Future Imperfect

Author's Note: This story was conceived before DH came out, and while I considered re-working it to fit with cannon, I decided against it in the end.

* * *

"If Voldemort had never heard of the prophecy, would it have been fulfilled? Would it have meant anything? Of course not! Do you think every prophecy in the Hall of Prophecy has been fulfilled?"

-Dumbledore, HBP

-----------------------------------

Remus woke to the faraway sound of a whistling teapot, and the distinctive feeling of something wet and slightly rough against his cheek. Opening his eyes a crack, he noted that the dawn light had barely begun to filter in through the heavy drapes.

"Mmph... Padfoot-" He squirmed away and rolled over onto his left side. "Too early..." he mumbled, before burying his head under the duvet. But the black dog was persistent, wriggling his wet nose through the gap Remus had left himself to breathe, his tail beating against the covers with every eager wag.

Eventually, Remus gave in (though his eyes remained determinedly closed), reaching over to stroke the black dog affectionately behind the ear. He noted the change in timbre as the snuffling noise at his ear became a contended sigh. The licking, however, did not stop.

"Mmm," he murmured, rolling over to face Sirius, "alright, you've succeeded in getting me up," -at this Sirius waggled his eyebrows suggestively, which Remus ignored- "now what could possibly be so important to merit waking me at this ungodly hour?"

Sirius propped himself up on one elbow, grinning broadly.

"It's Harry's birthday party today."

"It's six o'clock."

"Yeah, well," he stated matter-of-factly, "don't want to be late, do I?"

Remus let out a long sigh of protest, though he couldn't help being endeared by how seriously Sirius took his duties as godfather.

"There's a cup of tea in it for you," Sirius bribed.
"I think I had something else in mind," Remus murmured, pulling the dark-haired man back down towards him.

------------------------------------

They apparated at the end of the short walkway. Sirius led the way up to the door, and Remus followed closely, presents in hand.

After knocking twice, Sirius raised his voice.

"Hello? Anyone home?"

"Oh, bugger- it's open!" called a woman's voice from somewhere within the depths of the house.

They let themselves in, and followed the voice to the kitchen at the back of the house. The red-haired woman greeted them warmly, though both her arms were occupied with the makings of what looked like a veritable feast.

"Sirius, Remus! So glad you could make it."

"As though I would miss my own godson's birthday!" Sirius crooned indignantly.

"Lily, you look ravishing, as always." Remus leaned in to kiss her on both cheeks. Lily rolled her eyes in protest, though a half-smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. She wore a flour-stained apron over her summery robes, and her hair was done up in a loose bun. A large mixing bowl floated next to her, a wooden spoon tirelessly stirring its chocolatey contents.

"Anything we can do to assist you, Miss Evans- oh excuse me, Mrs. Potter," Sirius corrected himself, with exaggerated formality. Lily smiled.

"James is through the back, setting up out there, why don't you go see if he needs any help?"

Knowing Remus was better suited to tasks involving chocolate, she added, "Remus, why don't you stay on a minute and give me a hand with this cake?"

------------------------------------------------

Two hours later, Harry sat cross-legged on the lawn, surrounded by a circle of guests. Around him, the lawn was strewn with wrapping paper, ribbons, and crumbs of chocolate cake. Directly in front of him was a large bronze cage housing a majestic white snowy owl.

"She's beautiful, mum!"

Lily smiled warmly.

"Well, your father and I thought it would be nice for you to have your own owl at Hogwarts- this way you can always be in touch with us."

"What are you going to call her, Harry?" asked Peter.

"Not sure yet," said Harry, thoughtfully. "Maybe 'Hedwig'," he added, "it's a name I saw in A History of Magic."

"I think that's a lovely name, lad," said Remus, fondly ruffling the boy's hair.

There was just one gift left to open- his godfather's. Harry had deliberately saved his gift for last. He tore hastily at the paper.

"One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, gee, thanks Sirius."

"Well, that's one less thing you'll have to buy at Flourish and Blotts tomorrow!"

"How very practical of you, Sirius," commended Lily, a note of suspicion in her voice. Sirius's eyes twinkled.

"Oh, hang on a minute Harry, here's another one I forgot to give you."

Sirius pulled a final book-shaped package from behind his back and handed it off to Harry with exaggerated pomp.

"Er.. thanks," grinned Harry as genuinely as he could.

"Well, go on, lad, open it!"

The paper had been charmed to disguise the shape of the object inside, and Harry's eyes widened in surprised delight as they glimpsed the package's much larger, significantly more broom-shaped contents.

"A Nimbus 2000! You didn't!"

James was now perched on the edge of his seat, and Remus could not decide whether father or son looked more animated.

"I did. You're getting to be a right good Quidditch player, just like your old man, and with a broom like that, they'll be begging you to join the house team within a week."

"First years aren't allowed brooms," interjected Lily, arching her eyebrows.

"You don't say! Lily, I am all astonishment."

--------------------------------------------

The evening's last light was fading when Lily finally called an end to the festivities.

Most of the guests had long since gone, except for Neville Longbottom, who was to stay the night and accompany them to Diagon Alley the next morning. He was busy pouring over Harry's new copy of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, which Harry himself had long since abandoned in favour of the broom. Peter, who had a soft spot for those whose talents were less flagrant than a knack for Quidditch, sat with him, listening indulgently to his exclamations of fascination.

"All right, boys, pack it up. You've got a big day tomorrow."

"Please, mum? Just one more game!"

"Come on Lily love, one game won't hurt- let the lad get a feel for his new broom." James wasn't helping the situation.

"Sweetheart, it's late, and we had said...I really wish you wouldn't...Remus-" She turned to him for help, exasperated.

Remus glanced back towards the three figures on the lawn. James and Sirius stood on either side of Harry, mirroring his expression with their best impressions of wide-eyed innocence. Remus shrugged apologetically, "Lily, my dear, I'm afraid it looks as though we're outnumbered."

The snitch had barely been released when a blinding flash of light cut through the dusk. Startled, they turned to see a haggard-looking witch standing in the vegetable patch. She could not have been past her early thirties, but she had a fevered manner which lent years to her appearance. Her eyes were wide with desperation, and her bushy brown hair haloed around her, giving her the air of some slightly insane archangel.

"No!" she gasped, raising a hand to her temple, "...not far enough-"

The witch collapsed, her legs simply giving way beneath her in exhaustion.

Remus was the closest, and was at her side in seconds, kneeling over her, a hand at her throat checking her pulse.

Her eyes shot open. She grasped hold of his wrist, and he found himself surprised at her strength.

"Remus-" she murmured, her eyes straining to focus.

He felt the warmth drain from his body.

"Do I know you?"

"... not yet." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"But I need... need your help. This is wrong. All of it. It's not the way it's supposed to be."

With that, Hermione lost consciousness.