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You couldn't mistake him.
Though the boy remained silent about where he came from, what time period, and how he got there, Dumbledore knew exactly who his father was.
If it weren't the messy mop of dark hair atop his head or the oh-so-familiar wire-framed glasses...
Then it would be that strikingly goofy smile.
It was eerie actually.
Just how easily Dumbledore knew.
Though the boy's cadence and overall aura was that of something familiar and unknown... he was a blend of someone who traipsed throughout his halls and common room, and someone he just couldn't put his finger on...
The boy was a Potter of course.
Suddenly appearing in the office in a flash of bright white, landing in a heap on the floor.
Even the way he jumped up and brushed himself off with a sheepish guilt...
Definitely a Potter.
"I've sent a patronus to your father...there is no telling how long you will be here for"
"You can't tell him of his relation to me" The boy hurried.
Dumbledore could not do anything other than stare pointedly at him.
"I don't think I could hide that even if I tried" he drawled amusedly. The boy, who had refused to give his name, flushed lightly before chuckling.
It was rude, surely, the way Dumbledore kept trying to get a whiff of him, hoping the pheromones would give away who his other parent was.
The boy was an Alpha no doubt, scent strong and overpowering, something to be expected with a 15-year-old who hadn't yet learnt to control his scent.
Dumbledore smelt Potter right away, the familiar woodsy burn that flittered through the corridor after the boys' own presentation two years ago.
It was mixed with something cooler, deeper.
The warmth of cinnamon and the sweetness of lavender.
A peculiar scent indeed.
But a pleasant one nonetheless.
His musings are cut short as the door bursts open. the wild disarray of hair is so similar he can't help but let out a hearty laugh.
"Mr Potter, please come in - Just Mr Potter," he says, raising an eyebrow to the other three who look as equally flushed and concerned.
The boy gives a quick reassuring nod to his friends before the door closes behind him.
He fidgets nervously with his hands, eyes darting around the room, resolutely not looking at him.
"Mr Pott-"
"If this is about the glitter bomb in the Slytherin showers I promise it was just me, the others had nothing to do with it!" Potter rushed out, eyes steely and pheromones tinged with nerves.
He doesn't even open his mouth before a huff of laughter echoes through the room.
Potter does a double take at the sound, eyes darting to the armchair in front of his desk.
"James, please take a seat, there's someone you should meet," Dumbledore says calmly, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
When James Potter takes a seat, his eyes are drawn to the figure in the next chair.
He's startled, sure for just a moment that a mirror had been placed there and this whole thing is a funny joke from his professor.
But the more he stares the more the differences start to show.
Swirling grey eyes, a thin button nose, and a posture so perfect he believes he's sitting next to a statue.
Until of course, he smiles at him, sheepish and guilty.
The boy's pheromones are also similar to his own, tinged with something so comforting and... vaguely familiar?
Dumbledore clears his throat.
"James, this is... well he refuses to give me his name. He appeared suddenly in my office and though I haven't been able to get any information out of him I'm sure you can guess what kind of situation we're dealing with" Dumbledore says casually.
James shakes his head, not wanting to turn away from the face so like his own, but struck with a strong sense of uncanny valley that he just has to look away.
"I'm sorry professor...I don't actually know what you mean"
Dumbledore leans forward to snatch a lemon drop, popping it in his mouth and leaning back in his chair.
He assesses the both of them, eyes flicking back and forth, sucking on the sweet slowly.
"I'm talking about time travel Mr Potter...Surely you can tell that this young gentleman is your future son?" he says as though it's the clearest explanation in the world.
James falters for a moment, frozen. His eyes dart quickly to the figure next to him wearing his smile, and then he sniffs the air again as though he hadn't already done so, and yep, sure enough, he finds his own scent mixed with another.
His mind is racing, the information piling up, a thousand and one thoughts flow through his head, the biggest one being - Who is this kid's mother?
He categorically goes through the omegas he knows, because the mother is an omega, he can tell by the scent.
He first thinks it's Lily, overjoyed before reality smashes down on him.
Lily smells like roses and vanilla, and the scent that mixes with his own next to him is not.
He tries to think as quickly as possible but Dumbledore is already speaking again.
"The young gentleman has assured me that steps are being taken to retrieve him though he doesn't know how long he'll be here for. Since he's your son, you are to take responsibility. He will sleep in your dorm and attend your classes - oh-" Dumbledore pauses.
"I never did ask what house you were in?" he directs the question to the boy, who now that James looks, is wearing regular muggle clothing.
"Oh...err" he's nervous, gaze shooting to James who can't figure out why he looks so hesitant.
"Do you even need to ask? I'll set him up in my dorm room, Remus can transfigure him a bed" James interjects giving his professor a blinding smile. He doesn't wait, already out of his chair and heading to the door.
"Come on then" he calls, and the smile that stretches the boy's face matches his own.
- -
James has always been able to make friends with anyone, even some of those stuck-up Slytherins crack a smile when he makes a joke.
He assumes it will be easier, considering this kid is his son and is probably used to his sense of humour.
But the minute they're out of Dumbledore's office an air of awkwardness wraps around them.
In the short walk from Dumbledore's office to where he agreed to meet the rest of his friends, James had attempted to talk to the boy, only for the words to disappear as soon as he opened his mouth.
When they reach the others, James realises he has no idea how to explain this to his friends.
"You alright Prongs, wha-" Sirius stops short, eye blinking rapidly, flitting back and forth.
"What the fuck" Remus swears, eyes squinting.
"I didn't know you had a twin!" Peter laughs.
"Not my twin..." James grumbles. "This is my son," he says, stopping the boy's laughter immediately.
"I'm no expert James but..."
James shoves him, barking out a laugh.
"He's from the future, some freak accident sent him tumbling into Dumbledore's office. He'll be leaving soon, we just don't know how long he's going to be here so he'll be tagging along with us until then"
"Cool!" Sirius shouts, crowding in the boy's space and giving a few unsubtle sniffs.
"Hey!" the boy huffs, pushing Sirius away.
"You smell..." There's a pensive look on his face that James recognises as his concentration face.
"Look I can't tell you about my mother, it's bad enough you know who my father is! I've been warned about changing the past, I refuse to create a paradox!" the boy says firmly, a look in his eyes that has Sirius crowding into his space and looking at him intently.
"Holy shit" Sirius whispers, voice full of wonder and...disgust? James doesn't have much time to ponder since the boy grabs Sirius' wrist and drags him away. They try to follow but find themselves in a full-body bind, each of them falling over.
James didn't even see him lift a wand...
"Shut up!"
"What- but you- You're a Black!"
"No I'm not" he crosses his arms, nose tilted upwards.
"Yes, you are!" Sirius shouts, arms flailing "You have our eyes, and I'd recognise that snobby gesture anywhere!!"
"Alright! Now shut up, you know far too much... I should just curse you into silence for the next week" he says the last part softly, in an almost murmur but Sirius catches it, body going stiff and eyes narrowing
"Don't even think about it!"
The boy assesses him, the familiarity of it sending a cold chill up Sirius' spine.
"Who is it then? Can't be Cissa, doubt she knows Potter exists and I think she'd rather die than be unfaithful to Lucius...Bella isn't above cheating, but not with a bloke 5 years younger...Andy is already married..."
"Stop it. It's better if you don't know...Merlin you already know too much..." Sirius huffed.
"What's wrong if I know? I'm going to know eventually right?" his voice goes quiet, a vulnerability etching itself onto his face "I'm still in his life right...I'm in your life?"
The boy's face softens
"You are Uncle Pads"
Sirius beams
"It's just... you weren't exactly...happy when my parents got together, and I don't want your opinions clouding their relationship"
"Why wouldn't I be happy for James? Well, I suppose I'm not too happy that he's marrying into the family" Sirius grumbles
"I can say for certain, that my father is happy, he loves my mother and my mother loves him. They're good for each other and you end up being their number one fan so..."
Sirius nods.
"Good, that's good...as long as he's happy"
"Yeah...just keep that in mind alright - Oh, and you can't tell them that my mother is a part of the Black family!"
Sirius huffs, clearly put out with the request
"Fine" he sighs.
They make their way back, the other three still wriggling around like worms on the floor.
"Finite" the boy says.
"Uncalled for!" Peter whines.
Remus dusts himself off before helping James to his feet.
"I could ground you for that you know" James says, a serious look on his face that quickly devloves into a smirk.
"Mother would never let that happen" the boys says smugly, nose raised and chest puffing out.
He catches Sirius rolling his eyes, a petulant pout on his face
"Merlin Prongs, you married a right swot" Remus remarks chuckling and ignoring the death glare he receives.
"I wouldn't be so quick to judge considering you become one of my mothers best friends" the boys says slyly, relishing the stuned look on Remus' face.
"Alright enough, i'm starving! Let's get out of here" Sirius whines, pushing them down the corridor to the great hall
- -
The boy knew immediately when he saw his father, what year they were in. That in turn, made him remember that his mother was within the same halls and would need to be avoided at all costs.
Easier said than done.
When the doors to the great hall opened it was already filled with a plethora of students, many of whom turned to stare when the five boys made their way to the Gryffindor table.
The boy, being an Alpha, and if his parents are to be believed, very handsome, had become used to the mass amounts of attention he receives on a daily basis.
This however was new.
As he walked down the aisle, he felt the distinct and familiar prickle of eyes on his neck, and it took no time at all to meet the gaze of the culprit.
His mother was so pretty even at 14, eyes holding the same sharpness, and skin as flawless as always.
He remembers when he was young, staring at the meagre amounts of photos with his mother and uncle in their younger years.
Uncle Sirius always joked that he got his fascination with his mother from his father, something said in begrudging fondness.
Seeing it in person however is a completely different feeling. He's always been a mommy's boy, spoiled to no end and raised with ridiculous amounts of love and affection.
It also breaks his heart a little.
He knows about his mother and Sirius' childhood, knows the horrors they had to endure and how it affected them both.
He saw it in the pictures, shadowed eyes and hard stares.
He sees it even more now.
Hollow cheeks, sunken skin.
He longs to run to him and scoop him up into a hug, to shield him from the pain he'll have to endure for another year before he decides to join Sirius in running.
Regulus Black.
His piercing gaze has his lips twitching up.
It's hard to be intimidated by someone who's only ever shown you smiles and warmth, who has sung to you and danced with you.
All his memories of the man across the hall are so vivid and yet still feel like a distant dream.
He can't help the fond smile that stretches his face. And he can't help the little chuckle he lets out when his mothers face furrows in confusion.
He sits down with his father and the rest of them, and not two seconds later all five are fending off a mountain of questions.
In true James Potter fashion, he huffs before standing on the table, wand pointed to his throat and calling the attention of everyone in the room.
"Morning everyone! My name is James Potter and this" he points down to the boy "Is my son from the future, don't worry Dumbledore has it covered, but you will be seeing two handsome faces in the hall for a while" He flashes a dazzling smile before hopping back in his chair, somehow ignoring the even louder onslaught of questions.
"Merlin Potter, he looks exactly like you!" A girl calls from further down the table.
He feels his father arm sling around his shoulder, pulling him closer.
"Doesn't he! look we even have the same smile" He grins, and the boy can't help but keep a deadpanned face, annoyed at being shown like a puppy.
"Oh my God" Remus whispers, catching their attention.
"What?" James asks. Remus barks out a laugh.
"I'd recognise that look anywhere" he says gleefully, eyes twinkling in a way that makes the boy's eyes go wide.
"Keep it to yourself!" he snaps and Remus' mouth clicks shut, though he still wears a smug grin for the entire meal.
Sirius looks back and forth between them, a piece of toast halfway in his mouth. He's interested for all of two seconds before shaking his head and returning to his meal.
James' attention had already been stolen, but as the meal goes on his demeanour gets more and more sullen.
He's dragged to their first lesson, Potions, and manages to linger back with his father.
"Are you okay?" he asks tentatively, so used to being the one to receiving comfort.
James gives him a wry smile, shoulders still hunched.
"I don't suppose...your mother...it's not Lily is it?" He sounds resigned, and as though he already knew the answer, and the boy remembers a joke thrown around only once, about his fathers school boy crush on Lily Evans, one of his aunts.
It fuels a fury within him.
It was one things to know when he was older, and his parents had been happily married and sickenly in love. It's another thing to experience the past, in a time where the relationship between his parents isn't even a thought in their minds.
His face hardens and it catches James off guard.
"No, she's not my mother" he spits, marching off to the classroom, leaving a stunned James in silence.
He can't stand the thought of talking to his father, his eyes surveying the room for familiar faces. Remus sits with Lily, who, the boy likes very much.
She had always been one of his favourite aunts and another culprit in his spoiling. Truly he has nothing against her, but just the mere thought of her with his father makes him grimace.
Sirius has an empty seat but he knows his father will probably want better comfort than he attempted to give.
So he slides in next to his uncle Peter who tosses him a surprised but happy smile.
For the entire two hours he feels his fathers gaze on the back of his neck, like an annoying prickle.
He and Peter breeze through the assignment, and when questioned by a pouting Sirius, he explains briefly that his mother loves potions and he's much further advanced in his own coursework.
It's amusing to watch, as his fathers face goes shockingly pale and almost a little green as his eyes dart to the other side of the room where Severus Snape stands at his culdren, calmly chopping up ingredients and gently lowering them into the pot.
The boy can't help but burst into laughter, muffled as best as he can into his hand.
He hears Sirius rush to reassure him that no Snape is not his future baby mother.
"Or is he?" the boys says with all seriousness that doesn't last more than five seconds, enough time for James to have another meltdown.
He thinks in that moment, that he can't wait to tell his mother about this.
And then, suddenly, he feels sad.
It has been quite fun getting a peek into the past, but now the reality is crashing into him. He doesn't know how long he'll have to stay here before his parents figure out a way to get him back.
His father is here and basically the same which is nice. But he already misses the warmth of his mothers hugs, and the secret little inside jokes they shared.
He misses his mum.
His mum who was healed and happy and healthy.
His mum, who is in the castle right now and broken and sad and cold.
He may be an Alpha, but he's always been a little sensitive. He feels the tears prick his eyes, an overwhelming amount of emotion bubbling up in him.
Frustration takes first place, and as soon as they're let out he finds himself stomping away, too quick for his father and uncles to catch up to him.
The halls are familiar around him but they bring no comfort.
He doesn't have his fathers map or cloak but he does remember his favourite hiding places.
He finds himself curled up in a dark corner of the library, one less trodden and 'abandoned by the world' as his mother told him.
It helps and makes things worse at the same time, and all he can do is rest his head along the stained glass window and slip his eyes shut.
He must have dozed for a few minutes, awoken by the sound of a halted squeak.
His eyes meet his mothers, both wide and startled.
Regulus looks like he's about to turn around and walk away. The boy doens't know what possesses him,
"Wait!"
Regulus stops, eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"Please, sit, i'm sorry, i was just leaving" he says hastily, gathering up his things that had sprawled out when he flopped down earlier.
Regulus assesses him.
"You're Potters son aren't you?" he says with a grimace.
"I am" the boy replies with a small smile. Regulus hums, walking towards him and seating himself primly in the chair opposite.
He doesn't say anything else, merely spreads his things out in front of him.
"How did you find this place" he asks softly.
"My mother told me about it" The boys says without thinking.
Regulus watches him, eyes roving across his face, slowly taking in each of his features, his face getting more and more pinched by the second until-
A pink blush spreads across his cheeks, a small gasp slipping from his lips.
"You're so smart mama" the boy whispers in wonder.
Regulus lets out an incredulous laugh, it's broken, and filled with disbelief. He shakes his head, curls falling in his face.
"No, no because that would mean that I...me and Potter- No..."
The boy laughs, and it sounds exactly like his own that Regulus' breath is taken away.
"You're happy mama...really, truly happy" the boys says gently, eyes so bright and kind.
"But that means...Sirius...?" his hands are shaking, and he tries to stop it by gripping his quill tighter.
"Uncle Sirius is over all the time, and you two have weekly movie nights" the boy says with a smile.
Regulus lets out a deep breath, an overwhelming and dangerous feeling of hope bubbles inside him. The proof is sitting in front of him, scent calming and mixed with his own and a boy he's had a hatred for.
But he's beautiful and perfect and he's...he's his.
He's Regulus' son.
"Oh" Regulus sighs. He feels something drip on his hands, and only when he feels the boy's gentle hand rub underneath his eyes does he realise that it's his tears
"You deserve happiness mama" the boy whispers, his scent wrapping around him.
As he holds his mother in a comforting hug, he almost wants to laugh. Uncle Barty always said he was a weakling for his mother, and he has to agree.
All that bravado about keeping quiet for the sake of the timeline and there he goes, blabbing the minute he speaks with his mum.
Once Regulus calms down he reluctantly tells the boy that he really has to finish his assignment, and the boy, wanting to stay with his mother, offers to help.
Which is where they find themselves a half hour later, laughing softly among one another as the assignment is slowly finished.
And it's how the others find him, loudly rushing to them, map in hand and stern looks on their faces.
It's almost comical once they realise who he's with. A tense stand of between brothers, a smug looking Remus, and a James Potter who's eyes can't stop darting between them where they sit side by side.
The boy can see his father doing mental gymnastics, coming to the right conclusion and then talking himself out of it.
"What're you guys up to?" Remus breaks the ice, smirking at them both.
"I'm helping him with his transfiguration assignment" the boy replies calmly.
"Hi Reg..." Sirius says with a bashful smile.
"Hi Siri" Regulus replies, awkward and tense, leaning further into the boys side.
"So you know my brother?" Sirius asks him, fishing for information. The boy trades an amused look with Regulus who greets him with a mirror copy.
Sirius' gasp echoes through the bookshelves. His head shakes, and then his face morphs. He turns to James who seems to have come to the same conclusion
"YOU! Thats my baby brother!" Sirius grunts, pushing Remus out the way to whack James on his arms.
"Ouch Pads, stop i'm sorry!" James whines, trying to use Peter as a human shield.
He chances a look to Regulus, who wears a sour expression on his face
"Really? He's my baby daddy?" Regulus asks incredulously
At his words the boys stop fighting.
James' face flushes, and a dark, hungry look rests in his eyes. It has the boy grimacing, Regulus squirming, and Remus holding back a furious Sirius.
"Enough! You! Out, out!" Sirius huffs, breaking away from Remus and shoving James out of his brothers eyesight.
Remus and Peter follow, each trading amused smirks.
Once they're gone Regulus collapses forward onto the table heaving an embrassed groan.
"You're very happy together" the boys says.
Regulus groans, shoving him off the seat.
"You, go...i need some time to process" Regulus mumbles.
The boy laughs, but gathers his things. As he's about to leave he feels Regulus hand tug on the sleeve of his shirt.
"What's your name?" he asks.
"Castor" the boy replies.
Regulus huffs, a soft smile tugging his lips.
"Castor..." he whispers, face flushing and once again burying his head in his arms.
"See you later mama" Castors says softly, scenting him lightly before leaving.
- -
He's only there for a day before his parents come and collect him, the same bright light shining in the middle of the great hall that's empty except for a few straglers, namely the 'marauders' and his mothers group.
He has barely enough time to say goodbye before he's being yanked back to his own time, his mother warm embrace meeting him on the other side, before he gets pinched,
"What have I told you about messing around in my Lab!"
- -
In the aftermath there is a lot of tension.
Sirius and Regulus decide to prioritise rebuilding their relationship with the saftey net that everything is going to be alright and it's safe to do so, even if neither of them know how.
James and Regulus tip toe around each other trading secret smiles and matching blushes.
When Sirius runs away the next summer Regulus is right there with him and the Potters welcome them with open arms.
However, without the leash of their parents and now being under the same roof, the attraction between Regulus and James that had been building reaches a boiling point.
James trails him with a hunger that sometimes scares himself. He's obsessed. Eyes following the boy's every move, his every thought filled with the knowledge that he'll breed him one day, stuff him with his knot and tie him forever.
Now that Regulus is free he lets his pheromones out, Lavender and Cinnamon filling the room wherever he goes.
James is, unfortunately, addicted, slipping into the boys room to steal pieces of clothing that is saturated in the scent and using them for...private time.
Regulus is no better. The first heat he has in the Potter house has him whining for James, who had been locked up in a guest room a whole floor away.
The solution is to dump James' laundry all over Regulus' bed and let him have at it.
Afterwards, while Effie is downstairs comforting a tired Regulus and feeding him to get his energy back, James sneaks into the room and steals the heat sodden sheets to himself, not letting them be washed for another three days.
So the minute Regulus graduates Hogwarts, it's no surprise James slips a ring on his finger.
It's even less of a surprise when Regulus is pupped not 6 months later.
Little Castor is born with a strong set of lungs and a perfectly chubby face.
Adored by all and coddled endlessly by his parents.
He is loved.
And, when the time comes, he is a Slytherin.
James laughs remembering his sons hesitance when asked what house he was in.
"Cunning little thing" he whispers as he passes the letter to Regulus.
"That's my boy" Regulus smirks.