"I felt a funeral in my brain,

and mourners, to and fro,

Kept treading, treading, till it seemed

That sense was breaking through . . ."

- Emily Dickinson

Funeral

oO0Oo

"Severus! Why in the world do you have your wand drawn on someone who is in obvious need of medical treatment!"

Albus' attention was drawn to the man at the door. He had shaggy dirty blond hair streaked with gray and amber colored eyes. And with a sudden jolt, Albus knew exactly who that man was. He'd seen him enough in pictures not to recognize him.

Remus Lupin was alive and standing right before him.

oO0Oo

And then Albus choked as the realization hit him. Severus? As in Severus Snape? The same man who he was named after? He looked at the intimidating man with new eyes.

Snape turned his glare to the newcomer. "We are at war Lupin! Anyone unknown is suspect! Even a seemingly injured boy such as him could be an enemy in disguise."

Lupin rolled his eyes, much to Albus' silent amusement.

"Severus, I'm sure there's a good explanation. Neither Poppy nor Minerva would leave an enemy unattended in the hospital wing."

Snape glared at Lupin, who met his acidic look calmly. It seemed as if there was a silent battle of wills between the two men. Finally, after what had seemed to be an awfully tense and long time to Albus, Snape pivoted on his heels and left the Hospital Wing.

Lupin turned and regarded Albus. It seemed as if this was the first time he had really gotten a good look at him. He frowned.

Albus didn't know what this man would see. It was all just so surreal. Would he see his best friend? Would he see someone who looked suspiciously like his best friend's dead son? Would he see a total stranger?

Albus fidgeted under Lupin's scrutiny. He still couldn't wrap his head around the fact that so many dead people only known to him by photos and stories were alive and breathing before his very eyes. He couldn't help but wish that Teddy was here, just so he could see the man standing in front of Albus.

"So, how did you come to be in the Hospital Wing?" asked Lupin casually.

He crossed the room to stand closer to Albus' bed.

"Umm, McGonnagal brought me?" replied Albus.

The man, Teddy's father for Merlin's sakes, cracked a smile.

"What I meant was what happened to you that would entail a trip to the infirmary?" corrected Lupin.

"Oh, yeah, well, um . . . that's a long story, I guess. I'm not even sure if I'm allowed to say or not. The headmaster said he was going to talk to me in the morning, so, uh, yeah," mumbled Albus.

He could feel himself slowly turning red, but really, what was he supposed to say to Teddy's dead father? It wasn't like he'd ever had experience making small talk with dead people.

Lupin looked as if he was going to reply, but was interrupted.

"Remus! What are you doing here?" exclaimed the voice of McGonnagal. Lupin turned to the doorway, and Albus was so very thankful for his professor's good timing.

A familiar figure followed Albus' former headmistress into the room. He didn't know whether to be relieved to see a familiar face or scared of the impending mandatory two day hospital stay that was sure to be in his near future.

"I've just come to pick up the potion I asked Poppy for," replied Lupin.

"Oh, of course Remus! It's in my office. I'll just be a minute," said Madam Pomfrey.

McGonnagal cast a wary look between her former student and Albus.

"Remus, it seems as if you have met Albus," observed McGonnagal.

Remus was visibly surprised. He glanced over his shoulder at the boy sitting on the hospital bed.

"Albus?"

"Yes, he's just arrived. Had a small accident upon his arrival, but I have no doubt that Poppy will see that he's better in no time."

"Albus huh? Nice name," said Lupin looking at Albus curiously.

"Erm, thanks," said Albus.

"Here we are Mr. Lupin! Now make sure Amelia takes half before bed tonight and then the rest in the morning. Make her stay in bed all day tomorrow, and maybe the morning after just to make sure. Dragon Pox are a nasty business, but very treatable," instructed Madam Pomfrey, handing Lupin the large vial.

"Thank you Poppy. I really appreciate it," said Lupin.

Madam Pomfrey waved him off.

"It's my job Remus. Now get home to that little girl of yours. Merlin knows Gwen must be at her wits end dealing with a sick child and that rambunctious boy of yours."

Lupin nodded farewell to McGonnagal, and with one last inquisitive look at Albus, took his leave.

"Now Mr. Potter, let's have a look at you!" exclaimed the nurse.

Albus' eyes widened in surprise. "You know who I am?"

"Yes Mr. Potter, I thought it would be prudent to inform Madam Pomfrey of your true identity. The headmaster and I will see you in the morning. Goodnight. Poppy, you as well," said McGonnagal.

She left, leaving Albus at the tender mercies of the school nurse.

"Lay down Mr. Potter. It will be easier for me to run my tests."

Madam Pomfrey ran her wand up and down his body, muttering diagnostic charms. She stopped when the wand glowed a burnt orange over his ankle.

"Seems to be a sprain. I take it you're feeling pain?" she asked him.

Albus nodded. It didn't hurt so bad when he wasn't walking on it, but it was still throbbing. He took this time to question the nurse about something that was bothering him.

"Madam Pomfrey? May I ask you a question?" asked Albus.

Madam Pomfrey hummed in agreement.

"Mr. Lupin, he was here to get a potion for Dragon Pox?"

"Yes," said Madam Pomfrey, but she did not elaborate. Albus decided to just plough ahead with his questions.

"The girl he was getting the medicine for, who is she?"

Madam Pomfrey turned from looking through vials of different colored potions to regard her patient.

"Amelia is his daughter, of course."

Albus felt something cold settle in his stomach.

"And that woman, Gwen? And the boy? Is that his wife and son?" asked Albus, his tone bordering desperate.

Madam Pomfrey raised an eyebrow. "Yes of course."

It felt as if his stomach was turning in on itself.

"Then he's not married to Nymphadora Tonks?" asked Albus urgently.

"Nymphadora Tonks! Heavens No!" exclaimed Madam Pomfrey, visibly surprised.

"Oh," whispered Albus.

If Nymphadora Tonks and Remus Lupin had never gotten married, if Remus was married to another woman in this reality, then that meant that Teddy Lupin would never be born. Teddy, who was a brother in all but blood to Albus, was never to exist in this reality. This new realization knocked the breath from his lungs. Teddy Lupin wasn't dead, but he would never be alive. Albus' parents were dead. There wasn't anyway that he or his sibling could be born, but Teddy's parents . . .

Looking at his stricken face, Madam Pomfrey seemed to have come to a realization.

"Were they married in your world?" the nurse inquired gently.

Albus nodded and replied in a detached tone. "They died before I was born, but they had a son, Teddy. He's like a brother to me. If Lupin and Tonks haven't gotten together in this world, then I guess Teddy will never be born."

"Oh my, you poor dear. It must have come as quite a shock to see Remus alive then. I'm so very sorry," comforted Madam Pomfrey as she patted his shoulder.

Albus just shook his head. He didn't know what to say. He didn't want to look at Madam Pomfrey's face. All he would see was pity, he was sure.

"Well, it looks like you've just got a twisted ankle. I'll give you a potion for that. It'll be as good as new in no time. You also seem to be suffering from a mild case of magical exhaustion. I assume this is because of your travel between worlds," Madam Pomfrey shook her head, "I'm honestly amazed, but not surprised. When you're as old as I, you learn that there isn't all that much that can surprise you anymore," said Madam Pomfrey with a warm smile.

Albus smiled back tentatively. It was nice to see that Madam Pomfrey was still the same kindhearted woman in this world. With any luck, she might have stopped insisting on prolonged periods in the infirmary. Albus thought about it. Nah. That was just hopeful wishing.

"I'll be giving you a dose of dreamless sleeping potion. I can only imagine that you'll need it tonight."

Albus nodded in agreement. "Yes, that would sure be nice, thank you."

She handed him two vials with instructions to down them. The one for his ankle tasted awful. It kind of reminded Albus of the dirt he had eaten when he had fallen from his broom. The dreamless sleep potion, thankfully, was a bit more manageable.

He could feel his eyelids becoming heavy almost immediately. He welcomed the oblivion of sleep.

oO0Oo

James Potter leaned back into his chair, engrossed in the drama unfolding before him.

"Come on! Come on! Just a little farther! No! No! Bloody hell! Block it! Block the damn- No! Bugger it! You lousy -"

"James! Can you keep it down in there! The whole neighborhood may be able to hear you, but the men on the telly surely can't!"

"But we just lost Lils!" shouted James from the living room, his eyes never leaving the brightly lit screen.

Lily Potter walked into her living room, drying her hands on a dish towel.

"Honestly James! If I had known that introducing you to muggle technology would have turned out like this, I would never have gotten the damn thing to work in the first place!" exclaimed Lily.

James just let his head flop back, lying in a boneless heap in his favorite chair.

"We lost. I can't believe we lost to Manchester," moaned James.

Lily only smirked. "I'm sure you'll get over it dear."

"No, no. I'm quite sure it's the end of the world, or maybe just my world, but my point is that I don't think I'll be able to live with Manchester wiping the floor with us."

"Well if you can't live with the loss, I guess I'll just have to throw out those cookies I just baked. Merlin knows you won't be able to stomach anything," remarked Lily.

James perked up. "Cookies? You made cookies? Why, I'm feeling much better. Yes, I think the prognosis is good. I shall live to see another day! My dear Lily! This is a cause for celebration! To the kitchen!"

Lily laughed at her husband. He rushed to the kitchen.

"I'm surprised I didn't even notice the smell!" he called back to her.

"I've just taken them out of the oven, so don't burn your tongue!" she replied with a chuckle.

It had been hard over the years for the married couple, what with losing their only child and the war raging, but somehow they had managed to stay together throughout all the pain and hardship. As long as James could still make her laugh through her tears, she would be okay and so would he.

A green fire suddenly erupted in her fireplace, startling her. They were protected under the Fidelius charm with very few people knowing where they were. It was necessary with James and her being so high on Voldemort's "to kill" list. So it wasn't everyday that they would get a fire call. Suddenly, Dumbledore's head popped through.

"Albus! What a surprise! What do we owe the visit?" asked Lily.

"Ah, Lily! I'm glad you're here! There is a matter I would like to speak with you and James about. Is it convenient for you both to come through to Hogwarts?" asked the headmaster.

"There isn't anything wrong, is there Albus?" asked Lily tentatively. Merlin she hoped no one had died.

"Oh, no. Nothing is wrong, per say. But it is very important that we talk."

"Alright Albus, let me get James. We'll be there in a few minutes."

"Ah, thank you Lily," replied Dumbledore, his head disappearing and the flames extinguishing.

"James!" called Lily.

"Yeah Lils!" came the response from the kitchen.

"Albus just fire called! He needs to see us right away."

James wandered into the living room, a half eaten cookie in his hand.

"Did he say what it was about?" asked James.

Lily shook her head. "No, but he said it was urgent."

"Well, if it's urgent, then lets not keep the man waiting," said James, throwing a handful of floo powder into the fireplace.

oO0Oo