The Reward of the Phoenix

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related characters and themes are the property of JK Rowling and Warner Brothers. I am making no money from this story. All I am getting is a cramped hand from writing and typing.

Chapter 2

They awoke to an overcast sky, with rain threatening to pout down on both of them. The sunlight, no matter how gloomy, served to give a much better view of the cemetery. They quickly established its muggle origins and were disappointed to know that they wouldn't find magical assistance easily nearby.

They decided to check out the town anyway. It was a smallish place, Little Hangleton, and they found no help. They were told, however, of Greater Hangleton, and decided to check it out the next day. Both James and Lily thought that their best move was to return to the cemetery, in the hope that whatever or whoever that brought them back to life would show up and help them.

It was around midday when they began to notice something was wrong. They were both feeling rather sick, although Lily was worse off than James. Their magic was growing weak inside them and it was weaker the closer to the cemetery they got.

However, once they made their way inside the cemetery and became aware of the sickness, it was too late. They couldn't leave. No matter how close they got to the gate, they found themselves veering off course suddenly.

"James, don't bother!" Lily called as her husband tried again to walk out the gate. He ignored her and just like the last time, found himself a good twenty metres from where he wanted to be.

"Damn it!" He swore, kicking a nearby gravestone. "What the hell is going on here?"

"I don't know, but we won't get any closer to a solution no matter how many times you walk at the gate!" Lily snapped as she lowered herself to the ground, leaning against a tree for support. She could feel how pale her face was.

James turned to argue but swore again when he saw the lack of colour on his wife's face, and her body collapsed on the ground. He moved quickly to her side and brushed her hair off her sweaty forehead. She was hot with fever and the strain of fighting the curse was beginning to take its toll on her. Her outburst earlier had taken a lot out of her and she was starting to feel dizzy.

"Lils, I'm so sorry," James said as he gently stroked his wife's hair. She smiled up at him, still amazed at his ability to switch between emotions in seconds, even though she had known him for years. With a pang in her heart, she wondered if Harry would have gotten the same trait.

"It isn't your fault, James," She assured him. "But if you'd sit still and calm down for a moment, I'll tell you a way we might be able to leave."

James nodded and arranged himself more comfortably against the tree. Lily nestled her head into his shoulder.

"Our first option is apparition," Lily began but James shook his head in disagreement. "You're right though, I doubt it will work, given our energy and the curse surrounding this place, which means we are left with one option."

"And what would that be?" James asked. Lily chewed on her bottom lip nervously and he sighed in frustration. "Come on Lily, if you have a way out, tell me!"

"Alright," Lily relented. "But it's going to be hard and you're going to have to leave me here."

"What? No way!" James exclaimed. Lily shushed him and continued.

"It wouldn't be for long, and I can't do what it takes."

"Fine. I'm not happy about this, but go on."

"You're going to need to be Prongs. I don't know whether you'll be able to transform for very long, not with our magic the way it is, but you may last long enough to move outside the spell holding us here."

"I can carry you on my back! You can come with mer. I won't leave you anywhere."

"No, James. Not in the state you'll be in. No, listen. Once you're out, apparate somewhere safe- like Hogwarts. Get Dumbledore and bring him back here. He'll be strong enough to get us both out of here."

"Lils," James pleaded. 'I'll take you with me, you can apparate to Hogwarts too!"

"James, I can't apparate anywhere, and before you even think about it, you'll be to drained for side-along." Lily kissed him gently on the lips and stroked his cheek. "I'll still be here tomorrow. Now go."

James ran his hand through her hair one final time, then he stood and moved away from her. He closed his eyes and began to fall to the ground, his legs and arms morphing into thick, powerful legs with wide, heavy hooves. His body stretched and his face elongated until a large stag stood in his place.

Prongs lowered his head and nuzzled Lily's neck. She lifted a hand and stroked his face, then pointed at the gate. The great stag looked down at her with sorrowful eyes and Lily pushed him away.

"Go please," She whispered, and Prongs moved away, glancing back quickly before he began to gallop away. Lily watched him go then let her eyes slide closed as she welcomed the bliss of unconsciousness.