The World as We Knew It

Sirius dropped Harry off at Godric's Hollow the next day around one. His godfather had been very pleased with the speed at which Harry was now able to change his hair colour, and had decided that Harry could begin working on something else. Harry had spent the morning growing and un-growing his hair. Sirius had suggested teasingly that Harry go home with waist-long hair just to see his mum's reaction.

The next two hours passed slowly in the quiet house as Harry waited impatiently for Lupin to come. James was at Oxford again, and Lily at the Institute. Harry didn't know where Leila was, but guessed that she was probably in her room on the telephone again. At first, Harry had been surprised to find a telephone in a wizarding household, but then it hit him--his mum was from a Muggle family; of course it would only be natural for her to have some Muggle appliances around. As Harry explored more of the house, he found quite a variety of both Muggle and wizarding items. Besides the refrigerator Harry had eaten lunch out of the day before, Lily had a microwave as well as a Muggle stove, but neither were plugged into any kind of outlet. Harry's guess was that they all ran on some type of magical current.

At three, the doorbell rang. Harry, who had finally retreated to his room to pace, jumped up, but Leila's footsteps were already pounding down the stairs. Harry raced down the hall and skidded to a stop at the top of the stairs.

"Uncle Remus!" Leila squealed. She pulled the door open wide and Remus Lupin stepped inside.

His clothes were as worn as ever, and he looked exhausted. There were even more lines in his face than Harry remembered, but Lupin gave Leila a cheery smile as he shut the door behind him.

"Professor Lupin," Harry said, and he took two steps down, then stopped. Lupin was looking at Harry, a strange expression on his face. His eyes flicked up and lingered for just a moment on Harry's scar less forehead. And in that instant, Harry knew without a shadow of doubt...

"Professor," he said again, taking another step. Lupin seemed to wake from a trance. "Hello, Harry. Leila, it's good to see you too, but could you give me a few minutes alone with Harry?"

Leila nodded slowly, and darted back up the stairs. "Professor?" she hissed as she passed Harry. "What's that, your new nickname?"

Harry didn't move until he heard Leila's door slam. "Professor Lupin," he said a third time, taking the last few steps slowly, tentatively. Lupin suddenly looked very old.

"Harry, we have many things to sort out and many questions to answer, but this is not the place. Might we make use of your sitting room?" Harry nodded numbly, and led the way into the next room. He sat down on the edge of a plump armchair, and Lupin took a seat on the couch.

There was a long moment of awkward silence. "Professor, do you..." Harry began, but Lupin cut him off. "I think you should just call me Remus, Harry. First, because it appears that I have never taught at Hogwarts, now will I be teaching anytime soon. Secondly, because I am assuming you have not told your parents what you and I know--that only two days ago they were dead, it would be best if you try to avoid any suspicious actions and calling me 'Professor' definitely falls into that category."

Harry nodded.

"So," Lupin said, "our next task is to work out how this change in realities came to be. Please tell me exactly what you were thinking as you went to bed your first night at your aunt and uncle's house."

"I was thinking about my mum and dad," Harry said quietly. "I was wishing they were still alive."

Lupin sighed. "As was I. In fact, I was thinking about Sirius as well, as I'm sure you were too. They were my last waking thought. I'm not positive about this theory, Harry, but I think our wishes, bolstered by strong feelings of longing, formed some kind of magical connection so powerful that we were able to change the past."

Harry gaped at him. "How is that possible?"

Lupin shook his head. "I'm not sure. It's just a theory, but I am quite certain it is true. There is a name for such a phenomenon--I read about it in my seventh year at Hogwarts. It's called an Aperio. There is only one hole in my reasoning, though, and it is because two people's memories and wishes alone could not change reality like this. At least three magical people would have to be involved to make a change as large as this. Which means..."

"...there's someone out there from our world," Harry finished.

"Exactly. As to the identity of this third person, I have no idea. But if we are to right this wrong, Harry, it is essential that we find him or her."

"Right the wrong?" Harry exclaimed. "What wrong? My parents are alive! Sirius never went to Azkaban and Bellatrix never killed him in the Ministry! I'll even bet Cedric Diggory is still alive! Why would we ever want to change things back? This is much better than the old reality!"

"You have every right to believe that," Lupin said sadly. "But think. What has changed about this world? Why are your parents still alive?"

"'Cause Voldemort never had a reason to kill me."

"Ahhh. I assume you're referring to the prophecy about you and Voldemort."

"How did you know about that?" Harry asked, surprised.

Lupin's mouth twitched. "Harry, I may be many things, but I am not stupid. I put the pieces together. A mysterious prophecy that Voldemort wants so badly he will take any measure to obtain it its contents, the rumors about the Chosen One circulating, Dumbledore's long absences and private lessons with you, your trip the night he died... There is only one explanation for all this: You are indeed the Chosen One, the only person who can defeat Lord Voldemort, and Dumbledore knew this and was preparing you by imparting to you some of his vast amounts of knowledge, including his theory on why Lord Voldemort is apparently immortal."

Harry was impressed. Lupin had got it all right. It was time to let Lupin in on the rest of the information.

"Yeah, well, he's not immortal yet," Harry said flatly. "And he never will be if I can help it."

Lupin said nothing as Harry explained about Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes, the ones Harry and Dumbledore had found and destroyed, Dumbledore's theories about the remaining Horcruxes, and the locket that turned out to be a fake with a mysterious message left inside.

When Harry had finished, Lupin nodded. "That explains a lot. Six Horcruxes..." The older man shuddered. "Only Voldemort would do something evil, so perverted. But Harry, have you thought of how you are to destroy the Horcruxes despite these new circumstances we are under? I am assuming that now you have neither Mr. Weasley nor Miss Granger to assist you."

Harry had not thought about this. "Unless one of them was the third person in this Aperio thing," he suggested hopefully. It was really discouraging to think that his friends of six years might not recognize nor remember him.

Lupin shook his head. "I doubt it. Only one who can really feel the loss can participate in such a strong bond of magic. Neither Ron nor Hermione knew Lily, James, and Sirius like I did, or had the connection with the three that you did. But I repeat my question. What are you going to do?"

"Do?" Harry said blankly.

"You and I are now the only people in this world with the knowledge to defeat Lord Voldemort."

"But I'm not the Chosen One anymore."

Lupin looked like he just wanted to shake Harry hard. "Don't you understand? You may not be the Chosen One in this world, but you still are the Chosen One in the other world."

"But there is no prophecy here. My scar's gone. My mum and dad aren't dead anymore, or Sirius. Everything's how it should be."

"How it should be? Is that how you describe this world? Think, Harry. The people are defeated and defenceless. They believe there is nothing more they can do to stop Lord Voldemort. Yes, maybe your mum and dad are still alive in this world, but Lord Voldemort still murdered them. You and I know that. He murdered them in cold blood, as he murdered Cedric Diggory. Sirius actually did die in the ministry."

"But..."

"Harry, LISTEN TO ME! You think you're going to just live a nice life now that your parents are back. YOU CAN'T DO THAT! No, they're not dead...yet. Do you honestly think once Voldemort has completed his plans for this country that there will be a single person left alive who ever resisted him? He'll kill your mum and dad, Harry. He'll kill them again. It may not be today, or tomorrow, but it will happen. And no one's doing anything to prevent it. No one can...except for you.

"Think of the grief and pain Voldemort's already caused in this world. Think of the people he's killed: Arabella Figg. Dedalus Diggle, Sturgis Podmore, Hagrid, Charlie Weasley, Tonks..." Lupin's voice broke.

"He's the reason Ginny's in Azkaban," Harry whispered.

Lupin looked up and met Harry's eyes. In that instant, Harry knew that Lupin understood the empty ache inside his chest.

Harry felt the heavy weight of the Horcruxes that he had been so glad to be rid of the past few days settle back down on his shoulders. "What should I do?" he said. "I don't even know where to start. Hermione was the brains of the operation. I'll bet she would have had the Ravenclaw or Gryffindor Horcrux figured out by now, not to mention having a whole profile sketch of R.A.B."

Lupin straightened up. "There is something we can do. But it involves getting more people involved. It may be risky too."

"What are you going to do?" Harry asked, wondering what Lupin had in mind.

Lupin looked him straight in the face. "Re-form the Order of the Phoenix."

The Order of the Phoenix invitation came the next morning at breakfast. Harry, James, and Lily were sitting around the table eating pancakes. Leila was nowhere to be seen; Harry guessed she was still sleeping. He had always wondered how Order members were alerted to the times of meetings and such, and he found out when halfway through the meal a little blue box on the wall began to flash and beep. James and Lily looked at each other, apparently puzzled.

"It's the Order," Lily said softly.

James jumped up and touched the box. The lights and noise stopped, and a piece of parchment flew out. Harry's dad caught it. "Another Order meeting," he said, scanning the parchment quickly and handing it to Lily. "This evening. I'll have to tell Gregory that tonight won't work..."

But Lily was staring at the parchment, her eyes wide. "James," she said hoarsely. "Look. It's addressed to James, Lily, and Harry Potter!"

"Let me see," James demanded, snatching up the parchment and scrutinizing it. "It does say Harry's name," he confirmed. Both parents turned inquiring eyes toward Harry.

"Well?" Lily said, her eyebrows raised. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

Harry shrank under their angry glares, but he had an answer ready. "Lupin talked to me yesterday about joining the Order. He said he wanted me to decide on my own without pressure from either of you, so he told me the risks, and I decided to join."

"I'm going to kill Remus Lupin," Lily hissed. "I can't believe he would go behind our backs! You're not even seventeen yet, and you've still got another year of school."

"I'll be seventeen in a couple of weeks," Harry countered.

"But you're still in school," Lily repeated. "James, back me up!"

James looked up from the parchment. "What?"

"Harry can't join the Order! He's too young."

"Lupin's right, Lily. Harry will be of age in a few weeks. If I remember correctly, you and I got married right after school, and we were seventeen when we joined the Order."

"Lupin said he'd heard about my skills in Defence Class," Harry said.

Both parents looked at him again. "Defence Class?" James said blankly. "But you got an A on your O.W.L."

"Um...I've got a lot better," Harry said. "Moody taught me a lot this year. I can even make a corporeal Patronus," he added as an afterthought, hoping that bit of information was enough to back up his story.

James looked impressed. "Really? That's very advanced magic, Harry. What form does your Patronus take?"

Harry grinned, remembering the night he and Hermione had set Sirius free, and he had defended Hermione, Sirius, and himself from a hundred Dementors with his Patronus. "A stag."

James beamed. "I'm honoured. But," he said, staring back down at the letter, "I still can't figure out why we're having another meeting. We disbanded almost a year ago."

"Lupin said he has some new information," Harry said quickly. "He didn't tell me what it was, but he has been doing some research over the last year and has come up with some stuff we ought to know about Lord Voldemort."

His parents winced slightly, but James nodded. "All right. If Lupin thinks you're old enough, who am I to stop you?"

"James!" Lily shrieked. "You aren't going to let him, are you?"

"Yes, I am," James said firmly.

Lily looked from James, to Harry, and back again. She opened her mouth, then closed it. Finally she looked away, tears filling her eyes. "It's really dangerous though..." Her voice broke. She finally sighed and said, "I'm sorry Harry, you must think I'm an old hag to be so protective when you're almost seventeen and all. I just don't know what I'd do if you got...hurt or killed..."

Harry shifted uncomfortably. "It's OK, Mum," he said. And it was. He knew a little of what she was feeling. He had seen the same mother-bear-defending-her-cubs mindset in Mrs. Weasley, and had felt the same protectiveness himself over Ginny.

James gathered his wife into his arms. "Lily, we knew there would be risks when we joined. But it's worth it, if we can do anything to stop You-Know-Who. Besides, Harry won't be sent on any dangerous missions or anything. He's still in school, after all."

Harry wondered what they'd say when they found out he was planning on helping in the Horcrux hunt.

Lily smiled through her tears. "My little baby, all grown up," she murmured, as she pulled Harry into a hug and stroked his hair.

"Lily, let the poor fellow go before you strangle him," James said, grinning at Harry behind Lily's back.

Lily released him. "What time is the meeting tonight?" she sighed.

"Seven, at Sirius's place," said James.

At seven sharp, Harry and his parents apparated into the square near Grimmauld Place. His parents had dressed in Muggle attire, and as they made their way toward number twelve, Harry saw a few other witches and wizards trying not to look conspicuous as they approached the house.

Harry saw Sirius standing at the door, and as each person approached, he said something and the newcomer said something back. Harry wondered if the Order had a password for meetings.

Sirius grinned as James, Lily, and Harry approached the door. "OK, James...What trick did we play on Snivellus in our fourth year in Potions class right after Christmas?"

"We Vanished the contents of his cauldron before he could take a sample to Slughorn," James replied promptly.

Lily scowled. "You Marauders were so cruel," she began, but Sirius held up his hand.

"Don't speak too quickly, Lily. The next question's for you. What hex did you use on James after he asked you out the first time in our fifth year?"

Lily turned scarlet. "Honestly, Sirius! You pick the worst questions," she said.

"Just give the answer."

"Bat-Bogey Hex," she whispered, looking mortified.

James and Sirius laughed heartily, and Harry grinned. It was amazing how much his mum reminded him of Ginny sometimes. Ginny. The name left a lump in his throat as he tried not to imagine what she must be going though right now in Azkaban...

"And Harry," Sirius said, breaking into his thoughts. "What Transfiguration spell did we study this morning?"

Harry looked up quickly, and Sirius winked at him.

"We studied Partial Vanishing spells," Harry said, giving the agreed upon answer, and Sirius swung the door wide open.

Sirius's house was full of people. Harry recognized many of them as members of the Order he had known. Harry saw glimpses of Professor McGonagall, Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, Emmeline Vance, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Elphias Doge, Arthur and Molly Weasley, and Bill. McGonagall was talking to a tall stern woman wearing a decorative hat that Harry recognized as Neville Longbottom's grandmother, Augusta Longbottom. A witch and wizard with round faces were having a conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, and with a shock Harry realized who they were--Frank and Alice Longbottom. He had seen them once before in St. Mungo's. In this world they must not have been tortured into insanity by Bellatrix Lestrange.

There were also many faces he did not recognize. A young black witch with beaded braids was chatting with Bill Weasley, and two older wizards with dark hair were talking earnestly with Mad-Eye Moody.

Suddenly Harry felt someone punch his shoulder. "Hiya, Harry," said Fred Weasley, and in the background Harry saw George bounding over.

"So you're joining up too, are you?" said George.

"I didn't know you two were in the Order," Harry said, looking the twins over. They were thinner than he'd remembered, and though they gave the impression of being carefree, Harry could see that some of the life had gone out of their eyes.

"Yeah, we joined up as soon as we finished at Hogwarts," George explained.

"Mum nearly had kittens..." said Fred.

"...but we told her we didn't care," said George fiercely. "Anything to fight against You-Know-Who."

Harry nodded. He knew the feeling. "Is Ron here?" he inquired, suddenly realizing that Ron was seventeen; maybe he would be joining the Order too.

Fred and George gave each other knowing glances. "We understand, mate. Don't worry, he's not here; you're safe," said George.

Harry looked at him, completely confused. "What are you talking about?"

"You don't have to act like it never happened in front of us," said Fred, winking. "We know all about it. And honestly, we don't blame you."

"Blame me for what?" Harry said, nonplussed.

Fred and George grinned. "For going out with Cho when she ditched Ron for you, of course. We know it wasn't your fault she liked you better than our little brother."

"Oh, that," Harry said, trying not to look as bewildered as he felt. "I'd almost forgotten."

They laughed. "I'd want to forget that Slug-vomiting Charm he hit you with too," said George.

"Well," said Harry, not sure what to say, but fortunately the twins decided to change the subject.

"So," said Fred. "Any idea what this meeting's about?"

"I guess we'll find out soon," said George. "Here comes Sirius."

Sirius entered the packed living room carrying several more chairs, but there was no way everyone was going to fit. "Lily," he called. "Can't you do something?"

Harry watched his mum nod and pull out her wand. She walked around the perimeter of the room, muttering spells under her breath. When she had completed her circuit she suddenly flicked her wand up, and to Harry's surprise the walls began to move. The room was growing.

"Thanks a million, Lily," Sirius called across the much larger living room. He placed the chairs next to the couch, and shouted, "People! Find a seat, please, so we can start!"

There was a lot of shuffling and noise, but at last everyone had found or conjured up a chair and pulled it up into a large circle. Remus Lupin stood next to the fireplace and waited for the noise to abate.

"Welcome," he finally said. "It is wonderful to see all of you again. It's been ten months since our last Order meeting, and last time we had decided to disband and cease our somewhat subversive activities."

A murmur spread across the room. Harry thought he heard one wizard near him mutter, "So why are we meeting now?"

Lupin smiled faintly. "I have called this meeting because..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the doorbell rang. Sirius jumped up. "Probably just a latecomer," he said. "I'll get it."

"I have called this meeting," Lupin continued when Sirius had gone, "because of recent information I have discovered. It is information on how Lord Voldemort..." A few people gasped. "...can be..."

But at that moment, Sirius appeared in the doorway followed by a thin man with a sharp nose, thin, colourless hair, and small watery eyes. Lupin's words died in his throat.

Harry stared at the newcomer in disbelief. A quick glance at Lupin showed that his former teacher was frozen with shock as well.

The man raised one hand and gave a little wave. "Hi everyone, sorry for being late--what did I miss?" said Peter Pettigrew.