It turned out Century was right

Carry On

By: Teenlaunch

Disclaimer: I wouldn't be writing if I owned it.

a/n: Here you go. Still not out on time, but not nearly as bad as last chapter. Enjoy. (The reason it's so late is because my beta has not gotten this back to me. When/If this is betaed, I'll replace the chapter. Could someone tell me if I lose my hits and reviews if I do that. I don't think I do...)

--

It turned out Century was right. Harry didn't turn up in the dorms, for classes, or meals. But Harry's extended absence seemed to go unnoticed, at least by the students. The professors were more apt to point out his empty seat. Professor McGonagall could be seen stealing glances at Harry's empty seat, and at times down to Century, whose concerned gaze was focused somewhere near Harry's usual seat at the Gryffindor table, by the Marauders. No one ever noticed how the Head Table creaked or a chair moved slightly, all by itself.

For a reason unknown to him, Remus couldn't decide if he was glad or upset Times was gone. It seemed to change every minute. He was lying on his bed arguing with himself over it again as Sirius and James went over Quidditch strategies for the match the coming week. He looked at Harry's bed, empty for almost a week now. He couldn't figure out where he'd gone. The bed hadn't been touched. If it weren't for the house elves it would have a layer of dust already. Remus was turning away when he did a double-take. "Hey, guys, what's that?"

"What?" The other Marauders asked, looking up.

"That on Harry's bed."

They approached it and Sirius picked up the item lying innocently on Harry's pillow. "They're some sort of potions." There were five vials of clear potions. "They're labeled really weird."

"Harry-"

"Times, Remus!" James snarled.

Remus closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Times must be the only one who can read them, and since they're here, he had to have made it in here without us knowing."

James picked one up and weighed it in his hand, a smirk gracing his lips. "Prongs?" Peter asked, watching him with wide eyes. That look never meant anything good.

"I say we give Times a little scare." James dug through Peter's trunk and brought out his cauldron. He uncorked two vials and poured them in.

Remus made an odd choking sound. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing dangerous."

Sirius poured in two of the others. "Lighten up, Moony."

Remus grabbed the last vial from Peter and held it away from the others. "Not this one! I may dislike him, but I refuse to just stand here as you plan sabotage!"

James sighed. "Fine!" He peeled the label from one vial, placed it on the one in Remus' hand, and replaced his 's' with Remus' 'h'.

"Prongs," Remus groaned.

James ignored him. "Done! Mix the cauldron, Padfoot, and we'll refill the vials." Sirius ladled them back in and recapped them, placing them back on Harry's bed. "Good."

"No, not good." Remus grumbled, slumping down on his bed in defeat.

"You're the one who said he was suspicious in the first place!" Peter said, taking his cauldron to the bathroom to clean it.

"I said he was lying about certain things and I wanted to know what. I didn't say I wanted to kill him in a freak potion accident!" Remus growled.

"Calm down, Moony." James said, picking up his broom to follow Sirius out the door. "What could possibly go wrong?"

--

Harry closed his eyes. He had a migraine, again. He hated making choices. Why couldn't the Brutus Aquaintus potion have shown him his inner animal? Was he born to suffer? Lupin had said it wouldn't work if there were too many. Harry didn't want to decide on his own. He sighed and reached toward the vials. He picked one up and cracked an eye open. Hawk. He'd picked hawk. Without giving himself time to argue, he poured it into the potion. The potion, at first a putrid yellow, frothed and spat fumes in his face. Harry coughed and waved it away, looking down at the potion and the Marauders' documentation (done in Remus' tidy, type-like print). It was exactly like they described it.

It resembled water. Harry wrinkled his nose at the smell and quickly drank a large goblet-full. Decisions were easier to make when he didn't think about it.

His insides were suddenly alive. His heart rate and breathing sped up. His veins burned as though his blood was on fire. His bones and muscles ached. But perhaps the worst was the pounding in his head. Harry dropped to his knees, hugging himself as though it would help. As suddenly as it had started, it stopped, and Harry's world went black.

--

Harry groaned. His head hurt. What happened? Why was he on the floor? A sinking feeling in his stomach reminded him he hadn't eaten anything for a while. Harry sat up slowly and looked around. The cauldron. Harry gasped. The potion had knocked him out. It was not supposed to do that. What had gone wrong?

Harry bit his lip. He was still breathing. Good. He still looked normal. Harry whipped up a mirror to make sure. Yes. Good. He had followed all the instructions. Good. He had felt immense pain. Bad. There wasn't supposed to be any pain with the potion. Harry racked his brain. What had he done wrong? His eyes widened. The DNA. When he'd laid it on his bed, it had been on his pillow. But when he had come back to get it later, it had been at the foot of the bed, and he hadn't thought anything of it. The Marauders must have switched the labels, but the potion wouldn't have reacted like that if that was all they'd done.

Harry bit his lip and asked the Room for parchment. He touched it with his wand and murmured the image charm. Harry rubbed his eyes, certain he was seeing things. He looked at the paper again. No. There was the evidence right in front of him. A dog, stag, wolf, tiger, and – he blinked. "No. It's not possible." A griffin soared above the other four. "Great, something else that makes me especially wonderful." Harry rubbed his temples gently, trying to make the migraine coming on stop.

Now, how was he going to pull off being five different animals, including a magical one? Would there be much pain? Would he be able to shift from one animal to another without reverting to a human? Would his markings always be the same? Would his scar show up?

Harry groaned. This experiment, designed to make his life easier, had just made it ten times harder.

--

"Well, Quidditch game today." Sirius sighed.

"Yeah, what about it? You're not worried we'll lose, are you?" Remus teased.

"No! 'Course not!" Sirius looked smug. "What with me and Prongs on the team, we're bound to win. Slytherin's going down!" He grabbed some toast as he finished with a flourish.

"Calm down. No need to overstuff."

James snickered. "It's a miracle Sirius can walk after he's done eating, let alone fly." He stood and walked out of the hall with the boys following.

"You sure the weather won't throw you off?" Remus asked as they walked toward the pitch where a crowd was already gathered. He looked up at the darkening sky and let the smell of the coming rain wash over him. "It'll start pouring soon."

"How do you know, Moony?" Sirius asked.

"Padfoot," Remus sighed, "how many times have I predicted a storm, and been right about it?"

"Er…"

"A whole lot. I can smell it miles off, you know that."

Peter laughed. "I'd be more worried about Times showing up than the weather. You know he's a big Quidditch fan."

Sirius frowned. "Speaking of which, you two make sure, if he does show up, that he doesn't jinx us."

"Oh, don't worry." Remus smirked slightly. "I'll give him a piece of my mind. Besides, I haven't vented for a while. It'll feel good to let out some frustration."

James grinned. "Good. Well, you two get to the stands. Hopefully you'll find a spot where you can stay dry."

Remus smiled in return. "Yes, hopefully, though with our luck, that rain'll freeze you and Pads to your brooms." He and Peter turned and sprinted for the stands. The game started almost an hour later, and the rain, much to the chagrin of the students, started with the game. Remus watched his friends fight the relentless battering of the storm. He sneezed and sputtered, spitting out the rain that had somehow found his mouth through the scarf covering it. He shivered and curled into a ball, watching through the gap in his arms.

He glanced over at the teachers' stands to see how they were faring and immediately noticed something odd. Century was curled into a ball much like his own. Remus could see his teacher was shivering and shaking even at such great distance. Something near the bottom of the stands moved, catching his eye. He blinked. It was too dark. He couldn't see anything on the field even with his enhanced vision. Lightning suddenly flashed and Remus felt his breath hitch in his chest. A wolf, black as night with blazing green eyes and, as best as Remus could tell, a single streak of silver down its nose, was peering around the corner of the stands. Remus looked again and gaped. It was gone, but Harry Times was standing mere feet away from where it had been, blinking water out of his eyes as he looked up to watch the game, wand in hand. A bludger suddenly crashed into Sirius, sending his spinning.

Remus frowned. Times had officially dashed his chances with this. He glanced around to make sure no one was watching him and slipped his wand out. Without stopping to let his rational side take over, the Marauder aimed at the supposed Death Eater, and murmured a spell. Times didn't notice the spell until it was too late. His wrists and ankles snapped together and he was slammed against the stands, his arms wrenched above his head, wand back in his pocket. Times's head twisted to look at him. Remus smirked and waved, earning a dark glare. That had certainly felt good and the werewolf was finally sated, at least, for the moment. No one messed with his pack.

--

Harry cursed, sneezing again. Remus had decided to get him back for something, what for he didn't know. When Remus decided to get revenge, you could bet you would remember it for a while. And that Harry would. Not only had he been strung up like a doll against the stands, he had been left there the entire game.

Unable to stop the inevitable flow of rain on his exposed body, he had ignored the chill and watched the game, knowing Remus would get suspicious if his prey disappeared. The game had dragged on for another two excruciating hours, much to Harry's dismay, and no one had let him down. When he finally trekked inside the castle, his clothes were plastered to his body and he was sneezing. His immune system had already been low, mainly due to the unusual animagus transformation. He'd been fighting a small cough for days. Remus' stunt had succeeded in finishing him off. Remus would pay for that.

After he had come inside, he'd went to the kitchen, coughing and wheezing, and the house elves had pointed it out that he also had a fever. The tiny creatures had forced him to stay in the side room, where they cared for him and mothered him almost as much as Madam Pomfrey. Now, after two days of the torment, he was finally free, though the only improvement in his health was that his fever had broken. Harry gratefully left the kitchens and started back toward the Room of Requirement. He had just turned the corner when he ran head first into another student.

Harry staggered and blinked. He looked up and found the Marauders glaring at him, Peter rubbing a spot on his head. James sneered. "Well, look who decided to crawl out of his hole, boys. Where've you been, Times? We missed you so much, didn't we, guys?"

The others smirked, drawing their wands. Harry growled and disregarded them. He snarled at Remus. "Why did you do that to me, Lupin?"

Remus stepped forward, bewildering the others. He sneered. "Oh, I thought since the others messed up your potions, I should find my own way of striking at Gryffindor's resident Death Eater."

"Moony?" Sirius asked.

"Did you enjoy it?" Remus asked with a feral smile.

"No. As a matter of fact, I found I am now sporting a rather wonderful cough."

Remus tutted. "So sorry."

Harry snorted. "And here I thought you were my only friend, well, neutral in the Marauders. Too bad I was wrong."

"Yes, it seems so."

Harry clenched his fists and took a deep breath, unable to stop himself from grinding out a final jab. "Good thing you only act like this once a month, Lupin. Otherwise, you'd have no friends."

The boys snarled. Remus' face twisted into a furious expression. "How dare-"

"But then again…You can be too lenient. You should find a better medium. You can't be too forgiving, too sympathetic, or you'll lose something, something you'll never be able to get back."

Remus was on him in the blink of an eye. He slammed Harry against the wall. "Is that a threat, Times?"

Harry saw the Marauders freeze, and no wonder. Remus had lifted him off the floor and was snarling fiercely at him. His eyes, now liquid amber, blazed with carnal satisfaction at the slightly stunned look in Harry's eyes. The boys rarely saw Remus react in such a way. Sirius reached up to touch his shoulder. Remus snarled at him. "Stay out of this, Padfoot!"

Sirius dropped his hand and nodded, backing up slightly, almost tripping over Peter, who was hidden behind him in fear. It brought back memories of the night Harry had met Sirius. Pettigrew had chosen him as a shield then, whimpering in fear of Sirius and Remus' rage, like now. Remus shook Harry slightly, snapping his attention back onto him. "I might have found it in myself to simply ignore you. But, I don't like when people threaten my friends. You're treading on thin ice, Times."

"Who said I was the one threatening them?"

"What are you implying?" Remus snapped. Harry could see the fear in his eyes. "I am not threatening them."

Harry scrambled quickly for a comeback, realizing how his comment had translated. "NO! Not you! Never mind. Will you let me go now?"

"Not until you explain."

"I'm not going to explain."

Remus gripped his collar so hard he was seeing spots. "Explain."

"There's nothing to explain."

"Then why'd you say it?"

"I…" Harry gasped for air. "I…can't breathe."

"I'm not letting go until you tell me."

"Rat."

"What?" Remus asked, his hold loosening slightly. James' wand suddenly appeared over his shoulder, pointed at Harry's face.

"Rat among you…filthy vermin."

"How dare you?" Sirius roared. His wand appeared over Remus' other shoulder. Harry couldn't find it in himself to care. He was fighting to just stay conscious. "We are honorable men."

"Are you positive…you know…what that is? Besides…I didn't say it was…necessarily one of…you."

"Then you're implying it's a Gryffindor." James growled.

Harry cursed. "No, I-"

"Potter, Black!" There was a gasp. "Lupin? You too?" Everyone turned to look at the source of the accusation. It was Lily. "Put him down." She had her wand leveled at the boys.

"Evans!" James exclaimed, withdrawing his wand. Sirius did the same. Remus, however, didn't move, and his hold didn't lessen.

"Lupin! He's suffocating!" When Remus still didn't move, Lily ran forward and wrenched him away. Harry fell against the wall, coughing and spluttering. Lily knelt beside him. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, thank you."

Lily was suddenly in Remus' face. "What were you doing, Lupin? You're a Prefect! And Potter here is Head Boy! Can't you conduct yourself better?" She snarled. "McGonagall will know about this and she'll punish you justly."

"No."

All eyes turned to Harry. "What?" Lily whispered.

"I said no." Harry kept his eyes fixed on her.

"Lupin almost strangled you! And you're just going to let him get away with it?"

The Marauders looked stunned too. "Yes. He was right to react the way he did to my statements. Besides, I think Re-Lupin would have found it in himself to let me go, even if the animal in him did not."

"W-what do you m-mean, animal?" Peter asked. James slapped his head.

"I mean that we all have an animal in us, some more than others. And Lupin seems to have had more success taming himself than many others I know." Harry stood and brushed himself off, still seething about what had happened but cleverly hiding it.

"So, you know," Remus breathed suddenly, his eyes alight in horror.

Harry watched as James and Sirius closed in on Remus, shielding him from Harry, who furrowed his brow, trying to look confused. "I have no idea what you're talking about. The only problem I have with Remus is that he believes I'm a Death Eater and strung me up outside to the mercy of the weather."

Lily scowled. "Fine. Then I'm at least giving these three detention. I honestly thought you were changing, Potter."

James' face fell. Harry interrupted. "Don't give them detention either, Lily. They're acting on instinct. If I was in their shoes I'd do the same thing. James isn't doing this to me because of arrogance. He's doing it out of love for everyone a Death Eater could harm. Sometimes acting on what little information you have is right. And unfortunately, sometimes it's not."

Lily started to protest. "But-"

"No! Remus needs – uh, needs to decide if they'll be punished. Come on, Lily. Walk with me to Professor Century's office." Harry gently tugged her arm and led her down the hall.

Sirius growled when they were out of sight. "How dare he?"

James scowled. "He just saved our butts from McGonagall, Death Eater filth."

Remus was silent, his eyes still riveted on the spot where he'd held Harry. "James," he snapped suddenly.

"Hm?"

"You got it on you?"

"Got what on me?" James asked, nonplussed.

"The Map!"

"Oh, yeah, sorry, Moony. Keep a look out on there. We're going to the kitchens."

"You go."

"What?"

"You go. I'm not hungry. I'm going to the library. Times won't be there. I can work on the map."

James nodded. "Alright. Tell us if anything happens."

Remus nodded and started toward the library, activating the map. Lily and Harry were just outside Century's office. Remus suddenly turned into a deserted classroom and sat down against the wall. He tapped the map with his wand. The map didn't change. Remus continued to poke and prod the map, muttering every spell he could imagine, until he was sure a hole would appear the next time. He growled in frustration and struck the map again. Harry's name suddenly lit up and flashed, fading in and out. Remus watched as it solidified and formed 'Potter' behind Harry's name. He blinked and it disappeared. He tried to get the name to appear again but no matter what he tried it wouldn't reappear. There was definitely something weird about Times.

--

"Thanks, Lily."

"You're welcome. I'll see you later."

Harry watched his young mother walk down the hall and then slipped into Lupin's office. He almost tripped over some papers as soon as he was in. Harry gazed around at the office, plastered with papers, many half marked. Books and papers were also stacked on the desk. Harry waded to it and moved a couple papers. He jumped in shock when he realized Lupin was lying face down on a stack of open books, snoring softly. Harry sighed and tapped the man's shoulder. He immediately sat up, so quickly that paper went flying. He blinked owlishly and Harry waited patiently for Lupin to realize who he was. "Oh, hello, Harry." His voice seemed a bit cold and distant.

"Mad at me?"

"You were missing for two weeks! Don't tell me that's not a good enough reason to be sore at you."

Harry snorted. "I was there the whole time, leaning against your chair in the Great Hall or against your desk. I didn't miss a single one of your lessons."

"You're the one who spilled juice on Slughorn, eh?"

Harry shrugged. "Not on purpose." He sneezed suddenly, and the room reeled. "Ugh…"

Lupin stood and grabbed Harry's arm. "Come on. Hospital wing."

"No! I refuse."

"Harry-"

"I have already been held captive by the house elves for two days thanks to you!" Harry scowled. "No way am I letting you turn me over the Pomfrey. That's betrayal on the highest level!"

Lupin's hand was suddenly flush against Harry's forehead, then his cheek, and finally his neck. Harry raised an eyebrow. Lupin scowled. "You're burning up. Go lay down."

Harry sighed. So his fever was back, wonderful. Harry went into Lupin's living quarters and scouted out the guest bedroom, sitting down on the bed gratefully. Lupin came in and gave him a beaker of Pepper-up potion. Harry drank it quickly and handed it back. Lupin pushed him down on the bed but Harry shot back up. He needed to do this now. "That's not why I came here."

"You're sick."

"So? I've managed for the last few days. And that potion will get rid of it. Just watch. Please?"

Lupin sighed but sat down beside him. "Alright. Go on. Then I'm taking you to Gryffindor Tower."

Harry wrinkled his nose and started changing in front of Lupin's eyes. Lupin yelped in shock. He reached out a hand and ran his fingers down the dog's muzzle. "Black as night, with a streak of silver down the nose and light markings shaped like your glasses around green eyes. You won't stand out at all." Harry cocked his head slightly, and started changing again. Lupin gasped, and reached up again, this time encountering antlers. "This one's the same."

Harry became a human again. "They're all like that. No scar, but the silver represents it. It's not straight anyway. Do…do you want me to keep going?"

"There's more?"

Harry nodded. He transformed into a wolf. Lupin bit his lip and nodded. Harry transformed again, growing larger than before. Lupin recoiled slightly. Harry flicked his tail in annoyance. "A t-tiger?" Harry ducked his head as he slid into his griffin form. "Oh, Lord, give me strength." Harry dropped out of the animagus form and laid down on the bed, his face buried in the pillow. Lupin absently rubbed small circles on his back, lulling Harry to sleep.

--

My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. I am feeble and utterly crushed I groan in anguish of heart.

-Psalm 38:7-8