"I… what now? I'm not sure I heard you correctly," Dad frowned. "Did you just say you're from the future?"

"Two years, but, really, we should discuss this elsewhere," I declared. "Any ideas, Lils?"

"The Manor," Dad replied, before Lily could speak. "You mother will have a fit when she finds out you were here today."

"Alright. At least then I won't have to explain it twice," I sighed in resignation, before turning to Lily. "You coming, Lils?"

"JAMES CHARLUS POTTER, WHY IS THERE BLOOD ON YOUR SHIRT!?" I'd say that Mum was eager to see me, but I think she was too angry to be eager. Still, she rushed over and hugged me, before checking me over for any injuries. "The Cruciatus? Merlin, child, what have you gotten yourself into?"

"James and Lily both showed up at the battle today," Dad gave me a chiding look, but I could detect pride in his eyes. "He took on Bellatrix Lestrange."

"You what?" Mum hissed. "DO YOU KNOW HOW DANGEROUS AND RASH THAT WAS!? YOU SHOULD'VE BEEN SAFE, AT SCHOOL, BUT, NO, YOU HAVE TO GO TO A BATTLE AND FACE OFF WITH ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS DEATH EATERS OUT THERE! NOT ONLY THAT, YOU BROUGHT LILY ALONG!"

"Mum, calm down," I said. "It was fine, we were fine. Actually, the only reason we aren't back at school is that I've got some explaining to do."

"DARN RIGHT YOU DO!" Mum screeched. "YOU COULD'VE GOTTEN YOURSELF KILLED! KILLED!"

"Well, I'm glad this was in person and not a Howler," I muttered. "Mum, Dad, me and Lily are from the future. Two years in the future, actually."

Mum blinked, then rubbed her ears, then blinked again.

"Jacob, that Cruciatus unhinged him. I think he needs to go to St. Mungo's," Mum declared, completely serious.

"No, no, really!" Lily piped in. "James and I, we came back to save the future! Things have been going really, really bad since the Attack on Hogsmeade."

"James, I don't think this is something you should prank about-"

"Then give us Veritiserum, use legilimency, heck, ask Dumbledore!" I exclaimed. "I don't care, we aren't lying! See, Lily, we shouldn't have told him!"

"I think… maybe… you must be telling the truth, if you'd consent to any of those three choices," Mum mused. "Oh, my baby's all grown up!"

"Mum, fifteen is hardly all grown up," I said.

"But sometimes," Lily grabbed my hand. "The world forces you to grow up all too soon."

"Yeah," I mumbled. "And sometimes the world takes lives all too soon."

"Are… are a lot of people dead?" Mum's smiled faltered. "People we know?"

"Yeah," I mumbled. "Frank's dad, your Muggleborn friend, Erica, Mum… loads of people… including… including…"

"Including Sirius," Lily finished quietly, squeezing my hand. Mum gasped, and covered her mouth with her hands, blinking back tears. Dad shook his head sadly. "He died only four months ago… James was there… they made him watch…"

"I held him while he…. while he died. We were talking… he did it all to protect me, you know," I bit my lip, but I couldn't prevent fresh tears from starting to fall. "We were cornered… and Sirius wouldn't let them touch me. He let them torture him, in exchange for my safety… and I was helpless to stop it… to this day, I wonder, if he had to die, why couldn't it have been quick and painless? Why did he have to suffer?"

Mum was crying now, and she rushed over and hugged me tight, before pulling away and grabbing my other hand. Dad walked over and put a strong hand on my shoulder.

"And I can't look at him here without- without remembering that night…" I whispered. "He was the strongest person I ever met. He didn't even scream, not once. He stood his ground until the Death Eaters left. He didn't give them the satisfaction of seeing him die…"

"You can save him, sweetie, I know you can," Mum murmured, smiling sadly. "If anyone can change the future, it's you."

"I'm going to try my best, but… the memories will never go away. They'll fade, yes, but they'll never leave," I sighed, and Lily squeezed my hand again. "But… what if I can't change it?"

"You changed today's attack," Lily pointed out. "My parents would have died without you."

"It wasn't just me," I blushed, pulling my hand out of Mum's to wipe the tears from my face. "You came with me."

"But it was your idea, James," Lily gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. "Don't sell yourself short."

"Now," Dad said in a jovial, albeit shaky, voice. "That is something I never thought I'd hear anyone say to my son!" Dad's tone saddened. "That really affected you, didn't it?"

"People say that the Cruciatus is the most painful thing in the world," I began. "But I know better. Losing a friend is horrible- and watching someone torture you closest friend- your brother, and to have him die in your arms? That is more painful than any curse in the world."

Lily and I stayed a bit longer at my parents', before Flooing back to Dumbledore's office. Mr. and Mrs. Evans were there, and had evidently heard what happened, because they embraced us both and thanked us profusely.

"My boy, I think you're a fine boyfriend for my daughter," Mr. Evans told me. "For I think it is you I have to thank for her life, and ours, tonight."

"No, Lily was brilliant! I couldn't have done it without her," I replied, blushing. Mr. Evans just laughed jollily, and told us to be on our way. We walked back to the common room in companionable silence, holding hands, ready to just relax. Then I froze.

"Crud," I muttered. "Full moon tonight!"

"James, Sirius and Peter aren't Animagi yet, you don't have to worry," Lily chuckled. "Remus will be fine."

"But- If I can do something, I should, right?" I frowned. "Plus, it'll take my mind off of… you know…"

"You'll certainly surprise Remus," Lily chuckled. "Just be careful. We told your parents, and we'll probably tell mine eventually, but I really don't think anyone else should find out."

"That's probably true," I admitted. "But, still, I can't leave Moony on his own. You know how bad he tore himself up-"

"Alright, James, you can go," Lily laughed lightly. "I know how protective you are."

"Thanks, Lils," I beamed, leaning over and kissing Lily quickly on the lips. "Don't worry; I won't get hurt. Moony will recognize me. I'm part of his pack."

"Remus?" I hissed. "Remus, you there?"

It was nearing sunset, and I'd just heard Madam Pomfrey leave. Remus started, and stared at me in horror. "JAMES! You gotta get out of here! You'll be hurt!"

"Don't worry, Moony," I assured. "I'll be perfectly fine, believe me. Look," I quickly changed into Prongs, then back again. "See? Safe."

"But… so quickly?" Remus furrowed his eyebrows. "And you didn't tell Sirius?"

"Er… well…" I smiled sheepishly. "I forgot to tell him," There. That'd work. "Yep. I'll have to tell him later. Can't keep secrets from… from Sirius, right?"

"No," Remus replied, eyes narrowing. He was on to me. I really needed to stop stuttering around Sirius or when mentioning him. "Still, I don't think it's safe. You should go back- I'll be-"

"If you say fine, I'm going to hex you," I warned. "You won't be fine; you tear yourself up! I'm sure I can help, just trust me, Moony."

Remus looked at me doubtfully, but he had no choice but to agree, and his body suddenly began changing. Boy changed slowly into wolf, bones cracking as they shifted, hair sprouting from pale scarred skin. I quickly morphed into Prongs. Good thing, too, because moments later, I was standing before an adolescent werewolf.

Moony walked towards me curious, sniffing me a few times, before wagging his tail.

'Prongs. Hi Prongs!' the wolf exclaimed. I'd always found it weird how we could understand each other in these forms. Sirius's typical monologue was usually very amusing, and it was obvious he was a dog, because he would randomly bring up chasing squirrels or dog treats or even claiming he was a 'good boy'. Moony had picked up the 'good boy' phrase quickly, too.

'Hullo, Moony,' I greeted. 'Are you feeling alright?'

'Sore,' Moony said. 'Tired. We play now?'

'Alright, Moony, but some rules," I declared. 'No killing. No seriously injuring. For now, no leaving.'

'Okay,' Moony agreed readily. 'We play now. What do we play?'

'How 'bout… hide and seek?' I suggested, smiling inwardly at all the times we'd played similar versions of the game. 'You hide, and I'll find you.'

'Hide. Okay,' Moony scampered off and up the stairs. I closed my eyes- as per the rules, Remus would kill me if I cheated- and counted to ten, before plodding up the stairs. I could easily hear Moony panting.

'Hmm, where could my friend have gone?' I teased. 'Oh! I know!' I wandered over to the bed, which Moony was crouched under. 'Boo!'

'You found me, Prongs!' Moony laughed- er, well, as best a werewolf can laugh. 'Hey, Prongs, you smell funny.'

'Do I, now?'

'Yeah,' Moony replied. 'You smell sad. And scared. You aren't scared of me, right?'

'Nah, you're just a cub,' I chuckled- sorta- as Moony puffed up indignantly. 'Don't worry about me, Moony. Say, how about some play-fighting?'

When I returned to my dorm early the next morning, I was exhausted and bleeding, but smiling nonetheless. It took a lot to make me smile genuinely these days- most of my smiles were faked. Sirius greeted me with a horde of questions.

"Where were you? Why are you bleeding? You look tired. Why are you grinning like that? Did you prank the Slytherins? Did you prank Snape? Ooh! Were you out with Lily? Were you-"

"Sirius!" I exclaimed, faltering slightly. "I was with Moony. I master my Animagus form, look," I morphed into Prongs and back again, plopping down on my bed. "We had loads of fun."

"Bloody heck!" Sirius gaped. "You got it so quickly! I still can't even get fur on my hands!"

"Wow, James!" Peter gasped in awe. "You're so smart!"

"Ah, Pete, it's just a heck load of concentration," I smiled gently at him. "You lot will get it eventually."

"Did you hear? The first Hogsmeade weekend is coming up!" Sirius exclaimed merrily. I froze. No. I couldn't go to Hogsmeade… it'd bring too many memories… "Isn't that great! Oh, I can't wait to go to Honeydukes! And Zonko's! Zonko's, James! Think of the prank supplies! The chocolate and the prank supplies!"

"Yeah… chocolate and prank supplies," I replied dully, my mood thoroughly trampled. I think if I went to Hogsmeade, especially with Sirius in tow, I might have a breakdown. I'd lose it. The memories of that night would be all too vivid.

"Please! Stop, you're really hurting him!"

"James, it'll be okay."

"Poor, poor, Siri! Crucio!"

"Hang on, please!"

"Had to protect you…"

"No, please, hold on! Don't let go, hold on, Sirius, hold on!"

"James! James, snap out of it!" I shook my head as Sirius hit me across the cheek. "What's wrong, mate? That's like the tenth time this month!"

"Sorry," I murmured, staring helplessly at Sirius. His eyes held concern, but I was reminded once more of the painful, regretful looks he'd sent me moments before his death. I laid down on my bed. "I'm going to sleep. It's weekend, we don't have classes. If Lily asks, just tell her what happened."

"Alright," Sirius gave me a long look, before sighing, and leaving the room. Peter blinked in confusion, before shrugging, waving, and following Sirius. I was alone.

A/N: Hullo! Still alive, still writing! Hope the reactions were good enough… I kinda think this chapter was sorta choppy. Poor Jamie is still having flashbacks, and you guys are slowly learning more about Sirius's death. Thanks to N.E. Person, Theta-McBride, krikanalo, and Weasleychick32 for your reviews! Free virtual ice cream! Hope you all enjoyed!

I really, really don't own Harry Potter, and never, ever will I.