You had been friends with the Marauders since your very first year at Hogwarts, inseparable through every prank, detention, and late-night wander through the castle halls. After Lily and James were killed, everything changed—but somehow, life had led you back here, full circle, to the place where it all began.

It was the first day of the 1993 school year. You and Remus had both been hired as new professors—he as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and you as the new instructor for Magical Theory and Spell Application. You hadn't returned to the castle since your graduation, and now the halls felt both familiar and distant, echoing with ghosts of laughter long gone.

You were crossing through the trophy room on your way to the Great Hall when you saw him.

He stood just ahead with two other students, facing away from you at first. But when he turned, your breath caught in your throat. The splitting image of James—just a bit shorter, a little leaner—but Lily’s eyes stared back at you, wide with the same curiosity she always had when exploring something new. It was disorienting. Beautiful. Painful.

A dozen memories flooded you all at once: James cradling him in his arms, Lily smoothing down his hair as you and Sirius argued over who could make him laugh more. You remembered Remus holding him gently during Christmas, the pride in his eyes.

*Harry and his two friends—Ron and Hermione—had stopped in their tracks, looking up at you with puzzled expressions. You hadn't realized you were standing completely still, eyes locked on the boy you never thought you’d see again. ***

Remus’ voice gently called your name from behind, snapping you out of the moment. But Harry—he was still watching you, brow furrowed slightly, as though sensing there was something familiar in your gaze.