The Past Becomes the Present
Chapter 5
Recap: Molly was just bringing out desert, when her husband, Arthur, came though the Floo Network in a panic.
The first thing he said sent everyone into a panic.
"Harry's been attacked by dementors."
The older Sirius looked the most panicked. "Is he alright? They didn't get his soul, did they?"
Arthur responded, trying to keep Sirius calm. "He's fine. His cousin is a little worse for wear, but they both still have their souls." Then changing gears, he stated, "The Ministry is trying to expel him for underage magic."
"What?" shouted Ron.
"That isn't legal! It was a life threatening situation!" cried Hermione.
"Yes," continued Arthur. "Dumbledore is currently trying to talk to the minister. I will let everyone know more when I can. Right now I need to get back to the Ministry."
He walked to the fireplace. Stopping, he gave Molly a peck on the cheek, then stepped into the fireplace, dropped a pinch of FlooPowder, and declared "Ministry of Magic" before vanishing in the green flames.
"I wonder if we will still have the meeting," Tonks stated.
Just as 'meeting' came out of her mouth a phoenix patronus appeared and Dumbledore's voice spoke.
"Meeting postponed until tomorrow. Same time."
"Well then," Molly said, "Let's finish dinner. Those who want to leave afterwards can."
The rest of the meal was subdued, almost back to the awkwardness of first being introduced. The adults were speculating about what would happen to Harry.
When dessert was finished and the dishes were cleaned and put away, most kids went to their rooms. The Marauders began plotting against Fred and George. Hermione, Ginny, and Ron went to the sitting room to talk.
"Do you think that we can change the past enough so that Harry can have parents?" Ron asked.
"It's possible, but we don't know all the circumstances behind why they went into hiding in the first place," reasoned Hermione. "We may also learn things that the adults would rather have kept private, because they may now find it embarrassing."
"What, like Sirius was the Hogwarts playboy or something?" joked Ron as Remus entered the room.
Remus let out a choked cough, before saying, "Well, he certainly was."
The girls looked at him, as he searched the room.
"I was just joking."
"I figured, but I don't think he is too embarrassed about it," Remus admitted. He then spotted his book. "But as Hermione keeps saying, we will talk more about that tomorrow." And with that, he grabbed his book and walked out.
Hermione looked at Ginny and Ron. "I'm going to turn in for the night. Don't stay up too late, because it will probably be a long day." Then Hermione left as well.
Ginny followed her, and Ron, seeing that he was the last kid up, followed shortly after.
When Ron got to his room, Severus was still awake.
"As a teacher, I'm not very well liked, am I?"
"Well…" Ron started.
"You don't have to lie," Severus interrupted.
"I don't like you, your older self, I mean," Ron said catching himself. "You tend to favor your Slytherins, and can be down right cruel to anyone not in your house. I don't know if it is because of something from your past that you treat us that way, but you do."
"I don't know what would happen to me that would cause me to act that way," Severus started. "But if it makes you feel better, I do apologize for what my older self does."
Ron just sat on his bed absorbing what his young professor just said. Then with surprising wisdom, replied, "It does. It… it lets me know you… he is just human, and that he wasn't always like this." When he finished his speech, he had this surprised look on his face as if he was thinking, "Did that just come out of my mouth?"
Severus looked at him funny. "Just from observing you before, you aren't normally that intelligent sounding, are you?"
"Well that hasn't changed. When someone says something halfway nice to you, you turn on them and snap," grouched Ron.
Chuckling, Severus replied, "Well good. I like that characteristic."
Ron scowled at him, causing Severus to chuckle even more. Giving up, Ron changed for bed then turned out the lights, leaving his roommate in the dark.
--
The next morning, almost everyone that stayed at Grimmauld Place, was awakened by the sound of explosions.
Molly and Arthur ran down the flight of stairs to the children's floor, while the older Remus and Sirius came up the stairs. Arthur, Remus, and Sirius began laughing at the sight before them.
The Marauders were in the hallway collapsed from the smell of Dungbombs in their room. Their outfits were outrageous.
Peter was in a kimono. Sirius was wearing a polka-dotted bikini. James had a showgirl costume on. And Remus had a prom dress with all the ruffles and laces possible. All had long wigs and make up to match.
The twins were peeking around their door trying hard not to laugh, and were failing miserably. Ginny was rolling in laughter along with Ron and Hermione. Severus was standing in the doorway smirking, while Lily had a camera and was taking pictures.
Molly shot a spell to rid the air of the smell of Dungbomb followed closely by an enneverate to wake the collapsed Marauders.
"FRED AND GEORGE WEASLEY!" she yelled.
They looked at each other and gulped.
"HOW DARE YOU DO THAT TO YOUR ELDERS!"
"Technically right now they are younger," George interrupted.
"Don't talk back!"
At that point James, who had been trying to get the costume off at seeing that it was stuck, let out a frustrated yell and ran back into the room. This time Severus laughed out loud and Ron, Ginny, and Hermione were once again on the floor laughing.
Seeing this Molly, yelled at her boys some more.
"Reverse it!"
"We can't," started Fred.
"It has to wear off," George finished.
--
Later at breakfast, the Marauders were still sitting in their costumes. They had tried to cover up, and found that the clothes would disappear, revealing the outfit underneath.
Fred and George were punished by having to take care of all the chores without magic for a week, leaving the other kids free to relax and have fun.
As everyone finished eating, Professor Snape appeared through the Floo, followed shortly by the headmaster. Professor Dumbledore was carrying a stone basin.
Lily and Hermione both simultaneously asked, "Is that a Pensive?"
They looked at each other with sheepish grins.
Dumbledore smiled at them. "Yes, it is. We will be viewing some memories to help explain what has happened."
With that he made his way into the sitting room.
Those that were finished followed. The twins, due to their punishment, quickly gathered the dishes and washed them and then hurried after the group.
When they were seated, Professor Dumbledore set the pensive down, saying, "Let's get started."
TBC