James had not seen Harry yet, which made Harry relieved for just a second. That second ended with Sirius spotting Harry. "Hey Prongs, I think I found your long lost twin."
Harry cringed and tried to sit lower in his seat as James turned to Harry. "You're right Padfoot. I can't be related to you, can I?"
Harry felt the question directed towards him and he knew his father expected Harry to answer. Gathering up courage, Harry turned his eyes to meet James's hazel ones and said, "I don't think so." Harry mumbled the words, and Sirius laughed.
"You're making him feel uncomfortable, mate."
James glared at Sirius, but turned back to Harry. "I'm sorry for him. He was dropped as a baby. I'm James Potter by the way." He held out his hand, which Harry reluctantly shook.
"Harry Porter," Harry said, this time with more confidence in his voice.
"Are you three new?" a voice asked behind Sirius. A very young Remus Lupin peaked his head around Sirius to look at the trio.
"Yes," Hermione said so Harry would be spared. "We came here for protection. Our families home schooled us, but they felt Hogwart was safer. I'm Hermione Jean."
Sirius grinned and looked to Ron. "That leaves you," he said, almost taunting Ron.
Ron gulped, not quite meeting Sirius's gaze and said, "Ron Wesley."
"Nice to meet you," Sirius said while laughing.
The Marauders started talking with one another, leaving room for Harry, Ron, and Hermione to join, but they never did. Harry leaned in towards Ron and Hermione and whispered, "This day just got weird."
"Just now?" Ron asked incredulously. "I found this day to be just a bit difficult."
"Well," Hermione interjected, "we've met them, and now all we need to do is to stop them from prying into our business and we'll be fine."
"That's likely," Harry muttered. He'd heard first hand from Sirius that the Marauders had been the kings of pranking at school, meaning they knew how to get around without being seen. Harry knew they had to watch what they said in the next few months in order not to spill the beans to his father and friends.
Hagrid came into the hall, probably after leading the new group of first years across the lake. He sat down at the staff table, saw Harry, and waved to them. Harry smiled and waved back, but he also noticed Sirius waving too. He wondered who it was Hagrid waved to, but Hagrid had already turned his attention to a teacher next to him. The doors swung open the, revealing Professor McGonagall and a hoard of students. As they walked down the aisle, Harry could see a number of them trembling. He knew exactly how they felt. He remembered when he was a first year. Ron said they had to be placed into their houses, but both boys didn't know what they'd have to do. Ron had muttered something about fighting a troll, but when they saw the hat on the stool, the nerves slowly fluttered out of them.
The hat sang it's song, which it had come up with the year before, and Professor McGonagall had a scroll of parchment in her hands. She read the names of first years and the person matching the name would sit on the stool with the hat on their heads. The hat would then blurt out the house the student belonged to. The first year would hop off the stool and join whichever table was clapping the loudest. Once a "Zachariah, Will" joined the Ravenclaw table, Dumbledore stood up at the table. The room immediately fell quiet with anticipation.
"Welcome students, to another year at Hogwarts. I don't want to keep you long since the feast tonight will be splendid. I will, however, go over basic rules. There is no magic outside in the corridors between classes. No students should head into the Forbidden Forest, unless you are wishing a brutal and painful death. Our caretaker, Mr. Filch, wanted to remind you of the items banned from school. The list includes dungbombs and biting lips. The full list is posted outside his office. Now," Dumbledore paused as he looked over all the house tables. Harry knew this was important information. "There is a war going on outside of Hogwarts. Many of you have lost family member or loved ones. I only mention this now because it is vital we stay true to ourselves. There is a new curfew your heads of houses will inform you of, but now," Dumbledore smiled, "let's tuck in."
The plates and goblets in front of Harry filled instantly with mounds of delectable food. Harry's mouth watered and he piled food onto his plate. The chicken was delicious as well as the steak. Hermione rolled her eyes as Ron dug in. Harry stole glances at his father, Sirius, and Lupin from time to time. All three were eating tons, but they also talked about different subjects. Harry heard bits and pieces of Aurors, death eaters, killings, and finally the name "Evans". It was something James talked about a lot apparently because Sirius and Lupin rolled their eyes whenever the name came up.
"You should do it this year," Lupin commented.
James looked taken aback. "Are you kidding? She hates my guts. I swear, four years is enough. I should just stop bothering her."
"You will do no such thing," Sirius scolded. "You two are made for each other. She'll come around, you'll see."
"I'll do what, Black?" a female voice said. James and Harry turned to see a red-headed girl striding towards Sirius. She was carrying two books in her arms and looked as if she hadn't eaten yet.
"Hey Evans, how was your summer?" Sirius asked to change the subject.
"That's what I thought you said," the girl snapped. She sat next to Hermione.
"Hi, I heard about the transfer students. How are you liking Hogwarts so far? My name's Lily Evans." Lily held out her hand towards Hermione.
Awestruck, Hermione took her hand. "P-pleasure. I'm Hermione Jean."
Ron and Harry introduced themselves and Lily beamed. "It's terrible, this war, but what good are you if you don't get an education first."
"Aw, c'mon Evans, you don't need an education to fight," Sirius complained.
"Well then, Black," Lily retorted, "Good luck fighting You-know-who without any proper knowledge on how to duel. I might even come to your funeral." She turned to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "Don't pay any attention to those morons. It's not brawn that wins the war, but brains."
Dessert soon came, and after everyone was stuffed to the gills, Dumbledore stood once more. "Wasn't that delicious. The house elves really went all out. Now, it's time for a good night's rest before classes start. Prefects, escort your houses to your common rooms."
As the Gryffindor's stood, James turned to Harry. "Are you guys coming to the common room?"
"Er," Harry thought of some excuse. "We actually have to talk to Professor Dumbledore now."
James nodded. "Well, see you around." He turned and started walked out the doors of the Great Hall.
Lily whirled around on them. "Merlin's beard, I forgot about my friends. It was great meeting you all." And with that, she took off after the stream of Gryffindors, leaving Harry, Ron, and Hermione alone at the table.
"Well," Ron said, "that went well."
"Harry, your mum is super nice!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Yeah," Harry muttered absently. He noticed the teachers were rising from the staff table and following the students out. Dumbledore, though, remained in his seat and was staring at Harry. Harry motioned for his friends to follow and they made their way over.
"I see you've already made friends," Dumbledore said, smiling.
"Sir, have you found anything to help us?" Harry asked in order to change the subject. He was still processing the entire conversation with his parents.
"It is a very complex time turner, something I've never seen. It has a shielding around it to protect the sands from escaping. No matter what I've done, nothing seems to affect it. Come to my office on friday and I'll let you know what I've discovered," Dumbledore said. He winked at them, then stood to escort Professor McGonagall out.
McGonagall turned to the trio, and Harry could see concern in her expression. "My apologies to your families, but I hope Hogwarts will treat you well. I expect great things from everyone in my house," she said softly. Harry nodded in agreement, and she smiled. Professor Dumbledore took McGonagall's hand, and together, they strode from the room.
"She barely met us and already she expects great things from us," Ron muttered. "That woman's going to be disappointed."
"Especially since you two are the laziest students out there," Hermione teased.
They were the last to leave the Great Hall, but instead of heading up the staircase the Gryffindors used, they took a smaller one that lead to the Hospital Wing. Even ten feet away, they could hear Madame Pomfrey's voice through the door. When they entered, they could see she was scolding a young student. His entire face was covered in boils that looked strangely familiar to Harry.
"... don't pick up strange candies off the floor and decide to eat them," she was saying. The student, a boy of about twelve, sniffed under her burning glare.
"Yes ma'm," he said.
"Good," she replied.
She held out a small goblet and made sure the boy drank every last drop. The boils started fading, but then suddenly grew in size. Madame Pomfrey shrieked as juice started spurting out of each one, covering the boy in oozing liquid. He looked almost in tears when Ron hurried forward, a half of a sweet in his outstretched hand.
"Eat this," he said softly.
The boy was hesitant to take the half, but did as the boils started increasing in size. He stuffed it into his mouth, and suddenly, the boils started letting out air as if popped like a balloon. In a matter of seconds, his skin was cleared of all blemishes.
"What on earth was that?" Madame Pomfrey demanded.
"Just something my brothers made. I must've dropped one of them," Ron sputtered. "He'll be perfectly fine now."
Madame Pomfrey narrowed her eyes at him, but then went to check the boy. When she was satisfied with his answer, she let the boy leave. He thanked Ron before running out of the Hospital Wing at a full sprint.
The matron then whirled on Ron. "Don't you dare let another one of those candies slip or I'll know who's to blame." Madame Pomfrey then marched into her office and closed the door.
Harry and Hermione were stifling giggles when they joined Ron. "She really doesn't like you," Hermione chuckled.
Ron glared at her. "I'm going to kill Fred and George next time I see them!"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione got into their beds and tried to go over the day they'd just had. Hermione kept thinking about the books Lily was carrying and if she would be a good studying partner. Ron was fuming over the Skiving Snackbox incident and was plotting to get back on Fred and George. Harry was thinking about the people he met in the hall. James looked like him and thought like him, but he was devious with Sirius. The two of them reminded Harry of Ron's brothers, always wanting to cause havoc. Lupin seemed quiet, maybe someone Harry could befriend rather quickly. He was thankful Peter wasn't there because he didn't know if he could look Peter in the eyes without trying to kill him. Lily was a surprise to Harry because it looked like she loathed the Marauders. How on earth did his dad change her mind? No, it was easier if Harry thought of them as James and Lily. These people were not his parents and never would be if he kept to his promise. It was starting to feel like an impossible task.
In another part of the castle, four boys were huddled together discussing the new transfer students.
"You should've seen him, Wormtail," Sirius said. "Almost an exact copy of Prongs down to the last hair on his head."
"He had green eyes, Sirius," Lupin said while rolling his eyes. Sirius could over exaggerate the truth when he got wound up.
"They looked almost like Lily's eyes," James put in. "It was strange. He was really nervous when we first sat down. His friends too."
"I didn't know Hogwarts accepted transfer students," Peter mumbled.
Sirius bounded on Peter. "You're right. Even if Hogwarts is safe, nobody's come, despite what Dumbledore keeps telling them. What makes these three so different?"
James looked out at the starry night. It was on these cloudless nights he liked looking at the stars. Astronomy wasn't his favorite class, but it didn't mean he didn't like looking up at the heavens. Harry and his friends were strange alright, and it was his job to figure out who they really were.
A/N: I know this was a short chapter, but I just wanted Harry to meet his parents in it. Since the last chapter was incredibly long, decided to shorten this one so I could update faster. How's it coming along? This wasn't my favorite chapter because I didn't like the writing, but what do you think? More updates coming soon-ish :)