"Oh dear God, I'm going to hurl." I immediately fell to my knees. Reading about apparating and then actually doing it were two very, very different things. I'd never felt more nauseous.

"You okay?" Remus bent down beside me, placing a worried hand on my back as I wretched my guts out. After I stopped, he waved his wand and cleaned up the mess I had just made of the sidewalk. I just looked up at him, hoping he wasn't getting some sick pleasure out of watching me suffer. I guess he realized that his hand was still on my back, because he withdrew it like I had sent a jolt of electricity at him. His face was cold again. I had almost forgotten that he still didn't trust me. He straightened up and offered a hand to help me get up off the ground.

"We'd better get up to the castle. Dumbledore will be back soon. It won't take long to get Prongs and Lily." With that, he turned and started briskly walking up a trail. I tried to keep up, but he was pretty quick. I should make note that I had never done any kind of athletic or recreational activity every, so walking up the path was pretty much like climbing Everest for me. I wasn't fat, I just wasn't in any sort of condition. I think the term one of the workers at the orphanage used was "soft and slender." Now that I think about it, I hated that woman.

We finally reached a gate. I refrained from the urge to kneel down and kiss the flat ground that lay before us now. Remus waved his wand again and the gate opened. He walked through and turned to watch me follow. As I walked through the gate, he cracked a small smile.

"Well, I guess that answers that question."

I was confused. "What question?"

"If you're magical or not. Muggles couldn't ever get through that gate. It's one of the wards on the school to keep our secret. I guess you're a witch afterall." I could hear the skeptical tone in his voice. He still thought I was lying. I had to think of a way to make him believe me.

"What can I tell you to make you believe me? You want me to tell you about yourself? Because I know more about you than you think I do."

He laughed bitterly. "Trust me, you don't know anything."

I guess I was going to have to play hardball now. We continued to walk as I mentally sifted through all my Harry Potter knowledge to tell him something that no one else would know. Then it hit me. Of course, this would make him believe me.

"I know about your 'furry little problem.' Does that count?" I had a successful smirk on my face, but it was replaced by a look of fear as Remus turned to face me. His face looked livid. He pointed his wand at my face.

"How do you know that? No one knows that except for a select few. Who have you been talking to?" He was furious. This was not going like I had planned.

"Remus, I told you. I know a lot about you already. It's from the books I told you about. I know that you were just a little boy when that bastard Fenrir Greyback attacked you. I know that you were scared about coming to Hogwarts because of your lycanthropy. And I also know that your three best friends studied their asses off to become unregistered animagi to be with you during your transformations in the Shrieking Shack. How else could I know that unless what I'm saying is true?"

Remus looked stunned as he lowered his wand. "So you are telling the truth." He then looked ashamed. "I'm surprised that you could even agree to come with me, knowing what I am."

"Trust me Remus. I know a lot about you, which is why I know that you are about as harmless as a kitten. The whole 'burst into a werewolf once a month' isn't really that important." As I said it, I knew he wouldn't listen to me. I also knew how he acted when it came to his problem. Look at him and Tonks, it took him forever to get over it.

As I predicted, he shook his head and muttered something about being crazy and then started walking again towards the school. I decided to not let this phase me. He wouldn't get over it for a while now, so I might as well stop trying. Instead I started trying to wrap my mind around that fact that I was now a witch about to enter Hogwarts. This proved to be harder to get over than I imagined, especially when we stepped through the main doors.

"Oh my God, I can't believe I'm here right now!" I jumped up and down and squealed a bit before remembering that someone was with me. I looked over to Remus, who was now looking at me like I really was insane. "Hey, I've been dreaming about Hogwarts almost my entire life, so give me a minute to soak it in." I then started turning, taking in the entire scene around me. The moving pictures, the mysterious doorways, Mrs. Norris scampering off down a hall. I was here at last.

"Yeah, Hogwarts can do that to you. I remember my first day. I was just grateful to be accepted. This place is my home." Remus looked a bit nostalgic. Then, he started walking down one of the halls. I almost missed him and had to run to catch up. We made a few turns before arriving in front of the entrance to the Headmaster's office. It was exactly as I had pictured. Remus muttered "Lemon drops," and the statue stepped to the side. We walked up the stairs and knocked on the door.

"Enter."

Remus opened the door and stepped inside. I followed, looking down at my feet as I moved. I was suddenly very nervous. I was about to meet the Potters. This was unreal. I looked up to meet the eyes of Dumbledore, trying desperately to not make eye contact with the small family sitting to my right. I knew, no matter how hard I tried not to, I would lose it. Suddenly, a small hand hit my foot. I looked down and into brilliant green eyes. A small boy with unruly hair smiled up at me as he began to untie my shoe.

"James, get Harry. He's untying her shoe!" I couldn't help but look up at the voice I had just heard. My voice got stuck in my throat as I looked at the couple sitting there. The woman had long red hair and the same green eyes. The man had the same hair as the small boy as well. Lily and James. They were here and, most importantly, alive. Remus moved towards me and scooped up the little boy in his hands and took him over to his family. Little Harry just kept looking at me, all the while flashing me that adorable baby smile of his. I hadn't realized until then that tears were slowly falling down my face. Lily met my eyes and her face immediately turned to one of uneasiness. James was staring at me just like Remus had: cold and skeptical. Thankfully, Dumbledore spoke and saved me.

"As I was explaining to James and Lily before you arrived, we find ourselves in a most intriguing and disturbing situation. We need the truth here. Lauren, would you submit to taking some Veritaserum and answering a few questions for us?"

"Yes, I will." I would do anything to make them believe me. It was the only way to save them.