Chapter Eighteen
When they reached the statues that marked the entry to the Headmaster's office they stopped.
They could all feel each other's muscles tighten due to nervousness. Sam looked at Remus and then at Sirius with a reassuring smile before turning back to the statues.
"Pumpkin Pasties," the way was now clear for them to go up but they still stood there staring at the staircase in front of them.
"Okay let's go up," said Sirius his voice a bit unsteady.
"It's now or never," agreed Remus his voice also showing his uneasiness.
The three unlinked and went up the stairs.
Sirius knocked on the door and then linked himself back up with Sam; Remus did the same.
"Come in," They took in a big breath as the door swung open in front of them to show Dumbledore at his desk with the older Sirius and Remus sitting in chairs on the other side.
They turned around in their chairs and as they saw themselves linked with Sam smiles broke across their world-weary faces.
As they walked further into the room Sam spotted a wring of stones with runes on them lying on the floor.
The runestones were all linked by lines made of sand, forming a space in the heart of the circle; she guessed that's where the boys would stand.
"We must not linger on chit chat today. We have much to do if you are to get back to class and have some lunch. I think you understand," The three teenagers all nodded.
Sirius was eyeing the runestone circle wearily while Remus was looking transfixed at his older self.
"Now before we begin I am going to ask you all if this is what you want. Because if you have changed your mind now is the time to speak up. And that goes for the elder Mr. Lupin and Black as well," Sirius removed his eyes from the circle and looked up at Dumbledore determination showing on his face. He gripped Sam's hand tightly
"Yes Headmaster it is what I want,"
"He speaks for the both of us," said the adult Sirius.
"I don't want anything more," spoke Remus.
"He couldn't be more correct," agreed the adult Remus.
Dumbledore turned to Sam.
"And you Miss Everfield?"
"I don't think anything could make me happier sir," she squeezed the hands of the boys either side of her.
"Well then in you three wouldn't mind separating we shall begin..." Sam hugged the boys tightly.
"I will always love you both," she whispered and then they stood apart.
"Time to begin. Now if you two," he pointed at young Remus and Sirius "wouldn't mind stepping into the middle of this circle here...be careful not to upset any of the stones or sand," the boys did as they were told.
"Ah good okay now I will warn you that this spell is complicated so try not to distract me, and it may make you feel dizzy, lightheaded or nauseous,"
Some colour dropped from the boys faced but they stood tall.
The adult Moony and Padfoot sat rigid with anticipation in their chairs watching.
Sam went over to them and sat down on the vacant chair in between them. She smiled at the boys and sent them one last message in their heads.
"Be brave both of you. And remember I love you," all four of versions smiled.
"Miss Everfield kindly refrain from using your mind powers while the spell is being cast,"
"Yes sir,"
"And Remus, Sirius I must ask you to try and clear your minds and concentrate I will need your strength and focus as well," Sirius and Remus looked once more at Sam before closing their eyes and concentrating on the task at hand.
Dumbledore spread his hands out and began chanting in Latin.
Sam attempted to hear the words but he spoke them faster and faster until it was a blur of constant sound.
Light shot out from his hands and raced into the runestones and along the sand lines until the boys were illuminated as if they were in the centre of a glowing web.
A few moments later two beams of light shot into Remus and Sirius. To those spectating the boys appeared to duplicate.
The light shone brighter still as Dumbledore continued the chant. The duplicate Remus and Sirius spun fast in a circle and disappeared. Slowly the light faded and withdrew out of the boys, back along the sand lines, into the runestones and back into the elderly Headmaster.
Dumbledore's chanting slowed as the light faded. And soon there was no more chanting or magical brilliance.
Dumbledore opened his eyes and looked weary, he sat back in his chair massaging his temples.
The boys still stood there, their eyes closed.
Suddenly they both collapsed on the floor.
"Sirius! Remus!" Sam raced over to them, they were still breathing but they were unconscious and limp. She hugged them crying for what seemed like an eternity until something happened.
Sirius lifted his head.
"I don't know what you meant by nauseous or dizzy Professor. That was nothing!" said Sirius his voice raspy.
"Yeah easy as," said Remus rubbing his head. Sam laughed in relief and hugged them both tightly.
"Steady on," laughed Sirius.
"You would think that we were just raised from the dead or something," they whole room laughed...