Chapter 17: The Beginning

The rest of the semester went by quickly. Not telling Peter the truth about Harry was easy because they didn't want to tell Peter he "died." However, not telling John about his future with Sara was a different story. Every time they saw him with Sara, they all had to hold in laughter. Melissa and Remus still went out in secret and James, Lily, Spica, and Sirius followed suite.

The N.E.W.Ts came and went. Peter managed to barely pass with the help of his friends. Other than that, everyone scored high.

Near the end of the school year,

Peter was in the hospital wing again due to a minor prank gone wrong.

"Graduation is coming up." James said.

"You know what that means." Lily added.

"Memory charm." Remus stated. "I wonder what we'll remember."

"I have an idea." Sirius said grabbing Lupin's Defense book Harry gave him.

"What are you doing?" Spica asked her boyfriend.

"This" he told her.

Professor Harold J. Peeler, the author of this book, is really Harry James Potter from 1998.

–Sirius Black, 1977.

"Padfoot!" Remus exclaimed. "That's cheating."

"Is it Moony? As long as he doesn't know that we did this, we're fine. Like he said, if we realize we have a memory charm on, we can just ask someone to remove it. Then, we'd remember him."

0000

Graduation day,

Most of the professors were crying seeing some of their most brilliant students leave. Even Ginny had to shed a few tears.

"Welcome to the Graduation of the Class of 1977." Dumbledore said. "These young witches and wizards, after seven years of hard work and extensive studying, are now ready to venture forth into the world. Instead of rules, they have to follow laws. Instead of detention, they will face worse consequences. However, there are some positive aspects. We look to these students for the future. Not only ours, but future generations." He glimpsed at Harry and Ginny. "Now. I would like to present, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy's Class of 1977!"

With that, the students threw off their hats. Lily, Sara, Spica, and Melissa kissed their boyfriends fully on the mouths shocking the people who saw them. Well, almost all the people. (Dumbledore, Harry, and Ginny weren't shocked.)

The kisses were just the beginning. When the girls planted their lips on the boys, red and gold streamers shot from around. The faculty, Hufflepuffs, Slytherins, Gryffindors, and Ravenclaws all found that they were wearing red and gold robes. Across the stage, gold and pink letters formed.

ONE LAST PRANK FOR OLD TIMES SAKE. WE'LL MISS EVERYONE.

-THE MARAUDERS AND MARAUDETTES

P.S. EXCEPT FOR SNIVILLUS

Filch groaned and looked at his cat. Miss. Noris was now wearing cat-size Gryffindor robes.

0000

At the reception, Dumbledore had approached the Marauders and Maraudettes to ask them if they wanted to join the Order of the Phoenix. They accepted.

"We're free!" Sirius cheered as James and Lily danced on the dance floor.

The Potters and Evans watched with grins on their faces as they watched their children dance together.

"Now you just have to worry about the law." Spica told her boyfriend as she looked to see Remus and Melissa talking to Harry and Ginny.

"Thanks Professor." Melissa said to Harry before joining her friends.

"So," Sirius asked Remus. "What did Harry want?"

"Harry? You're now on nickname terms with our defense teacher?" Remus asked.

"He may be only two years older than you, but wait until he gives permission." Melissa said.

"Hi guys." Harry and Ginny said to Sirius and Spica as they placed their hands on the younger couple's heads.

Sirius and Spica forgot that Harold Peeler was James' future son, that they would be married in the future, and that the animagi and werewolf secrets were revealed (basically they forgot that the end of Chapter 15 and all of Chapter 16 ever happened).

They did remember that they were going out and everything they had learned during classes.

"So," Harry said after the charm was performed. "Ready for the real world?"

"Yes Professor." Sirius said.

"Harold!" Charles Potter called as he spotted his future grandson.

"Charles!" Harry called to his grandfather as Ginny looked at him in confusion.

"So, this must be your girlfriend." Charles said looking at Ginny.

"Yes. This is Miss. Ginerva Westley." Harry told him

"Pleasure to meet you." Elizabeth said to her.

"So you're the famous Professor Peeler." A redheaded man came up to them. "Lily's told us so much about you. I'm William Evans."

"Nice to meet you Mr. Evans." Harry said.

"You're a lot younger than I expected." A blond woman said joining the group.

"I'll be 20 in July." Harry told her.

"This is my wife, Rose Evans." William introduced.

"I noticed that your daughter is dancing with Mr. Potter." Ginny stated.

"Yes." Rose agreed. "She's fancied James Potter for a long time now. It's nice to see that she managed to admit her feelings before too much pressure built."

"James had fancied Lily for a long time too." Elizabeth told Lily's mother.

Harry and Ginny grinned at each other.

"We might be in-laws yet." William said to Charles.

"Probably not for another 2 years." Harry told his grandfathers. "They just started dating six months ago."

"How can you be so sure?" Elizabeth asked the redheaded boy.

"He has his ways." Ginny answered for him.

0000

After making sure everyone forgot where Harry and Ginny came from, the rest of the Marauders and Maraudettes were now talking to Harry and Ginny.

Suddenly,

"OMG!" Sara shrieked "Is that…?"

On Ginny's left ring finger, was a diamond ring.

She nodded.

The rest of the girls shrieked.

"Congratulations." The boys congratulated the defense teacher.

"When did this happen?" Lily asked

"Earlier today." Ginny answered.

Flashback

"We leave for our own time today." Ginny said packing up the rest of her things.

"Yeah." Harry said to her. "Ginny?"

"Yes Harry?"

"Would you…I mean…" he said fiddling with his pocket.

When he found what he was looking for, he got down on a knee in front of Ginny. He held out a small box and opened it.

There, was a diamond ring. Not too big, but not too small.

"Will you marry me?" he asked her.

"Yes Harry Potter. I will be honored to be your wife." Ginny said once the shock subsided.

End Flashback

"Have you been asked to join the Order?" James asked his Defense Professor.

"Yes, but I declined. Ginny and I are going to travel Europe to learn more about magic. Then, we have to get back home so I can teach the future generation how to defend themselves." Harry said "I've actually decided to go into teaching full time."

"We'll miss you." Lily said to them.

"You'll see me again. Sooner than you think." Harry told her.

0000

1978,

"Lily Rose Evans," James said kneeling in front of his date for the evening. "Will you make me the happiest wizard alive by becoming my wife?"

"Of course I will James Potter." Lily said to her now fiancé.

0000

A year later,

"Do you Lily Evans, take James Potter to be your lawfully wedded husband?" The priest said.

"I do." Lily told him looking into James' hazel eyes.

"I know pronounce you man and wife. You may…" James had already pulled Lily into the kiss after she said "I do". "…continue kissing the bride."

After five minutes of kissing,

Remus looked at his watch and raised an eyebrow.

"This year Prongs." Sirius murmured to himself under his breath.

Finally, the couple came up for a breath.

"I'm am proud to be the first to finally present Mr. and Mrs. James Potter." The priest said before they could go back to kissing.

"Too bad Professor Peeler couldn't make it." Sirius whispered to Remus as the newlyweds left the alter. All of their old Professors had shown up except for Peeler and Westley.

0000

Nine months later,

James was now pacing the waiting room of St. Mungos. Lily had just threatened him with his life because she was in so much pain. Peter wasn't there because he was visiting his "sick grandmother" (A/N: But we all know where he really was. Right?)

"Prongs, you're going to wear a hole in the floor." Remus told his friend.

"Sorry Moony. I'm just nervous." James said.

"Do you have any names?" Sirius asked trying to break the ice.

"Well, if it's a girl, Megan. If it's a boy, Harold. Harry for short." James said. "Lily and I have a strong feeling it's a boy though."

"We feel that way too." Remus said. "I don't know why though."

"James." Sara said sticking her head out the door.

"Are they alright?" James asked.

"Both mother and son are fine." She told him. "He's healthy."

James ran into the room

There she was. Cradling a small bundle wrapped in a blue blanket.

"Still Harry?" she asked showing her husband the baby boy.

"Harry." He said looking at the black-haired bundle of joy and caressing his tiny face.

Just then, Harry opened his eyes for the first time.

"He has your eyes." James whispered to his wife.

"So, you're naming him after…" Sara started to ask.

"Two people." James explained. "My grandfather and…"

"Professor Peeler who taught us everything in defense we know." Lily finished.

"Whatever happened to him?" Sara asked.

(A/N: You'll find out)

0000

October 15, 2002,

Professor Peeler and Miss. Westley (soon to be Peeler), otherwise known as Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley (soon to be Potter), had just finished traveling Europe and were now on their way home. They decided to sneak into Potter Manor in their animagi forms and surprise everyone with their arrival. The timing was perfect. They would arrive just in time for Megan's fifth birthday.

Harry and Ginny weren't married yet. They had decided to spend time planning out their wedding. Besides, Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, and Ron would have killed Harry for eloping with their sister. Her parents and his family (biological and non-biological) wouldn't be too happy either.

Luckily, an upstairs window was open.

After landing in Harry's bedroom,

"We've been caught." Ginny said after transforming and seeing who else was in the room.

"Don't make any loud noises Trixy." Harry told the house-elf.

"Master Harry!" She whispered. "Yous home!" she ran to hug him almost Dobby-like.

"Yes Trixy." Harry managed to say in the tight embrace. "I'm back. Where is everyone?"

"Theys is downstairs getting ready for Little Mistress Megan's birthday party sir." Trixy said releasing. "Does Master Harry want Trixy to announce his arrival?"

"No Trixy." Harry said with a Marauder's glint in his eyes. "I think I'd better announce myself."

Harry took out a shrunken trunk out of his robe pocket and unshrunk it. Then, he grabbed the cloak out of it.

0000

When they got to the stairs, they saw Ron and Hermione talking with Sara, John, Spica, Sirius, Remus, Melissa, James, and Lily.

"They grew up." Ginny observed.

Harry looked at her with raised eyebrows.

"What were you expecting?" Harry asked her.

"You know what I mean." She told her fiancée.

"Oh. C'mon James. You have to remember his second word." They heard Remus tell James.

"Oh yeah." Melissa said

"What was it?" John asked.

"Idiot." James told him laughing. "It was so funny. Sirius was so proud when Harry said "Padfoot". However, not even two minutes after he said it, he said "idiot" Well, actually, it was "idot." But you get the point. For about a week, the only comprehensible thing he could say was "Padfoot Idiot." Sirius begged him to call me "Dada" afterwards."

"At least he'd be able to say "Dada Idiot."" Sirius argued.

"Can we please stop talking about Harry?" Lily asked. "It hurts not knowing whether or not he's alive."

"I understand." James told her. "But we have to remember the funny times."

"I've noticed a pattern with your kids." Sara said. "Neither one of their first words were Mama or Dada."

"That's right." Melissa said. "Harry's was "Padfoot" and Megan's was "Harry"."

"Actually, it was more "Pafoo" and "Airwy."" Spica joked.

Even Harry and Ginny had to giggle.

"Mummy." A five year old Megan came running in from the backyard followed by two boys and a girl (Descriptions are in Consequences of a Potion Mistake). "Can we have cake now?"

"Of course Megan." Lily said to her daughter.

"They have gotten so big." Harry observed under the cloak.

"What did you expect?" Ginny asked him.

0000

After the traditional song, it was now time to blow out the candles.

"Make a wish and blow out the candles." Spica told her godchild as she stood in front of the birthday cake.

"I wish Harry was here" she whispered as she blew out all five candles

Everyone was clapping for her.

Harry and Ginny felt it was time to reveal their presence. Harry snuck up behind Ron and Ginny snuck up behind Hermione. Both were in the back. After they snuck up behind their friends, they placed their hands over their friends' eyes.

"Guess who." They told them..

"I wouldn't believe myself if I said who I think it is." Ron whispered

The couple turned around and saw Harry standing behind Ron and Ginny behind Hermione.

"When did you guys get back?" Hermione asked in a whisper as Lily started to cut the cake and slapping Sirius' hand and threaten him with the knife as he tried to steal some icing.

"Today. So, anything big happen while we were away?" Ginny asked changing the subject.

"Hermione and I are engaged." Ron told him.

Harry and Ginny starred open mouthed.

"What did you two do?" Ron asked "Elope?"

"No." they said together. "Almost. We're…" They added quietly.

"Ron! Hermione!" Remus called turning towards the younger adults "Do you two wa…?"

He grew silent as he noticed Ginny and Harry. When he saw them, he dropped the piece of cake he was holding.

Everyone stopped what they were doing to see what was wrong.

"Hi." The two who were MIA waved.

"HARRY!" Lily cried as she gave her son a hug that could rival Molly Weasley's.

"Wow. This wishing on candles stuff really works." Harry heard Megan say.

He felt his little sister's arms wrap around his side. He moved his left arm off his mother and included Megan in the group hug.

"Where were you?" James asked his son.

"Around." Harry said as Lily let him go. "But that's a story for another day. I believe I have something for Megan."

She released him as he took something out of his pocket. Her face lit up.

"What is it?" she asked as he handed her the long present.

"You have to open it to find out." Ginny told her soon-to-be sister-in-law.

Megan opened it to reveal a toy wand.

Her face lit up brighter.

"It's not a real wand." Harry told her. "You'll get that when you turn eleven. This is just something to practice the art of waving it. That way your real wand won't fly out of your hand at first swing. With certain waves, it performs certain harmless spells. Try it out."

Megan flicked the wand and a book came flying into the room and smacked Sirius in the chest.

"Harmless?" Sirius asked.

"Now I know why they were discontinued in 1979." Ginny whispered to him.

"Where did you get that?" James asked looking at the toy wand. "They were discontinued before you were born."

"Around." Harry told his father.

"The History of Godric Gryffindor by H.J.P." Sirius read the title of the violent book. "You still have this?"

"Yes." Lily said taking the book back. "He did tell us not to loose them."

"Nice to see they still listen to me." Harry whispered to Ginny.

"Who's H.J.P?" Hermione asked.

"Harold J. Peeler. He was our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher our sixth and seventh years." James explained. "Our seventh year, his girlfriend, Ginerva Westley, showed up out of nowhere. They left after our graduation to travel Europe."

"Ginerva?" Ron asked looking at an innocent looking Ginny.

"They were never heard from again." Sara finished. "Last I heard, he was engaged to Miss. Westley."

"I wonder if they ever got married." Spica said.

Harry and Ginny grinned.

"Who knows?" they said simultaneously.

0000

A few minutes later when Ron and Hermione were alone with Ginny and Harry and still eating cake,

"What was that you were saying earlier?" Ron asked his sister. "After I asked if you eloped."

"Nothing." She said hiding her left hand.

Hermione noticed this action and pulled it out of hiding revealing the ring.

They gapped.

"You're not the only one who got engaged Ron." Harry told him with a laugh as he saw his best friend's piece of cake that was halfway to his mouth drop.

Ginny and Hermione went into full force at wedding plans when the other adults came in.

"What's going on?" Lily asked.

"I'm getting another brother." Ron said in shock as he pointed to Harry.

"Brothers!" Ginny and Harry slapped their own heads in realization.

"I've got to tell MY family." Ginny said in realization.

"Can we at least tell mine first?" Harry asked her. "After all, they're already here."

"What's going on?" Sirius asked.

"Well," Harry said. "GinnyandIareengagedtobemarried."

The adults looked confused.

Just then, Sara shrieked.

She saw Ginny's ring.

"You're engaged?" she asked the once student.

Ginny nodded.

The girls gathered around Ginny and started at once on wedding plans. Meanwhile, the boys gathered around Harry and congratulated him.

Melissa then noticed something.

"Isn't that the same engagement ring Professor Peeler gave Miss. Westley?"

Harry and Ginny paled for a second.

"Well…" Harry started. "I was digging through some old albums and I saw a photo of your graduation. I noticed the ring on one of the girl's hand, and I thought that it would fit Ginny perfectly. So, I had it custom made."

They managed to buy the lie.

0000

A few minutes later, the subject went from the wedding to what Harry and Ginny had been doing for the past three years. They only mentioned the traveling Europe part.

"I feel so sorry for Dumbledore." Remus said suddenly.

"Why?" Ginny asked.

"Because Sara and I were offered better paying jobs at the Ministry. Dumbledore suggested that we take them. Now he has to find another Defense teacher."

"Harry." Ginny said excitedly. "How perfect is that?"

Noticing the confused expressions on everyone's faces, Harry decided to admit, "Now that I've explored for a while, I've decided that I probably should teach Defense to help the future generations prepare in case Voldemort returns or someone else tries to do what he did."

Everyone looked shock at this decision. Harry braced himself.

"That's a very good idea." James finally said.

"The Boy-Who-Lived teaching others how to live." Sirius thought out loud. "The press will have a field day, but I agree with Prongs."

"What about Potions?" Ginny asked remembering that Remus had mentioned Sara.

"Dumbledore had already found a replacement." Ron told his sister.

"Who?" Harry asked.

"Me." Hermione said to them.

0000

That evening,

"Well." Ron said after Megan's birthday party. "Hermione and I better get home."

"And what are you going to do with me?" Ginny asked her brother.

"Oh yeah. Ginny too."

"Tell you other brothers not to kill me." Harry whispered into his fiancée's ear.

"Of course." She said as she kissed the once and soon-to-be new Defense Professor.

THE END

A/N: Like it? Keep and eye out for the real sequel: Consequences of a Potion Mistake