The very last chapter of As Time Goes On. Are you guys as sad as I am? Alright, I know you guys have been waiting forever and a day for this! To be honest, this chapter has been written since August. I've written a couple of one shots since then and I've started the first chapter of the sequel to this. I know that it's taken so long to get this going, but I didn't abadon it! Promise! lol anyways, anymore imformation will be on my profile so go look at that. Wow..this is so sad. My very last chapter. I know you guys have been waiting a long time for this and I'm so sorry it took so long. I just now got my internet back. So, here we go! Check my profile for updates. Thanks to:
THANKS TO EVERYONE ELSE THAT REVIEWED THIS WHOLE ENTIRE STORY. IT MEANT THE WORLD TO ME!
Chapter 33- Hold On
Remus fell to his knees, panting, groaning, and holding his stomach in pain. Severus Snape stood above him, smirking madly. He gave Remus one last kick in the stomach, causing him to fall over on his back.
"Snape.." Remus gasped out, the pain in his stomach becoming unbearable.
"I'd like to see you get out of this one, you bloody Marauder," Snape growled. Just then, voices could be heard outside.Both boys heads shot up, one looking hopeful and the other looking nervous.
"Remus! James! Peter!"
"Mr. Potter, if this is a joke, it certainly isn't funny-"
"Mr. Lupin, I'll have you know you are risking you prefect position if you continue to run away from us!"
Threats could be heard just outside the shack. It sounded as if someone noticed Remus's absence. Just then, he furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. Why were they calling Peter and James? Were they mising too? Kicking Remus in the side one more time, Snape strode out of the room, not looking back once. He slammed the door behind him, leaving Remus alone, confused, weak, and hurt.
Emma ran out of the castle the moment she was done checking up on Lily. Her best friend was asleep when she got in, so Emma decided that looking for the Marauders sounded muchmore productive. All classes had been cancelled due to the fact that every teacher and ghost were currently searching for the missing Marauders. From the rumors spreading around, Sirius had been suspended, but the whereabouts of the other three were unknown. Emma made her way to the grounds. The teachers had given up searching the grounds and rumor had it they were searching in the Dark Forest. Confused, Emma looked around. She didn't understand. The Marauders had disappeared for hours at a time before.Why was everyone so scared?
Emma began walking toward the lake when a staggering figure caught her eye. She looked over toward the Whomping Willow. A few feet from it lay a figure in a heap on the ground. Slowly, Emma walked toward the figure. Their robes were tangled around the person, making it impossible for her to see their face.
"Er..are you okay?" Emma asked uncertainly.
The figure groaned slowly and moved slightly. Ever so slowly, he or she lifted their head up and looked blearily at the girl in front of them. A couple of bruises covered their face.
Emma gasped. "Remus! What happened to you!"
Not waiting for an answer, she slipped her arm under him and gingerly lifted him up. Remus only groaned in acknowlegement.
"I'll take you to the hospital wing," Emma said, making her way slowly toward the castle, "Wow, Remus, where have you been? Were James and Peter with you? Everyone has been searching for the three of you all day! I only just heard that Sirius was suspended. Wait..should we wait for James and Peter? They were with you, weren't they? Are they com-"
"Emma," Remus gritted his teeth in pain and held onto her tighter for support, "What do you mean everyone's been searching for us? I thought they were just looking for me?"
Emma shook her head, confused. "None of you have been seen since yesterday. Hold on...James and Peter aren't with you, are they?"
Remus shook his head, focusing his eyes on the ground. He did, however, shoot a quick glance at Emma, who was looking at him with a worried expression. Remus himself was starting to feel a bit nervous. Where had James and Peter gone?
They were slowly making their way up the stone steps when the Oak doors slowly shut in front of them. Both gave each other confused glances. Remus then shrugged, leaned a bit more on Emma, then reached for the handle when-
Emma let out a piercing scream, catching Remus so off guard that he fell back, landing hardly on his arse. Emma had her hands over her mouth and was looking up at the closed entrance doors with a horrified and disgusted look on her face. There, tied to the doors, was James Potter. Robes torn, blood dripping down the side of his face, breath ragged, eyes closed, swollen lip, and leg bent at a very odd angle. He seemed to be tied to the door with an invisible force. His arms were out while the rest of his body was straight, giving the appearance of someone who was about to attempt to fly without a broomstick. His head lagged dangerously to the side. Above him was a mark. The Dark Mark, to be exact, carved into the Oak Doors.
Remus looked up, horrifed. That mark was never meant to be good. "Prongs!" he shouted. "Prongs, wake up!" James made no movement. Just then, more screaming could be heard behind them. Both he and Emma, who was looking quite pale, turned around to see the professors running toward them, looking just as horrified as Emma had. Professor Dumbledore and McGonagall made their way to the front. McGonagall looked disgusted at the sight that met her, but her eyes also held sympathy.
"Minerva," Dumbledore spoke sharply, "Please help me remove Mr. Potter," he looked over at Remus, who was on his back, unable to move due to his swollen ankle, and Emma, who was leaning down next to him. "And please escort Mr. Potter, Mr. Lupin, and Ms. Jungher to the hospital wing."
Remus and Emma made to move, but Dumbledore spoke to them."Ah, Mr. Lupin. Where is Mr. Pettigrew?"
Remus shook his head, noticing the worried expression that seemed to cross the headmaster's face. "I don't know, sir."
Dumbledore was silent,which unnerved him.Then, Dumbledore replied in an almost forced light voice, "Very well. Go to the Hospital Wing and get that ankle checked."
When James had been magicked down and put on a floating stretcher, McGonagall, James, Remus, and Emma made their small journey to the hospital wing. Remus was still leaning heavily on Emma but remained silent. His mind was reeling with possibilites on what could've happened to James. But he was mostly wondering, who would have done this to him? And where was Peter? Remus glanced guiltily at James, who was still breathing heavily and twitched now and then, as if having a bad nightmare. The last time he saw him was when he told him to leave him alone. How much had happened in the last twenty four hours? Remus had definitely had his share of adventure with Severus Snape for a lifetime...but what had they others gone through? When they reached the Hospital Wing, Madame Pomfrey wasn't there but returned only minutes later after they had arrived. She, too, had been searching the grounds for three-fourths of the Marauders and came to the Hospital the moment she was told what happened.
She mended Remus's ankle in a second, but told him to stay so she could check him over. She then turned and fussed over James, who was still unconscious and looking more pale with the most pained expression Remus had ever seen on one of his best friends's face. McGonagall left them, telling them she would be back shortly Thankfully, not one person asked where Remus had been. He had a feeling they were all dying to, but given their states, they held their tongues. He leaned his head back onto his pillows and closed his eyes, wincing at his bruised side, which Madame Pomfrey still had yet to examine. He let out a breath, remembering the events of the following night, when he felt a hand tentatively slip into his own.
Remus jumped, opened his eyes, and sat up quickly. It had just been Emma. However, seeing him jump, she quickly pulled her hand out of his, stared at her ownhands, and began to turn red. She didn't leave though. She remained in her seat next to Remus's bed.
A few minutes past with an awkward silence. Emma still refused to look up while Remus let his eyes wander to Lily, who was also unconscious and lyng in a bed next to James, who lay next to Remus.
"Will she be alright?" Remus asked suddenly, looking at Lily's unconscious form.
Emma nodded. "She should be waking up soon."
"So they don't know who did this to her?"
"She dosen't remember a thing."
Silence.
"Remus...there's something I should tell you," Emma whispered.
Remus looked at her, concerned. "What? Emma, is something the matter?"
"No," she shook her head hastily. "It's nothing like that."
"Oh," he leaned back, relieved. "Well then..what's up?"
She was wringing her hands nervously, causing Remus to raise his eyebrows slightly. Never had he seen her act so strangely. She opened her mouth to speak, when Madame Pomfrey interrupted her.
"My dear!" she looked over at Emma disapprovingly. "This boy needs his rest! Please, I must ask you to leave the Hospital Wing-"
"Madame Pomfrey," Remus cut her off politey, "It really is fine-"
"It isn't! Mr. Lupin, I must care to my patients! Ms. Jungher, you will be allowed to visit later on this evening, but at the moment, I must insist you let my patients rest."
Emma tried her best not to look annoyed. "Alright then."
She stood up, when Remus reached out and grabbed her arm.She looked back at him.
"Er..thanks. We'll talk later?" he said shortly.
Emma nodded. "I'll see you soon."
With that, she leaned over and gave him one last hug before dashing out of the Hospital Wing.
"Mum..." James muttered weakly.
Surprised, his mum gave a dry sob and clasped her hand with her son's. Tears were starting to well in her eyes. She knew what was coming next.
"James.." she whispered softly, "Don't ever give in..."
"Yes, Potter, open your eyes and look at your mother one last time," Voldemort hissed coldly.
'He's going to kill me,' James thought numbly.
"This wasn't your fault..." his mum whispered, voice shaking slightly. "It was never about you."
As images of James childhood and teenage years flashed before his eyes, he felt tears well up in his eyes, but was careful not to let them fall. Sirius, Remus, Peter...he would never see them again. His life ended at age sixteen. If he could see his friends..just one more time...he would tell them not to let Snape split them up. They were stronger than that. Lily..he would never get to apologize to her. He hoped Sirius, Remus, or Peter would tell her he was serious every time he ever asked her out.
In the corner of his eye, he saw Voldemort raised his wand.
"I'm so sorry I wasn't able to save you from this pain," his mum whispered
A day later, Emma stepped back into the hospital wing, deciding that she wouldn't leave until she told Remus what she needed to say. Feeling a bit flushed, she walked up toward Remus, who was sitting up in bed reading a book. Emma glanced at the bed next to him, which now held James in it. Lily had been released a few hours earlier and was now feverishly working on her homework in the library. Seeing Emma approach him, Remus smiled and put his book down.
"Hi," she said, a bit breathlessly.
"Hi," he replied, confused by her actions butwas careful not toshow it.
"Er..how are you feeling?" Emma asked, looking at anything but him.
"Better," Remus said, but there was something haunting in his voice. "It'll be good to get out of the Hospital Wing."
She nodded. "Yeah, and I heard Sirius should be coming back soon."
Remus visibly stiffened at hearing his name. Noticing this, Emma hastily changed the subject. "Er..and James?"
The light haired boy looked at his unconscious friend sadly. "All Madame Pomfrey will tell me is that the physical wounds should heal faster than the emotional ones."
"What does that mean?"
Remuis shrugged. "For that, Prongs has to tell us."
"So you have no idea what's wrong with him?"
He shook his head. "No. Professor Dumbledore is coming down here today. I think Madame Pomfrey is going to tell him the state James is in. If we're lucky, maybe we could hear some thing,"
Emma laughed. "Eavesdropping? Even when your down and hurt you Marauders still insist on breaking the rules."
He smiled.
Emma coughed pointedly. "Well..Remus, I'm glad you weren't hurt. Are you ever going to tell me what happened to you?"
He studied her for a bit. "I don't know," he said slowly, "Maybe...I suppose I just have to come to grips with it first."
Honestly, Remus wasn't about to forgive Snape for what he was almost about to do. Though the blame did lead to Sirius. He didn't know who he was more angry at, Snape or Sirius. In a second, Remus felt a hand slip into his. Looking up, Emma had moved her chair closer to the bed and was looking at their connected hands, a soft blush coming over her features. She then glanced up at him. He saw something in her eyes that she never saw before, and it scared him.
"Remus.." she said quietly, looking directly into his eyes, "I was so scared when they told me you were missing. I thought for one second that I might never see you again." She gave a nervous laugh. "And I thought...well, if anything happened to you, you would never know how I truly felt about you..."
Remus chuckled nervously. "I know how you feel about me..."
"No," she whispered, her face crimson now, but the determination was clearly evident. "Remus...there's something else you need to know, that I've been dieing to tell you for ages..."
"W-well...er...what?"
She sighed, obviously not realizing how nervous she was making him. "Remus..."
"Avada Kedavra!"
Green light once again blinded him. His mother was screaming..his father was yelling...but James felt no pain. Slowly, he opened his eyes. Was death supposed to be this painless? The sight James was met with caused his so grow sick. The green light wasn't meant for him...it all came together. The Killing Curse was never meant for him...And now he was screaming. Screaming louder than he ever had in his life. It was at that moment he understood what was about to happen. He couldn't stop it. And this caused him more than than he ever felt in his life.
A blood curdling scream filled the air, causing Remus and Emma to jump apart. Remus paled while Emma jumped a foot into the air. Madame Pomfrey came rushing into the room and at that exact moment the Hospital Wing doors burst open and a frantic Sirius Black ran in. James Potter was screaming as if he was being totured. Remus jumped out of bed and Sirius was by his best friend's side in an instant.
"Prongs!" Sirius yelled, turning white and shaking his friend roughly. "Prongs, wake up! You're dreaming!" It was hard for Sirius to yell over his best friend's screams. He began to shake out of fear forJames as he continued to shake him, yelling at him to wake up. Remus had also joined in the yelling. In an instant, James eyes snapped open and he shot up in bed, breathing heavily.
Madame Pomfrey grabbed a potion and thrust it in his hands. "A Calming Draught," she said shortly.
James took huge gulps of it. He was shaking so badly that a large amount of it fell onto his torn and dirty robes.
"S-Sirius?" James looked at his friend shakily.
Sirius ran a hand through his hair shakily. "It's me, mate." He put his other hand on his friend's shoulder in an effort to calm him down.
Madame Pomfrey muttered something about getting some more potions and walked into her office, leaving the four alone. Emma hovered awkwardly in the backround.
"You were suspended," James said bluntly. "Unless...how long have I been out?" He looked at Remus, who shrugged.
"About a day."
"Then what are you doing here?" James asked Sirius.
"I came to see if you were alright," Sirius said quietly. He then took something out of his robes and tossed it onto the bed in front of Remus and James. It was the Daily Prophet. The headline said, 'POTTERS DEAD?' and had a picture of James hanging on the Oak Doors with the Dark Mark hovering above him.
"Bloody hell..." James fingered the picture.
"I received the Prophet this morning," Sirius said quietly, "Prongs...what happened?"
James couldn't meet his friend's eyes. The memory of what had happened caused himself to feel sick. But Sirius had taken this expression completely the wrong way.
"But of course," he said bitterly to himself more than James, "I understand completely about you not wanting to trust me with anymore of your secrets."
James blinked in suprise at Sirus's sudden mood swing.
"I'll leave," Sirius continued, "If anyone here has a problem with me being here."
"That might be best," came the reply from Remus.
Sirius looked at him with a hurt expression. Giving James another sad look, he walked past, but not without saying, "I really am sorry, Moony.." as he walked out of the Hospital wing. Sighing, Remus turned to Emma.
"Emma..." he looked at her apologetically.
James was surprised that one his best Chasers was shaking her head frantically with tears in her eyes.
"No," She sounded as if she mightcry any second, "I-I understand. It's completely understandable..."
"Emma...let me explain," he took a step toward her.
"No!" her voice was getting louder. "Just..just forget I ever mentioned it." With that, she turned on her heel and rushed out of the Hospital Wing. For a moment, the two Marauders sat there, until Remus broke the silenece.
"Prongs..." Remus didn't take his eyes off the door, "Where's Wormtail?"
"What?" James quickly looked at his friend.
"Wormtail," Remus repeated, now looking at James with a worried expression, "I thought he would be with you...he's been missing since a couple of days ago-"
"He hasn't been with me," James said slowly. 'Oh Merlin,' he covered his face with a shaking hand, 'He couldn'thave gotten involved.' James jumped out of bed and sprang to his feet. His legs, however,wouldn't support him. In an instant, his legs gave out and he would have ell to the ground if Remus hadn't caught him around his chest.
"You mean he wasn't with you?" Remus asked, looking anxious. James shook his head.
"We have to find him," James made to stand up on his own, but Remus shoved him lightly back onto the bed.
"All the teachers are out looking for him. I'm sure they'll find him soon." He looked like he was convincing himself more than James. For a moment, both boys stood in silence.
"Er..." Remus cleared his throat. "Madame Pomfrey released me awhile ago...but if you want me to stay..."
James shook his head. "Go on, I'll see you later, Moony."
Remus clapped a hand on his friend's shoulder. "See you soon, Prongs."
James closed his eyes and listened to his friends faint footsteps get harder and harder to hear, until finally, he was sure he had left. A flash of green light blurred his vision, Voldemort's voice...his mother's scream..
James groaned and fell back into the pillows, pressing his hands against his eyes, willing the images to go away. He had went through more in the last forty eight hours than he had in his whole entire life. Sirius told Snape where to find Moony, Snape was almost killed, they were nearly expelled, the Marauders split up, James found out his mother was captured, he finds out ot was a trap, he nearly escapes death and watches his mother die...'Why did he let me go?'
'He knew I didn't have the pendant...the sacrifice wouldn't of worked. He killed my mother to punish me...he killed her..she's dead..'
James couldn't comprehend it. His mother, dead? He felt numb to the imformation, numb to the events that had taken place in the worse forty eight hours of his life. 'It should've been me..' he said this to himself about five times before slamming a fist into his pillow. Why wasn't he crying? But then again...he sort of preferred this numbness compared to the guilt and grief he was sure to feel later on. Suddenly feeling very clasterphobic, James quietly snuck out of bed and out of the hospital wing.
Lily Evans walked out of the library after being yelled at for the fifth time by the librarian for her constant muttering. 'It's all Potter's fault!' Lily thought angrily. She had seen him in the hospital wing before she was released, but hadn't bothered to ask Remus why he was there.'Thejerk probably got into another duel!' She was still sore about the fight they had earlier and didn't intend of forgiving him anytime soon. She turned a corner and collided into someone, resulting in her dropping her book bag. She bent down, picked up her bag and straightened herself up, intending on apologizing to the person she had run into. She glanced up and felt her apology die in her throat.
"Potter!"
There in front of her, stood James Potter, in dirt and torn robes with a lost expression on his face. James looked at her, startled.
"Evans?"
This only caused Lily to become even angrier. "Oh, so now I'm just 'Evans', Potter? You are such a prick!"
James looked at her confused."What?"
Lily threw her hands into the air. "What?" she mimicked him. "That's just like you, Potter! Too good to apologize to me, are you? James Potter, King of Hogwarts! Apologizing is below you, isn't it! Just when I thought you were changing, you turn around and prove me wrong! The world doesn't revolve around, Potter! You can't just go around blowing up at innocent bystanders!" She was turning red now, too beside herself to stop her rant. She knew she was acting foolish, but the confused expression on her face only made her more hurt and angry that he simply forget their fight. "Have your parents taught you nothing?"
James eyes seemed to darken at this statement. "Don't."
"No, Potter!" Lily yelled, feeling angrier than she had in months, and , if possible, hurt. "I've tried to be friends with you! I've tried to put up with you-"
"You've done a great job, Evans. Going around calling me names-"
"Don't get sarcastic with me, Potter! You're lucky I even spared you a second glance!"
"You would have been a heartless bitch not to after I saved you arse on Christmas!"
"I never asked you to come! I was doing fine by myself! Everything was under control until you showed up and then things got complicated! It's just like you, always having to be the hero! You always have to be involved in everything!" She was hitting him in the chest now, shoving him. James grabbed her wrists to try and stop her, but she only glared at him, completely beside herself. "When will you realize that all you do is mess things up! You aren't a hero, Potter! You're not perfect, you're not invincible! You're just some spoiled little boy who gets everything he wants! I never want to look at you again!"
James was taller than her, but the loathing in her eyes and voice causing him to step back. He still held her wrists in fear of her trying to hurt him. He was starting to grow alarmed. What was she so angry about?
"I don't know how your mother can even stand the sight of you!" Lily screamed. That did it for James. Without even thinking, he pushed her hard to the ground.
"Don't talk about her!" James yelled. "My father and mother risked their lives for you-"
"I was-"
"MY PARENTS WERE CAPTURED BECAUSE OF YOU!"
Lily laughed mockingly. "Oh, don't worry, they''ll be found soon. After all, your James Potter. You have the perfect life, family andfriends. They'll be back and then you'll throw a huge party in that mansion of yours!"
"YOU DON'T KNOW HALF OF IT, EVANS!"
"Of course not, how would I? You James Potter, being so secretive all the time would never tell anyone's what's wrong! You insist on fixing every little problem on your own simply because you can't swallow your own damn prideand admit you need help!"
James whipped out his wand and pointed it at her. He was so angry, so hurt, his wand shook in his hand. Lily was on her feet, wand also out. Their eyes locked for a moment, each held unbearable hurt and rage-
"Prongs!" Sirius, hearing the last of their argument, stood in front of the two, staring at James. He was in bad shape. His face had gone red. Hiseyes could even pass for looking a bit glossy and his wand was shaking uncontrollably.
"Prongs, come on," Sirius took James wand arm and led him around the corridor. Sirius dropped an article at Lily's feet before giving her a pointed look. The two Marauders disappeared around the corner. Lily bent down and picked up the newspaper which was headlined, 'POTTERS DEAD?' It had of picture of James tied to the Oak Doors with the Dark Mark hanging over him. The article went on to say how they belived James parents to be dead. The article read:
On June third, the youngest Potter was found under the Dark Mark, scaring most everyone who saw him. The Dark Mark is placed whenever anyone is killed, but sure enough, it wasn't James Potter that was murdered. Mere hours ago, there was an anonymous calling stating that they knew where well-respected Aurors Cecilia and Justin Potter, along with John Linuger were being held captive. Aurors fled to the spot and were most disturbed to find Cecilia Potter's dead body. This came as a great shock to all who knew her. James Potter was believed to be with her before she died. The Dark Mark was not intended for the youngest Potter, but for his now deceased mother. The Wizarding world is shocked to find one of its most influential women dead.
Lily put her hand to her mouth and gasped. She looked at the spot where James had been minutes before and felt tears well up in her eyes. 'What have I done?'
James voice shook slightly as he muttered incoherently under his breath. Sirius had a hold on his arm and was leading him down the corridor.
"We should probably take you to the Tower and get you changed, mate," Sirius was saying, but James had long ago tuned him about. He run in with Evans made him feel completely unnerved. What had set her off so easily? The last time they talked...they were fine..
James remebered it clearly. He was rushing down the corridor and ran into Evans. He told her he was going to help his parents...
James suddenly stopped dead in his tracks, a nauseating realization suddenly dawning on him. Lily eyes..they had been grey...Lily's eyes were green. It wasn't Lily he had run into!
"Prongs?" Sirius asked uncertainly.
James eyes were darting back and forth as he thought back. Lily had been acting strangely. They had a fight before that and she had been furious. Then, she be randomly became friendly with him? Why hadn't he seen it before? But if it wasn't Lily..then who was? Someone using the Polyjuice potion?
Alarmed, Sirius shook his James. "Oi, mate, wake up!"
James looked at Sirius oddly. "Padfoot..." he said slowly. "Where was Evans last night?"
He shrugged. "I wasn't here remember?"
James nodded slowly, just to show that he had heard him. His mind was reeling with possibilites. Could it be possible that that person alerted the Death Eaters he was coming? James shuddered at the thought. In that exact moment, Remus turned a corner and nearly collided with Sirius. For a moment, the three stood there, stariing at each other awkwardly. Until, Remus broke it.
"Prongs..I saw the article."
Jamse kept his gaze fixed on the ground and nodded. He could feel a huge lump rising in his throat and his eyes began to water dangerously. For a moment, the three Marauders stood there, not really sure what to say.
"Moony," Sirius looked at his friend, who met his gaze defiantly, "I'm so sorry-"
"I understand, Padfoot," Remus said, "You were angry. And I..I forgive you."
Sirius looked him, surprised. Even James looked up with the same surprised expression that Sirius had.
"We're all going through a hard time right now," Remus said, looking at his two friends, "It'll only make it more unbearable if we don't face it together. Besides," he smiled, at this, "I'm not going to be the reason the Marauders split up."
For the first time in the last two days, the three Marauders broke into a true smile.
"Friends, then?" Sirius stuck out his hand.
"Wouldn't have it any other way," Remus clasped his hand.
All James could do was stare at the two hopefully. Maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't have to go through this alone. Maybe there was still hope after all.
"Prongs, I came here to tell you that Dumbledore wants you in his office," Remus said. They all knew why. They wanted to discuss the events that happened. It was a mark of the Marauder friendship that the two didn't press the other for details on what happened.
"We'll go with you, mate," Sirius said, clasping a hand on his friend's shoulder. They could see him shake slightly.
"A-alright," James choked out, voice cracking slightly. The three made their way to the office. After having Remus mutter the password to the gargoyles, the three stepped into the office, where they spotted Dumbledore sitting at his desk, looking grave.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Black, Mr. Lupin, please have a seat," Dumbledore said gravely, pointing to the three chairs in front of his desk. The three obeyed. For a moment, it was silent. James didn't want to be here. He didn't want to tell themhis story. He didn't want them to know that it was his fault, that if he only hadn't been foolish enough-
"Professor," Sirius said, "I know I'm supposed to be suspended, but-"
"Mr. Black, I don't think I would have been able to keep you away even if I wanted to," Dumbledore said,giving a small smile, "The Potters were like a second family to you, were they not?"
Sirius nodded.
"Then, Mr. Black, I will lift your suspension punishment. I believe your friends need you now more than ever. It may be your chance to redeem yourself from you last mistake. However," Sirius's grin faded slightly as they Professor went on, "You will have two weeks worth of detention when you return for your seventh year and fifty points shall be taken from Gryffindor. Now, however, we must move on to more important matters."
Dumbledore's eyes lingered on James for a moment, who stared at the floor, toonumb andashamed to stare at his Headmaster.
"James," Dumbledore said gently, yet gravely, "The moment we tracked down where your parents were..I am afraid it was too late."
"I know," James muttered, "I watched my mum get murdered by You-Know-Who." He knew it was stupid not to say the real name, but he had to admit he was too scared to speak it. James felt Sirius's grip tighten on his arm and Remus took a sharp intake of breath. But just then, something occured to James. He looked up at his Professor hopefully. "Sir..I never knew what happened to my father or John. Are they...?"
Dumbledore shook his head sadly. "Your father was nowhere to be found, but we believe him to be dead also," James slumped back into his chair, "Your mother's body was taken for a proper funeral and John is currently is St. Mungo's."
All he could do was nod. He felt numb. The thought that he would never see his parents hadn't sunk in...
"I am very sorry for your lost, James. Your parents were extraordinary talented," Dumbledore said. For a moment, silenece loomed over them. James could feel everyone's eyes on him. Maybe Dumbledore was waiting for some sort of reaction. If he was, he didn't get any. Finally, the Headmaster cleared his throat and continued on. "You will not have to go the your classes for awhile if you don't want to, I am letting you take a break from you classes, and yes, Mr. Black," Siruis had opened his mouth to speak, "I will allow you, Mr. Lupin, and Mr. Pettigrew to take time off as well. After all, three of you were missing, and one was sent back to a home where they are most disliked. I think it only neccessary to taketime off. Mr. Black, you will only get three days off. Mr. Lupin, since you also were missing for the last twenty-four hours, I will grant you five days. Mr. Potter, I expect you to be in your classes by final exams."
James nodded, not looking up. His final exams would came up in seven days. How on earth was he going to prepare himself for them with everything on his mind?
Dumbledore once again cleared his throat, catching their attention. "Another important matter, I must ask you...where is Mr. Pettigrew?"
A ringing silenece filled the room, until Remus said, quite softly, "We don't know, Professor."
Dumbledore looked at them. "You mean to tell me that Mr. Potterand Mr. Lupin, while the three of you were missing, he was not with either of you?"
Both boys shook their heads. Dumbledore looked worried now.
"Professor," Sirius said, "You will find him?"
"Yes, Mr. Black. Every ghost and teacher issearching for him on the grounds. Even the students are keeping an eye out for him. But now..another question that has been haunting everyone since yesterday...what happened to you three? Or two, considering Mr. Pettigrew isn't here to tell us."
Both Remus and James looked away, while Sirius was playing with a string on his robes, trying to look casual.
"Ah," Dumbledore said wisely, "So I take it James was not the only one having a dangerous adventure?"
The silence in the room confirmed the statement.
"Mr. Black.."
"Professor, I would rather not talk about it. It was no different than any of my other vacations at the Grimmauld Place," Sirius said shortly.
The answer seemed to be good enough for Dumbledore. "Mr. Lupin?"
Remus shook his head. "I would rather...Professor, you know I would tell you...I will eventually.."
The old Headmaster raised his hand. "Mr. Lupin, I will not force it out of you. Mr. Potter?"
The memory was coming back...a largelump had made its way to James throat. He didn't trust himself to speak. He shook his head hastily. Dumbledore sighed. "Very well, I will not force any of you to tell me at this moment. It it best that you three come to terms with what happened. I will trust you three to confide in each other, However, you must realize, you especially, Mr. Potter, that I will have to arrange appointments for you all over the summer to tell me what happened to you in the last twenty four hours."
The three boys nodded. "Alright," Dumbledore said quietly, "You three may go."
Remus, Sirius, and Jamse got up and bolted to the door, all of them remembering what had happened to them. They all felt as if the walls were going to close in on them at any moment..
Sirius opened the door with unnecessary force, but before leaving, they heard Dumbledore say, "And please, keep an eye out for Mr. Pettigrew."
"We will, Professor," Remus said before shutting the door behind him.
When the door was shut, Dumbledore looked out the window. A cat, who had been sittig in the dark corner the entire time, transformed into the Transfiguation teacher, Professor McGonagall.
"Albus...where exactly is Peter Pettigrew?"
Dumbledore shook his head, looking worried. "I don't know, Minerva."
The three boys walked to their room in silenece. Everyone in their path stood still, gawking at the Marauders. None of them paid any attention to the whispers that were going on around them. They made it into their common room and then headed up the spiral staircase to their dormitory.
"You know, we should go and find Peter. I'm a bit worried for him," Remus said.
Sirius nodded in agreement. "If he's been missing for the last two days like you said he was...that can't mean anything good."
Silenece.
"James?" Remus asked uncertainly as he put his hand on their dormitory door, "What do you think?"
James still refused to meet any of their eyes. "Right. We'll get the Marauder's map."
Remus and Sirius looked at each other uncertainly, but without another word, Remus threw open the door. Instantly, the three of them stopped, taking in the sight with horror-stricken faces.
Remus's mouth dropped open, Sirius muttered, "Oh Merlin..Wormtail.." James, however, flung himself inside the dormitory, where he proceeded to vomit all over the floor. The sight made him feel nauseous. Sirius moved to help James, while Remus just walked further into the dormitory.
Their rooms had been trashed horribly.. Papers, clothes, and books littered the floor. Feathers were still flying around from the pillows. All the beds had been turned over, except for one, which stood in the middle of the room. Peter Pettigrew was tied to the pole of the bed, looking as if he had been knocked out. A trail of blood fell from the side of his face. Above him, written in green letters, were they words, 'You can't escape, Potter.'
Sirius was the first to react. He ran to Peter and tapped him lightly on the cheek.
"Pete! Pete! Wormtail! Come on, mate...wake up!" Sirius said desperately.
Peter suddenly jerked away. He looked around the room weakly, but his eyes were wide with fright.
"J-James.." Peter muttered wildly, eyes darting all across the room.
"He's here, mate," Siruis said quietly.
"N-no..s-so sorry..couldn't warn him..I couldn't warn him!"
"What?" Sirius had put both his hands on either sides of Peter's face, forcing him to look directly in his eyes. "Warn who, Peter?"
"James!" Peter gasped. "Y-you got to warn him..d-don't tell Lily...I'm sorry..I-I wanted to warn him-"
With that, Peter's head dropped onto his chest, showing that he had lost all consciousness.
"Remus!" Sirius yelled over to Remus, who was frozen with shock. "Go get the first teacher you see!"
Remus nodded and sprinted out of the room. James, meanwhile, was still vomiting on the floor and shaking uncontrollably.
"Prongs!" Sriius flung himself next to his best friend's side. "Prongs..it's alright.."
"N-no, it's not!" James couldn't help himself. Hot tears were rolling down his cheeks before he could stop them. The numbness was gone. The guilt and pain were trapping him, pressing down on him. He was suffocating...surely he would die from it..."It's not alright Sirius! T-their dead! Their dead and they're going after you next! I can't stop it. I can't stop it..."
A thought just occured to James. Where was the pendant? Had whoever trashedthe roomtaken it with them? James stood up and staggered toward a pile of paper. He instantly began throwing things over his shoulder in an attempt to find it.
"What're you doing?" Sirius asked, a little unnvered by his friend's behavior and narrowly missing a book that had been thrown over to him.
"Where is it?" James muttered wildly to himself. He had to find it...if they took it, then his parents sacrfice would've just been in vain. "Damnit!" he yelled. "WHERE IS IT!"
Sirius had rushed forward and grabbed James arms roughly, preventing him from moving. "Calm down, James!"
And he did. Sirius felt James relax against his grip. Just then, a gasp filled the room, but James didn't even glance up. McGonagall had obviously been the first teacher Remus found. James only heard bits and piece of what happened next. This didn't feel real. Why didn't it feel real? He was crying, yes, but that was mainly out of guilt for falling into Voldemort's trap. Why couldn't he come to grips with his parents death?
'Your still holding onto a small piece of hope,' James told himself, 'You're hoping their still alive somwhere..only hiding. You're only hoping they'll come for you soon.'
He heard McGonagall mutter a spell and say she was taking Peter straight ot he hospital wing. She sounded oddly sympathetic. She told them to clean up the mess and she would see the Headmaster about it. For one moment, James could feel her eyes on him, but he refused to face her. Not with his eyes that were surely red and puffy now. James quickly wiped his eyes with his sleeve. A door shut. He thought he heard Remus telling him something about them being alone, and if he wanted to talk to him and Sirius, he could.
James ignored him. "I'm sixteen years old..I shouldn't be crying..sixteen year old's don't cry.." He felt a warm hand on his shoulder.
"Not many sixteen year old's watch their parents die," Remus whispered.
This seemed to soothe James. It was his friends way of telling him it was okay to cry. Against his will, James felt his shoulders shake, tears once again falling. He allowed himself to fall to his knees, hands pressed against his eyes in an attempt to hide his tears from his friends. He couldn't hide. No matter how much he tried. He thought hiding the truth would protect them, but it was only making them fall quicker. He could feel Sirius's hand on his back.
"Hold on, Prongs," he said comfortingly, "Just hold on."
What else was there to hold on to?
The next few days seemed to pass in a blur for James. Peter had returned from the the Hospital a couple of days later, refusing to tell anyone what happened, including his friends. It went that way for the rest of the Marauders as well. Neither of them spoke of their own adventure a few days ago. Neither could bare it. After the incident with James small breakdown, the Marauders never spoke of it again. Peter was granted four days off as well.
So the four Marauders weren't seen for awhile, causing wild rumors to spread around quickly. After all, if the Marauders weren't there to neither confirm nor deny them, why would anyone else? The next few days were spent in the boys dormitory, which was now cleaned up and looked like it normally did. James, Remus, Sirius, and Peter mostly stayed in their room playing chess or going down the kitchens to eat. They only went at night, refusing to see anyone else but each other. And so, six days had passed since the incident, and three-fourths of the Marauders went back to their classes.
Now, James sat alone in his dormitory, lying on his bed as thoughts ran through his head.
Was there anything left to hold on to? He had been thinking about this for quite awhile now. But it was at that moment there might just as well be something to hold onto. His friends. They were the only thing he had left in the world. His three best friends who would always be there for him. His parents died protecting him. Their chance at living a longer life was snatched away from them. What right did James have to take his life for granted? He had none. It was at that moment he decided he would let things go back to normal. Tomorrow he would take a shower and head down to breakfast, just as he did before. He wouldn't allow You-Know-Who the satisfation of seeing James fall apart.
Another thought suddenly occured to James, one that had been plaguing him for awhile now. Where was the pendant? Who had it now? James had searched the whole entire dormitory, but it was nowhere to be found. Just then, his dormitory door burst open and in came a tired Sirius Black.
Sirius plopped down onto his bed. "Oi! Reckon we should start studying for our exams?"
James looked over at his friend and smiled weakly. "Do we ever?"
And so, the Marauders once again passed all of their end of the year exams with flying colors(except for Peter, who, thanks to Remus, had managed to get now lower than an 'Acceptable' on everything.) Yes, people still whispered and pointed when the Marauders passed by, but things were slowly going back to normal.No one had managed to find out what happened to the boys because none of them were willing to say.
After the end of the year feast, everyone seemed to lighten up, forgetting all about the Marauders unknown adventure when they played their biggest prank on the Slytherins, resulting in one of the biggest food fights in Hogwarts history. Some teachers were even getting involved.
Now, though, James found himself coming to a stop at the King's Cross station. He had already left Hogwarts and was currently on his way home with Remus. Sirius and James agreed to go to Remus's house and Floo over to the Potter Manor. Peter would be coming along since he was staying at Remus's for a couple of days.
"Oy, the train stopped," James heard someone say to him. He opned his eyes and realized he had been dozing off. Tiredly, he got up and slowly dragged his trunk out of the compartment, his three friends right behind him. They made it onto the platform, and sure enough, there stood Mrs. Lupin, smiling at them
"Remus!" she enveloped her son into a huge hug, causing Remus to turn red.
"James..." Mrs. Lupin looked at him sympathetically. She had obviously heard the news.
"Er..hello, Mrs. Lupin," James said awkwardly.
She gave a sad smile and hugged him as well. Over her shoulder, James could see Lily and Emma a lttle ways off, hugging each other and saying good-bye. Lily had been trying to corner him every since their latest fight, but James wouldn't give her the chance.Apparently, he had been staring at her too long. She noticed his staring at their eyes met. James could tell that she was pleading with him to forgive her by the look in her eyes, but he couldn't. not just yet. James quickly broke the eye contact, but glances back to see her face fall in disappoint. James had to force away the guilty feeling that had immediately kicked in.
"Oy, Prongs, we're leaving!" Peter called.
"Right," James picked up his trunk and without looking back, set off after his friends.
James immediately dropped his trunk and sank into the couch the moment they reached Remus's house.
"My arms are so sore!" James groaned.
"Grow up," Sirius replied, but he was grinning widely.
"Take your own advice, Padfoot!" Remus laughed.
Sirius crossed his arms and pretending to look angry, casuing James, Peter, and Remus to laugh.
"Mum had to go to St. Mungo's for an emergency," Remus said, "You two care to stay?"
"Sorry, Moony," James sighed and stood up, "But I need to get to the Manor. It'll take nearly all night to clean up."
Sirius groaned and picked up his trunk. "Joy."
For a moment, the four just stood in an awkward silence.
"It wasn't your fault, Prongs," Peter said suddenly.
James eyes had found the floor again. "You weren't there. You don't know what happened.
"No, we weren't," Remus said comfortingly, "But I hope one day you'll be able to trust us enough to tell us."
James looked up, startled. "Moony, it has nothing to do with trust-"
"Because," Remus spoke loudly, ignoring James, "Had it not been fo ryou, the four of us wouldn't be standing in thsi room right now." The other three gave him confused looks, causing the werewolf to sigh and continue. "Padfoot, I know your sorry for what you did. Honestly, I do. That didn't stop me from being angry and hurt and betrayed though.I felt completely alone after I found out. Honestly, I didn't expect to be talking to you this soon...but Prongs, when I saw you on the Oak Doors, I knew you would nede someone to help get you through this. I knew you would need us. So I put my differences aside and made up with Sirius, hoping it would help."
The four stood there, three of them speechless.
"Er..but you forgive me, right?" Sirius asked hopefully.
Remus grinned. "Yes, Padfoot, I forgive you."
James smiled. "Thanks, Moony."
Remus nodded and stuck out his hand. "See you soon?"
James grinned and clasped his friend's hand. "Definitely." Without warning, Remus pulled James into a brotherly hug.
"You'll be okay, Prongs," Remus whispered as he let go of James.
Sirius jumped and pul his arm around James throat tightly, ruffling his hair. "Of course, we'll take good care of you, Prongs."
"If you don't kill him first," Peter said, pointing at James blue face. Sirius hastily let go and James took big gulps of air.
"I..(gasp)...don't feel...(gasp)...safe with you," James gasped out.
Sirius pouted. "Everyone feels safe with me."
James grinned and took his trunk, walking to the fireplace. He turned around to see Remus and Sirius also in an embrace, Remus muttering that they were friends still. Sirius tried to hug Peter, who stepped back, claiming he didn't like to be touched.
"Fine," Sirius pretending to look very hurt, "Any girl would love a hug from me."
"We're not girls, Padfoot," Peter reminded him.
"I don't know..I worry for Moony sometimes," Sirius grinned.
"Ha ha," Remus said, voice dripping with sarcasm. "You better get going."
"Mr. Padfoot thinks Mr. Moony is trying to get rid of us," Sirius said, picking up his trunk and walked toward James haughtily.
"Mr. Moony thinks Mr. Padfoot should get his head checked," Remus replied, grinning.
"Mr. Wormtail requets. that both Mr.Moony and Mr. Padfoot stop talking in third person," Peter said.
"Mr. Prongs," James said while taking a bit of Floo Power, "Bids his fellow Marauders farewell and requests that they see each other soon."With that, James threw down the power, yelling, "Potter Manor!" and wathed as the room in front of his disappeared in a busrt of green flames. They understood that he would talk to them when they were ready. Before they got off the train, the four had promised to tell each other what happened to each of them sometime soon. Peter seemed rather reluctant, but agreed nonetheless.
As his three best friends disppeared, James thought that maybe there was something, three things to be more exact, to hold onto.
"Ouch! I hate landing," Sirius muttered, standing up and pulling his truck with him. He looked up and spotted James standing in the middle of his own living room, not moving.
"Prongs?" Sirius asked uncertainly.
"Padfoot," James breathed, "Bwfore I left, this place was a mess."
Sirius looked around. Everything seemed to be in order. He suddenly realized what it meant.
"Someone's been in here," Sirius said slowly.
James looked at his friend grimly.
"Wands out?" Sirius suggested, now talking quietly in case they were heard. James nodded and took out his own wand. The two of them abandoned their trunks and walked toward the main living parlor. The door was closed, but footsteps could be heard inside.
"On three?" Jamse whispered.
"On three," Sirius confirmed.
"One-" James put his hand on the doorknob.
"Two-" Sirius raised his wand.
"THREE!"
Both boys burst into the room, wands held high. However, both boys just stood there in shock. Sirius dropped his wand and Jamse knees suddenly felt weak.
"Dad!" James cried.
Thus concluding James Potter's sixth year.
A/N. WOW! It's the end already? I'm really sad, but I'm so excited to start the sequel! So, how did you guys like it? I wouldn't mind getting any alst minute reviews on your thoughts of it, either! Okay, the sequel is DEFINITELY going up. However, I want to have at least three chapters done and beta read before I post the actualy story. Also, I have other stories that have been on hiatus and personally, I think I've neglected them long enough. I want three chapters of the sequel fo this done and five chapters of 'Bring Me Bkac To Life' and 'Just want to Be Me,' each done before I post the sequel, that way I'll be caught up. So, don't expect the sequel (which will be called, 'Our Last Shot At Life) won't be up until the end of August. I'll be working on it, I just won't be posting it. I really think I need to focus on my other stories. I have two other one shots I want to get done. So, it looks like I'll be having a busy summer when it comes to writing.
I still can't believe I'm done with this. It's been a year and this story has progressed so much. I learned alot from writing too and I thank all the constructive crticism and reviews. Lastly, I hope you all enjoyed this fic and watch out for the sequel! And while your waiting, you can go check out my other fics. :) If you have any questions just email me and I'll answer them as long as it doesn't spoil anything for the sequel.
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO READ THIS! IT WAS MOST APPRECIATED!
UNTIL NEXT TIME,
AMOUR LILY :)