Disclaimer: This is the work of the brilliant J.K. Rowling, not me.
A/N Hey all, I know I should finish one story before starting the next, but you know... Anyway, I hope you enjoy this
Just a quick warning this fic contains a little Dumbledore!bashing, a character death and eventually slash
James knew the second there was a bang on the door. Nobody had called at the Potter's house before letting them know in advance for over a year. Ice slid through his veins as he yelled at Lily to take Harry and run. Deliberately he stepped towards the door, knowing that any breath could be his last. He felt almost as if he were a spectator, merely observing the activities of his own life. Even as he pressed his weight against the door, he knew it was useless: a pathetic attempt at resistance.
Voldemort laughed, with a flick of his wand the door blew open slamming the weak body of James Potter though the plaster into the next room. Paying the rubble no mind, Voldemort stepped over the threshold of the house, the soft crying of an infant turned his red, snake-like eyes to the ceiling and he smiled.
Sirius paced the room one more time, despite the roaring fire in the room he felt freezing cold. He knew something was wrong. He grabbed his coat and apparated the minute he left his front door. He could see the smoke rising in billowing clouds over the small town. Fear clenched his very being, breaking into a run he finally made it to the wreckage that had once been the Potter's house.
"James," His voice sounded wrong, torn and tattered as if he had been yelling for hours.
Kneeling to the ground he started digging through the rubble, ignoring the cuts and abrasions made to his fine hands. Finally he uncovered the body of James Potter amongst the debris, lifting his head gently onto his lap, Sirius's shaking hands felt his filthy neck for a pulse. With the faint, but existent jumping under his finger tips Sirius let out the breath his hadn't realised he was holding.
"Thank God, thank god..." Sirius whispered in a soft mantra, cradling James's body in his lap.
James's dreamless sleep was abruptly interrupted by a sudden return of his senses, quickly followed by the pain of being buried under a pile of plaster and bricks only hours ago. Wishing he could return to the painless blackness of his unconsciousness but knowing he couldn't, James forced his eyes open. Looking around the sterile white room of a hospital the memories came flooding back accompanied by an intense fear.
"James, you're awake." Someone stated to his left. Following the voice, James's gaze met the placid blue eyes of his old headmaster.
"Dumbledore?" James questioned, pulling himself into a sitting position, he grunted against the onslaught of pain the action had brought.
"No don't get up for me." Dumbledore chuckled, but made no move to stop him.
"Where's Lily, Harry?" James said frantically, ignoring Dumbledore's comments.
"Harry is just fine, I left him with Professor McGonagall only an hour ago."
"Lily?" James demanded.
"I'm sorry." Cold drenched James's heart, his beautiful wife, the love of his life, gone.
"Sirius?" James croaked calling after the only person whom he could even hope would help to ease his grief.
Here the old professor's gaze hardened. "No need to worry, Mr Black is getting exactly what he deserves."
James regarded him strangely until the concept clicked into place.
"No, no. You've got it wrong. Sirius... we switched secret keepers', it's Peter who... You need to get Sirius back, he's innocent." James said quickly, he needed his best friend now more than ever. "Where is he?" James demanded frantically.
At that moment a nurse stepped into the room. Giving Dumbledore a dirty look, she walked over to James. "Here just pain killing potion for you dear." Returning her gaze to the headmaster, she said sternly, "And you, I warned you not upset him."
Gratefully taking the potion, James ignored the conversation between Dumbledore and the nurse, until the nurse left the room again in a huff. Turning back to Dumbledore, James took in his confused expression.
"You switched?"
"We decided Sirius was too obvious. And they, quite honestly, had too much leverage, half his family are death eaters. Not that he would betray us even if that had happened, I just didn't want to put him in that position."
Dumbledore regarded him somewhat disbelievingly. "Peter?...James I think you are a bit confused, you were discovered in Sirius's presence he has probably cast some sort of charm on you."
"You really think he's a death eater?" James said with a deadpan expression.
"When you consider his family, as you said, they..."
James interrupted the old man furiously. "You honestly think that if he was on that side I would follow him?"
Shock gripped Dumbledore, until he realise the statement for what it was, a declaration of absolute unwavering loyalty.
"Sirius would never, ever betray me."
The nurse burst back into the room. "I warned you." She said angrily ushering a speechless Dumbledore out of the room.
"Sorry dear." She said, closing the door behind Dumbledore's retreating back. "You must be in a lot of pain."
James smiled softly at the woman's fussing.
"I know I'm not allowed to get up, but can I send some mail." He asked smiling a charmingly as he could manage with so much grief and anger swirling around in his head.
"Of course, dear, I'll just pop off and get you some parchment."
Twisting his bowler hat in his hands the new minister of magic looked up. He may not be the brightest person, but he certainly knew when an opportunity presented itself. Schooling his features to an expression of solemnity, he spoke.
"Is that so? That is shocking, well we will have to fix that immediately, injustice is the worst sin of a legal system."
James looked at him gratefully. Fudge didn't know if he completely believed the young Potter's story, but the promise of having him as ally was exciting and it wasn't as if other former death eaters had not been release due to the political climate. James Potter and his tiny son were the heroes of the wizarding world; their cooperation would do wonders for his office.
"Thank you so much."
"Not a problem, me' boy. You have had enough hardship thrust upon you. And we will get right onto procuring that Pettigrew boy."
Shaking hands with minister James smiled for the first time in days. "Thank you, I won't forget this."
Fudge brushed the comment off, but his mind filled in the words he left unspoken I'm counting on it.
James didn't think he would ever forget the flood of relief that accompanied Sirius's appearance as he was escorted into the hospital by a beaming Minister. Forgetting his still tender injuries James folded himself into Sirius's tight embrace, smelling Sirius's familiar smell under the layers of grim James finally felt the weight of the grief he had pushed to the back his mind; the sleepless nights and lonely hours catching up to him. Tears slid from his eyes freely collecting on Sirius's filthy robes.
Finally the pair pulled away remembering the other member of the room. James quickly wiped his eyes, hoping to remove the bulk of his tears.
"Thank you again, Minister."
"I should be thanking you and your family for saving our way of life." Fudge replied seriously, bowing his head and exiting the room.
James watched him leave, before returning his eyes to Sirius's deep grey ones. Already the horrors of a few days in Azkaban had damped their lively spirit. He noted that Sirius had been watching the minister leave, however his expression was less open.
"You don't like him?" James questioned, slightly amused, only Sirius could take a dislike to the person that had help him get out of jail.
"Not really, I think he's after something. Just be careful."
James chuckled, wrapping his arms around his friend again. For most males it would have seemed out of place, however for Sirius and James it was just how they were and had always been. James rested his head on Sirius's shoulder, their similarity in heights making this position comfortable.
"How are you doing?" Sirius's deep familiar voice whispered in his ear.
James shook his head, "I've been trying not to think about it. How do you move after something like this?"
James pulled back, his dark brown eyes burning into Sirius's, begging him for a solution that he knew was impossible.
"You're strong Prongs, you'll get through this. I promise you." Sirius's voice was so full of conviction that James found himself believing every word letting the sentiment warm his cold heart, if only for a few minutes.
