Chapter 2 - Life After Death
James reappeared on a quiet street. Nondescript as any other in the greater London suburbs. He still had no idea what had possessed his wife to choose this location for their emergency escape portkeys.
"It's quiet," she whispered from his side as they both cast about, looking for any sign that someone had seen or heard their arrival.
James just nodded to her as she tucked her wand into the bundle in her arms and proceeded down the empty street. Some of the houses to either side had cars parked on the lawn or the street, and in some of the windows, they could see lights shining through patterned curtains.
No-one but them was fool enough to be out and about at this time of night.
Lily continued to lead him onwards, James was utterly lost as he knew she was leading them through some muggle neighbourhood, looking for something known only to her. They'd been going so long; the adrenaline of their rushed escape had left his body and the lateness of the hour was beginning to take its toll on him when he bumped into the back of his stationary love.
"Watch your step, Potter. We're here." Her soft voice proclaimed as he followed her gaze to a small home with no lights or car.
"Where?" he replied.
Lily turned, locking her green eyes on his with a determined zeal and a slight smile.
"Home."
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"Sirius Black..."
"Amelia Bones," a smiling voice interrupted.
A small smile crept to the edges of Amelia's face as she stared down at the cheeky bastard she had been friends with for years.
"If you'd be so kind as to not interrupt, Mr Black."
"Of course, my dear."
Amelia shook her head a moment as she adjusted her papers, attempting to keep her amusement from showing on her severe face.
"You are here to ascertain if you had any hand in the attack upon, and destruction of the home of, Aurors Frank and Alice Longbottom and their son Neville."
Sirius did not interrupt this time, only nodding his head in understanding, but the grin he'd been wearing since he met her at the Floo would not leave his face.
"We have received evidence that you were involved in the charms concealing the Longbottom home from attack, that failed on Saturday the 31st of October 1981, is this correct?"
"Indeed Am…" Sirius froze, her name dangling off his grinning lips as she stared down at him, humour glowing in her eyes as she silently warned him, "...adame Bones. I assisted Lily Potter and Alice Longbottom in the application of the Fidelius and other charms to both Longbottom Manor and Potter Cottage."
"What other charms, exactly. Be specific."
"Would if I could."
"Please explain that statement further."
"Lily and Alice Longbottom… well, they were straight geniuses. I don't know what more than half of what they cast does. I was the eye candy you see." Amelia glared at Sirius again. He was currently sitting in the chair in the dead centre of Courtroom Ten, the one that had been used for every single Death Eater trial of this entire war, and he was cracking jokes.
"Mr Black, you are aware the use of Veritaserum has been authorised for hostile witnesses in Death Eater related cases? If you are unable to take this matter seriously, we shall use other means." Amelia winced visibly for the first time in the trial as she looked down at Black and saw his grin spread even wider, something she had previously thought impossible.
"Siriusly, Amelia?" Several of the other Wizengamot members were whispering behind her as the witness chuckled. "Alright, I was mostly there as an apprentice. Hand them the stones, provide the materials or ingredients necessary for the spells and runes. But I honest to Merlin haven't the foggiest what most of the charms do. I believe at least some of them were so that in the event of an attack, the Aurors would be informed and able to respond, rather than a destroyed house and several dead bodies rotting away behind a Fidelius charm for months or years."
Amelia noted down his response on her notes as she attempted to calm herself. This man had always been able to get under her thick skin, but this was a serious matter. The Lestrange case was later that week and they needed all the information they could to ensure it went smoothly and the four beasts were locked away forever.
"Very well, you cannot provide specifics on the magics involved. Did you have any further place in them than simply handing things to the ladies?"
"Not sure what the question is asking, Madame Bones," Sirius replied.
"Were you, as reported, the Secret Keeper of either the Longbottoms or the Potters?"
"No, I was not. James wanted me to be, but I convinced Lily and him that I would be the obvious choice, something James had just proven. I told them to tell everyone that I was the Secret Keeper, but to pick someone else for the position. I suggested they use our other friend instead."
"Remus Lupin?" Amelia questioned, as she was aware Lupin was a werewolf and currently on the continent. As such his involvement would not end well for the poor soul. Even though she knew firsthand he was harmless and friendly as a human.
"See, my suggestion was perfect. No, Peter Pettigrew. The friend everyone always seems to forget we have."
"Very well, Mr Black. Does anyone have any further questions for Mr Black?"
Most of the members of the Wizengamot shook their heads silently as they allowed Black's testimony to stew in their minds.
"Then, Mr Black, you may step down. We may have further questions at a later time."
Sirius grinned rakishly at the members as he stood, intentionally shaking the chains on the arms of the chair as he stood and adjusted his robes.
"Certainly, you have my number Amy, good day." And with a hop in his step, Sirius left the courtroom, hushed whispers between the members as they stared at the de facto head.
Amelia was going to make Sirius pay for his remarks in the court today. It was hard enough leading the proceedings given the Wizengamot had forced Barty to step aside during the trials due to his son's involvement. She was under enough pressure without his sense of humour. But it had helped to lighten one of the many trials she had to preside over today. And there was no time for a break as the next one was already entering the chamber. Amelia sighed as she moved the next stack of papers into the centre of the desk and addressed the man now sitting in the chair.
"Severus Snape."
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"Honey, I'm home!"
Lily shook her head softly as she held Harry asleep in her arms. After all these years as friends, one would think she'd be used to the walking insanity that is Sirius Black. But he always manages to surprise her with just how immature he can be.
"There you are, love." He called as he stepped into the living room. "You'll never believe my day at work."
Sirius walked over and kissed her on the cheek as James walked into the room.
"Oi, hands off my girl, Black!" James shouted, raising his hands in a boxing stance.
Sirius scoffed, holding his hand to his chest in mock disgust, "You're cheating on me with this lanky fool, Lily? Well, I never!" And he leapt at his best friend, wrestling him to the ground.
"Will you too fools shut up. Harry is sleeping." Lily whispered. The look she gave the grinning pair silencing them both. "Good. Now sit down and tell us what happened Sirius."
"Just as you expected. They asked about all the spells you and Alice cast, what my role was and if I was Secret Keeper for either of you. You needn't worry though, I told them nothing."
"Sirius," Lily warned again, "you were supposed to co-operate."
"I did! How could you suggest…" Another glare from Lily quietened his theatrics once again. "Fine, I'll be Sirius then."
James was practically shaking in the chair next to her as Lily elbowed him softly while struggling to both not wake Harry and stare Sirius into compliance.
"OK, I told 'em the truth, as much of it as my brain could pick up. You two were wicked smart with those spells. I still don't understand them. Told them Wormtail was the Secret Keeper for you, and I still haven't the foggiest who's the Longbottoms was."
"And Voldemort? He's definitely dead?"
"Oh yeah, saw the body myself. Moody took me down after Crouch's trial. Not a pretty sight. And neither was the body."
"Sirius!" Lily snapped.
James stopped laughing next to her and wrapped her in his arms. He understood just how afraid she still was. When she had felt the change in the magic that signalled an attack on the Longbottoms she was utterly terrified they would still be next. It was the reason they had this fall-back plan and a second concealed home that not even Dumbledore and his Order knew of. Only the three people currently seated in the room even knew of its existence, much less location.
And even with Voldemort dead, there was still nothing stopping his crazed followers from seeking revenge. She would do anything to protect Harry from that. And yet Sirius was throwing about jokes like they were back in school having just finished a tough exam. Her calm exterior was honed over many years of dealing with the Marauders, but right now she just wanted everything to blow over, so she could feel safe again.
"Sirius, enough," James said as he pulled his family tight against his chest.
"You got it. Anyway, they interviewed Peter. You'll never guess what he told them."
Sirius sat there silently as James and Lily looked at him. "Well?"
"No, you have to guess, that's how it works."
Lily stood and threw the nearest solid object she could wrap her fingers around at Sirius' face. The vase exploded against the wall behind the couch as Sirius dove for the floor. James' grin was back as he watched his friend cowering in fear beneath the wand of his love.
"You utter one more joke I will castrate you right here and now dog!" Lily seethed.
Sirius lay on his back staring at the glowing tip of Lily's wand and raised his hands in defeat. "Sorry, Lils. You know I can't help myself sometimes."
Lily kept her wand trained on him as she sat, amazed only at how Harry had not stirred in the slightest throughout the entire confrontation.
Sirius remained on the floor as he continued. "Turns out, the Rat has a new tattoo. Little shit is a marked Death Eater."
Lily's grip wavered as that news sunk in. She had allowed a marked enemy to be the security for her little boy. Her body shook with both horror and sorrow. James gently lifted Harry from her arms as she fell into his side, clutching at him and finally let loose the anguish that had been building in her chest since the moment she felt the Longbottom wards fall. Unaware of time passing as she unloaded every pent-up feeling and thought into her husband's shirt.
"What have they decided to do with the little rodent?" James asked as he felt Lily's body slowly coming back under her own control.
"Make out session." Sirius shrugged.
This time Lily ignored the humorous response. She could understand some of Sirius' behaviour. They had all been such close friends, for such a long time, he must be feeling the betrayal much deeper than he was allowing to show. And humour had always been Sirius Black's defence mechanism.
"And Crouch and the Lestranges?"
"Got a good lawyer that lot. Crouch is getting the kiss, just like Peter. But somehow the Lestranges all managed to get down to life in Azkaban. Not sure it will even have an effect on my deranged cousin. She's clearly already lost her marbles."
"Anything else?" Lily asked, pulling her face from James' shoulder.
"Well, turns out ol' Snivellous was spying for Dumbledore. The old man spoke on his behalf and the greasy git has managed to skip out on Azkaban altogether. I even heard Albus offer the bastard a job."
Lily was unsure what to feel at that news. She had once been as close to Severus as she now was with Sirius. But back in their fifth year, he had severed that bond for good. She knew he was marked as they had been on opposing sides of the field in a few battles of the war, but was she happy he wasn't going away?
"Don't think about it, Lily. It doesn't matter right now."
Lily looked up at her husband. She loved him more now than she had when he'd asked her to marry him. And the love he felt for her was obvious in his gaze. They would survive, they'd make it through all of this and give Harry the life he deserved. The one he'd so nearly been denied.
