A/N: This is the Introduction to Black Phoenix. Warning: Some characters are REALLY Out of Character (hence the title)

By the way, if you think I own Harry Potter, you are sadly mistaking. I don't.

Chapter 1: The Attack

"Hey Evans!" James Potter yelled. "What are you doing this summer?"

"Staying away from you." A now seventeen year old Lily Evans told him as she got off the train.

"Can you at least tell me where you live so I can write?" James asked.

"Okay. I'll give it to you….when monkeys talk in English in front of muggles."

She left the platform.

"One more year Prongs." Remus Lupin said patting his friend on the back.

"Don't worry. She'll come around." Peter Pettigrew added.

"I hope so." James told his friends.

"Hey Prongs." Sirius Black said excitedly. "You remember how my Uncle Alphard left me some money?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, I'm buying my very own flat with it. How about we get together for a housewarming party at…oh…I don't know, July 18th?"

James smiled knowing full well where Sirius was going. July 18th was James' 17th birthday.

"And if it's okay with your parents," Sirius added, "you could possibly move in with me."

"We'll see Padfoot." James said as he left his platform to see his mother talking to another parent.

"HEY MUM!" James called.

Elizabeth Potter turned to see her son and his friends come from the platform.

"It was nice to meet you Rose."

"Likewise Elizabeth. My home is open to you and to your family."

"How was school?" Elizabeth asked her son as Remus and Peter found their parents.

"Okay. Lily STILL refuses to go out with me."

"Try laying off the pranks." Elizabeth told him.

"I'll see you July 18th, Prongs." Sirius said before apparating away.

"Sirius is 17." James explained. "He inherited some money from an uncle and is getting a place of his own."

"We'll talk to your father about that." Elizabeth said. "Let's get you home."

0000

That night,

"James. James. Wake up." Elizabeth said quickly as she shook her son gently.

"Mum?" James asked sleepily. "What time is it?"

"Almost midnight." She informed him as she started to pack his things with a flick of her wand. "James. You HAVE to get out of here. Voldemort's on the property."

"WHAT?! But the wards!"

"Voldemort got through." Elizabeth told him. "Your father is stalling him."

"We have to help!" James said grabbing his wand.

"James. NO!" Elizabeth told him trying to grab the collar of his robe as he tried to run so he could help his father. She just missed him.

James got to the top of the stairs to see Charles standing with his back towards his son. He was facing a man with a snake-like face.

"Avada Kedavra." The man said pointing his wand at Charles.

Elizabeth pulled her son back into his room just as James watched the green light hit his father.

"You HAVE to save yourself." Elizabeth told him taking his shoulders after using a few charms on the door.

"I won't run!" James argued.

"James!" Elizabeth sighed. "You father was supposed to be the one to tell you this but, … Gryffindor blood runs in his veins as well as yours."

"I know that. Everyone in the Potter family has been in Gryffindor…"

"No James. I mean, literally, the blood of Godric Gryffindor runs in your veins. Your ancestor was the daughter of Godric Gryffindor. One of the Founders of Hogwarts. No other Gryffindors exists. You…are the last."

She hugged James.

"Don't make the Heir of Slytherin defeat the Heir of Gryffindor." She told him. "As long as Gryffindor's blood still runs in someone's veins, his legacy will live on."

She grabbed a shoe.

"Portus." She said pointing her wand at the shoe.

She placed James' hand on the trunk and shoved the shoe into his hand before placing his wand in his pocket.

"I love you James." She said as she hugged him.

The door swung open just as James disappeared.

TBC