The Mathias Prophecy Book I

THE MATHIAS PROPHECY

PART 8

YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW

The Great Hall was decorated for the Halloween Feast with black cats, banners, cobwebs, and the traditional Jack-o-Lanterns. The floating black and orange candles helped to add to the desired effect and cast eerie shadows on the walls. The night sky reflected the stars and full moon of the October night.

The long tables had been arranged around the perimeter of the room so that the center could be used as a dance floor. The Weird Sisters were again employed to provide the music. A dais had been set up at the far end of the Great Hall, while a buffet table stood on the other side.

Remus looked up at her as they entered and she spoke calmly, "Its o.k. Captain there's nothing here to hurt you." He whined softly in response to her quiet voice, pricked his ears, and wagging his tail moved forward.

"Harry, Professor!" Hagrid's voice boomed as he crossed the room to them, dressed as, of all things, an angel, "Dumbledore said ta watch out fer ya." Remus appeared to recognize him immediately, and was wagging his tail furiously. He jumped up on Hagrid affectionately, startling Professor Snape.

"Hagrid, be careful," Snape warned uneasily.

"It's a' right Professor, 'e's docile 'nough. Just like any other critter 'e is. Senses 'ow ya feel. Ya just got ter relax," Hagrid grinned as he pet Remus.

"Now who's afraid of the "Big Bad Wolf"?" Harry teased Professor Snape. "Seriously though, I can't fault you for feeling uncomfortable, it had to have been a terrible experience," Harry said referring to Sirius' prank exposing him to the werewolf, nearly costing Snape his life.

"Miss Potter, you have no idea," he replied looking down at the wolf, who sat up and offered him a paw.

"See Professor, 'e's saying 's sorry fer what 'appened all them years ago."

"Very well," Snape said, not wanting to appear afraid in front of Harry. "I believe you couldn't help what happened," he grudgingly took the offered paw.

Remus wagged his tail furiously, but somehow knew better than to try to lick his hand.

"Here come Ron and Hermione," Harry grinned as they made their way through the crowded room.

"You're 'Little Red Riding Hood' and the wolf!" Hermione exclaimed with delight.

"Harry...is that wolf...?" Ron quizzed looking from one to the other.

"Yup, sure is, say hello to Ron and Hermione," Harry laughed, speaking to the wolf. Remus very carefully sniffed each one and wagged his tail, as he recognized their scent.

"Oh...he's so big and beautiful," Hermione said with wonder, as she gently pet him, running her hands over his thick fur.

"Nice and fluffy," Harry agreed as the wolf looked at her with what seemed to be a smile.

"Professor, I think they're both candidates for St. Mungo's. You did give him the potion, didn't you?" Ron questioned Professor Snape.

"Yes, Mr. Weasley, you needn't worry."

"In that case...it's nice you could be here, um..."

"He answers to Captain," Harry explained.

"O.k. Captain," Ron replied petting him carefully.

"You young 'uns 'ave a good time an' I'll be right over there," Hagrid pointed to where Dumbledore sat, nodding at them in greeting. "An' Harry, if yer need help with Captain," he winked, "I'll be glad ter take 'im outside."

"Thanks Hagrid, but I think he'll be fine. Oh, and Hagrid, nice angel," Harry said trying hard not to laugh, as Hagrid just blushed and walked back towards Dumbledore.

"If you'll excuse me too, Miss Potter, I'd like to go and see Professor Flitwick. He was asking me about a potion for his arthritis."

"Of course, Professor," she agreed as he moved off to speak with the other teacher, leaving Harry, Ron, and Hermione free to talk among themselves.

"Harry, how did you ever pull this off?" Ron demanded eyeing the wolf uneasily.

"Begged, pleaded, and said he would be good protection."

"Well I think it's fabulous, look how well behaved he is," Hermione remarked wryly.

"I think maybe we should feed him before he's not so well behaved," Ron mumbled.

"Oh, Ron, all you worry about is food, you don't want to feed Rem...er, Captain, you want to feed your own stomach!" Hermione complained.

"Now stop it you two. This is a party. Besides, Ron's right, I promised Captain I'd sneak him some food under the table," Harry advised heading over towards the buffet table.

Putting the leash handle around her wrist to maneuver better, she heaped her plate full of food. She made sure she took an extra helping of all the meats for Remus to enjoy, especially the chicken, ribs, and sliced beef. Remus watched with baleful yellow eyes, and Harry was glad he didn't drool.

As they all seated themselves at one of the long tables, Colin Creevey passed by with his camera. "Hi, Harry, nice dog, what kind is he, a husky?" Colin asked cheerfully, obviously familiar with the similarity of the two animals. "Can I take your picture with him? Ron and Hermione can be in it too."

"Sure Colin," she agreed nodding to the camera bug student, who was a year behind her. 'Remus might like to see what he actually looks like as a wolf,' Harry thought to herself.

"Say Happy Halloween," Colin directed pointing his camera at the trio with the wolf seated in front of Harry.

"Happy Halloween," they all chorused as he snapped the picture.

The flash immediately startled the wolf and he let out a low growl, baring his teeth.

"I'm sorry, Colin, the flash must have scared him. It's o.k. Captain," Harry said soothingly, petting Remus. "Colin's a friend."

"Hello boy, you sure are a handsome fellow," Colin told him calmly, "can I pet him?"

"I don't think that would be a wise idea, Mr. Creevey," Snape's sardonic voice echoed from behind him, "the animal is decidedly nervous."

"O.k. Professor. I'll send you a copy of the picture, Harry," he said moving off to take some shots of the other students.

"Ever watchful, Professor Snape?"

"Always, Miss Potter."

"Nice costume Professor," Hermione commented with approval, not having had a chance to tell him earlier.

"Miss Granger," Snape nodded his thanks.

"I see the Weird Sisters are back again," Harry remarked placing a plate of food underneath the table for Remus.

"Would you care to dance, Miss Potter?" Snape asked as the music started.

"Not right now, Professor," Harry told him nervously.

Everyone knew he was an excellent dancer, having seen him sneak a dance on the garden terrace with Professor McGonagall during the Yule Ball. The two of them moved to the music like professionals, and Harry had only limited experience; besides, having had to pose as a boy, she was used to leading. Snape sensed her discomfort, his eyes glittering wickedly from beneath his mask.

"I'm sure Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger will sit with "Captain" for you," he indicated, handing the leash to Ron, "hold him tightly, he's quite strong," he instructed as Remus looked at him, tilting his head. Snape steered Harry onto the dance floor for a waltz. "Pay back for calling me Sevie while we were in London," Snape grinned evilly.

"I'm warning you Professor, I'm a terrible dancer."

"I've noticed, now you are going to learn the right way. Just put your arms around me and relax."

"This is not a good idea," she said putting one hand on his shoulder and the other around his waist. "We probably look like "Mutt and Jeff," Harry told him uncomfortably.

"Who?"

"Never mind, it's something from a Muggle comic."

"Now follow my lead," Snape told her easing her gently out among the other dancers. At first she felt clumsy and awkward, but Snape had a way with music and his fluid movements gradually helped her to relax. They began to flow in unison as he gracefully moved her around the dance floor. She could see Professor Dumbledore looking on with approval, Hagrid grinning, and Remus watching warily, as he gnawed on a rib bone. Three dances later, he returned her to her friends. She was out of breath, but Snape seemed to have barely broken a sweat.

"Miss Potter," he said seating her back beside Ron, "it has been my pleasure. Miss Granger may I?" he asked, not waiting for a reply as he guided her onto the dance floor.

"Snape is some dancer, isn't he Harry?" Ron remarked not expecting an answer to his question, as he watched him guide Hermione smoothly over the floor.

"Jealous, Ron? You could have asked Hermione to dance."

"Couldn't," he said pointing to Remus, "I was puppy sitting."

"You could have brought him over to Hagrid and Dumbledore," she teased him with a smile. "You're just too shy to ask Hermione. I've seen how you look at her when you think no one is watching."

"Do you think she would go out with me? She's always yelling at me for something."

That's because she likes you. She knows you're a talented wizard and doesn't like to see you fail."

"Do you really think so?" he asked hopefully.

"It can't hurt to ask her out," Harry told him knowingly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, it's time to take 'Captain' outside."

"Aren't you supposed to wait for Snape?"

"Ron, I'm going out into the garden. There are plenty of people around. Just let Professor Snape know. The dance is almost over anyway."

"All right, if you think it's safe," he responded munching on a fried chicken leg.

"Snuffles is out there under the bushes," Harry reassured him taking the leash and moving through the crowd towards the garden doors. "Come on 'Captain' let's go and find 'Snuffles,'" she said passing through the doors and into the crisp fall night.

Remus was excited, as he smelled the night air, tugging impatiently on the leash. Nose to the ground, he headed off through the garden, tracking 'Snuffles' familiar scent. At the edge of the garden he stopped. Whining, he looked from her to the Forbidden Forest and back again.

"Don't tell me he went into the forest?" she asked the wolf absently. "What could he have been thinking?"

What Harry couldn't possibly know was that 'Snuffles' was being lured into the forest by a certain "rat" in an effort to get him away from her. Peter was also trying to lure him towards a Dementor, who was waiting in the forest, along with two other Deatheaters. They were going to make him transform, and then the Dementor would give him "The Kiss of Death," sucking out his soul, leaving him worse than dead.

Remus whined again and began growling, ears laid back, tail between his legs, the hair standing up on his back. Harry knew something was wrong. 'Sirius is in trouble,' she thought, 'I should go for help but there may not be time.' Unhooking Remus from his collar, she let him go. He took off running in the direction of the forest, with Harry trying to follow as she groped in her cloak to find her wand...

"Mr. Weasley, where is Miss Potter?" Professor Snape asked uneasily, looking around The Great Hall.

"She took Pro...I mean 'Captain' out into the garden."

"Did anyone accompany her?"

"No, Sir, she said she would be right back. She was just bringing him to 'Snuffles', Ron replied shifting nervously in his seat under his intense stare.

"How long ago was that?"

"Not more than ten minutes," Ron stated, becoming alarmed as Professor Snape stalked across the room to the garden doors.

"Oh, Ron, Harry could be in trouble, why didn't you go with her?" Hermione wailed.

"She said she would only be a minute and that 'Snuffles' was out there," he defended himself, as a prickle of fear rose up his spine.

"Come on," she said dragging him out of his seat, "we have got to warn Professor Dumbledore. He'll want to help Snape search."

Professor Snape searched the garden rapidly, a gnawing fear growing in the pit of his stomach. 'Damn fool girl, what ever was she thinking? If only she had come and gotten me, and where the hell are Black and Lupin? They are supposed to be protecting her...You stupid ass, they are probably with her,' he worried inwardly, stopping at the edge of the garden. Harry was not there, but even in the dark, the moon cast enough light for him to see two sets of footprints in the dead grass. They were facing in the direction of the forest. One set were those of a large canine, the other set....

"Severus?" Dumbledore's soft voice came from behind him, causing him to jump. It was not easy to catch him off guard, but Dumbledore was one of the few people able to do it.

"She's gone into the forest, Headmaster," he said indicating the footprints as he removed his mask. "Something has happened; Black and Lupin must be with her."

What happened next made Severus Snape's blood turn to ice. Dumbledore flinched, and Ron and Hermione exchanged terrified glances. Emanating from the forest came the long drawn out wail of a wolf. Not just an ordinary wolf, but one they all knew, a werewolf. He was closing in on his prey.

"Ron, Hermione, I want you both to go back into the Feast. Tell Professor McGonagall Harry is missing. She'll understand. Then have Hagrid go to his cabin. He's to alert the elves and wait for our signal. The two of you meanwhile, will act as if nothing is going on. Do you understand me?" Dumbledore asked. They nodded. "Professor Snape and I will go into the forest and find out what's happened," Dumbledore informed them in a voice that brooked no argument. He knew they wanted to come, but it was unsafe, and they didn't know who or what they would be facing.

"We'll do as you say, Headmaster," Hermione said before Ron could put up an argument.

"Mr. Weasley, Miss Potter will be all right, this is not your fault," Snape told him in an uncharacteristically nice tone. ' No,' he thought, 'it's mine, and I have to make things right again.'

The two frightened students did as Dumbledore instructed as The Headmaster and Snape moved off rapidly in the direction of the forest...

The moon cast eerie shadows as Harry moved along the path further into the forest. She could no longer hear Remus crashing through the underbrush. She was debating on going back to summon help when she heard voices up ahead. Stealthily creeping closer, she moved to a position behind a tree, from where she could see. There were four figures in a small clearing; two wore the robes of the Deatheaters, but were unmasked. They were torturing a man with his face down on the ground and shielded from her view. Her heart started pounding in terror when the fourth figure moved further into her line of vision, and her head spun as she became dizzy. It was a Dementor!

Changing her position, she was able to get a better view of the men's faces. The two Deatheaters were McNair and Peter Pettigrew! The figure on the ground moaned in pain, rolling over, revealing his face in the moonlight; it was Sirius!

The Dementor started to move towards him, and Harry knew she had to act swiftly. Stepping out from her hiding place behind the tree, wand held high, she put the thought of when Sirius had returned to Hogwarts into her mind and she had been so happy. Jumping with a swift agile movement, she positioned herself between Sirius and the Dementor, yelling, "Expecto Patronum!" Immediately there was a bright silver flash and a large Stag appeared. The Dementor backed away and disappeared. Sirius moaned and opened his eyes. Moaning again, he spit up some blood, and sat up groggily, looking confused and disheveled

"Fuck, Black's awake," McNair, yelled. "Pettigrew, grab the Potter bitch!"

"With pleasure, the Dark Lord will be pleased," Pettigrew answered as he advanced towards Harry.

"Crucio!" Harry exclaimed, directing her wand at the menacing wizard, and Pettigrew toppled over in pain. "The Cruciatus curse is too good for you, but I need you alive. Petrificus Totalus," she shouted stunning Pettigrew into immobility as McNair turned, aiming his wand at her.

Just then, a huge gray shape charged out of the woods. McNair backed up in terror, dropping his wand in the dirt. It was Remus, fangs bared, his eyes round with fury, as he let out a long drawn out howl.

"Sirius, get up, we need help," Harry pleaded as Remus pinned McNair up against a tree.

"I'm o.k., Harry," his voice came from behind her, as he stood up shakily.

"Can you transform? Are you strong enough?"

"Yes...I...Pettigrew!" Sirius shouted furiously as he saw the unconscious man on the ground.

"I put a curse on him. Sirius, we need him alive," Harry cautioned, knowing that Sirius had no compunctions about killing the man who had betrayed her parents.

"Nice job, I would have killed him."

"Listen to me," Harry said impatiently, "Remus can hold off McNair, but that Dementor may come back..."

"Right, I understand. I'll go for Dumbledore. Will you be all right here by yourself?"

"I got this far didn't I? Besides, Remus is here too," she told him waving her wand in the direction of the wolf, "now go, and please hurry. There may be others somewhere in the woods we don't know about."

Sirius didn't wait to hear more. He transformed and took off through the trees at a run...

"Headmaster, I believe she may have gone this way," Snape remarked examining a small piece of red cloth, he spotted in the moonlight, "Harry must have caught her cloak on this bramble."

"You're right, Severus, let's keep moving," Dumbledore advised worriedly pushing on through the dead brush.

The forest had grown deathly silent. Dumbledore knew that with each passing minute Harry could be in more danger. 'Please Merlin, let the Prophecy be wrong. Don't let her have to endure what James inferred in the letters I found in his possession after he died,' he worried inwardly to himself, thinking of the two letters, which had been found secreted inside James Potter's clothes, one addressed to him, the other to Harry.

"Headmaster, listen..." Snape stopped short, standing stock-still, "someone or something is coming in this direction," he hissed as they both stood with wands at the ready.

"Who or whatever it is isn't making too much effort to remain quiet," Dumbledore whispered in reply.

Suddenly, a huge black shaggy dog appeared out of the underbrush, running in their direction. It was the first time in either Sirius Black or Severus Snape's lives that they were actually glad to see one another. Transforming, Sirius collapsed, exhausted, as Snape grabbed to support him.

"Black, what's happened? Where are Harry and Lupin?" Snape questioned, as he helped Sirius to steady himself.

"They're back there, about a quarter of the way in, by the clearing," he gasped breathless.

"Take your time, Sirius," Dumbledore soothed noting the animagus swollen features. He was severely bruised; obviously having sustained a vicious beating.

"Albus, we have to go to them, Harry put a curse on Pettigrew and he's stunned. Remus has McNair cornered against a tree. Albus, she rescued me from the Dementor, but there may be others, along with more of Voldemort's men," Sirius told them rapidly, still trying to catch his breath, worry for Harry and Remus etched on his swollen features.

"Sirius, I want you to show us exactly where they are," Dumbledore spoke gently, as if addressing a young child. "Can you make it back?"

"Yes. I wouldn't have left except she made me. She knew I could find you faster in my animagus form," Sirius said turning back in the direction he had come from. "Pettigrew...somehow he knew I was here...probably sneaking into the castle through the hidden passages as a rat. He let me see him. The bastard knew I would follow him into the forest. Oh, Merlin, how could I have been so stupid?"

"You did what any man would have done in your place, Black, you saw the opportunity for revenge and you went for it."

"Severus is right. He was responsible for both you and Harry losing the people you held dear. It is only natural you should go after him."

"After he got me into the forest, McNair stunned me," Sirius continued, "he then had himself a bit of pleasure beating me half unconscious. One of Voldemort's Dementors was with them. It was going to...well, you know," he said unable to voice the thought. "Then, out of nowhere, Harry showed up doing a Patronus Spell. The next thing I knew, Pettigrew was stunned and Remus has McNair cornered, shaking in his shoes. Shit....Albus...if anything's happened to her..."

"She'll be all right Black," Severus heard himself saying in an effort to calm the distraught man, "she's a very brave and capable witch, despite her youth."

"Sirius, always remember, Harry is at her best when the situation she's in can't seem to get any worse," Dumbledore counseled. 'Please Merlin, so far the Prophecy's wrong. Let it stay that way,' he thought to himself as they hurried through the forest, but somehow he knew it was a hopeless idea...

"Heh, heh, heh," McNair laughed coldly, "how long do you think this beast will keep me here, Potter?"

"Long enough. If you move, he'll gladly tear you to pieces. Of course, if you survive..." she smiled back evilly.

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh, don't you know? You obviously weren't listening to the conversation between Sirius Black and me. That's no ordinary wolf. That's Remus Lupin."

"Lupin? The werewolf?" McNair asked, trying to sink further into the trunk of the tree.

"The same. So I would stay very still if I were you." Almost on cue, Remus growled and snapped at McNair.

"Call him off!" The terrified man screamed, as a wet stain began to spread over the front of his robes, and Harry identified the acrid smell of urine.

Remus growled again. He seemed to be positioning himself to spring at McNair, when Harry felt a sharp stabbing pain burn through her scar, and she heard a cold voice emanating from the woods behind her. Spinning around on her heel, her heart skipped a beat, just as she saw the flash of a wand.

"Crucio," Voldemort's evil voice laughed maliciously as she was brought to her knees.

At the same moment, Remus tightened his muscles, leaping into the air to spring at McNair, and Harry heard a loud popping noise. The smell of gunpowder assailed her nostrils, as the wolf howled in pain, falling to the ground with a whine.

"A very nice weapon, these muggle hand guns," Lucius Malfoy mocked with an evil sneer, "especially when the bullets are made of silver."

"Remus," Harry called weakly, struggling to fight through the curse.

"Don't worry my dear, Lucius didn't kill him, the silver will do that," Voldemort smiled cruelly, looking down at her. "You know, I much prefer watching the struggle. Take McNair for example, he's useless, loves to torture his victims, but as you can see, he can't take being tortured himself. The damn coward has pissed himself and in front of a young lady. I loathe cowardice and he really should be taught some manners. Crucio," he uttered irately, pointing his wand at McNair, who screamed, crumpling in pain, writhing on the ground.

"That's probably the only useful thing you've done in your whole miserable life," Harry spat at him.

"Ah..., such spirit. I could spare your life you know...," he told her mulling over the possibilities, "you and I together...what a force we would be!" His red eyes glittered madly, "the power we would have..."

"Fuck you!" Harry cursed furiously. "I wouldn't join with you if you were the last wizard on Earth!" she exclaimed fighting to stand up.

"Uh oh...we'll have none of that...Crucio!" He glared down at her, smiling as the wand blast struck her again.

"Your days are numbered Voldemort," Harry spoke through gritted teeth, "and I can't wait to see you sent to Azkaban Mr. Malfoy," she said looking over at where Lucius was standing.

"Haven't you heard? I'm not going anywhere, but you are," Malfoy scoffed.

"Shut up Lucius," Voldemort warned malevolently, his eyes glaring at him like hot coals.

"Dumbledore will be here any minute, Sirius has gone to get him," Harry warned trying to buy some time.

"Oh, well...I'll be gone by the time the old man gets here, and so my dear will you," he laughed harshly, "do you know what this is?" Voldemort demanded conjuring a huge hourglass. "Yes, it's a rather large time turner," he gloated, seeing the understanding in her eyes. "I've decided to give you exactly what you've always wanted, Mum and Dad. You won't have them for too long though...and then I'll be rid of you all like I should have been in the first place!"

"You're insane," she muttered, scrambling to her knees. The pain in her stomach making her want to wretch, and her head was pounding.

"Insane? No my dear, I've never been more lucid," he replied calmly. "Malfoy...unfreeze Pettigrew and get McNair on his feet."

"Yes Master," Malfoy responded, immediately doing as Voldemort instructed lest he withstand the brunt of his anger. "What about the werewolf?" he asked, as Remus whined, shivering in pain.

"Leave him. It's a pity we'll get to miss his demise though...and as for you my dear...have a nice trip," Voldemort laughed wildly, as he spun the time turner.

The last thing Harry saw was Dumbledore coming towards her at a run, and then the myriad flashes of wands, as she screamed, "Professor...heeelllppp...meee," before she felt her body moving through space and time.

Harry had no way of knowing that Voldemort apparated leaving his Deatheaters to fend for themselves. Malfoy and McNair were able to escape after a brief encounter, but Sirius transformed, leaped on top of Pettigrew, holding him by the throat, to take him prisoner. Dumbledore then bound him to keep him from transforming into a rat and escaping.

"Headmaster, Professor Lupin is injured; he has been hit by some kind of a projectile. Black us talking with him now," Snape informed Dumbledore after he had completed the binding spells, which secured Pettigrew.

Looking over to where the werewolf lay on the ground, he noted that 'Snuffles' had laid down on the ground beside him, making soft whining sounds and barks, as he nudged his friend.

"Severus, how serious is it?'

"I believe he was hit with a bullet from a Muggle hand gun. The wound is in his chest, but the real problem is that it was made of silver."

"Silver! Severus is there an antidote for silver poisoning in a werewolf?"

"None that I know of, I was hoping you knew of something."

"There are some very ancient charms, but as far as I know they haven't been used in generations, and require the use of a healer."

"I've read about them, they are touched on briefly in the History of Magic Class, I believe. The Muggles have a poem based on one of them," Snape replied.

"Will it help if we remove the bullet?" Dumbledore asked with concern.

"It may, but we have no healer, and the one in Hogsmeade is out of town at a seminar. In any event he wouldn't know the charm anyway."

"If the wound isn't too deep I may be able to at least get the bullet out. That will keep more of the poison from entering into him," Dumbledore stated as Sirius transformed and kneeled beside his friend.

"He's definitely been shot, Albus, he has silver poisoning. We need to do something," Sirius said despondently choking back tears.

"I'm going to try and remove the bullet. That should buy us some time. What else did you learn?"

"Voldemort hit Harry twice with the Cruciatus Curse, she fought back," he managed proudly.

"But where is she now, Black?" Snape demanded, looking around. "I could have sworn she was here...I heard her scream as we entered the clearing."

"She did," Dumbledore said flatly. "I got here too late to prevent this from happening. I just pray that she'll find it in her heart to forgive me."

"Headmaster, Miss Potter adores you. I see no reason for her to be angry, and even if there is one, she is a sensible young woman, and won't stay angry for long."

"Albus, do you know what's happened to her?" Sirius asked gently, seeing the worried look on the old man's face. "Remus said something about a time turner. Is it true?"

"The Prophecy," the old man groaned, "when time turned back and went awry..."he quoted from memory.

"Headmaster, do you know where he sent her?"

"I believe so...now we'll just have to wait and pray for her safe return," he said, indicating that he would not divulge Harry's whereabouts. "In the meantime we can try to help Remus..."

Harry opened her eyes to the night sky. Trying to sit up, she was hit with a wave of nausea, and her head hurt, making her dizzy. She felt like everything was spinning, and closed her eyes again, wondering where she was. Her last memory had been of Voldemort setting the time turner as he laughed maniacally amid flashes of light.

The ground was cold and she just wanted to go back home to Hogwarts. Maybe she could find someone here who could help her here, wherever here was. Sirius would be frantic with worry, and Dumbledore and Snape were probably furious with her for leaving and going into the forest. 'Oh my God...Remus...he was hit with a silver bullet,' she thought, trying to remember what had happened. Attempting to sit up again, she realized she was lying beside somebody's house, in their garden. Fighting off another wave of nausea and dizziness, she moaned in pain, her limbs refusing to respond. Closing her eyes, she heard a man's voice. There was something familiar about it. She felt she should recognize it, but couldn't place it.

"Excuse me Miss...are you all right?"

"Help me...Voldemort...,"she whimpered as she fought down the dizziness and pain. Her voice sounded strange to her ears, "he cursed...me."

"Oh, Merlin!" The man's voice exclaimed as she felt herself being lifted and carried.

He was warm, his voice was kind..., and he had said, 'MERLIN'...a wizard! she realized as she fought to remain conscious.

"Where am...I?"

"Godric's Hollow, Miss," the voice answered patiently.

'Why was that name so familiar?' Harry knew she'd heard it before, but her brain wasn't thinking clearly right now. She heard a door open and close, and felt herself being laid down gently. She tried to open her eyes again, but her head hurt and her scar was burning intensely. "My head...," she moaned aloud.

"Shh...just take it easy. How did you get that scar on your forehead?" he asked soothingly.

"I was...a baby..." Harry stammered trying to open her eyes to see this kind stranger, but the room still wouldn't focus. "My...glasses...I..."

"Easy... They were beside you on the ground. I have them here. You just rest while I call my wife. She's upstairs with the baby."

Harry nodded feebly, "Thank you...for...helping me."

She heard him move around the room, and covered her gently with some kind of throw, before moving away again. A door opened, and she heard his voice from what she supposed was a hallway.

"Lily can you come here? I need your help."

'Lily? Godric's Hollow?' Harry thought in confusion. 'Think Harry...Oh my God!' She must have cried aloud, although she didn't think she had, but she found herself on the floor next to a sofa as the man ran back into the room. Helping her to sit up, he pressed a glass of water to her lips, gently forcing the fluid into her mouth to drink.

"Don't try to move, you're not strong enough."

"James, what is going on? Is everything all right?"

"I found this young woman outside, barely conscious; she said Voldemort put a curse on her."

"Voldemort! James, this may be some kind of trap. He doesn't know where we are."

"I don't think so. She seems too young to be working for him," he remarked doubtfully.

While Harry listened to their exchange, she realized she was still sitting on the floor, her back pressed up against the sofa. The room was dimly lit by a single lamp. She squeezed her eyes shut as another wave of nausea passed through her. She had no idea what to do. She wanted to hug them both...warn them...but somewhere in her memory she heard Dumbledore's voice telling her to interfere in time was absolutely forbidden; but she had interfered. Her and Hermione, three years ago, to save Sirius life, when Minister Fudge was going to have the Dementor do the Kiss of Death. They had helped him to escape. Why had Voldemort sent her here? What had he said, he would be rid of us all...of course, he had sent her here to die...

"Excuse me Miss...James she's barely more than sixteen," her mother said looking over her shoulder at her father.

"I told you she was young."

"Honey, can you stand?" Lily Potter asked gently.

Harry merely shook her head no. Her legs still felt like rubber, and she couldn't talk to them. Not yet, not until she could figure out what to do. If she saved them, would she wake up in Hogwarts, her life different, Sirius never having been sent to Azkaban? Her mouth felt dry...she was thirsty. She felt the tears well up in her eyes, and slowly trickle down her cheeks.

"It's all right, you're safe now, there's no need to cry," Lily Potter told her. Sitting down on the floor beside her, she put her arms around her, stroking her hair.

Harry just cried harder. She hadn't been held by her mother in fifteen years. 'Oh God, help me! I can't let them die!' she screamed in her mind.

"Lily, perhaps we should call Dumbledore. She seems so distraught."

"No. I'm alright....just scared," Harry managed to say. 'Please don't let them look too close at my face,' she worried to herself. "What time is it?" she asked aloud. 'What time did they die?' she wondered, angry that she had never thought to ask. All she knew was that it had been Halloween night.

"It's ten o'clock dear," Lily Potter told her as she heard a baby start to cry, "James, that's Harry, I've got to go."

"O.k. Lily, I'll stay with her," her father said as her mother slowly released her. "Maybe I can find out her name, or where she came from," he whispered to his wife. "Here little lady, you'll be more comfortable on the couch," he told Harry, helping her up and onto the sofa.

"Thank you," she replied feeling suddenly shy. "You said you found my glasses?"

"Yes, they're over on my desk. I'll get them if you like?"

"Please." She watched as he went over to his desk. The lamp caught his face and it was a mirror image of her own...except for the eyes... 'No wonder people look at me funny. I'm glad it's dark over here,' she mused as he retrieved the eyeglasses from his top drawer. She could hear her mother upstairs, talking to...the baby...

"Here you go," he handed her the glasses and waited while she put them on. "You're a witch, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Do you have a name? Your family must be worried."

"I can't remember," Harry lied, wondering what he would say if she told him, her name was Harry.

"Do you remember how you got that scar? You had to have been touched by a terrible curse."

'That's it! Tell him how you got your scar. He's smart, he'll reason it out!' she thought excitedly. "I only know I got it as a baby, the night my parents were murdered."

"Murdered," he questioned, "by whom?"

"Voldemort."

"Are you certain? How old are you?"

"I'm sixteen, why?"

"Voldemort has only been in power these past eleven years," he countered suspiciously.

'Oh..., Dear God, now what?' she asked herself.

"Who are you?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"You are working for Voldemort, aren't you?" James Potter said his voice growing angry, "I..."

"No," Harry said interrupting him, "I told you he murdered my parents."

"Why should I believe you?'

"I'll prove it if you answer a question for me?"

"Very well, what is it?"

"What do you feel is more important, doing what is in your heart, or doing what you know is right?"

"That's a rather odd question to ask a stranger."

"I have my reasons."

"Well...what we want in our hearts is not always what is right. That's why we have laws. Look at Voldemort. He wants power and will go to any means to attain it, but that doesn't make it right."

"You sound like Professor Dumbledore," Harry said with the ghost of a smile.

"You know Albus? Do you go to Hogwarts?"

"I can't answer that, even though my heart tells me I should," Harry explained, getting up unsteadily and walking slowly over to her father's desk. "No, don't get up," she told him as he started to follow her, "I told you I would prove how I got this scar. You were right; I have been touched by a terrible curse. One that has haunted me for the past fifteen years of my life," Harry told her father as she sat down at his desk, and tilted the lamp so the light shown on her face.

James Potter didn't move. He knew that face. It belonged to the baby upstairs. Harry...his daughter...Slowly, he willed his body to move, and got up from the sofa, crossing the room. He looked down at Harry, removing her glasses. He stood silent; studying her features, until very softly Harry heard the words...

"You have your mother's eyes."

She opened her mouth to speak, but couldn't find the words. All she could do was look up into his mirror image face as the tears rolled down her cheeks. Finally, he pulled away, and brought up a chair to sit beside her.

"How did you come to be here, Harry?"

How odd it sounded in her ears. Her father was sitting here, talking with her. However, she knew she could only say so much.

"Voldemort...when you found me I was recovering from two Cruciatus Curses and being sent back through time."

"My poor child," he smiled gently, cupping her chin, "why did Voldemort send you back? Do you know?"

She thought first, choosing her words carefully, "To stop me from fulfilling the Prophecy."

"The Mathias Prophecy? You've seen it?"

"Only recently. Professor Dumbledore allowed me to read it."

"What about some of the predictions?"

"Accurate...I'm here...aren't I father?" How strange to say those words...father. From upstairs she could hear her mother's sweet voice accompanied by peals of baby Harry's laughter. Her laughter. Her father must have read the expression on her face, for he spoke up kindly.

"It hasn't been easy for you, has it?"

"No, not really, although I must admit that being disguised as a boy for sixteen years was different."

Any doubts James Potter may have had were assuaged with that one statement. Only four people knew Harry was actually a girl; himself, Lily, Dumbledore, and Sirius.

"You said your mother and I were murdered by Voldemort. Is your godfather good to you?"

"I don't live with Sirius," she replied, knowing he was making certain of what he believed to be the truth.

"Why not?"

"Re read the Prophecy. Pay close attention to the parts about the dog, the rat, and the wolf," Harry told him as she was distracted by peals of laughter from the baby upstairs. "What is she doing, that I'm laughing so hard?" The question sounded strange in her ears.

"Either tickling you, or trying to teach you a Muggle version of magic."

"Muggles can't do magic," she answered confused.

"Abra Cadabra," he grinned.

"Oh My God..."

"You remember something about how you got that scar, don't you."

"Yes...Father..."

"Shh...it's tonight isn't it, the night of the murder? Voldemort knows where we are, doesn't he?"

Harry couldn't meet her father's eyes. She couldn't bear the thought of losing him again. "Get my mother and go..."

"Harry, you told me you got that scar when your mother and I were killed. He obviously sent you back here to kill you. He will fail tonight, and I won't let him have a second chance by finding you here. You know as well as I do that anyone in this house when he arrives will be killed along with your mother and myself."

"But..." she tried to interrupt.

"No, remember what I told you? What we want isn't always what is right? Your mother and I want you to survive. It's why everyone thinks that baby upstairs is a boy. It's your destiny. You're the one that will stop this evil. You have to go on...," James Potter said taking her hands in his.

Harry shook her head with wonder, "Father in about ten years my best friend Ron Weasley will say almost the same thing to me when we keep Voldemort from securing the Philosopher's Stone."

"You see. I don't want to die. I don't want your mother to die. Most of all little girl I don't want you to die," he said firmly, as their ears were assaulted with another peal of laughter. "Now listen to me carefully. You can't be here when Voldemort arrives. If you are he will get what he originally failed to do, and that is to kill you," he said tracing the lightening bolt scar on her head. "You can hide back outside in the garden. You know some of what is to happen; after it does, you're to be on left side of the house where I found you. The time shift should recur and you'll be sent home. Do you understand?"

"Yes Sir," Harry responded blinking back the tears in her eyes. Her father was both handsome and brave. Sirius had been right. He would and did die to protect his family.

Some of her thoughts must have shown on her face, for her father stood up and took her into his arms.

"We'll always be with you, Harry, don't ever forger that. Now I want you to go before it's too late! Leave out the back door," he told her decisively, steering her into the hall and pointing her in the right direction.

Harry fled the house, unable to see for the tears. Securing herself behind some yew trees, she waited. She had no idea her father was reviewing the Prophecy, or that when he was finished he wrote two letters. One was addressed to Albus Dumbledore, and the other to her. He made sure that he secured them inside of his shirt so that they would be found. He wanted to send them to Dumbledore by owl, but he wasn't at Hogwarts just now. He was attending some business for the Order, and he worried he wouldn't get them if they fell into the wrong hands. He then sat down to wait, his wand on the desk in front of him.

Harry heard a clock in the distance chime the quarter hour. 'It must be close to eleven by now,' she thought. 'Maybe he's not coming,' she thought in vain, for even as the idea entered her mind, she heard voices. Voices that she recognized!

"Master, I have no love for Potter. You know that, but there is no need to kill him or his family."

"No need, Severus? Potter has been a thorn in my side for some time now. He's a meddling fool. He refused to come into the fold, and Pettigrew was so sure he would, especially after I threatened his family. He's loyal to Dumbledore, and will stop at nothing to thwart my power."

"Master, even if you feel the need to kill Potter, what good will it do to kill his wife and child? They haven't done anything to you," she heard Snape arguing.

"Lily Potter is a Mud Blood; it will please Malfoy if I kill her. He hates Potter, and he hates his wife even more because of her parentage. He has served me well, so I will consider it a reward for him."

"And the child, surely he can't hurt you?"

"That child will one day grow up, and when he does don't you think he'll want to avenge his parents? No, I don't need any loose strings to clean up later."

"Master, can't you show them some mercy? A mother and child? Surely, you can control them. It will make you seem more justified to your followers. They will admire your compassion."

"Bah, compassion and mercy are for the weak, or do I detect some regrets? Remembering your wife and child, Severus? I let you live so that you wouldn't stray again. You haven't gone back to Dumbledore have you?"

"No Master, I remain loyal to you. Don't I tell you everything Dumbledore says?"

"Do you Severus, I wonder? Perhaps you're trying to play your own little game again. Is that why the death of a Mud Blood and her brat bothers you so much? You were probably hoping that the child had been a girl perhaps. Then, she would have been doubly doomed. Do you really think I would let such a child live? I've studied the prophecy. Even more reason to kill the Potters. They may have other offspring," Voldemort laughed cruelly

"But Lord Voldemort, if you spare the mother and child I could be there to make sure they came over to your way of thinking."

"Interesting notion, could it be you like Lily Potter more than you should? No, the Potters will be history before midnight, and those who are trying to thwart me will be taught a lesson."

"Master..."

"Crucio," Voldemort yelled the curse, hitting Snape in the stomach. "Go, I don't need your sniveling to spoil my hour of triumph. How dare you try to change my mind? Oh, and Severus..."

"Yes Lord," Snape replied fighting the curse without uttering a sound.

"Don't let me find out that you've been lying to me about your loyalty."

"No, Master, I remain loyal to you," Snape replied as he apparated, and Voldemort headed into the house.

All over, she heard the nightmare she'd had for the past fifteen years. She didn't need to see it. Only this time, when the final flash came, she knew what had happened. She knew baby Harry had picked up her dead mother's wand and tried to say Abra Cadabra, just as Voldemort pointed his wand at her. However, the words didn't come out right. Instead, a garbled version of Avada Kedavra hit Voldemort like a ton of bricks. It wasn't clear enough to kill him, but it turned him into the creature Harry had originally encountered. It was that creature she saw leave the Potter house as it blew apart. Her mother's love had not only spared her life, it had helped her to learn the words that slowed the onslaught of the Dark Lord, and bought her the time to grow up to face him again.

The clock in the distance began to strike eleven as Harry raced over to where her father had said he had found her. Harry held her breath, as off in the distance she heard the sound of a motorcycle coming towards the house; Sirius was racing towards his destiny and twelve years in Azkaban. It was the last thing she was aware of as she felt herself being pulled forward to what she hoped was home...

"Harry, thank Merlin you're safe!" Sirius voice said as he began to examine her for any sign of injury. "You vanished and we didn't know what happened."

"I'm o.k.," she replied looking at him as if she had never seen him before. How could she ever tell him she had been with her father...had heard his motorcycle? Her reverie was interrupted by a low whine that caught her attention... "Remus, he's been shot with silver!" she exclaimed getting up on wobbly legs, as Sirius steadied her.

"Yes, Child, I was able to remove the bullet, but the poison is still in him. He's dying."

"No, I can save him. I know I can. Snape, get me some Ash bark, NOW!" Harry said so forcefully that Professor Snape didn't wait for Dumbledore's nod, but disappeared into the forest. He was back in a few minutes, watching her closely, with a scowl.

"Hey, Captain," Harry said softly running her hand along the thick fur, "the Princess is one up on the Evil Wizard tonight. Now she's going to make it two. I have to work fast though; the moon is going to set soon. I learned in History of Magic about this old spell. I did a report on it and now I'm glad I did. Nevertheless, I will need to get it done before you change back. It may be painful though, so be good and don't try to bite."

"You can't, it's too dangerous Potter," Snape said grabbing onto her arm as Remus whined in pain.

"Do you know the spell?'

"It doesn't work. You need a healer and it has to be a real one, and even then, it doesn't always work. You're untried and we're not sure if you are a natural healer. You can kill yourself."

"Do you believe in prophecies, Professor?"

"What has one to do with the other?"

"You studied the Mathias Prophecy, did you not?"

"Yes..."

"Then shut up and help me. I'll need you to break the contact. No one knows more about the Dark Arts and Charms, except Dumbledore...I won't risk his health, I'm too pissed off at him," Harry said looking at the Headmaster.

"Harry, you're not going to do dark magic. I forbid it!" Sirius objected sternly. "Remus wouldn't want you to either."

"Sirius, she's going to do a healing counter curse, but it isn't always successful. It can also be dangerous. Because Remus is a werewolf, he is considered cursed with dark magic, the silver is considered pure, which is why it is lethal to him. What Harry wants to do is remove the silver, but it can be dangerous. She has to allow the poison to pass through her and into a magical healing substance, in this case the Ash bark," Dumbledore explained patiently.

"No, I won't risk them both!" Sirius said pacing with anxiety.

"Sirius, I saved more than your life tonight. Let me try and save Remus, you owe me that much," Harry said more calmly than she felt.

Sirius looked over to Dumbledore who nodded his assent, then looked back at Harry, "Harry I..."

"I'll be fine, I promise. I survived a killing curse, remember?" she did not wait for his answer, as time was running out. "Are you ready Professor?"

Snape didn't answer, merely nodded, looking at her with admiration and curiosity. He wondered what had happened when she had vanished, and knew it had to do with the Prophecy. He also knew that according to the same Prophecy she would be able to save Lupin. He held his breath and waited, wondering if the spell would work.

Harry took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She then ran her hands over Remus again. She could feel the energy within herself. Closing her eyes, she was almost immediately bathed in a blue light, which she transmitted into Remus. Then she began to chant a variation on an ancient gypsy rhyme...

HERE IS A MAN WHO IS PURE IN HEART

HE SAID HIS PRAYERS AT NIGHT

YET HE BECOMES A WOLF

WHEN THE WOLFSBANE BLOOMS

AND THE MOON IS FULL AND BRIGHT

POISONED HE CAME TO BE

FROM SOME SILVER

YES, YOU SEE

AS THE MOON SHONE BRIGHT AND CLEAR

AND MENS HEARTS ARE FULL OF FEAR

SO TRANSFER THE SILVER INTO ME

AS WAS DONE LONG PAST

AND FROM ME I'LL GIVE YOU SEE,

THE SILVER TO THIS ASH

As Harry said the simple counter spell, she kept one hand on Remus, the other on the ash bark. The wind blew in the trees and they could see a fine gray line going from Remus, through the blue energy stream and into Harry, who was transferring it into the ash bark. This procedure went on for about thirty minutes, until the gray stream faded, just as the moon set. Snape then reacted quickly, pulling Harry away from Remus as the ash bark burst into flames, but Harry was unconscious.

She never saw Remus turn back into human form, or heard the anguish in Sirius voice, as they were both carried back to Hogwarts and placed into the hospital wing. She didn't know that Dumbledore had dispatched an owl to Mad Eye Moody informing him that Peter Pettigrew had been captured alive. He was being held at Hogwarts until Moody himself could pick him up for interrogation, to assure that he didn't escape, or that Voldemort's followers attempted to kill him before he could give them any information on the Dark Lords Plans.