Carry On

By: Teenlaunch

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

a/n: Well, I think it's actually been about two weeks. You can thank my beta for keeping me on track this time. Seems she's back to her annoying self. For a while there I was scared we had switched roles. Anyway, thanks for sticking with me so far. We're nearing half-way, not unusual as this chapter is in December. The next chapter will be longer, promise! Please review! (Remember to review and check out my profile for my poll. You can do better than 25 people.)

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Remus plumped his pillow and propped his chin on his arms. He was facing the foot of his bed, as were the other Marauders. It was customary when they had meetings at five in the morning. Technically, they'd stayed up all night, only taking a break at midnight to catch a few hours of sleep. They'd been woken by Sirius five hours later and had been up ever since.

The topic was the Death Eater ambush at the Shrieking Shack. They'd all agreed it was obvious who the Death Eaters had wanted, and why. But what was really bothering them all was how Times fit into it.

"I still say he's trying to get back into our good books." Sirius argued, poking his head out from his sheets which were pulled over his head like a tent.

"We know, Padfoot," Peter whined, rolling onto his back and putting his pillow over his face. "You've been saying that for hours. It's eight o'clock. They'll send McGonagall after us soon."

"We'll go to class in a few minutes, Wormtail. Keep your tail on." Peter shot James an indignant look. "So, Moony, what do you think? You've been really quiet. Usually you have a lot to say during our meetings."

Remus sighed and rolled out of bed. He stood up and stretched, rubbing his temples gently. "I think I have a migraine and I still stand by what I said when we got back here. Times has some motive we don't know about. I'm going to the Hospital Wing. I won't be in class today. Get my work for me, will you, Prongs?" Remus moved toward the door. "If I'm lucky, I'll talk to Times, if he's awake."

Remus walked slowly to the Hospital Wing, knowing he'd left behind three confused friends. But he couldn't stand another night like that. It was time to interrogate Times. What better time than when he was pumped full of Pomfrey's potions? Remus hated puzzles like Times. Every time it seemed you had it put together another piece went missing. He'd had enough. It was time for this puzzle to crack.

Remus took a deep breath and pushed tentatively on the door to the Hospital Wing. It creaked loudly and Madam Pomfrey was upon him immediately, fussing over hundreds of nonexistent injuries. Remus, fully aware that the door creaked on purpose, allowed himself to be ushered to a bed and given a vile potion.

When the nurse finally swept off to her office, Remus decided to catch a few hours of sleep before interrogating Times. He couldn't think straight as it was. One slip-up on his part and Times wouldn't spill anything.

He woke up hours later and almost screamed, but clapped a hand over his mouth and took deep, calming breaths. The other Marauders were bent over him, grinning like idiots. "Well?" Peter asked.

"Well, what?" Remus hissed angrily as his heart rate returned to normal.

Sirius and James rolled their eyes. "Did you get anything?" Sirius asked.

"I fell asleep! Now get away! Go, or you'll attract Miss Mother Hen!"

The others ran out the door, waving before it closed. Remus sighed and looked over at Times' bed. It was now or never, seeing as it was already five o'clock. He crept to Harry's bed and sat in a nearby chair. He watched Times closely. If not for the rhythmic sound of his breathing, he'd think he was dead. Harry's bare chest was wrapped tightly in bandages, and his tattered shirt was thrown over the end of the bed. Remus was content to just watch Times sleep. He didn't want to wake him up without having a plan first. There was something strange about Times but he couldn't figure out what.

Harry suddenly rolled over and stared up at him, piercing green eyes peering at Remus from behind his glasses. "Do you always stare at people when you think they're sleeping?"

Remus stared at him, deciding to play it safe for now. "Oh, sorry. Did I wake you?"

Harry raised an eyebrow and sat up very slowly, levering himself up on shaky arms. "No. I've been awake since you came in. Why?"

"But, Madam Pomfrey said you were asleep."

Harry smirked. "She may be the best matron Hogwarts has ever had, but she is able to be fooled." He glanced at the small pile of gifts, all candy, beside his bed. "You want some? I won't be able to eat it all. Help yourself, unless you still think I'm a Death Eater. Is that why you're here?" Harry's expression hardened immediately at the thought.

Remus fought back panic. He was already losing his chance. "No! Well, yes. I want to know if you are or not. I can't figure out why you helped me. But thanks, no matter what."

"You're welcome." Harry grabbed a chocolate frog and tossed some Ice Mice to Remus. "I bet you were up all night."

"Just about." Remus popped one of the Ice Mice into his mouth. "The others would have my hide if they knew I was accepting food from you. They still believe you're a Death Eater."

Harry frowned. "Why is that exactly?"

"What do you mean? They weren't there to see the fight. They think you were in on it."

"That's not what I'm asking," Harry said, biting off the frog's head. "I want to know how the Marauders came to the brilliant conclusion that I am a Death Eater."

Remus just blinked. "Well, the first thing was probably your Parselmouth ability. Actually…I take that back. Your research started it."

Harry nodded. "I should have guessed." He paused, and then went on, twirling the chocolate frog card in his hand, "Do you still think I'm a Death Eater?"

Remus looked down at his hands. "There's so much that points to you being one, but yesterday threw me off. The others don't really care, at the moment." No, they were more concerned with why he was targeted.

Harry nodded. "Won't they wonder where you are?" He sank against his pillows.

Remus shook his head. "I told them I was coming here this morning." Harry raised an eyebrow. "Migraine," Remus said with a smile. "Lord knows they give me enough of them."

Harry chuckled and grunted in pain. Remus went to get up, his natural instinct to help kicking in, but Harry stopped him. "I've had worse. Don't worry."

Remus frowned. "Why did you do it?" Harry turned his head away and Remus tensed. "I just thought you might have come to help me, but I guess-"

"You thought right. I did come to help."

Now he was getting somewhere. "But it was dangerous and they wanted me, not you. You could have been killed. And look at what I put you through just a few days ago."

"I have forgotten that little incident." He paused. "The danger was no different for you. Don't tell me you had a higher possibility of living," Harry murmured. "They attacked you in broad daylight. Did you expect me to leave you to die?"

"No, but I can take care of myself. I don't need you to baby-sit me!" Remus snarled, his control slipping slightly.

"I know that," Harry groaned.

"Then why interfere?" Remus roared, losing his temper altogether. "I am perfectly capable-"

Harry sat bolt upright. "Who are you kidding, Remus? The full moon was only three days ago! They knew exactly what they were doing! It was four to one, and they attacked you at your weakest! When you refused their offer they could have easily killed you!" Harry put a hand to his throbbing head as Remus stiffened.

He groaned. "So you do know. All that research you were doing, it was because of me, wasn't it?"

"No. I had a…report a few years ago."

"I don't believe you."

"You're not the first!" Harry hissed, angry for the slipup. He jumped out of the bed and transfigured himself a shirt. He stormed from the room, ignoring Madam Pomfrey's alarms and the searing pain in his limbs. Madam Pomfrey was good, but not that good. His injuries couldn't be healed all at once without his body reacting badly. Still, Harry didn't stop. He knew Remus was following him, but he didn't care. He had to get away. He couldn't take the suspicion any more, especially from Remus.

Harry continued running through the halls at breakneck speed. He rounded a corner and cried out when he ran into someone, knocking them both down. Harry lay still, determined not to move until his body stopped coursing with pain. He heard his victim gasp. "Harry! Why are you out of the Hospital Wing?" Harry's eyes shot open. Lupin was standing before him. "Let me help." Harry took Lupin's hand and got up. Catching Harry's downtrodden look, Lupin relented in his decision to take him back to the infirmary. "Come on, you need a break." Lupin steered Harry down the corridor and into the kitchen where they were bombarded by hundreds of house elves.

They had just sat down in the room off the kitchen when Remus stormed through the crowd of elves and stopped in front of Harry, his wand raised. He looked enraged, Moony fighting to be released. "Stop answering my questions with riddles! You've been lying to me since you got here. I'm tired of guessing what's truth and what's lies! I know your name isn't Times, it's Potter. And I know that you," he pointed his wand at Lupin, "lied to me about him not knowing! And-"

Harry waved his hand and Remus gaped like a fish out of water for a few minutes before he realized Harry had silenced him. After that he clamped his mouth shut and glared daggers at Harry. "Thank you for finally shutting up. My head is throbbing, so, I would like to make this as painless as possible. No yelling, no matter what happens, understood?" Remus nodded. "Good. Now wait just one moment." Harry turned to Lupin.

He was pinching the bridge of his nose, just like he always did when he felt a headache coming on. "Harry, are you sure about this?"

Harry nodded. He'd had enough. "You said we couldn't keep it from them forever. Besides, we don't need to tell him everything. I think he has enough respect for other people to not pry when we tell him we can't tell him certain things. Right?" Harry asked, turning to Remus. Remus frowned but nodded. "Besides, we won't hurt anything. Remember," Harry murmured, "your memory is just now coming back, meaning a very powerful memory charm."

Lupin smiled as it dawned on him what Harry meant. "Excellent! Well, shall we start then? First question, Mr. Lupin." Harry waved his hand to remove the charm, acting like he was picking up his drink.

Remus sat down in a chair across from them and pursed his lips. "Well, I've figured it out that whatever you two are planning, you're in on it together, unfortunately. You'd be completely clean if you didn't favor him so much." Remus said, nodding toward his professor. He ran a hand over his face and stared at them for a while. "Who are you?"

Harry groaned and drew his knees to his chest though it was painful. "How about we start by presenting solid evidence that we are not Death Eaters? First and foremost, I believe we have both expressed firm dislike of Voldemort. Second, neither of us have displayed any aggression toward anyone, unless you count the Slytherins and people who happen to have an uncanny knack for stepping on my last nerve. Third, we do not have the Dark Mark." Harry and Lupin rolled up their sleeves, displaying bare forearms. "Is that enough evidence, Remus?"

Remus grunted. "I want a confession under veritaserum." Harry's face clouded but he consented silently and took the vial Remus offered a moment later.

Lupin grumbled, "You do know you can be arrested for this," before following Harry's example, taking two drops of the clear liquid.

Remus' face was grim. "Are you Death Eaters?"

"No," they answered together.

"Are you Death Eater accomplices?"

"No."

"Are you in any way connected to Voldemort?"

"Yes."

Remus frowned. "Do you keep regular contact with him?"

"No."

"Why do you claim to be connected to Voldemort, but you are not Death Eaters?"

"The war."

"What?"

"That's enough!" Lupin shouted, snapping out of his trance, eyes flashing as Moony helped him fight the potion.

Harry nodded and shook his head slightly to make the lightheaded feeling leave. "Good enough?"

Remus growled. "No. You made me even more confused than before!"

Lupin sighed. "You'll understand about the war after we answer your first question. Harry, if you will."

"Of course. I always get to go first," Harry complained halfheartedly. He looked over at Remus and locked eyes with him. "You are correct, Remus. I am not Harry Times. I am Harry Potter. How did you find out?"

Remus' eyes widened. He hadn't expected to be on the receiving end of this interrogation. "I…I saw it on your trunk when I was practicing revealing charms."

Harry narrowed his eyes. "Now you're lying. My trunk can only be tampered with by me, and it can only be opened by…certain people." He turned to Lupin. "How did he find out?"

Lupin answered calmly from behind his cup of tea. "The map, of course. Though he did open your trunk," he murmured.

Harry and Remus stared at him. Harry shook his head. "I fixed it though!"

Remus rounded on him. "You were the one who tampered with it? How-how do you even know about it, let alone how to use it?"

Harry grimaced slightly. "I am not as ignorant of the Marauders' practices as you assumed. I fixed the map because you and the others could not know about me and Century."

"Well, now you're going to fix it."

"I am not!"

"WHY?"

"Because I only altered two names and because none of the others are going to find out."

Remus actually jumped out of his chair in indignation. "They most certainly are going to find out! They're my best mates! They deserve to know who's sleeping in the same room with them!"

Lupin looked surprised. "Yet they didn't know who was sleeping in the same room for a year."

Remus froze. "What are you talking about?"

"You lied to them about your illness every month."

Remus' face colored. "Well, you lied to me about him not knowing about your lycanthropy! And I bet you lied about Dumbledore too!"

"Actually, I had no idea Albus knew until Harry told me right after you left."

Remus stared between the two of them and started pacing. "Then what was all his research about?"

Lupin sighed, "Perhaps you should learn my name first."

Harry smirked. Remus looked skeptical. "What's that look for?"

"Never mind him. That Death Eater did a number on his head. Knocked even more screws loose if you ask me." Lupin grinned and Harry glared at him.

"Did you just call me crazy?"

Lupin looked a bit nervous now. He was standing up already, moving very deliberately to continue exuding calm. "Well, I guess that's the, uh, layman's term for it. Why?"

Harry launched himself at Lupin but missed. Lupin dashed behind Remus' chair and poked his head around it. Harry rushed at him, making Lupin retreat to the kitchen where the house elves were forced to part to allow them through. Lupin ducked behind the counter as Harry chucked some mashed potatoes at him.

Lupin retaliated with something green and slimy. It caught Harry in the side of the head. Harry screamed in fury and splashed an entire jug of pumpkin juice at Lupin. Lupin yelled as he was drenched. He took a running leap and jumped over the counter next to him. Harry spun around and met him at the end. Harry let out an animalistic growl and tackled the werewolf to the ground. They wrestled for a moment then Harry straddled Lupin. Lupin glared up at the smug teenager, this was a game Harry could get used to playing, and growled. "You win, cub, but I'll get you next time."

Harry furrowed his brow. "Cub?"

Lupin smiled, his eyes growing warm. "That's what we called you when you were a baby. Besides, would you rather I call you pup?"

Harry snorted. "Cub's fine." He crawled off of his professor and clambered onto the couch where Lupin joined him after peeling off his sticky outer robes. "Sorry about the pumpkin juice."

Lupin mock glared at him. "Don't lie to me. You had that in for me for a long time. And besides, if you are sorry about that then you'd also be sorry for giving me a heart attack yesterday! And I know you feel no remorse for that. You have already told me as much." Lupin waved his wand toward the kitchen so the mess would clean up then directed it at himself and Harry.

Harry shook his head, now free of the green slime. "You worry too much, Remus." He sighed, rotating his shoulders slightly to ease the soreness that was creeping into them again.

Remus tensed. "What did you just call Professor Century?"

Harry and Lupin grinned at each other. Lupin cleared his throat softly. "I am Remus Lupin." Remus just stared at him then a grin slowly broke over his face.

"Alright. Tell me the truth. Who are you, really?"

Harry chuckled. "We're not kidding, Remus. You noticed straight off how much I look like James. And I bet you noticed how I act like him sometimes. I got his quidditch skills too-"

"And both parents' tempers," Lupin interrupted, putting his feet up on the couch so they crossed Harry's.

Harry glared at him. "Stop interrupting! Anyway, and my middle name is James."

"And think about what you know about me. Werewolf, prematurely gray, avid reader, ex-Prefect-"

"Mothering, cranky-"

"You're not helping, Harry!" Lupin huffed. "Does that explain his research now?"

Remus was staring at them with wide eyes. "No, it doesn't."

Lupin sighed. "In the future, where we're from, obviously, there is a certain potion I take to control the wolf. I am able to keep my mind. I am virtually harmless! But, when I came after Harry, well, I had no idea where I was going. When I got here, I found the potion has not yet been developed. So, I have reverted back to my vicious ways. Harry was determined to help me, and, well, you can figure out the rest."

Harry snorted. "Yeah, and thanks to my own father and his crew, I now have five animagus forms."

Remus gaped. "Five? It's not possible…I can't believe…"

"Yeah, neither could Century here. Moving on." Harry sighed.

Remus was loosening up now. The facts seemed to be slowly sinking in, but he looked skeptical. He looked over at Lupin. "Okay...Prove you're me from the future."

Lupin sighed and rested his head in his hands, thinking. "Well, there is one thing that might convince you. When the other Marauders told me they knew about my transformations, I panicked. I started blurting out reasons they needed to stay away from me, like how dangerous I was. Next thing I knew, James had marched up to me and slapped me so hard I fell flat on the floor. I just stared at him and he yelled, 'SO WHAT?' Of course, Sirius broke the tension by laughing so hard that his face turned blue.

"Then Peter got the bright idea to ask about the bite. So, I showed them. Peter almost fainted and James and Sirius were green. I just got into bed and went to sleep." Harry smirked. "What? I did!" Lupin glanced at Remus then pulled up the left side of his shirt. On his side, just above his hip, were fang marks. Harry could see why the others had felt sick. It looked like the bite had been very deep and had punctured the top of the bone. They weren't extremely prominent after so long, which was lucky because no one would notice the scar if they weren't looking.

Harry had never noticed it himself. Though it wouldn't have worried him if he had. Lupin never walked around without a shirt on, like most normal men did every once in a while. Harry hadn't thought about it before. He'd seen how badly scarred Lupin's torso was, but it had never occurred to him how ashamed his professor was that he had the scars in the first place. It was obvious he tried to hide them as much as possible. Lupin pulled his shirt back down and sighed. Harry looked over at Remus. He looked completely convinced now. Remus cleared his throat. "Well, I can't argue with that. So," he turned to Harry, smiling tentatively, "James' son. I didn't think I'd see Prongs' spawn until, well, a few years anyway. So, how'd you get here?"

Harry smirked. "Well, you see, when a man loves a woman very much-"

Remus turned red and chucked a pillow at him. "Idiot! Definitely James' son!"

Harry smiled and got up. Lupin scooted over slightly when Harry sat down in the small space between him and the couch. Harry leaned his head on Lupin's shoulder and yawned. Lupin cocked an eyebrow. "What are you doing?"

"Getting comfortable so I won't wake up with a sore neck."

"Oh, so I get to explain how we got here and be your pillow?"

"Yep. And right now this pillow's moving too much."

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Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.

-Proverbs 10:12