Carry On
By: Teenlaunch
Disclaimer: I would not be writing this if I were JK Rowling. Can we move on?
a/n: I'm going to just repeat this. I've decided that I will do my best to update this story every two weeks, on Thursday. Now, there is one thing I need to mention. Whenever I mention Century or Lupin, it is always the older (Harry's time) Lupin. When I say Remus, I mean young Remus. However, any and all names go during dialogue and I have tried to make it clear who they are talking to. Got it? Good! Now, read and review!
"I give up!" Sirius shouted. Peter squeaked and a long line appeared on his parchment as his hand jerked. "Is this guy for real? Why did he dump an essay on us?"
"And right on the full moon too," Remus muttered. He looked quite ill, but he was relentlessly scribbling, his writing turning a bit sloppy at times. It was already six and Harry's time to find the map was running out.
"Hey, Remus," Harry said, hoping to put his plan into action. "You don't look too good. Maybe you should go to the hospital wing."
"He's right, Moony," James muttered, glancing at Harry. "You should go."
"But I still have to finish the essay. And I don't know anything about dueling in the first place!" Remus sank back into his chair, head in his hands, fighting the migraine that had already set in.
"Professor Century will understand. He'll excuse you," Harry sighed, marking his paper with a flourish. "Done!"
"Really?" Sirius and James cried. "Can we see?"
"Potter! Black! That's cheating!" Harry looked around. Lily Evans was standing behind him, her eyes blazing in the duo's direction.
"Come on, Evans." James snapped. "Don't tell me you're an expert duelist. Besides, it's just an essay. What could it hurt?"
"Everything! Didn't you listen to Professor Century on the first day?"
"Yes." Sirius grunted. "But that doesn't mean I don't think he's nutters."
Harry grit his teeth. "You know you should take him seriously." Everyone looked at him. "He's a great man, one of the kindest people you could ever meet, but he's tough as iron. You can't go wrong with a fighter and friend like him."
"You really think a lot of him, don't you?" Lily asked, her gaze softening. Harry nodded.
"That's probably because he gets good grades. Suck up," Sirius muttered.
Harry, his temper on edge because of his failed attempts to alter the map, shot out of his seat. "You really are thick!" He stormed up to his dorm and locked the door. He sank down beside his trunk and sighed. He was already losing his temper.
An irritating beep filled Harry's ears. He looked around and noticed his wand. It was vibrating noiselessly on the nightstand. He looked at it curiously and picked it up. When he touched it a thick smoke poured from its tip. Harry watched in fascination as a face materialized in the middle of the cloud. Harry squinted, thinking he was seeing things, but the image in the smoke didn't disappear. It got clearer and suddenly Lupin was staring at him with a worried expression evident on his face. "Harry."
"What…Professor, how-"
"Don't worry about that. Have you got the map?"
"I'm not planning on stealing it."
Lupin bit his lip. "Have you at least fixed it?"
"How? I've been looking for a charm for a week!"
Lupin looked worriedly at him. "You don't have anything?" Harry shook his head. "You know…I wonder…" Lupin's head disappeared but soon returned, a smile on his face. "A concealment charm, Harry! It's one of the only spells that won't interfere with the map's own magic."
"Are you sure? I mean…It can be removed without any trouble?" Harry knew he was being loud, but hopefully the Marauders were downstairs planning their night.
"Yes. It will be fine. Just hurry!"
Harry went to James's trunk and opened it. "Accio Marauders' Map." It flew into his hand, a slightly faded piece of parchment. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." Lines began to branch out from Harry's wand tip until a complete layout of Hogwarts and its grounds lay in Harry's hand.
"Harry, just find our names and place the charm over the words you want. Conceal my entire name, yours, just the last. I'll see you, Harry. I've got to take my potion. Goodnight, and don't even think about sneaking onto the grounds tonight. Please." The smoke disappeared and Harry went to work. Soon Lupin's name was gone and his professor was a mere dot on the page. Harry concealed his last name and sighed.
A knock on the door made him jump. "Harry?" It was Sirius. "Hey, can I come in?"
"H-hold on!" Harry whispered urgently, "Mischief managed," and threw the map back in James's trunk. "Alohamora." The lock clicked and Sirius walked inside. "You need something?"
"I wanted to apologize for what I said." Sirius looked uncomfortable. Harry assumed it was because Lily or Remus had forced him to come apologize. Sirius rushed on, "You aren't a suck-up. This teacher is just…I dunno. He reminds me of Moony. Remus, I mean. He likes to go in depth." Sirius sank onto Harry's bed, relief evident on his face.
"It's okay. I'm used to it."
"Used to what?"
"Rumors, lies, etcetera." Harry shrugged. "I can survive a few more. And, can I ask you something?" Sirius nodded, cocking his head slightly. "Do you honestly think I haven't figured out your nicknames yet? You all hardly call each other by your given names."
"Sorry. No one else has figured it out, at least that we know of. I wasn't sure you'd caught on, since you're so new and all."
Harry nodded and flexed his fingers. They were aching slightly from writing so much. "Hey," he said quickly, just remembering, "if you and James want to copy my essay, go ahead. I don't mind." Harry sat beside Sirius.
"Really? You're a saint, just like Remus." Sirius jumped up.
"Maybe, but I'm no genius. Defense Against the Dark Arts just happens to be my best subject. I help people in that subject as often as I can." Harry placed a hand on Sirius's shoulder. "Go on, before Lily finds out. And make sure Remus gets to the hospital wing. He looks really off." Sirius nodded and bounded down the stairs without looking back.
Harry woke early two days after the full moon to a low moan. He grabbed his glasses, crawled to the edge of his bed, and peeked through the curtains, curious to know who was making noise so early. Remus was sitting on the edge of his bed. His head was in his hands and Harry was shocked to see how pale he still was. But perhaps it was just the lighting. Remus seemed fine otherwise, unless absolute exhaustion was considered an illness. Harry was about to get up when a shadow appeared beside Remus. Harry stilled instantly, unable to recognize the man until he spoke.
"Moony, are you alright?" It was Sirius. Harry almost sighed in relief. It was still a shock to wake up in the same dorm but with different people.
Remus sighed. "Y-yeah, I'm fine. It's nothing."
Another groan came from James's bed. "Man, do you have claws, Moony." He was nursing a slash on his arm. Harry grinned, knowing now why he had jumped when Sirius had touched his shoulder earlier that evening.
"Sorry, James. You know I can't help it." Remus stood and swayed on the spot. Sirius and James both rushed to him. Remus instantly pulled away. "Oh, let go. I'm alright. I can manage. I'll get my balance without your help."
"Moony, you have about as much balance as a werewolf on a broomstick." Sirius barked, chuckling quietly as Remus swayed again, his arms out like a tightrope walker. The full moon must have been a hard one to make the usually graceful werewolf stumble.
"Yeah, well you have as much logic as this bedpost." Remus snapped, grabbing onto Harry's bed, making it lurch unpleasantly, almost making Harry topple forward.
"What? I'll get you for that you mangy wolf!" Sirius laughed and leapt toward him.
Harry couldn't react fast enough. Remus and Sirius came tumbling through the curtains on his four-poster and landed right on top of him. Harry cried out as he tumbled to the floor along with them and his sheets. The boys struggled for a moment before Sirius and Remus stood. There was a sickening crack as Sirius put his foot down, resting his entire weight on Harry's right wrist. It was followed by a second crack, this time his left ankle, as Remus detangled himself. Harry, not stopping long enough to wonder how they had managed to step on the right spots to cause such damage, wriggled free of them both. They fell to the floor again with strangled yells.
Harry's momentum carried him too far. He gasped as his back made contact with his trunk. He heard everything shift inside. Peter squeaked as he fell from his bed, having just been woken up by the noise the three were making.
"Sirius, Remus! Stop, you're hurting Harry!" James yelled. There were a couple shouts and the pounding of feet then everything went quiet. Harry kept his eyes closed as James helped him up. "Hey, Harry, how many fingers am I holding up?"
Harry squinted at him. "Two."
"See, he's fine, Prongs! No worries." Sirius playfully punched Harry's arm. Harry ground his teeth together as he felt the bones shift slightly, giving a small pop from the jarring. "Come on, we have class today. We don't want to be late." Sirius took off down the stairs, a bewildered James behind him.
"Who are you and what have you done to my best friend?"
Remus laughed, all traces of exhaustion erased from his face. "Hurry up or Sirius will eat everything." He and Peter started down the stairs as well.
Harry's smile faltered when the door slammed. He screwed his eyes shut in pain and collapsed onto James's bed. He reached for his wand gingerly. His wrist throbbed as he grabbed it. "I'll kill them next time I see them. Ferula," he murmured, pointing his wand at his ankle and then his wrist. It was then he noticed something odd. The tempus inflecto was on top of the bandages and splint. "That's weird," Harry muttered. He tapped the tempus inflecto, hoping the magic on it would give way, but nothing happened. Deciding now was as good a time as any to try removing it, he started whispering all the spells he could think of to sever it, but nothing worked. Finally deciding he would rather not be able to see it if possible, he tried a concealment charm and to his shock it took on the same tone as his shin, making it indistinguishable from it. He sighed and heaved himself up. "First step's the hardest."
"Sirius! Leave some for everyone else!" Remus batted Sirius's groping hands away and reached for the food himself.
"Oy! Don't hog it all, Moony! I'll starve." Sirius moaned.
"Oh, lay off, Padfoot. We all know about the stash under your bed." James laughed.
"You're the one that's been stealing my candy! How dare you? Haven't I been good to you? Why did you steal it?" Sirius grabbed James by the shoulders and shook him.
"Because you add so much to it each day that I thought you wouldn't notice."
"What do you mean by that?" Sirius asked indignantly. "Are you saying I'm stupid?"
"No, he's saying you're dense. Now shut up, and eat!" Remus sighed.
"Oh," Sirius grumbled and lapsed into silence as he started eating, managing to slop his food everywhere.
"Potter." James turned around, his mouth full of eggs and pancakes.
"Wha'?" he mumbled.
Lily Evans was standing behind him. "I need to talk to you."
"Really?" James swallowed so fast he choked. Sirius thumped him on the back. "W-what about? Not homework, I hope."
"No. It's about the new kid. Harry?"
"Oh." James looked crestfallen. "What about him?"
"He was still in the common room a couple minutes ago."
"Really? You mean he didn't come down to breakfast? What's wrong with him?" Sirius yelled, waving a piece of toast through the air.
"Not everyone thinks with their stomach, Sirius." Remus looked up at Lily. "Why are you asking about Harry? Are you saying it was odd that he's still in the common room? Maybe he had homework to do."
"No. That's what was strange. He just sat there staring at the fire for a while then he got up and he looked really…I don't know. He had this weird look on his face. I just felt like I should've helped him."
"We didn't do anything to him, if that's what you were thinking." James and Marauders stood up and started down the corridor.
"Well, I wasn't thinking that. But now I'm thinking you did." Lily ran to catch up with them.
"You've got it all wrong!" Sirius groaned.
"Then why was he just sitting there like that when you all were down here eating?" Lily protested.
"How should we know? He's only been here two weeks. All I know is he transferred." James looked at his watch. "And we've got Transfiguration. See you, Evans!"
"Open your books. We are beginning our study of human transfiguration. This is highly complex magic. I don't expect you all to do extremely well. And as this is a dangerous subject, I will later have Professor Century joining us." McGonagall paused as a hand began waving in the air. "Yes, Mr. Black?"
"Will we learn anything about animagi? Like, how to become one?" His question was innocent enough, but Harry detected a hint of pride in his voice. The Marauders shared his smirk.
"No, Mr. Black. We will be talking about them and some of their history, yes. But you will not learn how to become one. That is an issue to take up with the Ministry."
Sirius sighed. "Ah well, I tried." James thumped him on the back.
"Now, human transfiguration is a touchy subject for many wizards-"
Harry tuned McGonagall out almost immediately. He was too focused on his ankle and wrist to think. Besides, how could she expect him to take notes with a fractured wrist? He twitched his fingers and no sooner had they moved than a fresh wave of pain lanced through his arm. He gasped and cursed his luck. Peter looked curiously over at him.
"Mr. Times?" Harry's eyes snapped to McGonagall. She was glaring at him. "Is there a reason you are not taking notes?"
Harry gave her a small smile. "Sorry. I was just thinking."
"Well, I believe everyone would appreciate it if you stopped your daydreaming and focused on our lesson. Now, pick up your quill and start writing. Thank you." Harry grimaced but picked up his quill and gingerly wrote a few words. It hurt to move it but Harry pressed on, determined to not get on McGonagall's bad side so soon. But, eventually, all he had were disconnected sentences and random words.
Remus, who was sitting next to him, pulled out his wand and muttered a spell. Suddenly, the entire page filled up and Harry's quill began to write on its own. Harry noticed that it went through the same motions as Remus's quill, even tapping up and down at prolonged pauses in McGonagall's lesson. Remus smiled slightly as Harry sighed with relief. The words, 'you were getting behind' appeared on his page. Harry grinned and murmured, "Just a bit."
The bell rang almost an hour later. Harry packed up the notes Remus had so graciously given him and used his left arm to push away from the table. His ankle and wrist were merely throbbing now, but he was mentally preparing himself for the pain as he stood. He let his breath out in a rush as he put pressure on his ankle. He hobbled out of the classroom, and headed down the hall, wishing for all he was worth that Lupin wouldn't be in the mood for another duel.
"Well, class, we have another duel set up for today. You have already seen Harry and me duel. I want you to pass your papers to the front and we will start." The sound of rustling paper got louder as they passed the papers up. Lupin collected them and sat behind his desk. He looked tired and worn and his eyes were dim. "I am, as you can probably tell, not at my best today. Therefore, I will ask …" Lupin's eyes swept over the Marauders, "Mr. Potter to step up. Let's see how you fare against Harry in a duel. Use mostly spoken spells please. We will start on nonverbal spellwork later. Begin when you're ready."
James approached the front of the room and surveyed Harry warily. Harry didn't really notice. He was focusing on keeping his wand clutched firmly in his right hand though he should have declined the duel in the first place and avoided the situation all together. But if he knew anything about his father, he loved jokes. He would likely try a jinx or hex then. Good, he could block those easily.
Harry was proven right when a bat bogey hex came soaring toward him. He threw up a shield. James scowled. Harry's eyes darted around the room, searching for something to help him, something he could do without much movement. He sent a mess of books flying toward James's back. Peter cried out, warning James.
James dodged the books and yelled, "Stupefy!"
"Protego! Incendio!" Harry shot a long jet of fire at James. James's eyes widened but he retaliated immediately under the onslaught.
"Diffindo! Reducto!" James watched as both spells hit the fireball, deflecting it. Harry didn't notice what had happened until he heard Sirius's scream and Remus's horrified shout.
Harry allowed himself to be distracted for a quick glance. He looked around and almost doubled over in laughter. Sirius was jumping up and down, his face a mask of horror. Not that Harry could blame him. He would do the same thing if his hair was on fire. Sirius began running around the room, obviously forgetting his wand was bouncing around in his pocket. He was screaming at the top of his lungs. "MY HAIR! MY BEAUTIFUL LOCKS! SOMEONE HELP ME!" He was practically crying he was so upset.
Remus, however, was sitting in his chair, shocked stiff. In his shaking hands he held what was left of his Defense textbook. Harry thought it looked like a bomb had been stuffed between the covers. The gaping hole left by the reductor curse showed Remus's devastated face.
"Stupefy!"
"Protego!" The spell leapt unbidden from his mouth. He turned back to the duel at hand. James was obviously fighting the urge to laugh as well.
Harry waited for the next spell and when none came he focused on his next attack. "Oppugno!" A small flock of quills flew towards James, scratching his flailing arms. Harry pointed his wand at a chair. It zoomed toward James and hit his legs, causing him to fall onto it. Ropes jumped from Harry's wand and bound James to the chair.
Harry noticed James's spell at the last moment. He only had time to cast a vanishing charm on the chair's back legs before the spell hit him. Immediately, his legs began to jerk around in an odd tap dance. Harry yelled in pain as his ankle gave another louder crack than it had that morning. His ankle, now completely broken, gave out and he fell forward. He threw his arms in front of him to help break his fall but thought better of it. He drew his arms to his chest and winced as his head crashed to the floor. He knew instantly that his glasses had been broken and the metallic taste of blood filled his mouth. He coughed, trying to rid himself of the vile taste. His eyes were screwed up in pain. He didn't dare open them.
Slowly, after what seemed like ages to him, he used his left arm to lift himself up far enough so he could point his wand at his legs. They stopped trying to tap dance and he gasped as his ankle hit the floor. He could hear laughter, a cruel mocking sound, and he snarled. They thought it was funny. Wait until it was their turn. Harry heaved himself from the floor and onto his good leg. He grabbed Lupin's desk to keep from falling and leaned against it.
"James!" It was obviously Sirius. Harry opened his eyes and squinted as three black blobs attached themselves to the chair on the floor. Harry coughed as blood continued to seep into his mouth from his nose and cut lip. The blood dribbled down his chin. He raised his right arm, ignoring the pain, and wiped his mouth with it, determined to not let anyone know how badly he was injured.
Gingerly, he put pressure on his ankle. He bit back a scream and clutched the desk for support as his knees buckled. He coughed again and swayed on the spot. Harry's back slammed into the wall and he slid down it, his broken ankle twisted at an odd angle in front of him. He heard a crunching sound and knew his shattered glasses were beneath his right foot. Cradling his fractured wrist in his lap, he wiped furiously at the blood dripping down his chin. He sat painfully still, patiently waiting for Lupin to dismiss them or at least announce a winner.
"Who won?" He heard James ask. There was a whispered comment. "I did? I won? You're kidding!"
There were soft footsteps and someone above Harry chuckled. "Yes, but only just. If this was a real duel, Harry would have won by a long shot."
"How can you say that? James is standing! Harry isn't." It was Sirius now, sounding very offended that Professor Century couldn't seem to tell the two apart.
"That may be true, but, if you and the others had not freed James, who do you think would be standing? Certainly not James." He paused. "It seems Harry obtained some extensive damage. Harry, can you hear me?" Lupin was kneeling in front of him. He handed Harry his repaired glasses and watched as Harry used one hand to put them on, his broken nose not making it any easier. Harry sighed and slowly got up, using the wall as his support until he could push away.
He wobbled slightly. Lupin grabbed his right arm to help balance him. Harry yelped and tore his arm from the Professor's grip. Lupin stared at him, his face clouded with a thoughtful expression. "Sorry," Harry mumbled, leaning against the wall again.
"Harry, let me see your arm." Harry held out his left arm. Lupin shook his head. "The other one, Harry." A few people laughed. "You think this is a laughing matter?" Lupin snapped, suddenly strict. Everyone stared at him in shock. They had yet to hear him snap. Lupin carefully took Harry's sleeve and pushed it back. His eyes rested on the splint. He tapped it with his wand and it disappeared, as did the concealment charm. Harry saw Lupin falter a moment, realizing Harry had successfully charmed the mysterious object, but quickly snapped to attention as Harry's hand, with nothing to support it, lolled downwards. Harry tried to move it, but bit his lip and gave up as pain coursed up his arm. "You have been dueling with a fractured, perhaps broken, wrist, Harry?" Lupin asked in a voice so low and dangerous, Harry knew even Fred and George Weasley wouldn't dare cross him.
"M-maybe," Harry murmured.
"And what about your ankle? It's completely broken after that 'talantalegra' jinx I suppose?" Lupin's voice rose sharply in volume. He was near snapping and Harry suddenly felt guilty for putting the werewolf through it. He was tired enough, even if it was two days after the full moon. "You should have known better. Why did you even leave the common room? You-"
"It is not like me to dote upon myself, especially in my condition." Harry murmured quietly to him. "The pain is a part of who I am, a part of my every living moment. You can not change that…And neither can I." Harry saw a flicker of sorrow and pain in Lupin's eyes but it quickly passed. Lupin fixed a new splint for Harry and released his arm, seeming shocked by Harry's response.
"Wait a moment! You mean – Harry, I won because you were already hurt?" James's face appeared over Lupin's shoulder. Harry didn't answer. He bent down and fixed the splint on his ankle, making it ache painfully as it snapped into a new position. "That happened this morning in our dorm, didn't it? When Sirius and Remus fell on you!" Lupin's eye twitched involuntarily as he realized whose fault it was that Harry's ankle was fractured in the first place. "Why didn't you tell us? I told them they had hurt you."
Harry looked up at James. "I didn't want anyone to worry. Besides, I've had worse."
"On purpose?" Someone shouted from the back row. Everyone laughed.
Harry swiped at the blood again and started painfully limping toward his seat. "Where are you going?" Lupin asked, a slight tinge of anger in his voice.
"To my seat, if you don't mind."
"Actually-"
"I think he does mind." James walked over to Harry and threw Harry's left arm over his shoulders. "You're going to the Hospital Wing."
Harry sputtered indignantly. "But-"
"I think Mr. Potter is right, Mr. Times. Go with him and make sure you get fixed up soon. Thank you, James." Harry looked around at Lupin. His eyes were filled with mirth and he was barely concealing a smile. It took Harry a moment to realize what was so funny. Then he smiled. His father, oblivious as he was to the joke, was forcing his son, whom he thought was merely a new friend, to the Hospital Wing. The other Marauders were shooting him sympathetic looks. Harry fought to keep himself from laughing when he noticed Sirius's hair. It was more or less gone, including his eyebrows. Harry chuckled despite the pain in his limbs, thinking of the time his aunt had cut his hair and found it perfectly normal the next day. Sirius would be back to normal, but he wasn't too sure about himself.
"I can't believe it! He dueled James with a fractured wrist and ankle! And then he said he's had worse!" Sirius was leading the way to Hagrid's hut, his hair back to normal after James and Remus had experimented on it for an hour.
"You weren't the one who dueled him. Think about it. If he could think and move that fast while in pain, what do you think he could have done if he was fine?" James asked, sticking his hands in his pockets, still a bit put out that he had only won because of Harry's injuries.
"Still, that was a bit stupid," Remus muttered.
"I think he was awesome!" Peter protested.
"You think anyone with more talent than a tick is awesome, Wormtail." Sirius jibed. Peter fell silent.
"You have to wonder though, how did he ever have worse? I mean, people don't just start randomly jinxing each other, do they?" Remus glanced up from his book as he walked.
"I don't know. Hey!" James stopped walking.
"Hagrid's is this way, James," Peter said, pointing down the hill.
"I know. It's just, someone's in our spot." He pointed to the beech tree by the lake. "Wonder who it is."
"Let's go see." Sirius grabbed James and started dragging him toward the tree.
"Yes, let's go scare the living daylights out of someone else. It's not enough we almost killed a classmate today!" Remus shut his book with a snap, following a few feet behind.
"Lighten up, Moony. He'll be fine." James gave him a smile. "You're still here aren't you?"
Remus muttered a reply. "No thanks to you three. There wouldn't be enough of me to put in a matchbox if not for Madam Pomfrey."
Sirius laughed and called out to the student. "Oy, you there! What are you doing out here all by your lonesome?" James raised an eyebrow at Sirius's choice in words. Remus shrugged and was about to comment on it when the student's answer caught his attention.
"Trying to get some peace and quiet, from you lot, I might add."
The Marauders gawked at him. "Harry?" Remus asked, staring at the raven-haired teen.
"No. It's the Easter Bunny. Yes, me." Harry stood up. He quickly stuffed his notebook back into his bag, hoping they hadn't noticed it.
"Is it really you? I mean…" James trailed off. He was just staring at Harry in amazement.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Last I checked. Why?"
"You got away?" Remus asked, dumbfounded. "Pomfrey let you go?"
"No." Harry lifted his bag further onto his shoulder.
"Then how?" Sirius gasped. "Did you sneak out?" Harry nodded. "Even we have a hard time with that. You actually pulled it off by your self. Are you serious?"
"No. I believe you are." Harry smirked, knowing just how much the joke irked his future Godfather.
The Marauders snickered as Sirius grumbled. "But really," James cut in, "You escaped Pomfrey, the terror of troublemakers?"
"Yeah, so? I've done it loads of times." Harry saw Remus's puzzled look and added, "At my old school."
"So, you're used to being in the hospital wing?" Peter asked.
Harry nodded, ignoring his loathing of Peter long enough to turn away. A new voice caught his attention. "Excuse me. I have a message for a Mr. Times." Harry turned to the speaker. His heart gave a painful pang of recognition. A young woman with sandy blond hair and a round face stood in front of him, a large smile on her face. It was Alice Compton, later known as Mrs. Frank Longbottom. She handed the note to Harry and waited patiently for him to read it.
Harry was holding a small scroll sealed with the Hogwarts crest. His name was scrawled in green ink across it. He recognized the loopy handwriting at once. He felt his breath hitch in his throat. He never expected to see one of these letters again after his sixth year. Harry broke the seal carefully. He read through the note quickly and pursed his lips. "Thank you, Alice." He turned and started toward the castle, dreading having to face Dumbledore.
"D-did any of you tell him my name?" Alice asked, looking around at the Marauders.
"No," Remus answered.
"Then how did-"
"I don't know."
Harry sat in Dumbledore's office, waiting for the Headmaster to speak. It was painful waiting for the moment the man would address him. He was about to give up and leave when, finally, the man's mouth opened and Harry found himself raptly at attention upon hearing his voice again. "Harry, I have noticed that you have already attracted quite a bit of attention to yourself." Harry nodded slightly, moving his eyes to the sleeping portrait of Phineas Nigellus. "Would you mind telling me why you brought so much attention to yourself?" Having no clear answer to this himself, Harry chose not to answer. He didn't trust his voice at the moment. Dumbledore went on when Harry didn't even look up. "You do not strike me as one who seeks attention, more one to whom-"
"Attention is attracted." Harry smirked. "Irony as well, if you understand, Sir."
"It would seem so. You have already made yourself known to the teachers, many students, and to Madam Pomfrey. She tells me you have seen her twice already, a headache and some more extensive injuries, I believe."
"I probably should warn her that I have a habit of getting into trouble." He smiled slightly as he remembered all the visits he had to the Hospital Wing. "Actually, it's the other way around."
"You do not go looking for trouble, much like your father?"
Harry tensed. He was uncomfortable enough around Dumbledore. This was one subject of many that could only make it worse. "No."
"I have a feeling you do so more than you let on." Harry shrugged and stood to leave, finding the conversation a bore and not at all what he had expected. "Mr. Times, I know I asked you to keep the secrets of the future to yourself, but it seems that there are some things I might need to know, for your benefit."
"I can take care of myself. I always have." Harry paused and muttered, "You made sure of that."
"What about your childhood? Surely you were protected then?"
"What childhood?" Harry snapped. "I don't know what the word means."
Dumbledore placed his fingertips together and stared at Harry. "I see I was correct in my theories about you. I knew from the moment you fell into the lake you were special, not only because of that incident. There were other small hints you gave me as you were sleeping."
Harry frowned. "It doesn't seem to matter where I go. I always strike people funny."
"I will leave the story for another day, as it seems to bother you. What I called you here for is a matter of…safety, if you will. From the little I know of you, I suppose you are familiar with Hogwarts, the Hogwarts of your time." Harry sat back down, a tiny bit curious now. "That should make this all the easier. First and foremost, I know how important Hogsmeade visits are. However, there is the small problem of your materializing out of thin air. This may cause you some difficulties, even here. For instance, you have no way of proving that your guardian gave you permission to go to Hogsmeade."
Harry pursed his lips, memories of his Godfather surfacing. "He did."
Dumbledore's eyes seemed to reflect his frown. "Only your father? Not your mother?" Harry looked away. Legilimency was easiest with eye contact. Harry willed himself to believe Dumbledore would never go that far. Nevertheless, he threw up his feeble barriers. "I will make you a deal, Mr. Times. I will extend the privilege of Hogsmeade visits to you. However, if anything happens that should jeopardize your safety, I will decide if you may continue the visits, which means some questions may need answering. The reason I am taking such precaution is because I feel you are very important to the future. Do we have a deal?"
Harry thought for a moment. It seemed he would be getting the raw end of the deal, but then he remembered the tunnel into Honeydukes. "Yes, Sir, but please understand I have to be careful with what I tell you. Anything else?"
"Yes, I understand perfectly. But I was wondering just how well you are adapting. Are you getting along with everyone well? Surely you are having at least a bit of trouble fitting in, should I say?"
"A bit of trouble."
"And have you found it easier with Professor Century around?" Harry's head shot up. "Do not worry. I know that Professor Century is from your time as well. I guessed as much when I noticed the strange bands around his wrists. Although I know he is familiar, I can not seem to recall who he is. I will just wait until he decides to reveal his name."
"Thank you, Sir. I appreciate it." Harry moved toward the door again.
"You have many secrets, Harry, many scars hidden from the world. If ever you need someone besides JR Century to talk with, I am here." Harry felt his throat tighten.
"Thank you, Professor. I'll…I'll remember that." Harry closed the door behind him with a soft click. He forced himself to walk slowly and calmly to the bottom of the spiral staircase. After he passed the gargoyle, he broke into a flat run.
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Ecclesiastes 4:10