James Potter and the Veil

Prologue

Five year old James Sirius Potter awoke to the sound of raised voices. He shut his eyes, hoping the voices would stop so he could go back to sleep. After a couple more minutes the voices still continued so he pulled himself into a sitting position.

The first thing he realized was he was not in the last place he had been, which was his bedroom closet. But he did recognize the room. It was his mother's bedroom from when she lived with her parents, James' grandparents. He could tell from the decorations. The room was brightly painted but since the lights were out you could barely make out the colors. Posters (which were moving, of course) of the Weird Sisters, an older band, and the Holyhead Harpies' captain covered the walls.

James was currently sitting on the bed with three sleeping figures. To his left was his eight year old brother, Teddy Lupin. But, as his father and mother had explained to him a few times when questioned, Teddy wasn't really his brother. Teddy's parents had died and now Teddy was his 'godbrother'. His three year old sister Lily was at the foot of the bed since she was small enough to fit and to his right was his four year old brother Albus Severus. All three of them were in their pajamas.

Quietly so he wouldn't wake his siblings, James climbed over his brother and tip-toed out of the room. The boy was still trying to figure out why he was at The Burrow when he made a left out of the room and ventured down the small hallway to the living room. In the room he found many people. His grandparents, Uncle George, Aunt Angelina, Aunt Fleur, Uncle Bill, Uncle Percy, Aunt Penelope, Headmistress McGonagall, and Professor Neville (but the Potters just referred to him as Neville). James entered the living room and questioned, "What's goin' on?"

Every pair of eyes turned to the boy, who looked much like his father with his jet black hair sticking out in every direction but had inherited his mother's eyes. James shifted a bit at all the attention he had suddenly received.

"J-James, what are you doing up dear?" Molly asked shakily. Her eyes were red and tears stained her face, despite the feeble attempt to wipe them away when she saw her grandson.

"I heard shouting." James replied, looking around. "Where's Mum and Dad?"

It was the one question everyone had been hoping to avoid. For a long moment, no one spoke. Finally Arthur broke the silence,

"James," he began quietly, "I think it's best if you went back to bed."

James S. Potter had always been perceptive, and he noticed how his grandfather was avoiding the subject. He threw a suspicious glance to his relatives and the two teachers before asking, "Where are they?"

George cleared his throat, the usual humorous glint in his eyes James was so use to completely gone, "James, come on. I'll make some hot cocoa." He gave a small nod to his father and led the five year old to the kitchen. Of all of James' relatives, George was definitely a favorite. The two loved joking and playing pranks on their family members. But as they sat at the kitchen table in silence, sipping the hot cocoa George had made, a strange feeling made itself present in James' stomach. Something just wasn't right.

"Where's Mum and Dad?" James repeated softly, setting his mug on the table and leaning back in the chair, his legs not even able to reach the floor.

A sad pair of eyes met James' brown ones, "Jamie…do you understand what happens when someone dies?" George wasn't really sure how to break something like this to a five year old, but he knew Harry and Ginny had attempted to tell James where his name had come from when he had asked.

It was an odd question in James' opinion, "It means they don't come back." He answered quietly.

The older man nodded and swallowed, "Right. A couple of years ago a Dark wizard started doing bad things to people, James." George closed his eyes as he prepared to tell his nephew something he really wished he didn't have to. "This man…there's something wrong with him, buddy. About three or four months ago, he thought your parents had something he wanted. That's why you guys had to move, remember? You used to live in Godric's Hollow then you moved to Broomstick Road." James nodded slowly. "Well…this man…he wasn't supposed to find out where you, Al, Lily, Teddy, and your mum and dad went to. But he did."

"How?" James questioned, still trying to figure things out.

George bit back an angry tone, "Someone told him. He found your house last night Jamie…and your parents…didn't make it."

It took several seconds for the last statement to sink in. James shook his head slightly, he didn't want his parents to leave. He stumbled out of his chair and had the urge to run out the kitchen door and into the garden. He wanted to run away from these…these lies. His parents just couldn't be gone forever. They just couldn't be. Why was his uncle lying to him? But Uncle George had never lied to him before….

"I'm sorry James." George said quietly, getting up from his chair and wrapping his arms around the little boy who was now crying his heart out. Even George let some tears out, but he remained silent.

As exhaustion began to make itself known, George picked up his nephew and carried him through the living room without a word and up to his and Fred's old room on the second floor. The Burrow was James' favorite place, but everyone knew he loved his uncles' old bedroom. Once James was sleeping, though it wasn't a peaceful sleep, George sighed and returned to the living room.

"He gonna be alright, George?" Bill asked as George entered.

George sighed quietly, "I dunno."

"I ju-just can't be-be-believe Ron would…." Molly managed to get out before more tears came out.

"None of us did, Mum." Bill admitted, "Harry was his best mate and Ginny was his sister…his sister for Merlin's sake!"

"That bloody git…wait 'til I get my hands on him." George threatened, shaking his head angrily. How someone could betray their own family made no sense to any of them.

Arthur frowned to himself, "It doesn't make much sense, does it? Like you said Bill, Ron was Harry's friend and Ginny's brother…."

"You're right Arthur." McGonagall spoke. Her once colored hair was now a mix of color and gray. "Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley, as well as Miss Granger, were some of the closest students I had ever seen when they were in school. Their bond came close to that of the Marauders'."

"Has anyone talked to Hermione yet?" Neville questioned, a bit of worry in his voice for his old friend.

"She's been hauled in for questioning." Arthur informed everyone.

"What about the children?" Molly asked her husband, wiping tears with her sleeves.

"As far as I know they're at the Ministry. Percy, do you think you could firecall Kingsley? I've already sent him a patronus but-"

"Of course, father." Percy nodded instantly, leaving the room to make the call with another fireplace in the house.

"Mr. Weasley," Neville started, "How bad was the damage, sir?"

Arthur glanced at the professor, "There wasn't too much damage to the house. If there was the kids would probably be in worse condition."

"Who will ze children be staying with?" Fleur asked. Her English had improved much over the years of living at Shell Cottage, but she still had an accent.

McGonagall answered, "The Potters' will will be examined tomorrow, but for now I suggest to keep them here."

"Is it safe here, Professor?" Neville questioned before he threw a guilty look at Molly and Arthur, "No disrespect or anything, but-"

"We understand, Neville." Arthur gave the man a small smile, "You're right, though. This would be the first place any of the Serpent's followers would come."

"What about Hogwarts?" Bill suggested.

Before anyone could respond, Percy returned to the room. His face was a bit pale as he said, "I talked to Kingsley, Hermione has just got out of questioning. The used Veritaserum on her and everything, she had no clue about Ron. She admitted he'd been acting off the past few days, but she thought it was the stress of the situation. Hugo and Rose are going back into her custody."

"And Ron?" Molly asked, fearing the worst for her son.

Percy looked apologetic and uncomfortable as he replied, "Mum…they sent him to Azkaban."

a/n: So I've decided to do a re-write of this story. Some people have told me either through the poll I put up or in PM that they like the story but it's best if I try a re-write. Hopefully since I actually know where the story is going now it'll turn out much better than the original