Carry On

By: Teenlaunch

a/n: I just give up trying to update on time. When I get a chapter done, my beta's busy. When she wants a chapter, I'm busy. Well, here's all I have at the moment. I would love to get another chapter out this week, but even if I could I doubt my beta would be able to get it back to me. Besides, I have a midterm to study for and three books to read. I wouldn't have even gotten this out today, but nightingale07 (this one's for you) inspired me to put aside my homework for a bit and get this done. I will try to get another chapter out soon. School might calm down a bit in the next week.

Attention: I understand that there are a couple people still a bit confused about the whole Remus and Lupin/Century thing. I'm going to explain one more time. I know this is confusing, but there's really no way around it since I decided to use them both. Remus refers to young, Marauder age Remus. Lupin/Century is adult Remus. However (this is where it gets confusing) if only one of them is in a scene, it could change when Harry is talking. At no other time will it change in the text. Lupin/Century is always adult Remus. Hope that clears it up.

-----

Harry groaned. It seemed like that was all he did anymore. The Marauders had decided to prank Snape at breakfast. He had been attacked by numerous bottles of shampoo and combs, and his robes had changed to neon pink. Harry had glared at the Marauders who had glared back, Remus looking torn.

Harry had been alert all day. Something was going to happen to him. He knew it. He had just left Transfiguration and had the rest of the day free, which meant the Marauders did too, until their extra defense lessons.

Harry's training had been going well, a little too well if he thought about it. He had already developed well-toned muscles after only two weeks. By the end of the month he wouldn't have to keep working out every day. The book had provided the answer to his rapid progress. Since he had found out he was the Heir, he would be receiving new abilities, which had already happened, and an "improved body". Apparently, his need for greater physical prowess has caused his magic to intervene, speeding up the process. Even the book thought he needed more physical endurance. He was lucky that his body only grew more sculpted and toned rather than bulky. He had to thank his Potter genes for that. Though, Harry thought ruefully, if not for the Dursleys, he wouldn't be going through the change now. He'd have had the body a year ago.

It turned out that this new trait wasn't only due to his magic. It was one thing Gryffindor had prided himself on, and now it was Harry's turn. As a direct descendent from Gryffindor, his body had already started making the changes without him realizing it, such as when he ran. He could run four miles without tiring himself out. He was slowly understanding what attributes of Gryffindor and Slytherin he'd always had, particularly in small things he did, such as being overly sensitive to his surroundings.

Harry froze, drawn from his musings by a distant noise. There was something going on further down the corridor. It sounded like something was flying through the halls, making people scream. Harry was about to run and see if he could help when he froze. He watched in fascination as a bucket and twenty chalk erasers turned the corner and barreled straight at him. Harry took off down the corridor, dodging erasers as they shot past his head. They hit the walls, ceiling, and floor, leaving behind chalky imprints wherever they landed.

Harry turned a corner and skid to a halt. Another group of erasers was pelting toward him. He didn't have time to duck. Not knowing what to do, Harry threw his arms in front of his face and broke into a run. He almost collided with various objects, including fellow students, as the frenzied erasers pounded him from all sides. Harry thought briefly that the cloud of dust, surrounding and following him, looked just like the fog that dementors forced into his mind. But he couldn't think about that now. He had to find a way to call off these mad erasers.

He raced down the hall and stopped to get his bearings, but he stopped for too long. The bucket, which he had assumed was filled with water, suddenly dumped its contents on his head. It turned out that the bucket had not contained water, but a mound of chalk dust.

Harry sputtered and coughed, shaking his head to remove the pile from his now white head. Harry sped down the corridor again, winding his way through throngs of bewildered onlookers. He bolted down the Defense corridor, almost slipping as he made a quick turn, and yanked open Lupin's door. The man looked up from his tutoring session, as did Snape, Remus, James, Sirius, Peter, and three students he didn't know. It had astonished him and Lupin how many people had wanted extra lessons even when they were excelling in the class.

Harry ignored them and ran to the front of the room with the erasers and refilled bucket at his heels. Lupin, who was frozen in mid-gesture, just stared at him as the erasers, Harry, and his trailing cloud of chalk dust came closer. Harry ducked behind Lupin to avoid the erasers. Lupin drew out his wand and whipped it frantically through the air, obviously not remembering how the Marauders had bewitched them.

The missiles kept coming and hit him full in the chest, throwing him slightly off balance. He grabbed Harry and pushed him into the center of the room. The bucket emptied itself over his head again, enveloping him in another cloud. Everyone burst out laughing, Lupin loudest of all.

Harry batted some of the dust away. His arm shot up in front of him and closed around a struggling eraser. Grasping it firmly, Harry turned to look at Lupin who had his eyes closed he was laughing so hard. Harry cleared his throat and Lupin looked up, brushing the chalk from his robes. Harry lobbed the eraser at him.

It struck Lupin's face, leaving a distinct imprint running diagonally down his face but more dust settled everywhere else. Harry chuckled and, finally remembering a possible counter-curse, called off the erasers. He caught the bucket as it fell and weighed it in his hands. Lupin, who had wiped most of the chalk out of his eyes, gasped. "Now, Harry. Think about what you're doing. You don't really want to do that."

Harry smiled innocently. "Oh, but I think I do."

Lupin's eye twitched. "No! You stay away from me!"

Harry smirked and charmed the bucket so it produced four more buckets, but they were floating in midair. Harry glanced at Snape, who had an identical smirk on his face. Snape subtly pointed his wand at each bucket and Harry's smirk widened when he saw the chalk in his bucket turn yellow. No one else noticed. Harry drew the bucket back, as though he was about to throw it all over Lupin. At the last moment, he spun and dumped it over Peter's head, coloring him yellow from head to toe. A suiting color, Harry thought bemusedly. The other buckets dumped chalk over Lupin, Sirius, James, and Remus, making them (respectively) blue, green, orange, and purple. They all gave outraged shouts and jumped up. They glared at Harry as his smirk grew and he winked at Snape.

Lupin cracked his knuckles and took a couple steps toward him. Harry took a step backward for every step Lupin took toward him. "Come on, cub. Put it down." Lupin murmured with a predatory smirk.

Harry matched his expression. "You'd like that, wouldn't you? You wouldn't have to worry about me nailing you again." He waved the refilled bucket in front of him.

"True." Lupin lunged at him. Harry dodged easily but Lupin caught his leg and brought him down. They started scrambling to pin the other and Snape sighed. This would take a while.

-----

"Times, how do you know so much about Polyjuice Potion again?"

Harry sighed as Snape, no – Severus, he reminded himself, asked again. "I told you that my friends and I brewed it in our second year, and call me Harry."

Severus rolled his eyes. "Harry then." They were silent a moment as they both stared at the potion. "How will we get the fluxweed?"

"I can get it," Harry answered immediately.

Severus glanced at him. "There's no way. It's too dangerous. I'm the only one who knows, but-"

"I know about Remus."

Severus' head whipped around to face him. Harry stayed lying down on the Room of Requirements' window seat. "How?"

Harry continued to stare at the ceiling, worrying his lip slightly. He hadn't wanted to tell Severus anything so soon. "Severus, do you have a secret that no one can know, but you want to shout it out to the world?" Severus just blinked. "I think you do. Everyone does."

"What does that have to do with anything? How do you know everyone has such a secret?"

Harry turned his head to look at him. "I know it's true because I was forced to grow up overnight and I learned that if a four year-old has such big secrets, everyone has to have them, and a lot of things that I have seen since that day proves it. I have so many deadly secrets, Severus, so dark that even Century doesn't know them. Try to tell me that we all don't have at least one secret like that. I can prove you wrong."

Severus sneered. "Fine. Prove me wrong."

Harry sighed. "Take Remus for example. He has become proud of his lycanthropy. Not happy about it per se, but proud and he can't tell anyone. And Sirius: he left his family because he hated what they did, and he found the courage to tell everyone."

"And you and Century?"

Harry frowned. "I want to leave Century out of this. But you can guess, can't you? And then there's you. The Half-Blood Prince and a Death Eater to boot."

Severus jumped up. "How do you know that?"

Harry looked out the window. "I've known for a long time. Don't worry about it. I won't tell." Harry rubbed his scar absentmindedly and moved to fiddling with the locket around his neck.

"And you?" Severus asked again in clipped tones.

Harry was silent for a moment. It was too late to reverse what he'd done. Severus would never let it go now. "What do you know about the killing curse?"

"As much as you do, T-Harry."

Harry continued to stare out the window. "I believe I know one fact you do not."

Severus snorted. "What is that?"

"I can't tell you how it happened but I can say who, what, when, where, and why." Harry sat up and pulled his bangs away from his forehead. "What is on my forehead?" Severus raised an eyebrow. "Just play along, please."

"A scar."

"Have you ever seen one like it before?"

"No."

"Can you guess where it came from?"

"No."

"Can you tell me who cast it?"

"No," Severus snapped.

"Why it happened?"

"No!"

"When?"

"NO! What is your bloody point?"

"My bloody point is that I am one-of-a-kind, Severus, and I would give my life to reverse it! I hate being special! The only real friends that I have that are my age are out of my reach! All I have is Century, and if he was ever hurt, I would go mad! I got this scar from Voldemort when I was a baby. My parents were killed and I survived because my mother died to protect me and because of a prophecy. My godfather was sent to prison, and I was sent to my relatives who practically indulged in every form of child abuse except beatings. And now I find out Re-Remington wasn't legally allowed to see me until I was seventeen!" Harry collapsed into a chair. "Sometimes I think it would have been better if I had never been born. God chose a wonderful candidate for savior of the world."

Severus just stared at him. "What are you talking about? Savior of the-"

"World, yes. I shouldn't have told you that, but I don't feel like doing a memory charm right now. But I got off topic didn't I? The point is that I survived the killing curse."

Severus stared at him then started grinning, something Harry noticed he'd only started doing after they'd begun to become friends a couple weeks ago. "Nice try. Who are you trying to kid?"

"Do you really think I'm trying to fool you? Do you honestly believe that?"

Severus shrugged. "Besides the fact that no one can possibly survive that, I'd believe you. I mean, it is the killing curse for a reason. Don't you think people have tried to block it?"

"Of course. And I had to be the one to find a way around it."

Severus stared at him. "You're serious. You're insane. You made up that story just to get attention. I was right. You're just like Potter!" He picked up his things and made his way to the door.

"Where are you going?"

"Somewhere away from you. I can't stand someone too like Potter. I will help finish the potion. I'll tell you when it's done, but I won't be interacting with you."

He was almost out the door when Harry spoke. "You asked, Severus, and I gave you the truth. Whether you believe me or not is your decision. You will be hard pressed to get a third chance, so don't lose this one. Maybe it's time you figure it out that I am not my father, that I am not like Potter."

Severus snarled and swept out the door without a word.

-----

"You alright, Harry?" Lily asked quietly, touching his arm while he rested it on the library table.

Harry nodded, looking over at Remus' table, which was next to theirs, but not close enough for the Marauders to complain. "It's nothing."

Remus snorted and glanced over at him then at Snape who was a few rows away from him. "Why are you lying?" Remus whispered.

Harry grumbled. "Because no one can help me." He paused. "However, Lily, there is one thing you can help me with."

"What is it?"

"Just hurry up and admit that you like James so you can go out with him to Hogsmeade this weekend."

Lily's mouth dropped open. "W-what?"

Harry smirked. "Listen, Lily. It's obvious, and he hasn't cursed Snape in months. There's maybe one prank a month and they're never dangerous. The only reason you've been refusing is because of me. I want you to be happy and safe. The best way to do that is to get to know James and go out with him. Even if he says stuff about me, ignore him."

Lily stared at him. "You're serious."

"Dead serious. Lily, stop denying him. You won't regret it."

Lily bit her lip. "I'll think about it."

Harry nodded. Remus' head suddenly shot up from its position on his arms. "Lily, Harry!" They both looked at him. "Er, don't you have to meet Alice, Lily?"

Lily stood up quickly and gathered her things. "Thank you, Remus! Goodbye, Harry!" She raced out of the library.

Remus immediately sat down in her vacated seat. "Lily."

Harry left his face as blank as possible. "I'm Harry, male, black hair. Any of this getting across?"

"Green eyes too, eyes I bet the girls back home love, don't they? They're unique."

Harry frowned. He didn't like where this was going. "So?"

Remus growled. "I have only seen one other person with those same piercing eyes. Lily Evans, or should I say Potter?" Harry looked down at his book in defeat and Remus whooped loudly, earning a reproving glance from Madam Pince. Remus gave Harry's shoulder a light pat and gathered his things to leave. Harry watched him leave and turned back around to find Snape sprinting toward the door. "Oh no."

-----

"I think he's still in shock," Peter muttered.

"Definitely," Sirius said with a smile. "I would be too if the girl I'd been chasing since third year had accepted my 4,723rd date offer."

James slapped him and then opened Harry's trunk, ignoring Sirius' protests to being manhandled. He rummaged inside for a moment and pulled out Harry's sketchbook and journal again. "Let's see if there's anything new in here. I had a breakthrough with Lily. Maybe we'll have a breakthrough here too." He opened both books and sat them on the bed.

Remus picked up the journal and flipped to the last entry, knowing it would be better to go along. At least with him reading it he could leave out the more incriminating parts. "'Severus didn't believe me! I told him the truth about my scar and he blew me off! He said he'll finish the potion and drop it off to me, but our friendship is now at a standstill. I was making good progress with him, rather quickly too. If nothing else, I know I got my message through. I can't believe I'm actually concerned about him. He could be dead but I can't do anything. But one good thing has happened. Lily is finally going out with James. James was ecstatic of course. But I was bouncing off the walls. I don't smile very often. I mean, on my own. I smile more around the Marauders. I've noticed that I really can't stay mad at Sirius and James, not in the long run. I hope they realize how wrong they are before the year ends.'"

No one spoke and Sirius flipped a few pages in the sketchbook. Without looking at the picture, he tapped it so it was projected into the middle of the room.

The room in the picture was identical to the Gryffindor common room, down to the armchair in front of the fire. The fire was blazing in the grate behind a bushy-haired girl who was wearing a blue robe over her pajamas. She was sitting curled on the rug, a large book in her hands. She was watching bemusedly as two boys played chess, a few feet in front of her.

One boy looked very tall and lanky. He had blazing red hair and was wearing a maroon jumper with a golden 'R' knitted onto it and jeans. Harry was across from him, wearing a similar jumper, though it was green and had an 'H' on it and his jeans had a few rips in them. Harry was turned to the side slightly, leaning on his right arm as he lay on a pillow on the floor. The red head was half-sitting and half-lying down, reaching for a piece on the chessboard between them. All three had comfortable, contented smiles on their faces.

Sirius pointed to the date and a note beneath the drawing. 'Christmas 1996. Happy Christmas guys.' Added behind it was: 'I wish I could be there.'

James casually flipped a couple pages. The picture flickered then solidified. A mirror had been drawn but it was no where near whole. It had been shattered. The pieces were lying close together and inside was a broken picture. "That's Times again, isn't it? A bit stuck on himself, isn't he?"

Remus hushed him and went back to examining the drawing. Each mirror piece held part of the picture. Harry was on his knees, sitting back on his feet. His head was hung, his hands fisted in his hair. The bottom pieces of the mirror had small drops of red liquid falling into a pool beneath it.

Under the picture there was no date but a poem.

I wish I could cry

Until I filled the oceans

I wish I could laugh

All my troubles away

I wish I could find

The will to deny you

But for some reason

I can hear myself say

Take my mind

And mold it

Take my form

And transform it

Take my heart

And break it

Take my life

And throw it away

Sirius frowned. "What does that mean?"

Remus shook his head, not wanting to think on it, and turned the pages again. The picture materialized again and Remus couldn't help but stare.

It was three pictures in one. They all would have blended into one if not for the fact that they had been colored. In the top center of the page was a man who looked remarkably like James. His face was lit up in ecstasy. His eyes were locked on the black-haired, green-eyed baby boy he was holding high above his head, Harry. Peter pointed it out who the baby was but the others ignored him.

The second picture in the bottom left corner was of a man who resembled Sirius. He was sitting in a nursery, against a wall. Baby Harry was lying in his lap, supported by the man's knees, reaching slightly for the man. The Sirius look-a-like was tickling the baby, whose face was contorted with laughter. The man was smiling widely down at him, as though he'd never seen a baby before.

The third and final part of the picture, in the bottom right-hand corner, was another man. He was more rugged than the other two and most resembled Remus. He was lying on a couch, baby Harry lying on his chest. Both Harry's hands were wrapped in Remus look-a-like's t-shirt. The man's hands were lying on Harry's back. Both were asleep, their heads lolling to the side.

Beneath the picture was a scribbled note. 'Could I have chosen if I had the chance to?'

They stared. "What-what does it mean?" Peter asked.

-----

I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.

-Psalm 119:30