𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 -

❝ ᴡᴇ'ʀᴇ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ᴍᴀᴛᴇꜱ - ᴡᴇ ꜰɪɢʜᴛ
ᴛᴏɢᴇᴛʜᴇʀ ❞

THE MARAUDERS WERE WAITING FROM INSIDE THE CASTLE, looking out the window, waiting to see Harry and Magnolia come out of the Forest at any second. They've been silent the whole time since Harry demanded for them to go inside and not follow him. He didn't tell them to leave, so they decided to wait for them to come back - hopefully safe.

Well not totally silent - Sirius and James were talking quietly to each other about the situation. They had just found out that Lily and James died before Harry could really remember them and was forced to be put in an abusive household. Sirius was mortified by hearing about himself possibly being put in Azkaban - She never said directly, but when she said 'he was innocent-' that really cut him off guard and there was no other situation he could of, so he thought the worse. He honestly wasn't so surprised about the fact his family had killed him in the future though - as sad as it is.

Peter wasn't in their conversation as he was sitting against the wall in deep thought.

'-and it was all because of that fucking rat!'

Peter couldn't help but overthink that he was the 'rat' she was referring too. It only made sense - Harry couldn't look at him without giving him a glare, especially when he entered a room or uttered a few words. And he'd be lying if he said he didn't hear them back in their dorm in the morning-

'Can we come?' Peter had asked, earning a quick glare by Harry - he was quick to avert his glare so it wasn't as noticeable when Maggie mouthed-

'He's still good.'

Peter wanted to ignore that interaction he saw, but he slowly put things together... And he can't help but feel like he was one of the reasons how everything went wrong. And he could be the reason why James, Lily and Sirius died - Maggie and Harry's suffering.

He could definitely be overthinking but his thoughts before Harry and Maggie came were starting to make him realize... He might be going down the wrong path and should keep close and loyal to his best mates.

Even though the peer pressure and selfishness that courses through him might over power his mind at any vulnerable chance.

"It's my fault." James, Sirius and Peter's heads snapped towards Remus, who had his arms resting on top of the window sill, looking over towards the Forbidden Forest.

"Moony, what are you talking about?"

"It's my fault that Maggie turned and is most likely out and about hurt!" He stated, clenching his fists and gritting his teeth. Remus was furious with himself - she was clearly so terrified.

"Remus-"

"You should have seen the way she looked at me..." Remus choked, cupping his hand over his mouth, feeling tears possibly about to fall. The boys stared at him confused but saw the face he had, and started feeling bad for the werewolf.

"She looked so upset and scared with herself... It was like looking down at myself from outside my body during my transformations during the full moon. I hated it."

They finally realized what Moony was talking about and looked at him with wide eyes. Remus always hated himself for being a werewolf - calling himself a monster and disgusting creature that doesn't deserve any ounce of happiness in his life.

There was this one time they walked into the Shrieking Shack a little earlier than Remus wanted them too. During full moons and once they started being animagus to help him, Remus made them stay outside of the Shack so he can transform by himself so they wouldn't see the terrible image.

But there was that one time - they came in too early and saw right before werewolf Remus lost control. They looked into the werewolves eyes and saw Remus's terrified, soft brown eyes looking back at them. They had thought maybe Remus somehow mastered controlling the werewolf but this was just a regular thing that'd happen seconds before his eyes would suddenly turn dark, and dart, going feral.

He stared at his best friends, hating himself for this ugly beast that took over him every full moon.

He looked at his best mates the same way Maggie stared at Harry and Remus, right after she fully shifted into her Veela form and right before she flew off in pain.

"I pushed her too far..." Remus whispered, letting tears fall down his cheeks.

"Oh Moony..." James whispers, wiping his nose and pulling the tall werewolf into a hug. Remus's tears then began to fall harder, gritting his teeth as he fisted the back of James coat and burrowed his face into his shoulder.

"Aw guys!" Sirius coos, a single tear falling down his cheek as he joined the hug, wrapping his arms around both Remus and James.

"Come on, Wormtail - You know you wanna join!" James expressed, pulling away from the other two and Sirius and James spread their arms out for Peter to join.

"I love you guys" Peter mutters, making them all cooed at the shorter boy as he joins the group hug.

"I don't know what I'd do without you guys." Remus whispers and they finally pull away from one another.

"Okay, no more crying - I have a reputation here guys" Sirius says, making the others chuckle. He then smiled at them, laughing alongside them.

"So what do we do now?" James asks, wiping away his smeared small tears that trickled down.

"Make Harry and Maggie's life better in the future." Remus quickly says with a serious expression, making them nod in agreement. Peter scratches the back of his neck, shakily nodding with a shudder.

"How are we supposed to do that?"

"Do what we know is right." Remus answers, making them suddenly go silent. They're never gonna refuse to stop trying to make the future better because they hated looking at Maggie and hear her say all of that with so much pain.

"We got this..." Peter mutters, catching their attention to shift towards him and smile.

"We're best mates - We fight together."

They all looked at each other with a grin, dry tears on all their cheeks and slightly red eyes.

The marauders that everyone knew in the year 2000, they were destroyed. One went against the others but then died at the end. One died alongside his wife, leaving their child to be tormented by the Dark Lord his whole life. And the other was framed for all the murders and was sent to Azkaban for 12 years, and died from the hands of his own blood. And lastly, the other had to take care of his daughter while fighting the loss of his best friends and his lycanthropy but died fighting.

But back in the year 1977, they were best friends. And then their children from the year 2000 came and told them these things of wanting to change the future for the better. The marauders were so very close - nothing could possibly break the four like in Harry and Maggie's timeline, right?

Well that's in their hands to decide now.

~~~

Harry was carrying Maggie in his arms, with her head on his chest and one arm tucked under her legs and the other under her shoulders as he walked to the castle.

"Please don't take me to Madam Pomfrey, please." She whispered against his chest.

"I wasn't planning on it, love" He whispers, making her sigh in relief as he kisses the top of her head. There was no way he was taking her to Madam Pomfrey, she would ask too many questions because of all the critical damage. And then it'd get to Dumbledore - and Maggie would probably turn all Veela again if she saw him for the second time that day.

She was still very pissed off at the headmaster, not only because he manipulated them but also because of everything he's done in their original timeline. He's indirectly killed almost everyone they knew because of his own selfishness.

Harry sighed in relief, finally walking out of the forest. He saw the marauders standing beside the only entrance close by them and silently groaned.

"Are you wanting to be bombarded with questions right now?" He asks, making her chuckle and shake her head. She was too tired to talk - too tired to fully feel the pain that was coursing through her violently.

"Well pretend to be asleep - but don't actually, we need to keep you conscious." She nodded, softly closing her eyes, fighting the urge to fall asleep in his arms.

The marauders see the two approach the castle and quickly make sure no student was around, so Harry could quickly take Maggie to the Hospital Wing for check ups. They didn't think she was badly hurt, they thought it was probably just best that she got checked out though - not thinking much of the small act.

But boy - they were so wrong.

"You're taking her to the Hospital Wing, right?" James asks as Harry approaches to a closer distance so he could hear them. They saw her in his arms, wearing his coat with her pants sitting on his shoulder.

Though Harry didn't answer, once they saw him get closer and the bunch of dry blood that was on the side of her temple became noticeable to them - they gasped. There was blood on her lips, and blood on the side of her head going down her cheek. Just seeing the sight of blood scared them. They couldn't help but stare in horror.

"I-Is she okay?" Peter asked as Harry walked past them and they hurriedly walked beside him.

"She's just tired-"

"Why is she bleeding?" Sirius asked, glancing at Remus beside him. Remus was worried sick for his daughter, knowing he was the one that caused it.

"Her transformation was a little too hard on her this time, I need to clean her up" Thankfully everyone went to Hogsmeade and the first and second years were now just ending lunch - so the halls were practically empty for a few minutes before it's going to be bombarded by several younger kids.

"You - Shouldn't you take her to Madam Pomfrey?"

"No, she got hurt too badly to give a reasonable excuse for this-"

"Where else is she bleeding?" Remus asks quietly.

"Her back, where her wings came from - they made huge gashes. There's no way to come up with an excuse for that." Harry states, seeming too calm about all of this. Which confused them but nonetheless trusted him even though they were a little skeptical.

But Harry was truly freaking out, he was praying that Maggie would be okay - He knew she was going to be fine, but he's always worrying for his spouse. He just didn't want to freak out the marauders more than they already were.

They enter the Gryffindor common room, successfully avoiding any wandering students and quickly made up to Harry and Magnolias dorm. Harry kicked the door open in a hurry and sped walked in the room alongside the four boys.

"Wake up, love" Harry whispers, making her slowly open her blue eyes. The boys looked at her in hope, sighing in relief seeing her crack a small smile up at Harry.

"I'm so tired" She whispers to Harry, her eyes closing again as he walks into their bathroom and places her on the toilet to sit for a second. He crouches to her level and softly kisses her lips, making a genuine smile form on her face.

"Thank you." She says first, making him chuckle and kiss her forehead, turning on the bath for it to warm up before walking out of the bathroom and closing the door behind him. He faced the marauders with a sigh as they looked at him with somewhat of worry.

"I'm gonna clean her up, don't worry guys." He says, a small smile forming on his face seeing all their faces show a lot of concern.

"Is she alright? Can we do anything?" Remus asks first, stepping closer to Harry.

"Um... You could get some snacks for her from the kitchens, she'll really appreciate it when I patch her up" Harry suggests, making Remus quickly nod and begin to leave their dorm.

"I'll come with you" James suggests, making Remus silently nod and they both make their way out together.

"I'll be in their for a while... So you guys can stay here, if you want."

"Thanks..." Peter mutters, looking up at the boy with glasses with a small genuine smile.

And for the first time ever, Harry Potter looked at Peter Pettigrew and cracked a small thankful smile.

"I... I have to go to do something" Sirius suddenly announces, standing up from Maggie's side of the bed. He looked down at the black leather gloves with 'PADFOOT' engraved on the knuckles and sighed.

"You okay?" Harry asks his godfather, making Sirius snap out of trance from looking down at the leather gloves.

"Y-Yeah, I just need to take care of something." He says quietly, setting down the gloves on Maggie's nightstand and walking out of the dorm.

And with one more glance, Harry looked at Peter with a smile and walked into the bathroom to take care of Maggie.

~~~

Remus and James were in the kitchens while they both scrambled to get as many snacks as they could in their arms. Remus was incredibly paranoid, he couldn't get Maggie's look towards him after she shifted - out of his head. It was frustrating, he felt like it was all his fault she's now hurt.

James wasn't saying much, only making some random remarks every once in awhile while picking random snacks. He clearly was trying to get whatever was on his mind away because he was worried sick. For Maggie, for Harry, the future-everything.

It was mentally exhausting for the boy.

"She likes chocolate, right?" Remus asks worrying, making James stop and look at him weirdly.

"You do know she's literally your spawn, right?" Prongs stated sarcastically, making Remus roll his eyes and huff.

"Okay, I think we got everything." Remus states, holding different things in his arms as he turns to James. James nodded, a cookie in his mouth as Remus stared at him deadpan.

"I haven't eaten all day!" James grumbled, his mouth full of cookies.

"Whatever, come on, let's go" They left the kitchens, and started walking back to the Gryffindor common room.

But they get stopped by none other than - the Lily Evans.

And of course, James freezes.

Remus watched in disgust as James let a few cookie crumbs fall out of his mouth in surprise.

"Hey boys!" She says cheerfully, making Remus force a smile at her fondly and she turns towards James with raised eyebrows. Noticing he still hasn't said anything, Remus nudges his shoulder with his.

"H-Hey!" James exclaims nervously, quickly walking past her as Remus sighs and Lily grows confused.

She was not used to that sort of reaction out of James Potter. He was always trying to charm her at any given moment and asking her out every time words slipped out of his mouth. But this time, he stuttered and quickly walked past her like he didn't notice her or care.

"Just a sec-" Remus states, quickly ushering towards James to stop him from walking fast.

"Prongs!" Remus exclaimed, making the boy stop and face Moony.

"What?"

"What are you doing - That was Lily!" Remus laughs, making James look a little behind him nervously.

"I'm still not used to knowing she's my future wife..." He whispers, scratching the back of his neck nervously - glancing at the redhead farther down.

"I don't think you understand, I've been crushing on this girl for years! And then I suddenly meet my son, and his mother is her! I-I still wanna have a future with her - but what if I mess it up this timeline and we aren't married and have Harry? And then Harry won't meet Maggie, and they won't get together and get married! And we won't be in laws!" James exclaims, stopping and taking a deep shakey breath, running his free hand through his messy dark brown hair. While Remus stares at him with his mouth slightly ajarred, "We won't be in laws either way-"

"I don't wanna lose that." He lastly whispers, tearing his gaze away from the redhead a little ways and back at Moony.

Remus chuckles and smiles at the nervous guy. He wasn't used to James acting like this either. Prongs was always confident and carried himself with so much confidence and his ego like it was a huge biliton board over his head. And seeing him turn into this blushing nervous wreck because of a girl, it makes Remus smile.

"Don't worry mate. You're not gonna mess it up, I promise." Remus expressed, making James hazel eyes reach his and sigh.

"What if I do?" James mutters in concern, playing with the wrapper of one of the snacks in his arms.

"You will, if you don't talk to her and ask her out-"

"You know she'll just reject me like always-" James voiced, making Remus roll his eyes.

"James, I don't think you understand, you marry that girl in the future. And even before Harry and Maggie came - you kept asking and asking her out and still kept getting rejected... At some point she finally says yes, right?" Remus asks him, making James suddenly smile and nod proudly.

"Yeah! Yeah, she does!" He says cheerfully, a big smile now plastered on his face. He looked at Lily behind them again, a smile of realization hitting his expressions as he then made his way back to Evans.

Remus watched James walk up to Lily - More of a strut than walk, his head high and a good ol' James Potter smirk finally once again plastered on his face.

He was back.

Remus was glad.

And surprisingly... so was Lily.

"Hey Evans, sorry about that earlier. I get so nervous around you - I mean, who wouldn't, right? Your beautiful" James states proudly, coming up beside Lily making her laugh while shaking her head.

"Shut up, Potter" She laughs, crossing her arms over her chest as her cheeks get tinted red.

"You wanted me to walk back and talk to you, huh?" He asked with a smirk, making her roll her eyes and turn around to start walking away. He watched as she walked away from him with a smile, before shouting,

"Wanna go to the next Hogsmeade together, Lilyflower?" Even though her back was facing him, he knew she was fighting back a big smile and he dreamily smiled at her at the thought of her getting flustered because of him.

"Potter, honestly - I'd rather kiss a slug" She shouted back, making his smirk grow. Remus took long strides up beside James and looked in the direction he was looking, where Lily was walking farther down the long hallway.

"I'm gonna marry that girl..." James mutters with a dazed smile, making Remus chuckle with a nod.

"Yes, you are James... Yes, you are..."

~~~

Sirius was dreading his walk towards the place he was going. But he did walk at a fast pace, rubbing his hands nervously together. He was wearing his leather jacket but decided to take it off at Harry and Maggie's room. So now he was only now wearing a gray sweatshirt with black ripped jeans.

He honestly didn't know if what he was doing was even a good idea. He just knew he needed to do it.

After Maggie ranted on to Remus about the future and how shitty it was - she said he was killed by his own family... His own blood. He honestly wasn't surprised, ever since he decided to leave and become a blood traitor - his whole family has hated him with a burning passion.

But that also worried him in a way.

Everything that's happened since Maggie and Harry got here, it's making Sirius realize things.

He doesn't want to die without settling things for good with his little brother.

Sirius reached in his back pocket and pulled out an old small piece of folded paper. As he slowly walked up to the Astronomy Tower, he hesitantly opened the folded piece of paper.

-

Sirius,

I didn't think you'd choose them over me.

R.A.B.

-

Sirius got this letter at the start of this school year at breakfast from Regulus, his younger brother. He was sixteen at the time (now seventeen since November 3rd), and just before this year started, he had ran away from the Black Manor.

When Sirius got the letter, he had ignored it and waited till later to react. But it was the next time he read it again, and broke down in his dorm room alone.

He didn't want to leave Regulus there, he tried getting him to come with him. But he didn't want to come, out of fear of Mr. and Mrs. Black. It broke Sirius to leave Regulus in that god
awful house, but he couldn't deal with it anymore.

The last moment he was at the Black Manor - Sirius and his parents were in a terrible screaming match. Regulus was in his room, hiding from it all, covering his ears with his hands and his knees to his chest. This argument was a lot worse than all of the others.

But once a crucio spell was shouted and used on Sirius, the screaming stopped and a door slam was heard. Mr. Black hid himself in his office, Walburga angrily walked into her room and threw her wand at the wall. Then another slam was heard from Sirius's room beside Regulus's.

The house was dead silent.

And that was the day Sirius left.

As much as Regulus loved his brother - he hated him for leaving. But he wholeheartedly loved his brother so much, there was no way in hell, he would stop loving his older brother.

Sirius read the note over and over before fully entering the Astronomy Tower, catching the dark haired boy sitting upon it.

Regulus looked up from the book he was reading, furrowing his eyebrows at the view of his brother standing before him.

Sirius knew he'd be here. This was Regulus's favorite place in Hogwarts, and it was Sirius's too. Holding the letter tightly in his hand, and with a tear slowly falling down Sirius's cheek, he cracked a small smile.

"Hey, Reggie."

authors note !!!

angsty and joyful chapter :)