THE TIME ANOMALY

CHAPTER 2

Disclaimer: I only own the plot of this story. No recognizable characters, locations or names are mine.

While James slept, hundreds of miles away, Harry tossed and turned on his bed. Earlier, he had felt a strange feeling, that of belonging, of wanting to make sombody proud of his actions. He supposed that was the sort of feeling he would get should he have grown up with his parents, but he knew they were dead. Then, after many tossings and turnings, a thought drifted to him. The Dursleys had told him his parents had died in a car crash; Hagrid and the rest of the wizarding world had told him his parents had been murdered by a sychopath. He had believed whichever one had been told to him most recently; who's to say either one was true? Who's to say they were dead at all? Those thoughts stuck with him as he fell asleep, and he dreamt about his parents searching the world over for him, and finally coming here to Hogwarts to find him.

James dreamt of Harry running into his arms and never letting go the moment he walked into Hogwarts.

The next morning, neither remembered more than a bit of their dreams, and the only part they remembered was a feeling of contentment.

James hopped out of bed, before remembering what had all happened. He got dressed in Muggle clothes, but, James thought wryly, knowing Muggles, these clothes are ten years out of date; oh well. He left the house to find a Muggle restaurant-seeing the publicity that Harry got being the only survivor, what happens when ten years later up turns his father who was supposed to be dead, and not looking a day older? The Prophet would have a field day. Done eating, he went back to Potter Cottage and got ready for his foray into the wizarding world-he decided that he would have to speak to Madam Bones first. Under Disillusionment Charms until he got to her office of course; and perhaps a hair-changing charm. Once he got to the Ministry's visitory's entrance, he spoke his name, knowing that the entrance would know if it was the wrong name, and that would of course alert the Ministry, and they could then check the records and find out who'd visited. Otherwise he was just another visitor.

From his time as an Auror, James could walk around the Ministry with his eyes shut, so he knew where the Head of DMLE's office was. He knocked on the door, and the secretary answered.

"Whos' there?" she asked.

"A former Auror who wishes to speak to Madam Bones, please, I don't want my name spead around." He had changed his hair to a light brown color, so no one would know who it was.

"Oh come in, I'll ask her if she'll speak to an anonymous former Auror," she snapped.

James couldn't head the conversation coming from Madam Bones office, but from the tone somone was speaking sharply to the secretary.

When she came back, she grumbled, "Go on in,"

James walked into the office cautiously, looking around. His attention was caught by a tall, steely-looking witch with a monocle. "Madam Bones?" he asked hesitantly.

"I am Madam Bones," she said, looking at him. "I don't recognize you. You're a former Auror, you say? Which one are are you?"

James was relieved that this witch seemed to want to get to business. "You may not recognize me, as I wish to go unmolested. But I have no problems showing you if you'll not tell anyone."

"Go on," she said sharply.

James dispelled the hair-changing charm, and Madam Bones looked him over again. "You're James Potter aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Your body was found to be dead. What happened?" she asked briskly

"I have no idea. I was hit with the Killing Curse and sprang back up again ten years in the future, or last night. I have no idea what happened, except for what Bathilda Bagshot could tell me."

Madam Bones raised an eyebrow. "I can see why you'd want to avoid being seen, Mr. Potter. Perhaps you could enlighten me as to why you wanted to visit me?"

"I wanted to enquire about Sirius Black's trial. Was it not conducted using Veritaserum?"

"I don't know about the trial, but I could look it up easily. Why do you have an interest? Surely you know he must have betrayed you and killed Pettigrew?"

"That's what Bathilda told me. However, I don't know the details of the second charge, but Sirius was a ruse. It was Peter that was our Seret Keeper. At least Pettigrew got what he deserved in death, but Sirius Black is innocent on that charge, at least. Any trial conducted useing Veritaserum would have proven that. Could you please look up the records for the trial?"

"Certainly, Mr Potter."

"And can you tell me if it is required for the Chief Warlock to sign the order sending someone to Azkaban without a trial?"

"The Chief Warlock must know about it, and he can counter the order, but he does not need to sign it. He can also request a trial at a later date." Madam Bones replied.

"That's not too healthy for Albus, then," James snorted.

"I wouldn't think it would be, no."

"Thank you for your information. My owl seems to have deserted me, so could you contact me with the details of the trial once you get them?"

"Certainly, Mr Potter."

"I would also like to request a visit to Azkaban to talk to Sirius." James requested nervously.

"Certainly. As one of the people affected, I believe you have the right to that." Madam Bones rifled through one of her drawers before drawing out a piece of paper and filling in a form. "As long as you go before the end of the month, you may use this slip to prove to the boatman and guards of Azkaban that you may go there," she said, offering the slip. *

"Thank you," he said, taking it. "One last question. I know Harry is at Hogwarts, but where has he been living since then? Sirius and the Longbottoms were...incapacitated, and Bathilda said he was not living with Augusta, where has he been living? The will said he was to be in the care of the professors at Hogwarts should the rest of the candidates be unavailable."

"Nobody knows."

"Why not? Wasn't the will opened?"

"The Chief Warlock saw fit to seal the will."

"I posted my will with the goblins at Gringotts." James countered, mad at Dumbledore. Again.

"That's odd. I'll look into it." Madam Bones promised.

"Thank you. I will see you when I get your owl, Madam Bones," James said, and he took his leave.

Madam Bones sat back in shock. "Mrs Edgecombe?" she called. The secretary walked in. "Could you get me to records to the trial of Sirius Black?"

"Yes, Madam Bones," she grumbled, and walked back out again.

Madam Bones suppressed a sigh.

Meanwhile, James was doing a little dance at not having been questioned deeply about going forwards in time. He changed his hair color back and thought for a moment. He decided to go home and fix up the wall and roof by Harry's room; when he brought him back here to live Harry would want his old room. Well, maybe not. It is where his mother and Voldemort died, after all. I'll prepare a different room for him. James decided to visit Azkaban; He was sure that Sirius was tormented by visions of his dead body. He might even be insance by now. He shrugged. No harm trying, and Sirius should have a bright spot in his life.

He Apparated to the dock where the boatman lived and operated, and requested to be taken to Azkaban as a visitor. He showed his slip, and the boatman assented. After a four-hour boat ride, which was the only way the wards on Azkaban would allow anyone to get there, James stepped on to the cold hard rock of Azkaban.

"I'll wait for you here, mister, I don't want to get too near those dementors, and I don't fancy going back only to turn around to get back here after half-way," the boatman said.

"Thank you, sir." James nodded to him, and turned towards to prison to be confronted with wands pointed at him.

"What are you doing here?" demanded the Auror in charge.

"Visiting," James said. He produced the paper that Madam Bones had given him. The Auror waved his wand over it.

"Looks legit. Who is you want to visit?" he asked, lowering his wand.

"Sirius Black."

"If you're sure. Come this way. He's in the high security wing. Aurors, guard the other prisoners in that wing while we visit Black." commanded the Head Auror.

"What's your name, sir?" James asked.

"Dawlish."

"Daniel Dawlish?" James queried.

"No. I'm his son."

"I see."

"Here's Black's cell. Do you want privacy?" Dawlish asked.

"Yes, please." James replied, a trifle loudly.

Sirius had woken up as Padfoot and turned back to Sirius when he felt the dementors leaving. Dementors almost never left, unless there was a new prisoner or somone was visiting. With the Dementors gone, he could hope that he was finally getting a trial, thought he knew it was unlikely. When he heard the Head Auror in Azkaban asking if he wanted privacy to visit-Black's cell-he was being visited! He hoped it was Remus. When he heard the other voice saying, Yes, please he knew it wasn't Remus. But the voice was familiar. He screwed up his eyes and wracked his brain trying to remember the voice.

James entered the cell to see Sirius with his eyes screwed up and apparently tying to figure something out, he nearly laughed. Trust Sirius to not go insane. So, to be a prankster, he disguised his voice somewhat.

"Hey Padfoot." It was so amusing to see Sirius jerk backwards he did laugh.

"You're not Remus," Sirius said, peering up at him.

James belatedly realized his hair was still light brown.

"Your hair looks like him, though."

This time, James let out a loud laugh. "You might recognize me better without the coloring charms, who do you think I am?"

"Dunno...your voice sounds familiar though I can't remember...I've been in this hell-hole too long without a trial - "

"WHAT?" James roared. "They stuck you in here without a trial? Merlin who-who?

"What's your concern?"

"Padfoor, a Marauder always looks out for fellow Marauders! I mean, Peter meant it when he said 'I solemnly swear I am up to no good' I mean really! The rat!"

"'kay so you're not Remus and you're not Peter, who's that leave? You're not Lily either."

" 'Course I'm not Lily. Lily's dead."

"So's James. So who're you?"

"Who says James is dead?"

"I saw the body."

"Doesn't mean it's not a fake."

"Are you James?"

"Who says I'm not? You're the one who won't look at me."

Sirius looked up-into the face of a stag. He let out a yell and scrambled backwards. "Bloody hell Prongs! Don't do that!"

The stag tossed its head at turned into James. "Long time no see, Padfoot!"

Sirius fainted. James stuck his head out the door and said, "Dawlish, he's fainted! I think I gave him a shock once he found out who I was!"

"Well who are you?" grumbled Dawlish as he gave Sirius a Calming Draft.

"I am James Potter. I hope the Department of Mysteries has done a study on Killing Curses sending you fowards in time and leaving a body behind."

Dawlish gaped at James before reviving Sirius. "I...uh I can see how that would make him faint!" he exclaimed, before leaving the cell, calling back "you know how to revive people, mister!"

"Padfoot? Did you just faint? That means I get one chocolate frog!"

"Oh shut up. I don't have any money for a chocolate frog." Sirius grumbled. "Merlin I'm in Azkaban, I don't have enough money for anything."

"You're the last of the Blacks, of course you have enough money."

"Bella's not dead." Sirius countered.

"She's in Azkaban, and convicted. Madam Bones is looking up your trial, and I'll make sure you get one now I know you never did get one." James stated proudly.

"Oh neat. What about Narcissa and Andromeda?"

"Andromeda was thrown out of the family, you twit, and Narcissa's a Malfoy now. And she's a woman. Isn't the House of Black patriarchal?"

"Oh shut up. I don't want to be Head of the House of Black." Sirius groaned.

"Too bad! Where's Remus?"

"How should I know?" demanded Sirius.

"Nobody knows where Harry grew up, and nobody knows where Remus is, and I don't have an owl so I can't contact him. Any ideas?"

"The ruddy mirrors Prongs. We all had one."

James rolled his eyes. "Did you at least take away Peter's before you blew him up?"

"I didn't blow him up, he blew himself up."

"What?" James asked, skeptical.

"You heard whoever told you about it, I blew up the street. Only it was Peter, not me. On both counts."

"Odd." James mumbled.

" 'Course it's odd."

"So did you take his mirror?"

"No. I just wanted to kill him. Not blow him up anyways," Sirius growled.

"Did you find bits of glass afterwards?"

"No, I was arrested afterwards." Sirius rolled his eyes.

"What were you laughing about?"

"No bloody idea. Going crazy with you dead and Peter dead and me getting arrested and Hagrid taking Harry away and stuff going on and whatnot. Being Padfoot helps but I'm not crazy enough to do that in a crowded street."

"Harry's at Hogwarts."

"He's at Hogwarts. 'course he's at Hogwarts. Sorry for not being a good enough godfather James." Sirius said.

"Oh shut up. Merlin everybody's accusing themselves for my death. Well except Peter. And he's the only one who's really to blame. 'Sides Voldy anyways."

"So has the Prophet had a field day about you being back yet?" Sirius remarked after a bt.

"No. I don't look like me with light brown hair do I? At first I thought the style of it would give it away, but they weren't looking for me, so nope."

"So what're you here for?"

"To make sure you don't have any more Dementor-induced nightmares about my dead body," James said cheerfully.

"It's still gonna happen, as it's still one of my worst memories. Doesn't matter if it's countered or not."

"Shall I leave an invisible Patronus in here? I promise I'll - "

" - Patronuses can't be cast in Azkaban, Prongs."

"So how do the Aurors keep them in control? They can't use Patronuses."

"No idea."

The two friends sat in companionable silence for a few minutes.

Presently, Sirius said, "Have you seen Harry yet?"

"No. He's at Hogwarts, he's safe there."

"I wonder who the next generation of pranksters are. Hopefully Harry."

"Hopefully. I should go check up on him, however. And I need an owl."

"Buy one, Prongs."

"I am not going down Diagon Alley with only my hair color changed!"

"Change other stuff then." Sirius yawned.

"Like what?"

"Merlin Prongs, eye color maybe?"

"Maybe. I'll get in contact with Remus. I think the guard's getting impatient, I should leave. I'll stay in contact, tell you how the push to get a trial's going. I can come back anytime until the end of the month."

"Thanks Prongs. Go check up on Harry, smack Remus upside the head and tell him it's not his fault and you're not dead anyways."

"I will. And I'll bring you some proper food next time. Azkaban needs to feed it's inmates better."

"Thanks again, old pal."

"I swear, Padfoot, I'll find a way to get up to no good."

"Prongs." Sirius said in disbelief."

"...What?"

"You already are getting up to no good. You're supposed to be dead, Merlin Prongs! I..."

Both Sirius and James had the same thought. "I broke the record didn't I," James said softly.

"Bloody hell, James. Pranking the whole wizarding world."

"You know, if I could get myself hooked up to the WWN, I'd say somthing like, 'Hello folks! This is James Potter. I just so happened to get smacked in the face with a Killing Curse and get thrown forwards in time, hope you have a good day, and watch out for the Marauders! I need to go find my map.' "

"James. James. Just go find the map. You'll know the pranksters by whoever gets the Butterbeer when the Gryffindors win a Quidditch match. Just go find it, right? And don't get on the WWN. Please Prongs."

"Oh fine. But when you get out I will prank them all."

"Right. Now go find Harry. And delay getting out of here for a bit - I like the no Dementors."

"See you soon, Padfoot. Get up to no good. Refresh you stock of happy memories before the Dementors get here."

"I will. Go on, Prongs."

James left the cell feeling sad for Sirius. Sirius didn't want to see James go, but he had to check up on Harry.

"Finished yet?" Dawlish grunted.

"Yes."

"He betrayed you, you know."

"He didn't. He was a ruse. Pettigrew was the real Secret Keeper. And please don't tell anyone who I am."

"Sure."

When James got back home, he realized it was very late. He went to the Muggle resaraunt again, under the alias James Evans. He set up a Muggle bank account and linked it to Gringotts. Then he went to bed.

Author's Notes:

How do you like that reunion? The words just flowed. I like writing this story much better than The Truth Revealed.

Long chapter, yay you! I'll be posting every Wednsday. And I. Love. Writing. This. Story.

I'm going to post a tiny update on The Truth Revealed to see if anyone wants to adopt it, and that I don't want to write it anymore, but yeah. This story will go far.