it laughing. Then the old man came, and they began talking, talking about it.

But it heard every word, it was always listening. It really didn't like this old man, this old man was nosey. Smart.

Something had to be done.

Something would happen.... soon....

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

A little later that day...

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Hermione was certainly shocked by all the recent events... Looking over at Harry and Ron now, she could hardly believe all that had happen in the past hour...

Ron had come to her in the library that morning, panicked that Harry wasn't in his bed when he awoke in the boys dormitory. Or course, she couldn't blame Ron for being worried, Harry was his best friend; but it was hardly anything to get exasperated or plan panicked over.

/"Don't worry," Hermione assured the distraught Weasley, forcing a smile (She was actually worried about Harry as well, she cared for Harry a lot, too...... But someone had to keep a cool head in such a situation). "He's probably just gone to see his father, after all! He said he wanted to, and he can't wait around for us..."/

Anyway, Harry did show up later. He came running into the library, where Ron was listening in sheer boredom as Hermione rambled off the five comes common uses of maple bark in potion making and the Latin alphabet for her Charms project. And did he have a tale to tell! But, of course, it wasn't something you can talk about in a quiet voice, not even if you tried. Madame Prince had become infuriated by the noisy disruption of the normally peaceful and studious atmosphere, demanding that they quiet down; So they moved their conversation to a standing position amongst the bookshelves in the far back of the library, where no one could hear.

"You're bloody well kidding me," Ron gapped. "Kidding me!"

"Never," Harry said excitedly, shacking his head wildly, and ecstatic grin plastered over his face. "It's all true!"

"Really," Hermione asked, leaning toward him, her eyes wide. "Truly, Harry!?"

"Really, truly!"

She gasped lightly, placing a hand to her cheek with her mouth hanging open in awe. "My word... This is amazing! I can hardly believe it! I'm so happy for you!" She had given him a quick hug, then.

"Well, I knew you were running off to do something daring," Ron laughed, slapping Harry playfully on the back, nearly causing his friend to stumble forward. "As always! You got me all worried when you weren't there this morning! Leave a note next time!" Ron laughed again. "But you did it, Harry, you silly sod! You really did it!"

They all laughed to this.

Immediately after these events, they had gone down to the kitchens to receive a late lunch. Dobbey had been more than willing to give them anything they wanted, and both Harry and Ron ate almost everything in sight. Hermione herself ate very lightly, all the while with her nose stuck in her book.

Finally they had left and were heading back to the Gryffindor Common Room to chat a little more. It was far too chilly outside to talk at the moment, and it was likely to rain, again. Their footsteps echoes faintly in the empty hallways.

"Good gracious," she muttered, shaking her head at they walked along. "I sincerely thought you two would chock at death. I can't see how any person can eat that fast."

"I forgot how hungry I was," Harry said wearily, patting his stomach tenderly. "I hardly ate anything since yesterday."

"Neither 've I," Ron piped in. "I was starving!"

Hermione rolled her eyes, but smiled at the fact that Harry was feeling better, and Ron was.... Well, Ron was being Ron! "I suppose that is good reason enough to stuff your faces like wild savages..."

"Your brutal sometimes, 'Mione, you know that?"

Harry laughed, shaking his head. "I think I've almost reached my limit... I couldn't eat another bite, or I might really explode."

Hermione sighed loudly, looking back to her book as she walked. "Of course it shouldn't be my worry if your stomachs explore, but I suggest you walk it off quickly. You do have somewhere to be in an hour."

"No, I can hardly keep my mind off that...."

Ron gave Harry a worried look, patting the boy on the shoulder. "How can you forget something like that, for Heaven's sake!? This is probably going to be the biggest thing to ever happen to you! Ever!"

"Well... I don't know. It's like the hardest part is over, you know? I've met my dad and everything, but..." Harry sighed, slouching forward a little as he walked. "But I guess I was trying to get my mind off it for a few minutes, so I won't be too nervous for later."

Hermione nodded her understanding, her eyes peering over the top edge of her book thoughtfully. "This is a big step, isn't it?"

"It's not like he's going on a second date, Hermione," Ron commented dryly, which earned him a light smack on the shoulder. "Hey!"

"Do you think you're ready," she prompted.

Harry looked up a little be meet her eyes. "I-I don't know! I don't really want to go alone..."

"Why don't we go with you," Ron offered seriously. "I mean, your dad would want to meet your friends, wouldn't he? I mean, I know I'd like to meet him and everything."

Harry straightened while coming to a halt, grinning. "Hey, that's brilliant! It would be great if you two could come along with me!" Harry turned to her, grinning brilliantly. "What do you say, Hermione? Will you come?"

Hermione looked up from her book now, frowning a little. Of course, meeting Harry's father would be a wonderful opportunity, but it was after all a personal matter. A family thing. A terrible thing it would be for someone to intrude, but if it was Harry's wish... "I suppose we could go with you..."

Just then they had rounded the corner to the Fat Lady portal hole. To their surprise, they found a huge group of Gryffindors just entering the Common Room. Lunch time was over, obviously. That meant the Common Room was off limits if they wanted to have any private conversations. You had to be careful in a place like Hogwarts; there was an ear listening around ever corner...

Or a certain bad mannered poltergeist.

Hermione was about to recommend that they head down to the Library again, to get there minds off of everything by doing some extra research on their Charms projects, when suddenly Neville came dashing toward them from the crowd.

Neville stopped a bare two inches from colliding with Ron, sending the startled red head reeling backwards. Harry hurriedly grabbed Ron by the collar to keep him from falling, and once he had steadied himself he cried, "Neville!? What're you carrying on about!? Are you trying to give me a heart attack--"

"Professor Lupin! He's back!"

"Well of course we know that," Hermione sighed, shaking her head. 'Honestly. Neville, and his forgetfulness.' "We saw him just yesterday, remember? We all did."

"No, no," Neville insisted, shaking his head wildly. "You don't understand. He isn't just back, he's gonna be teaching again!"

Shocked silence...

Now, that was unexpected.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Percy?" He tapped in the bedroom door as he came to it, waiting for an answer. "Percy, are you there?"

No answer...

Well, it was a father's privilege to know exactly what was going on with his children, so...

Cautiously, he turned the doorknob and slung the door open without moving into the room. Of course, he would have to be cautious after all the different traps he'd tripped while attempting to enter Fred and George's room... A regular 'death trap', that was!

But Percy's door swung open smoothly and silently, without even squeaking at the hedges (Percy probably had the mind to oil them...). The room was half light by a partially opened curtain at the window, and all other lamps had been blown out. Mr. Weasley could see that Percy's desk was a mess, with letters flung about everywhere and ink spilt, a quill standing crookedly next to its ink well. But amongst the chaos was set a stake of neat and tidy letters, all ready to be sent. Hermes, Percy's owl, perched on the desk edge, was fast asleep with his head tucked under his wing, his feathery chest rising and falling gently.

Then there was Percy, laying on his side, facing the wall on his bed. Percy must've kicked off his blanket while he slept, because half of it lay in a heap on the floor, and the other half looked ready to join it. He used his hands to cradle his own head as he slept, and Mr. Weasley could see that his figures had black ink splotches all over them.

Deciding not to invade Percy's privacy anymore than he already had, Mr. Weasley resisted the urge to see who the letters were addressed to ('Though Molly does have this sneaking suspicion that Percy was seeing a girl... A girl! Honestly! Molly, you can be so silly sometimes!').

Instead he gathered up Percy's blanket, getting an odd felling of nostalgia as he did so. He used to tuck Percy in every night when he was little... Until he turned ten, and then he was already on his own!

Mr. Weasley chuckled, shaking his head. No, Percy would never change. Hopefully. He only wished that he could give his sons more than they had... But of course they could never afford it--

"Father...?"

Mr. Weasley froze, surprised. "Sorry son, did I wake you?"

"It's okay."

"I just wanted to tell you that your mother and I have just gotten a letter from Bill."

Percy rolled over a bit more so that he looked his father in the eye. Percy looked exhausted still. Then Percy rolled back to face the wall again, letting out a deep, breathy sigh. "Is he well?"

"Of course. He knows what happened, and is going to (hopefully) be here by tomorrow... They've discovered a new tomb, and with luck he'll have the curse broken soon."

"Any mummies this time?"

"Only one, but at wasn't that unfriendly, it seems..."

"I'm sure he was terribly disappointed, missing out on another 'battle scar'... Is Charlie feeling better?"

Mr. Weasley sighed, scratching the back of his head. "Well, your mother is having some trouble with him, actually. Charlie's been Apparating to the kitchen to get things; snacks and drinks that your mother would consider highly unhealthy." Chuckle. "It just gets your mother hideously frustrated, and she's thinking of actually grounding him..."

Percy actually laughed when he heard all this. "Charlie will never listen to reason. Never has, never will, that sort of thing. What other sort of person would work with dragons? Such dirty, dangerous things."

Mr. Weasley nodded to this (though it was unlikely that Percy even noticed), unsure of how to respond. He wasn't going to very well agree with Percy, after all, that would be insulting Charlie... On the other hand, he could still clearly remember the day Charlie had informed them all of his carrier choice... Mr. Weasley had been less than pleased at the time... So, thinking this, Mr. Weasley decided to say nothing...

Silence...

".... Should I, um, go now?"

"You know I hate it when people come in my room," Percy stated plainly. "Please, don't ever do it again."

Mr. Weasley laughed, smiling affectionately. "I won't, son." He quickly made sure Percy's blanket was in proper order before he turned to go. Mr. Weasley didn't know how Percy would react to such treatment at his age, but at the moment it didn't matter. When he was finished he quickly headed to the open door. "I won't do it again, sorry..."

"Thanks, Father."

"No problem, Percy."

"No, I mean the blanket. It was getting a bit chilly, but I didn't want to get up just yet..."

"Oh..." He smiled warmly now. "Or course.... Sleep well, Percy." Mr. Weasley quietly closed the door to Percy's bedroom, and as he turned to walked down the hallway, he could feel a little spring in his step.

This was the joy of being a parent...

Now to check on Charlie...

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Do you think he'll be there," Harry asked.

"I would think so," Hermione said. "Professor Lupin would be staying in the same room as he did before, wouldn't he? The same one Professor Dorrey used this year? He should be here!"

Ron snickered. "Yeah, especially with that chicken Dorrey gone. I swear, he would faint at the sight of a pixy! He's worse than Quirrell ever was, I'm tellin' ya!"

"That's not very polite."

"Well, he's not here anymore, is he? What's to worry about?"

"Lupin," Harry called, knocking against the door which had been the entrance to Professor Lupin's quarters last year (and had been also Professor Robbie Dorrey's as of this year). "Lupin, it's me, Harry!" Frustrated, Harry tried the door handle. "Locked... Does that mean he's not here?"

Hermione shrugged. "It could mean that..." Then she called out a well, "Professor Lupin?"

"Professor Lupin," Ron yelled, banging on the door. "Hey, open up!"

Silence.... And there was no light coming from under the door.

".... I guess his not here...."

But the three didn't know that there was someone in the room.

It took a moment of waiting before the knocking had ceased. Hopefully the three had finally chosen to give up and leave. He didn't want anyone to know where he was, even those three. Not yet. Sirius needed to be alone to contemplate his own thoughts... Memories....

His mind going back to earlier that morning...

///*Flashback///

It made him sick.... What had happened to James. He saw it all--experienced is all--through the Pensive. Sirius had anticipated the Pensive to be a great many things but not so... so....

Graphic...

The metal "Time-Turner" (or whatever it really was) that Lupin had found around James' neck earlier lay on a small tray before them. It showed no metallic sheen, as it was apparently marred, scratched and covered in dirt, the metal somewhat dented and bent out of shape. The glass of the hourglass was shattered, and whatever sand or contents the device had originally held was long gone, leaving it empty and hallow, as if all traces of magic had been sucked out of it. Only the oversized chain seemed to be in good shape, pooled together on the tray.

A Time-Turner was usually a lovely, an object that was elegant in appearance and which held great power. An item truly worthy of the title, "charm". But this.... This thing was no charm.

It was a cruse.

"There is no reason to dispose of it," Lupin reasoned against Sirius earlier vote to destroy the object, leaning forward in his chair to observe the object closer. "I've handled it myself, and it clearly no longer serves as a threat. To any of us, I'm sure."

"The Ministry will clearly see that this as real evidence," Dumbledore agreed, starring at the object thoughtfully. "I will mention this to Cornelius when I speak to him." He clearly saw the doubt in Sirius' eye, and added, "They will know if it has been tampered with, Sirius. This as well as the Pensive. Have no fear."

Sirius couldn't help but sneer. "Or course I have right to be cautious, Dumbledore," he said scornfully. "I've seen how the Ministry works--how Fudge's mind works." Of course he'd seen. Sirius had been thrown into Azkaban for life without trial.... "You've seen it yourself, you can't deny that. I choose not to take any chances when James' life is on the line."

"Honestly," Lupin said, "I agree completely. We can't risk anything happening to James. Not again."

Dumbledore nodded in agreement to both comments. "Of course the Minister's motives are otherwise, he won't allow something as important as this slip away. The Ministry must be involved, or we risk everything--everything we've worked for since last year. And if the Minister does chose investigate... We risk all that Hagrid and Arthur Weasley have done." He shook his head, running a hand down his beard, flicking out a small piece of fuzzy he found. "And the Minister could cover this up even if he wanted to. There are too many involved, too many witnesses; Muggle and Wizard alike..."

"But we can't go around and continue making life decisions for him like this, especially when it comes to the Ministry. And what about Harry?

"As of now," Dumbledore explain carefully, "I am not entirely sure that James will be able to. At least for now, I assure you. The man has been through so much in such a short period of time... His torment has gone on for too long now, and his recovery may not be a swift one. And Harry is overwhelmed with this as well, having a father so suddenly..."

Sirius snorted rather rudely. "So you decide to bring the Ministry into this?"

"Yes," Dumbledore stated, though with a hint of doubt (Or was that disgust...?), "I did. As I said before, it is not wise to hide such things from the Ministry. As biased and narrow minded as the Ministry and hit's head may be, they are not entirely stupid, and they will become suspicious, decide that I am up to something. I cannot allow this situation to become any more conspicuous as it is." His eyes flashed. "He already expressly forbade me from interfering with any Ministry affairs, and I did go too far when I allowed the schools enchantments to be manipulated to allow the use of the Portkey... If he discovers our involvement here, it will be the end of it all..."

There was a long, uncomfortable paused before Sirius spoke abruptly,

"And what about Snape!? James will have memories of Snape in the Underground!"

"I saw no clear memories of Severus, nor any of you, in the Pensive. His mind was very clouded, you remember?"

It was true. All the memories James had up until the point of leaving Ollivander's in Diagon Alley were fairly clear (disturbingly clear, actually), but form that point on there was.... Whiteness. Nothingness. They had chosen not to extract any of the other memories of James arrival to Hogwarts and beyond, those events there were well aware of.

Clearly, this mystery was becoming more and more complicated as they went along.

Lupin was the one to ask, "Why couldn't we see anything? James wasn't holding any memories back from us, why would it all fade and blur in such a way?"

"It will be assumed that he was somehow incapacitated at the time," Dumbledore said simply. "And James may not possess clear memories of the events that took place. As far as they know, he had blindly searched until be came upon Hogwarts. It is nothing to worry about, I think."

No, there had to be something to worry about. Sirius knew that James remembered everything, and he also gave his memories freely. So why couldn't they see it in the Pensive.... There was more to it than that.... Dumbledore knew it, he just didn't want to say anything. But it wouldn't do him any good to accuse Dumbledore of anything.... It isn't wise for anyone to cross Albus Dumbledore. Not even lightly. There were reasons why Voldemort feared this man. He knew so much....

"But I thought I should bring up another subject," Dumbledore said after a while, he tone, if anything, becoming even more serious. "I know that much has happened between you all, but I must ask that you trust Severus. I understand the tension between you all now with James, but with what you all share now--"

Sirius couldn't take this, and spat, "We share nothing, Albus. Nothing."

"You must understand that he has put is life in danger," Dumbledore said, almost as sharply. "Please, consider all that he has done for James. For you." Sirius didn't say anything at this point, so he continued, "I have no doubt in my mind that Voldemort will be suspicious."

"We can't be sure that Severus properly erased his memories," Lupin added. "And we know he wasn't caught. He must've awoken and Apparated before the Ministry crossed his path."

"That is a dilemma," Dumbledore mumbled thoughtfully. "Lucius will know doubt look into that, if Voldemort doesn't punish him first..."

"Albus, what if he comes here to look for Severus...?" A shiver visibly wracked through his body like some sort of violent tremor. "If Lord Voldemort discovers that he's a traitor, we might not be able to protect him when they..." He trailed off, obviously not willing to think of that possibility.

Obviously, Sirius could think about it very easily. "They can come for all I care..."

Lupin looked to him pleadingly, saying, "There's no reason to become angry, Sirius. You know as well as I do what's happened--"

"Remus," Sirius growled, "I known perfectly well what's happened, or the lack there of. And none of it will change my mind. I refuse.... I refuse!!!" His made sharp motions with his arms with each phrase, his body feeling tense with anger.

"You can't change what's in the past," Dumbledore said calmly.

"Then how do you explain James!? His death was adverted, why not something like this!?!"

"It's different and you know it," Remus insisted.

Sirius went on as if he hadn't heard Lupin at all. "Bonds can be broken, I'm sure--"

"This is magic not to be tampered with," Dumbledore said darkly. "It wouldn't be wise of you not to try, Sirius. None of you can change it. You just have to live with it--"

"I don't want to live with it!!"

Lupin almost stood from his chair, showing signs of impatience. "Sirius, listen to Dumbledore--"

"Remus", he said again, a little louder and harsher than he intended, and he even startled himself into a momentary silence. Seeing the surprised look on Lupin's face, Sirius continued with a softer, almost apologetic tone, "Please, Remus, let me handle this." He ignored that look of annoyance that crossed Lupin's face and turned to Dumbledore. "Albus, I don't expect you to understand this--"

"And I do hope you will allow yourself to understand this, Mr. Black..."

The quiet and sheer graveness in the ancient man's tone was what made Sirius' jaw snap shut instantly. Sirius wasn't one take such things from anyone, his temper would more often than not disallow such an occurrence, but Albus Dumbledore was someone no one should ever cross....

After a moments pause, Dumbledore continued slowly, carefully,

".... In such times of crises, you cannot afford to let your own differences destroy you. And I assure you, they will eventually, my boys..."

///*End Flashback///

"Oh God..." Sirius covered his face with his hands. "Albus, why? Why us...? Why James...?"

'Why Snape?'

Sirius sighed into his hands, groaning mournfully, "Were all doomed..."

Snape...

Why...?

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

James sighed contently as he slowly drifted back to the land of the awake. He'd been so tired, but he felt better now. Warm and comfortable, and he didn't remember dreaming. All the better. He felt... happy...

CRASH!!!

James was up in an instant, becoming very aware of the sound of dozens of items hitting the floor. Very loudly. In fact, it happen so suddenly and unexpectedly that it nearly gave him a heart attack.

"Oh, bugger," a voice muttered meekly, sounding very disappointed.

"Professor Lupin! What on earth are you doing? I told you the cabinet above that one, not below it."

There was a babbled reply, "Very sorry--I'll clean that up right away." A nervous chuckle. "Shouldn't 've pulled that one out first, should I?"

Sitting up, James peered sleepily over to the side of the room, where a blurry brown-robbed shape was huddled over, scrambling to collect some scattered items from the floor. Another figure, presumably Madame Pomfrey, loomed over him and was shooing him out of the way with her hands.

James reached for his glasses on the beside table (where he had placed them on the night before) just as Lupin looked up. The man blushed a little, smiling sheepishly. "Er, good evening, James."

"Hey, Remus..."

Lupin had what looked like a brown strap satchel hooked over one shoulder. He grabbed a few of the items from the floor and stuffed them into the bag quickly before hurrying to assist Pomfrey with the clean-up. "Heeh, sorry 'bout that. I really thought I would be able to do this quietly..."

"Apparently not," Pomfrey stated blandly, shaking her head at him. "Now go on, Professor, I can deal with this. Oh, and Mr. Potter. I'd think you'd be terribly hungry by now?"

Actually James did feel hungry... Very hungry, in fact. "Yes, I'm am... Thank you."

"Why don't I get you something then?" She placed the last of the items into their respected shelves, turning to him will a strangle cheerful smile. "Anything in particular?" When James shook his head "no" he gave a apologetic smile. "I'll go see what they have in the kitchens, then. I think you're well enough to eat solid food at least."

'Oh, that's a comforting thought...'

Before she left, Madame Pomfrey shot Lupin a look that said "don't touch anything while I'm gone, and in a flash she was gone. But James hardly noticed. He was too preoccupied with another fact, one that came to him swiftly.

Harry.

James swallowed a little, his eyes anxiously searching the room for that familiar smiling face. It just occurred to him that Harry was gone. Or even more to the point, that Harry had been there, with him...

Oh Merlin, he'd better not be going mad again... Hallucinations were the last thing he needed.

James swallowed again, glancing up to look Lupin the eye. The older man looked a bit confused, a ghost of a smile appearing on his lips. "Why do you look so fretful, James?"

"Er... um, I thought... that Harry had..."

"Oh, that." Lupin let out a loud sigh of relief. "I thought it was something else maybe... Madame Pomfrey just shooed him off earlier this morning, and they didn't want to wake you at all. She told me about it when I came up here and all."

"W-What!?" Harry was here!? He'd left!? It had... Oh, bloody hell, he'd acted like a complete dunder head!

"James? Are you alright? You've just become a bit flushed... Are you not feeling well again?"

James shook his head a little, clearing it. "I--ooh, I don't believe it... I mean..." No... No, he shouldn't be so happy. Lily isn't here to share with moment with him. To share any moment ever again. And suddenly it felt as through the whole situation had goin from bright to dismal.

Lupin had taken a seat next to him. The same seat James had found Harry in the night before, his blushing head resting on his arms.... "You looked so cheerful a moment ago," Lupin said, "but now you look depressed. What's wrong?"

James noticed that a few scraps still marred his friends face, and exhaustion was still apparent in his eyes (Though even school Lupin would appear eternally tired). He knew perfectly well that it was because of him. He was probably still ill because of him... "I... I don't feel that I have the right to be happy... All that's happened, and all that I've done..."

"Come on now, James, you need to allow yourself to be happy."

James thought about this, and finally allowed himself a grin. "Yes," he said, though with a slight lack of zeal, "I should allow myself at least that, shouldn't I...?" 'Lily would want me to be happy...' He sighed, almost contently, flinging an arm over his eyes. More and more feelings of joy filled him before he could even think of controlling himself, to tell himself to calm down. At was as if these emotions were slipping in through invisible defenses he didn't even know were there. "I mean, he's grown--I mean he's really grown!"

Lupin smiled as well. "Yes, James--"

"And he was magnificent!" The words gushed out before he really had the chance to think on them. It was hard to express in words what he felt. "I mean, I'd never expected--My boy! Remus, you have no idea--"

"Yes, he's quite a remarkable young man, but--"

"You've got to tell me all about him," he insisted suddenly, interrupting Lupin yet again. James had removed his arm from his eyes, and they sparkled with excitement and anticipation, like a child waiting to be told a story before bedtime. "I don't know anything about him, really. What's he like? Does he play Quidditch at all? What are his grades like--"

"JAMES!!" James jumped, startled at Lupin's tone, but the man simply took a deep breath and shook his head, chuckling lightly. "Really, I would love to stay and tell you all about Harry, but I really must go. I came to visit and run a few errands. I'll be teaching here for the next few days... Weeks, even..."

James could feel is own face falling, and couldn't help but feel disappointed. He really did want to hear about Harry... "Oh..." 'Wait...' "Teaching, Remus?" 'Madame Pomfrey did call him Professor Lupin a second ago...'

Lupin flushed a little at the astonished look on James' face and decided to elaborate. "Professor Dorrey, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year, had a dreadful fright yesterday and though it best to leave..." He laughed. "Actually, the way Dumbledore described it, he practically made a mad dash for the exit without even glancing back."

"I'm glad," James commented quietly, "that you're doing something like that. Teaching, I mean. You were always good with children."

Memories of playing with young Harry flashed through him head. Lupin wondered if James was thinking the same since he'd said that... "Well, I did teach one year here at Hogwarts. I taught during Harry's third year, in fact. Defense Against the Dark Arts." He paused, then added. "He was quite good, I might add. I think it was his favorite class, and possibly even his favorite subject of all..."

James sat a little straighter and his eyes lit up ever so slightly as he took in this information. "Really? What else?"

"Well..." Seeing the hopeful expression on James' tired face, Lupin's resolve was easily crumbled to dust and blown away in the wind. ".... Hm, I guess I can stay for a few minutes longer and tell you about him..."

Grinning, James nodded expectantly, waiting for Lupin to begin as his friend took his satchel from his shoulder and placed it on the floor.

Clearing his throat, Lupin started speaking about the first things that came to mind when he thought about Harry. "Well, Harry's in his fifth year now ("But I suppose you already know that by now"). He's quite a fine young lad, I can honestly say. Oh, and he does play Quidditch. A seeker, and the finest one the Gryffindor team has had in years..."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Yes, this is terribly interesting...

Harry...

Harry this, Harry that.

Harry, Harry, Harry.

So very many seem to be very interested in this one boy. He made this man so happy before.

Hm... It would look more deeply into that, then...

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Narcissa Malfoy had seen her husband like this before. Of course, he could be a vicious man (She had known this when he married him). He had killed other men before...

Lucius (who hadn't returned home to the mason the night before without word) finally returned earlier that morning, looking spent and deadly cross. Narcissa didn't know exactly where he had been, but she had a good idea. Narcissa knew her husband participated in other activities, other than his usual job, and knew to what end they activities were.

Death Eater...

She had no problem with these other interests, goals, or hobbies of his, as long as Lucius didn't go around and cheat on her or get himself (or herself) killed. Though, she knew that all the money would be given to her should Lucius die. That is until Draco comes of age (18-years-old), and it would all be his. Of course, Draco would never know of this until such a time came...

Lucius was screaming at the house elves now, bellowing orders right and left, kicking some of them when they did respond right away as they cowered away in fear. Narcissa just sat, sipping her wine in the sitting room as her husband continued with his raving.

Oh, this was growing dreadfully irritating. Lucius hadn't acknowledged her once since he'd returned, and he was paying more than enough attention (as negative and harassing as it was) to the house elves. That was unacceptable. His behavior was almost insulting, to say the least, and Narcissa decided then and there that this insanity was going to come to an end.

She discarded the Wizard magazine she'd been reading, tossing it back into the armchair she had been sitting in for the past few hours since morning, since Lucius returned. Narcissa then proceeded to stalk all the way to her husbands study, heedless to the house elves that scampered out of her way as she moved through the halls.

Knowing very well that Lucius did not enjoy being disturbed while the doors to his study were closed (and therefore locked), but not really caring at the moment, she quickly took her hand from her fine robes and shouted, "Alohomora!" After hearing a soft click from the lock, she pushed the double doors open so they swung inward and hit against the walls.

Narcissa froze before she even made it five feet into the room...

Lucius sat in his desk armchair, his shoulders slouched and his face hidden away in his hands. For the first time Narcissa had a good look at her husband, and he look horrible. Truly. His hair was mussed and dirty, unwashed, and as he looked up she could tell that his eyes were dark and haunted. He was usually perfect, like a white/silver marble sculpture; unbreakable and unyielding, powerful. But he looked shattered...

And Lucius didn't look at all pleased that his wife had entered unannounced. He hastily grabbed a quill, jabbed it into an inkwell, and hastily began writing on a piece of parchment that was already half filled with some sort of scrawl. His face was now hidden from her, shadowed behind the hair that had fallen around his face as he hunched over his desk. "What do you want," he asked, without looking up of halting in his writing.

With a moments hesitation, she answered, "You were... Darling, are you feeling ill?" His hands were shaking, she could see it.

"Nothing..." He didn't look up at his wife, his face still hidden from view. His voice was very calm and quiet, which was very unlike Lucius... His voice was usually at a higher volume, full of demand, and even an air of superiority and pride. He spoke again with that quiet voice, "I... I have a headache, that's all."

"Is that all," Narcissa pried questioningly, though a little quieter this time. She had cautiously walked up to his desk, not standing right in front of it. "Do you want one of the house elves to bring you a potion? I--" She, for the first time, noticed a red mark that showed just below the cuff of his robe sleeve... And there was also one just on the edge of his hairline, and on his neck... There were bruises marring his perfect, pale skin... "You've injured yourself." A statement, not a question, and without too much suspicion as to where they came from... Though, Lucius had never come back from his other work in such a state before. "Lucius, tell me what happened to you..."

Silence.

She waited, smoothing out the folds of her expensive satin robes as she waited, but no answer came. This only served to make her angry. As a Malfoy, she was accustomed to getting anything she wanted, and right now she wanted an answer. "Lucius, I demand that you tell me what happened, immediately! What--" She stopped when Lucius hands rose and then slammed back down on his desk, causing a jar of ink to bounce and fall over, spilling over the polished wood and desk set. Narcissa's heart skipped a beat.

"It is none of your concern," Lucius bellowed, causing her to jump, scared. "Being the wife of a Malfoy has made you arrogant and stupid, woman! Thinking you can demand anything from me!" He snarled, eyes narrowing as he stood and leaned over his desk toward her. She back up a few steps, noticing how his hand was twitching toward his wand, which lay to the side of his desk, now half cover in ink. "What hell do you think you're doing, asking me about such things, you know perfectly well...." He trailed off, saying nothing more. The silence was deafening, unexpected, and just as startling as the uproar when Lucius first started screaming at her....

Finally, after starring at his wife in a very calculated fashion for a minute (and she standing as stiffly as possible, as though he would attack if she make any sudden movements), his eyes widened ever so slightly and flashed with... something... Lucius' eyes turned back down to stare at his desk, and he did not look up again after he took a seat, whipping his wand of with a handkerchief from his pocket and then using it to get rid of the mess of ink.

If anything he had grown so pale his skin almost appeared green. A very ill color and particularly unflattering.

She never remembered feeling so anxious about her husband. Yes, she was scared of him. Those who really knew Lucius Malfoy were only smart to fear him, even his family. But up to now, she had never felt so.... worried. Nothing affected Lucius. Nothing. With his wealth he had nothing to fear, no enemies he could destroy (in more ways than one).

What had happened...?

"Darling....?" Nothing... It was very daring that she would even try to talk to him while he was in such a state. After he had already screamed at her in such a way. But worry, yes, worry, pushed her to do so. "Darling.....? Lucius..?"

"I will see you at supper, dear," Lucius said curtly, still not meeting her gaze, his air as calm restored to how it had been when she first entered the room unannounced. He was now writing almost feverishly with his quill. Narcissa desperately wanted to know what he was writing, but new better than to ask him. Perhaps he was writing to Draco, for she knew that they stayed in contact constantly while their son attended Hogwarts, though the nature of the letters were a mystery to her.

She stood there for a few minutes, watching him, her mind working furiously, trying to decide whether to stay or to go immediately with haste. But no one should cross Lucius Malfoy a second time of they managed to get away the first time... Not even his own wife...

So Narcissa simply nodded, muttering a quick, "Of course, Darling," and backed out of the room, her eyes on her husband and his wand the whole time...

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

He'd found Potter, he cornered him, he was attacked, and then.... there was nothing. No memory at all, no memory of the voice that cast the spell, or even what the spell was. Then waking up in a pile of rubble, injured, alone, and with the Ministry just around the corner. Alive.

His life had been spared.

Lucius Malfoy sneered, his teeth clinching.

Such an act of mercy wasted. When he found out who attacked him, who stopped him from making his kill, from serving his Lord, they would pay dearly. There would be no second thoughts, no consideration, no mercy. There were no such things. Not for those who wished to survive in this world. Rightfully, there should me no mercy for the weak.

The innocent are always the first to die. As it has been in the past, and shall forever be...

And his feelings of doubt will forever cling to his heart... But no, they would go away eventually. He had simply stayed in an area full of Dementors for too long, that's all... It would go away...

It had to.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Harry found the letter when he returned to his room sometime after he, Ron and Hermione had visited Lupin's room. They had been terribly disappointed when he wasn't there and had been hoping they could see their old teacher, make sure he was alright. Of course Harry knew Professor Lupin was fine by now, Sirius has told him so. But it was always better when you could see it with your own eyes. Lupin didn't look well at all yesterday...

The letter had been delivered by Hedwig, who had been sitting in the windowsill when he got there, an off-white envelope clutched in her talons. Whoever had asked her to send the letter must've instructed he to make sure that it got delivered, no matter what. He took the letter hastily, finding it unmarked with no indication as to who the sender might be, and quickly hunted around for an owl treat for Hedwig. After finally feeding Hedwig, she gave a polite but satisfied hoot, and with a curt nod of her head she was out the window and gliding back toward to Owlery. More bad weather was due before the day was done.

The letter was very simple and straightforward.

Harry,

Whatever happens now, you must watch yourself. I can't tell you what gives me the feeling, I'm not really sure myself, but I don't believe the danger is over for any of us yet. Remus and Dumbledore knows this too, I know he does. I know you don't like the idea, but please trust me, and also trust that we will take care of it when the time comes. If you see anything odd, or anything out of place, don't hesitate to inform on of us immediately. I know you want to help James, but please, don't get yourself into trouble..

I talked to your father yesterday. James asked me to look out for you, too, and I will do just that, make no mistake. He thinks a great deal of you. You should see the way his face lights up with the mere mention of your name.

Good luck today.

Sirius

When he was finished, Harry wasn't sure if he should feel unnerved, contented or even frustrated. What did he mean, the danger wasn't over... It had to be. What do any of them have to fear now that they were in Hogwarts. Nothing could touch them here. Unless there was something they weren't telling him...

Harry decided not to share to letter with Ron or Hermione as of yet, shoving the letter and envelope under his blankets. His friends were still waiting for him in the Common Room, and he could hear Ron yelling for him. Dinner time was drawing near. It was time to visit his father again.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Lupin had chatted with James about Harry for the better part of an hour. He managed to touch down on the more positive points in Harry's life, like his life at school, Quidditch, and of course Harry's friends. Lupin stayed well away from the topic of Voldemort, the Chamber of Secrets, or... Sirius... Azkaban.

No, James didn't know about Sirius as of yet. Lupin wasn't too sure of how James would react to that fact, to where Harry had been forced to live for the past fourteen years, that Sirius hadn't been able to look after his godson as a godfather should. No... He shouldn't find out so soon. James might start raving again...

He had left the Infirmary, only narrowly escaping Madame Pomfrey, who insisted that he drink more Pepperup Potion before he left. "You still look a little weak," has felt his forehead, "and you feel a bit warm. You should be resting, not running errands. Where are you going!?" She had practically chased after him as Lupin bolted for the door, James actually laughed pleasantly at the scene... As he said, he only narrowly escaped the women... Madame Pomfrey was still as sharp as she had been all those many years ago, when he had gone to Hogwarts and she would take care of him before and after the full moons.

Upon returning to the room, Lupin found Sirius poking through the many number of things Professor Dorrey had left behind. His poor friend didn't look at all pleased with his present attire--clean white pajama paints with a red and white striped robe, open--and even before he noticed Lupin's presence he has shifting uncomfortably beneath his robe, a grimace on his face.

Apparently (heeh) the house elves has run off with his old robes as soon as he'd turned his back on them (Just as Lupin had hoped all along). And maybe the robes would come back in better condition than they left, or better yet, they would simply burn them and find him a new set. Also, Sirius had obviously bathed and shaved as Lupin has requested. He couldn't very well walk around a total mess, when he had the opportunity to clean up a bit.

Sirius had been badly injured the day before during the fight... Though hidden and unseen beneath his robes, his pale skin was plastered with bruises of every color (A rather nasty sight, really...). They littered his flesh all along his right torso, lower legs, and even reached up as far as his neck, where Snape has retaliated against Sirius' own physical attack when Sirius tried strangling the life out of him. He had refused to be treated for it, but he couldn't say 'no' to Lupin's persistent yet gentle prodding.

Within the hour of his return, Lupin made the best use out of all the things he'd taken form the Infirmary (These items he had taken with Madame Pomfrey's consent, of course) and slapped so much healing potion, cream, and gauze on the man that Sirius appeared half mummified from the neck down. "It'll heal completely in a day or two now," Lupin had assured him, smiling. "No need to worry."

He then proceeded to make Sirius eat the food he had found in the kitchens while the house elves prepared for dinner (A bread loaf, chicken legs, bacon, and various fruits). But Sirius gobbling it up everything without another word, until pausing halfway through to guiltily offer Lupin some. Lupin had a bit of chicken, but that was all. Even while staying with Lupin, Sirius didn't get to eat too much. Lupin didn't have to money to buy much food, and he wasn't accustomed to eating very much in the first place. Unless, of course, it was after the full moon, and he would need to get his strength back.

While Sirius finished eating, Lupin found two china cups and made tea for both of them (The only sort of drink he remembered to bring was a few teabags). The fine, delicate cups, which had previously belong to Professor Dorrey, were white and decorated with intricate designs. The teapot, which was already full of fresh water, was no less flawless. They made Lupin feel uncomfortable when he held them, like they would break if he held them to tightly, and he silently wished he still had his good old sturdy mugs (At least they didn't shatter completely when he dropped them)....

Lupin now sat in an armchair facing the fireplace, Sirius sitting in a similar chair only a few feet away. The other man starred, transfixed by the dancing flames on the hearth, while Lupin sat nursing his cup of tea. Lupin no longer felt he had the stomach to drink it (Maybe he shouldn't 've made it so strong?), so it just sat in his lap until he finally had the mind to just set the cup on the floor (There was no table nearby to put it on). He wasn't sure of his queasiness was due to sickness or anxiety...

Ever since Sirius had sent that letter to Harry, Sirius had become noticeably uneasy, and Lupin couldn't help but notice as Sirius constantly glanced back in his armchair toward the door, as though expecting someone to come knocking at any minutes. The letter, as Lupin understood it, was meant as friendly advice. Advice that only a relative (Or someone just as close, such as a Godfather) could safely give without risk of being scolded for their directness. Harry had always believed in Sirius' advice before, but in matters concerning James... Harry might not want to hear it...

Or at least this is what Sirius figured.

Lupin could tell Sirius felt the same way he did. He felt that he should be doing something to help. They both owned James that much... They couldn't just stand back and watch as events unfolded before their eyes...

"You think too loudly," Sirius said, very softly, but it was enough to break Lupin's muddled train of thought.

Lupin wondered how he did that sometimes... Sirius hadn't even looked up at him this whole time, and still he knew what Lupin was thinking... Other times Sirius could be totally oblivious to the feels of others, but not at this moment.

They spent far to much time together... Or maybe Sirius had spend too much time in Azkaban... Urgh, his head was so foggy... Maybe he should've taken that Pepperup Potion after all...?

"I was thinking about you, actually," Lupin mumbled in response, watching his friend for some sort of reaction. Sirius looked up at him now, puzzled.

"Me...?"

"You seem preoccupied. Very preoccupied, in fact." 'On second thought...' Lupin bent down and picked up his tea cup, taking a sip. "Tell me what's on your mind." 'The many things on your mind, I would imagine.'

"Well, if you insist on playing the physiatrist, Professor Lupin."

Lupin chose not to comment on the 'Professor' title... "Well?"

".... Do you think he will be okay?"

Lupin looked to Sirius questioningly now, his brows and forehead creasing. "Harry? Or James?"

"Both."

"Time can only tell, really," Lupin remarked reasonably, but a smile lingered on his lips as he looked Sirius in the eye. "But for now, I think they'll be just fine..."

Oh, how he prayed that would be true. If only he could believe his own words...

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Waiting...

Watching....

Oh yes, always watching. Now all there was to do was watch, watch and watch.

Oh look, little boy Potter is here now..... Time to goooo.... (heeh)

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Sirius was tired of sitting there in silent. It was driving him mad!

"Remus?"

Lupin looked up from his tea ('Bugger bloody tea...'), that blasted teacup still clutched in his hands. Lupin had been starring absentmindedly into the fire ever since after they had talked minutes before. Now Sirius' voice interrupted his friends thoughts for the second time that evening, and Lupin turned to the man sitting in the other armchair. "Hm?" Lupin was smiling sleepily, like he was ready to drop off any second.

"I've been wondering about something that isn't quite right, I think..." No it didn't feel right, and it had been bugging him ever since this whole ordeal started...

"What is it?"

Or course Lupin knew 'what it was', he just didn't want to say it. "About James... I find it odd, this 'mood swings' or whatever he's experiencing. If his mind isn't disturbed, I would really like to know how to explain it. I understand... With Lily..." He saw Lupin eyes squeeze shut suddenly, then reopen a moment later. Maybe is wasn't a good subject to bring up... "He's just not the man I remember him to be."

"We have to face the possibility that be may not be the man we knew."

Sirius swallowed painfully. No, he didn't want to think of it that way. James just needed some time, that's all. Some time, then he would be back to normal, and Harry could have the father he'd always needed but couldn't have... "He just... James became so angry, the look in his eyes." Sirius fingered his jaw, where James had punched him the day before. "I've honestly never seen him like that before..." James had been so irrational and childish... The James he knew never denied the truth, no matter how much it might hurt of belittled him... "Why...?"

Absent mindedly while sipping his tea, Lupin mumbled, "Waiting until the cost is clear...."

Sirius looked to Lupin curiously. "Waiting?"

Lupin blinked, obviously realizing he'd spoken aloud without meaning to, but decided to elaborate anyway. "Many beasts have the ability to walk among humans." He stirred his tea a little, the metal spoon clicking against china. "When the beast is cornered and knows it's secret has been jeopardized, it will make sure to hide itself to the point of being invisible. As if it had become a 'phantom', if you will. It won't put its life in danger if it's threatened, and it will wait until the right moment to reawaken or reveal itself under safer conditions..."

"How do you know this?" Why was he referring to James as something almost... inhuman?

Lupin glanced back at him, and Sirius could see that his eyes appeared almost yellow in the firelight. He was smirking faintly. "I am a beast, Sirius, I would know, wouldn't I?" He didn't allow Sirius to comment before he continued, "At this point James' anger is like a sleeping monster, and all this anger will do is wait for a chance to release itself."

"But what will it do when it's released...?" Sirius mind flashed with images of yesterday, of James screaming in rage and the world collapsing to pieces around them...

"You should know better than anyone, Sirius. Angry works like all other negative emotions. It seeks to destroy.... But... James' anger may be something more real than we could ever imagine..."

Of course a sleeping beast was waiting to reawaken.... Waiting for a time to strike at last...

"James.... You can't ever leave me now...."

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To be continued...

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(1) In actually, Pomfrey was thinking of how adorable Harry and James looked cuddled up together... And of course she wouldn't tell them about the old camera she's chosen to take out before she woke Harry up...

(2) I'm not sure, but I did hear that the Invisibility Cloak is able to change its size to fit whatever it needs to cover. Think about it.

This is only the calm before the storm... Will Lucius succeed in finding out how attacked him? And if so, Snape will be in more danger than anyone can even suspect. And will any of them become aware of this other presence among them before it has a chance to stick? Maybe... but if not, where, or whom, will it strike first...?

Okay, I can get the next part out quickly if I have the time, and depending on the response. It's fairly short and to the point. This chapter and most of the next one are covering the entire day after James arrives at Hogwarts (Saturday).

Urgh! I hope you liked this part. Hope it didn't totally suck. I mean, no action as of yet, but you just wait! And those who have high bloody pressure, please don't sue me or anything.... Heeh, I was sorta hoping to hit about 500 reviews as of this update. Only time will tell now!

Please, REVIEW if you can.

Geuna~