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Harry slowly opened his eyes and looked at Ginny. “Harry, it’s ok, you’re home now Harry,” she said lovingly.

He looked behind her and said softly, barely breathing, “Ginny, am I dead? Why are you in Heaven with me?”

“Harry, you’re not dead,” she said softly.

“Oh,” he rasped, “but if my parents are here, then I’m dead, right? Is Sirius here?” and then he passed out again.

Ginny looked up at Lily and James, their faces very pale and tears in their eyes. Lily had her hand over her mouth and was murmuring, “Oh my. My poor baby boy," as James absentmindedly rubbed her shoulders. 

The front door burst open again and a tall man billowed in. “What happened this time, Weasley?” He asked as he bent over Harry and started waving his wand and murmuring incantations. Ron retold the story as Snape looked up from Harry. “Yes, they’re developing new curses and I guess Potter got to be the guinea pig,” Snape replied, looking quite disgusted.

“Get your hands off my son!” James yelled.

Snape stopped short, an unrecognizable look on his face, before growling angrily, “Where the hell did you come from?!” When he looked over and noticed Lily, he added in a calmer tone, “Evans? What’s going on?” He shook his head and looked back at Harry, continuing his work, “Never mind, we don’t have time for this. We need to get him to a bed. The bleeding is slowing down, but I don’t think spells and blood replenishing potions will be enough. He’s just lost too much blood.”

Remus conjured a stretcher and began moving Harry to Sirius’ old room . It was still the way Sirius had left it, but since it was bigger, he thought that it would be the better choice to accommodate all those that were following. As he levitated Harry up the stairs, he began shaking with worry. Having James just suddenly appear, literally out of thin air, then to see Harry so pale and close to death, was beginning to take its’ toll on him.

James grabbed Snape’s arm and growled, “What are you doing to him?”

“I’m saving him Potter, that’s what I do. He gets hurt and I save him, over and over again. Now let go of me and go back to where ever it is you came from,” he snarled as James continued to look murderously back at him.

Hermione, who was one of the first up the stairs with Harry, ran back to the steps from the room and yelled down to the murderous looking pair, “Sir, he’s getting more pale, you have to do something.”

“James,” Lupin said sternly from the top of the stairs, “leave him alone.”

With that, Snape strode up the steps and into the room, leaving everyone upset and speechless as they gathered around Harry. When Molly walked by, her arms laden with bandaging materials and various potions, Lily said, “Here, let me help you.”

“Thank you, dear,” Molly replied with tears streaming down her face.

James and Lily followed Molly into the room. Harry was laying on the bed surrounded by people and looking to all the world as though he were already dead. Snape was still leaning over him saying a variety of incantations until the blood flow finally stopped pouring out of Harry’s wounds completely.

Working together, Snape and Ron managed to pull Harry’s limp body up to an almost sitting position. He took the blood replenishing potion and, with Ron propping Harry up, poured it down his throat. Remus helped slowly lower him back down, careful to avoid reopening the wounds. They waited, no one speaking and everyone holding their breaths. Nothing happened. No color came back to his face, his eyes never opened. Still they waited. Absolutely nothing happened.

Lily came back to her senses and walked to the bed, sitting down on Harry’s other side near Ginny. She began touching his face, her own stained with tears. She quietly whispered, but in a room so quiet, everyone could hear her words, “I didn’t come to the future to watch you die, son. You have to live, you have to speak to me. I want to hear everything about your life, even if I won’t remember it. I want to tell you how loved you are, how much you mean to us, because you will remember it. I want to hear all about you and this amazing girl you don’t seem to have. And I want to hold my baby boy who’s all grown up. I want to hear your plans for the future. I just want to hear your voice and see if your eyes are still the color of mine, even though you look so much like your father. Live for me, my baby boy, and let me see you. Let me hold you and show you a mother‘s love, that the world has taken away from you. Please, Harry, please come back to me.”

Everyone started wiping tears from their eyes and sniffing slightly. Snape looked around and told the room, “he's not going to make it. He’s lost too much blood and nothing I can do is helping. Even if we had time to get him to St. Mungo’s, I don’t think it would matter.”

Hermione suddenly jumped up and squealed, “I think I have an idea, sir.”

“Miss Granger,” Snape sighed resignedly, “I’m up for any idea you may have,” his voice uncharacteristically saddened.

“Well, there’s this thing they do with muggles sir, and I don’t know if it works for wizards, but my dad had a friend who was bleeding to death. They took blood from someone else and put it into him, they called it a blood transfusion since they were transfusing blood from one to another, and if we knew Harry’s blood type and could find a donor, we could try it, couldn‘t we? I mean, it won‘t hurt to try and give him someone else’s blood, would it?”

“But we still haven’t found any of that stuff. Sirius had it all put away and no one has found it,” Molly said.

“He’s WZ+, just like his mother and I, and it‘s very rare,” James said, as he looked at Hermione and Snape hopefully. Then turning to Lily, he added, “Maybe this is why we’re here. We’re here to save Harry and only our blood will work.”

“Of course,” said Snape, “I’ll be right back.  Miss Granger, I’m sure you’ve read about this somewhere.”

“Of course, Sir.” she said grinning.

“Follow me, then,” he said as he walked back out. They ran down the steps and out the front door.

“That was weird,” Ron said, “He almost looked like he was smiling, bit scary actually.”

At that statement, James grinned. “Definitely scary! Who would have thought,” he said, his voice lowering slightly as he looked at Harry, “Severus Snape would ever save my son.”

After a moment of silence, James asked incredulously, “Did she call him ‘sir’, Moony?” 

Lupin sighed before he said, “Severus was the Potions Master for their first five years, then he taught Defense.”

“Defense? As in Defense Against the Dark Arts? You do realize this is Severus Snape we’re talking about, right?”

“James, I suggest you keep that thought to yourself for the time being. A lot has changed that you don‘t know about.”

“James, love, please just shut up, just this once,” Lily begged as James nodded, still perturbed and a little more than confused.

Snape and Hermione walked back in minutes later. “We need to give him a lot of blood, more then we can take from just one of you. We’ll have to use you both, are you ready?” Hermione asked.

“Of course!” they both said in unison.

“I am not a Healer, so I can only hope that this works,” Snape warned as he began setting up the supplies. James and Lily looked warily at the mixture of tubing, needles, and boxes that began beeping.

“Right,” Hermione said, rather brightly, “ we need you two to lay down on either side of him and extend your arms. We’ll attach the tubes to you and run them through these machines,” she added, indicating the boxes. “Then we’ll run the blood into Harry and hopefully, his body will accept it.”

James and Lily lay on either side of Harry, tubes running from them into weird looking machines, and into both of Harry’s arms. Minutes went like hours before Severus told them they were finished, unhooked all the tubing, and gave them each a vial of pepper up and blood replenishing potions.

Everyone that was downstairs when they came bursting through the front door was now crowded into the bedroom, waiting to see if the savior of the world would wake up. Lily and James sat on either side of Harry, holding his hands, all thoughts of time travel and the absurdities forgotten as they watched their baby boy and waited.

After several long minutes, Harry’s face began to show traces of color. Snape started to wave his wand over the young man again and murmur more incantations before barely whispering, “I think it’s working.”

James looked up at Severus gratefully and said, “Thank you. I, um, know you hate me and you don’t want to hear it, but I am sorry Severus, for everything. Thank you for taking care of Harry.”

Snape looked at him for a minute, then down to Harry, then back at James before saying, “you’re welcome.” As Snape said those two simple words, an understanding was forged between the two and old wounds were healed.

Remus and Lily both sat in shock as they watched the display. Of course it would take something like this for the two rivals to make up, but they never thought they’d see the day it would actually happen.

“I…I think I’ll start an early lunch,” Molly said before going down to the kitchen, crying loudly. Everyone knew this was her way of dealing and several others followed down to help her and to “deal” as well.

Lily looked up as Molly left and said, “James, I’ll be right back.” With that she followed the others.

She stopped Molly in the kitchen and asked for a word. They stepped into the now empty living room and it was a few minutes before Lily could speak. Finally she nervously said, “I hate knowing I won’t be there for my son. I don’t know all the details, but I have a feeling you’ve been taking care of him for me and I just wanted to say thank you. Even though I’m just starting to get to know you through your brothers, I don’t think I could have asked for anyone better.”

Both women embraced and began sobbing as they held each other. When they eventually broke apart, Molly said, “Thank you, Lily. I love him like he’s my own. I could never replace you in his heart, though.”

Molly went back into the kitchen as Lily headed upstairs to her son, wiping tears from her cheeks once again. How could this have happened? How could they go from a normal, happy family one minute, to having their son ripped away from them?

“Any change?” she asked as she walked back to him and barely noticed that the room was now fairly empty.

“None,” James said sadly as he stroked Harry’s forehead. “How’d he get this scar?”

“That’s where Voldemort tried to kill him,” Ron said slowly. “Um, so your Harry’s parents?”

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Lily said, realizing they hadn’t been introduced. “I’m Lily and this is James. We were actually at our house when we suddenly appeared here.”

“Yea, Mum told us the story while you were up here.” Ron thoughtfully added, “he misses you guys. I know he doesn’t really know you, but he loves you all the same. All he’s ever wanted was to have his family.”

“It’s true,” Hermione added as she walked to stand beside Ron.

“That’s all we want for him, too,” Lily said sadly.

“So, where were you three? Why were you attacked?” James asked as he eyed the two curiously.

“Well, we really can’t say. We’re working on something, a way to kill Voldemort for good. Harry and Dumbledore started last year, but when he died, we started helping him.”

“Why Harry?”

“Because of the prophecy you’ll hear about when you go back,” Remus said sadly, running his hands through his hair once again.

“Ginny,” came a weak voice from the bed, making everyone jump.

Ginny ran over to the bed and said softly, “I’m here, Harry,” as she leaned over him and touched his cheek. James moved to Lily’s side and allowed Ginny his spot on the bed.

“Ginny, I saw my parents,” he rasped, still not opening his eyes. “I’m not dead though, right? ‘Cuz I feel like hell.”

Remus and James chuckled while Ginny grinned at him and said, “No, love, you’re not dead.”

“Oh? Good,” he said with another shaky breath. “Because before I do die, I have to tell you...I have to...tell you...that I love you,” he whispered, before passing out again.

Ginny let the tears fall freely down her face as she whispered, “I still love you, too.” She then got up quickly and walked out of the room as everyone watched her closely.

Snape came back in with more potion. “The best thing for him now is to rest. His body has to heal itself. I’ll give him a sleeping draught along with dreamless sleep potions, but he should awaken shortly.”

“Lunch is ready,” Molly said, sticking her head in the door, “you should all come have something.”

They all headed downstairs, leaving Lily, James, Ron, and Hermione alone with Harry.

“Will you tell us about him?” Lily asked sadly.

“We believe that you two know him better than anyone. Apparently we’re not going to remember any of this, but I’d really like to know about my son. The kind of man he is and what’s it’s been like for him,” James added.

Ron and Hermione began telling them some about Harry’s life, but trying to keep most of the worse parts to themselves. Most of what they told, were things James and Lily had already learned from the others downstairs.

“What about him and young Ginny?“ Lily asked.

Hermione told them how Ginny and Harry’s relationship came about and then how it fell apart.

“Best mate or not, I almost killed him myself for that one,” Ron responded.

“Um, son, I didn’t know Harry and Ginny had gotten together,” Arthur said from the doorway, looking thoughtful. “Guess that would explain a few things though.”

“So, if they’re not together, why did she kiss him, well me, like that?”

“When I said they were a little late, I meant three days,” Remus said as he walked over. “I guess she was more worried than we realized.”

“Well, he broke up with her to keep her safe, but he’s miserable without her. She was the only normal thing he really had. Even Ron and I are still part of his life against Voldemort, since we help him so much. Ginny allowed Harry to just, well, be Harry.”

“And one day, he’ll realize it,” Ginny said as she walked back into the room. “You should head down, before Mum has kittens,” she said and the rest reluctantly went downstairs, leaving her alone with Harry.

With alot of persuasion, Ron and Hermione filled James and Lily in on more of Harry’s life. Everyone around the table added their own bits of information, as well as gasping at the new information they didn‘t know. Soon they both started to feel that they really knew their son.

Before long, Ginny walked in and sat across from James and beside Ron. “He’s still sleeping.  Professor Snape is with him.”

“So Ginny,” said Fred, slightly miffed.

“What Fred?” she said tonelessly.

“We, that is the whole family I believe, were just wondering why you decided to kiss Harry.”

At this comment, Ginny’s eyes flew open and her face reddened. No one in her family, except Ron and now her father, knew about her and Harry and she didn’t know what to say. She started stammering, “I, uh, um, I…”

Ron, taking pity on her, interrupted, “Just leave it alone Fred, all of you.”

“I take it,” Lily said gently, “that my son is far different than his father when it comes to the opposite sex.”

“What do you mean?” asked Hermione.

“Let’s just say that the Marauders had no problems with the women throwing themselves at them,” she said grinning as Remus blushed slightly and James smiled broadly. “I assume, however, that my son tends to handle women a bit differently.”

“Um, something like that, I guess,” Ginny said, still not meeting anyone’s glance.

“So, you and Harry?!” Bill said loudly.

“No,” Ginny said, looking up at her brothers and shaking her head sadly, “not me and Harry. Harry has to save the world, and I guess I’d just be in the way.”

“Ron, you knew and you didn’t tell us?” George said angrily.

“There’s nothing to tell, just leave it!” Ron said angrily, before Hermione laid a hand on his arm to calm him.

James said in a rather vague tone, “I fought long and hard for Lily when we were in school. I may not know much about defeating Voldemort, but I do know, you never wait for the love of your life.” He then shot a knowing look at Ron who blushed.

Ginny, desperating wishing to change the subject, looked at Remus and grinned mischieviously. “So, Professor, what would Tonks say if she knew the women were throwing themselves at you?”

“Professor?! I knew it!” James said loudly and then started laughing.

“One year, Prongs, one year!” Remus said, laughing as well. It was easy to see these two were best friends and everyone at the table felt even more sympathy for Remus’ loss now.

“So, Professor, what did you teach?”

“Werewolf 101!” said the twins as the younger ones started to snicker. James jaw dropped and he looked at Remus in horror.

“It’s ok, James, they know. Practically everyone knows,” he sighed.

“Hermione was the first to know,” said Ron appraisingly.

“How did everyone find out?”

Remus, Ron, and Hermione told them the other details about their third year when Lily started to cry softly.

“Poor Sirius. He spent all that time in Azkaban and was never cleared?”

“Um, wait,” James said curiously as he looked at Remus. “If Sirius was in Azkaban, then did you raise Harry?”

“No,” Remus said sadly, “I tried, but Dumbledore wouldn’t let me. There were... extenuating circumstances.”

“Not the werewolf thing again! Geeze Moony, you could have done that, what was he thinking?”

“It had nothing to do with that. He had to live with blood relatives for his own protection.”

“Stupid muggle git,” Ron spat.

“Ronald Weasley!” Molly scolded, even though it was obvious she didn’t disagree.

“If we’re both dead, then his only living relative would be...NO WAY! There is no way my son would live with them!” Lily said angrily. “When I go back, I’ll kill Voldemort myself before I let Harry live with them!”

“Lils, calm down,” James said. “Who are you…the Durlseys?!” he gasped in horrified understanding.

“Yes,” said Molly, “and they’re a bad lot if you ask me, no offense to your family, dear.”

James said heatedly, “Petunia hates me. She even hates her own sister for that matter.”

“She doesn’t like her nephew very much either,” Ron mumbled.

“Yea, but remember the look on old Vernon’s face when we rescued Harry through the window!” Fred said laughing.

They all made their way into the living room, where Lily made them tell her what Harry’s life was like with the Dursley’s and she became more and more horrified at the thought of him living there. Eventually she broke down and sobbed as James held her, looking murderous himself.

“Enough about them,” Remus said as he tried to change the subject. “Kansas, eh? ‘The Wizard of Oz’ again, I take it?”

“Again, and again, and again and..”

“Now James, Harry loves it. Of course, if you ask me, I think he just likes the lion.”

“I like to read him Quidditch books, but when I’m not there, Lils has to teach him ‘culture’ or some such nonsense,” James said as he ducked the playfully swatted hand.

“Well, we want to know more about the Marauders!” George said eagerly.

“We found your map!” Fred proudly added.

“The map! You found the Marauder’s Map? And you know how to work it?” he asked as they nodded. “Impressive!” Then he looked at Remus and said, “told you so!”

Fred and George started telling them about the map and how they came to have it. “So, in his third year, we knew Harry would need to sneak out for Hogsmeade and we gave it to him. Never knew it belonged to his own father though, not until Sirius told us one day.”

“Molly made us swear not to tell,” Remus chuckled as Molly looked slightly put out, “but Sirius, being Sirius, told them the first chance he got. That’s also how I knew about Peter during Harry's third year. I took it from Harry that year, and when I looked at it that night, I saw Peter's name. I knew Sirius was innocent, because…”

“The map never lies,” James finished quietly. “So, since we know this, can’t we change it. You said Lily will know where to find Harry, can’t we write it down about Peter?”

Remus took out a small piece of parchment and handed it to Lily. “Put this in your pocket. I assume this is how you knew. But you can’t change anything about Peter, or your deaths,” he added sadly as he looked at his best friend. He felt terrible inside, worse than anything, worse than any transformation he’d ever had. Here he was, telling the person who helped him so much, that meant so much to him all those years ago, that, not only was he and his wife going to die, but they couldn’t change it.

“Why not?” James asked as his voice began rising.

“Because,” Remus started, then lowered his head into his hands before whispering, “Hermione?”

Hermione seemed to understand and with eyes full of tears she spoke, “you have to die. Your sacrifice makes Harry the only one with the chance to kill Voldemort. If you survive, he’ll come after you until you’re all dead, including Harry.”

The subject was soon changed and they began talking of other things, mostly Remus and James’ old Marauder tales, which thrilled the twins and Ron to no end and left Hermione and Lily slightly miffed. 

Suddenly, a very angry voice from the doorway interrupted their conversation and everyone present stopped in shock.

“Who they hell are you and what are you doing here?!” 


A/N:  Thank you all so much for your reviews!  I REALLY appreciate them.  I would also like to say "Job well done" on your guesses of Harry's reaction.  More of that to come in chapter 3.

Disclaimer:  Can't believe I forgot, but I won't insult your intelligence to think you actually thought I owned these characters or anything you recognize.  That pleasure belongs to JK Rowling only.