Chapter 4

James Potter popped out of the fireplace and straight into battle right behind Sirius Black.

Death Eaters were everywhere in the Longbottom Estate. James fought his way to where Alice Longbottom was kneeling over her husband, Frank Longbottom. Taking a quick glance around the area, James saw Tonks, the Weasley's, Moody, Sirius and Remus all there keeping the Death Eaters back from Alice and Frank.

"Expelliarmus! Petrificus Totalus!" He shouted at a Death Eater that was about to shout the killing curse at Alice. He then raced to where Alice was.

"Alice!" James shouted over the battle. "HOW IS HE!"

Alice sent a stunner at an incoming Death Eater. "HE NEEDS MEDICAL ATTENTION!"

James glanced around the house. It was a big house. They were currently in the living room. Behind them was the kitchen. In the kitchen, James knew there were the stairs to the upstairs. Upstairs in Franks office there was a fireplace. James looked over at the fireplace in the living room, the one he came through. A fight between Sirius and a few Death Eaters now blocked it.

James took the time to kneel down next to Alice. "Help me take him upstairs. You can take the fireplace in Frank's office."

Alice nodded and stood up with James. "Wingardium Leviosa." With James as a bodyguard, they backed out of the room. "Neville is upstairs still. I won't leave without him." James nodded his head and ignored the ache in his heart when she mentioned her son. Her son survived a Death Eater attack where his son did not. Both of their son's were targeted because of the prophecy. And only one of them lived. Don't get him wrong he's happy for the Longbottoms, but still. You can't blame him for wishing for his son to be alive and not one from another world.

They rushed upstairs. Alice went straight to Frank's office as James went to where he knew Neville's room was.

The sound of battle downstairs seemed have gotten worst. James had to hurry and join his friends in the fight.

James knocked on Neville's door. "NEVILLE! You in there? It's James Potter. I'm taking you to your parents. Then you'll go to Headquarters with them."

Neville's door opened and a blond hair boy poked his head out. "Pr—professor Pot-Potter, Sir?"

James nodded. "Yes, Neville. Let's go. We don't have much time." James took hold of Neville's shoulder and pulled him out into the hallway. "Go straight to your father's office, quickly."

James watched Neville head towards the office and disappeared inside, before heading back downstairs to the battle.

The battle didn't stop until Dumbledore showed up, which must have been half an hour after the battle started. Sirius had a cutting curse performed on him. His arm was bleeding from his elbow to his wrist. Remus's leg was broken. Tonks was hit by an Aguamenti spell and the conjunctivitus curse. The cruciatus curse was used often on the Order members. James had a few cuts and bruises, but nothing to serious. Though his arm hurt and he was now limping.

With Dumbledore now at the scene, those who were not Aurors left before the Aurors that weren't members of the Order arrived. That would mean James, the Weasley's, Remus and Moody, since he retired.

James followed Remus to Headquarters, tired, in pain, and hungry. As he stepped out of the fireplace, he quickly took the couch. "Merlin, I'm getting to old for this."

Remus chuckled as Poppy came into the room and began to heal the wounded. "If you're getting old, think about Albus."

James laughed. "True. So, true. I still don't know how he does it." James turned his attention to Poppy, who was giving Remus Skele-Gro potion. "How's Frank?"

"Resting with Alice by his side. Their son is resting in the room next to theirs. And your…" Poppy stopped for a moment, but it was too late. James already knew what she was going to say. "The boy, Harry, is resting as well." James nodded stiffly.

Suddenly a loud horrifying scream from upstairs, made them all jump. James jumped out of his seat and quickly ran up the stairs with his wand ready. He didn't realize nobody else seemed to be following. Poppy was in the middle of helping Charlie, who was in critical condition and Remus was under the effects of the Skele-Gro potion.

Harry's dream…no vision started out peaceful. The Weasley's from his world were sitting around the Burrow's table. They were having lunch it seemed like and talking about random things like how Charlie was doing in Romania and the latest news from Bill. Quidditch would find its way in the conversation once and a while. But it was the last thing they were talking about that grabbed Harry's attention…him.

Mrs. Weasley looked over at Arthur with sadness in her eyes. "Has there been any news on Harry, dear?"

All conversation around the table stopped and the children waited for an answer.

Mr. Weasley took a long deep breath. "No, Albus hasn't found anything as of yet. He still goes to the Ministry of Magic to find anything that might have been missed. He goes whenever he has a chance. He misses Harry very much anyone would be able to see that. He cares so much for him." He finished quietly.

There was a moment of silence as everyone stored the information into their minds. Harry took the time to look around the table. Mrs. Weasley had tears running down her face, but tried to hide it. Mr. Weasley looked downcast and there were hints of tears threatening to fall. Ginny was crying openly. Ron looked pissed off and saddened at the same time. And the twins looked serious for once. Both quiet and withdrawn.

"I'm going to kill Voldemort myself if anything bad happened to Harry." Ron said angrily. Harry felt proud of Ron for saying Voldemort's name without flinching or stuttering.

The vision changed on him. Now, Harry was in a big dark dreary room. By the pain in his scar and the black robed men around the room, Harry now knew he was having a Voldemort vision. His Voldemort or this world's Voldemort was the question.

"Welcome back, friends." He found himself hissing to them sarcastically. Not a good thing. He twirled his wand in his hand "Now, my loyal friends…" He continued to say sarcastically. "…I'm sure you now know of Harry Potter's disappearance and how I asked many number of you to look for him .Yes?" Voldemort's voice suddenly went cold. "AND NO ONE BROUGHT ANYTHING USEFUL! Crucio! CRUCIO!" Voldemort used the cruciatus curse on at least ten random Death Eaters.

Harry, himself felt the curse through his scar. He could hear himself screaming over the sounds of the Death Eaters scream. He felt the pain before, but it was the type of pain that you would never get use to.

Voldemort finally stopped throwing the curses around and angrily sent the Death Eater's out of the room. Harry, by now, was breathing heavily.

"Did you like that, Potter? Did you like seeing them suffer? Did you like feeling all that pain?" Harry felt Voldemort smirk before he sneered. "I'll find you, Potter. If it's the last thing I do. I'll find and kill you. I know you're alive. I can feel you inside me at this moment." That was the last thing Harry heard before he went into another vision.

Harry was once again inside Voldemort, but this was different. For one thing, the room they were in was more elegant and rich. There were mirrors on the walls and a tall panted ceiling.

Harry had to get a double take at the person in the mirrors. This Voldemort looked nothing like the Voldemort he knew. This one had black hair that was slicked back in a snoopy rich manner, at least in Harry's point of view. His eyes, though still red had a more human look to them. All in all he looked more human and less snake like. Merlin, he even had a nose!

Harry knew right away that this was the Voldemort from the world he was in now. The world where his Father and Sirius were still alive. This Voldemort even looked more powerful than his own Voldemort.

It was then that Harry noticed he was standing on top of a big set of stairs with lots of black robbed Death Eaters standing below him. And this Voldemort was pleased.

"Your distraction helped our cause wonderfully, my loyal friends. The fight at the Longbottom's took us one step closer to victory." There was a thundering sound of the Death Eaters yelling in triumph

Harry was now worried. That meant they succeeded in winning. His father, godfather and surrogated Uncle were there!

"Severus, step forward!"

Harry's ears perked up at the familiar name. A figure stepped closer to the stairs and bowed. "Yes, my Lord?"

"Arise, Severus." Snape did so. "Did the Longbottom's make it to Headquarters safely?"

"Yes, my Lord. I saw Potter take them to Frank Longbottom's office where there was a fireplace, my Lord." Voldemort's happiness sickened Harry.

Frank Longbottom?…it was then Harry remembered he was in a different world. Frank and Alice Longbottom might be sane here. The next thought that entered Harry's mind was, 'Why on earth would Voldemort want the Longbottom's to live?'

"Excellent, Severus. Antonin, step forward."

Snape stayed put as Antonin Dolohov stepped forward and bowed. "Yes, my Lord?"

Voldemort turned his back to them and looked innocently at a painting behind him. "Was it planted, Antonin?" He asked almost innocently, like he already knew the answer.

Harry could feel Dolohov's fear and disgustingly it gave him joy to feel his fear of disappointing him. "I'm…I'm so-sorry, my-my Lord." Harry could feel Voldemort's anger rise. "It—it wasn't—wasn't planted, my-my Lord."

"WHAT!" Voldemort quickly spun around and sent a very stronger, stronger then Harry has ever felt it before, cruciatus curse at Dolohov.

Harry screamed, loudly. It hurt so much more than ever before. Invisible hot knives seemed to have stabbed him, making him scream in terrible pain. Terrible Pain.

Harry woke up screaming. He didn't even notice he was up. He still felt the pain from the cruciatus curse rushing through his body. His body was shaking uncontrollably. He faintly heard someone close to him screaming for help.

He felt a calming sensation of someone running their hands up and down his back. Harry felt his body slowly stop shaking and moved closer to a warmth that was next to him, breathing deeply and heavily. His body was still shaking but it wasn't as bad as it used to be. He shook almost like he was cold. He was so comfortable and warm. He felt safer then he had ever felt before.

Harry was about to fall back to sleep, when he was shaken awake from the sounds of rushing feet.

"It's about time you got here." He heard someone say from above him.

Harry opened his eyes half way to see the person he seems to be leaning against, but he only saw a dark blue shirt before closing his eyes.

"Carefully move out from under him, while I…" Harry heard before he fell right back to sleep.

James was glad to leave his spot underneath Harry…yet somewhat disappointed. When he came into the room to find him yelling and shaking, it scared him. He tried to reason with himself that he was more scared at what was happening, then whom it was happening too.

Right when James reached to shake him awake, the boy had stopped scream, though he was still shaking. James took a breath of relief.

It was then he took the time to study Harry. Though, Harry looked far from peaceful with the shaking and sweat, James could still see a bit of innocence about him. The way the hair was messy, like any other teenager. Even though his hair would most likely stay messy, when every other teenager learns to comb it. James thought as he ran his hand through his own messy black hair.

He had always wanted a son. From the moment he noticed Lily in first year, James had been thinking of marriage and children. How happy he was when they both came true and how disturbed and distraught he was when it fell apart. After that, his happiest thoughts became his worst nightmare. He couldn't imagine marring someone else or having another son. The thought of marriage and children disturbed him almost as bad as the thought of Voldemort taking over.

And now, here was an innocent boy thrust into a world where he, James Potter, was. His son…no, his son's counterpart, was most likely expecting a happy willing father to take him in for as long as he was here. Instead found himself being rejected and ignored.

James then shook his head from his depressing thoughts and sighed deeply. He absent-mindingly picked up the blanket that had fallen on the floor and stood up. James then tucked the blanket around Harry in a fatherly fashion, not that James noticed.

James was about to leave the room when Harry started screaming again, more loudly and painfully. He did the only think he could think of at that moment. He tried to comfort and calm him the best he can. Remembering how his own mother would calm him after a nightmare, James got in bed behind the shaking boy and pulled him the best he can to his lap.

With a hard effort, James turned Harry to his side and moved his hands up and down his back, trying to calm his muscles and give him a peace of mind that someone was with him. Someone to help him through this.

"POPPY! Come on, Harry. Wake up. POPPY, HURRY! Shhh. HELP! ANYONE!" James kept switching back from yelling for help and trying his best to calm Harry verbally. He then became aware how awkward this was. He was trying to ignore the boy, but here he was doing the complete opposite.

So, with Poppy now here, James finally was able to get out an uncomfortable position.

"Poppy, what's wrong?" James asked as Poppy frowned at the results she got.

"Get Albus, quick. He's been hit with more than one powerful cruciatus." Poppy ordered urgently.

"Cruciatus!" James asked shocked. "How?" He demanded.

Poppy gave him a stern look. "I don't know, Potter. Go get Dumbledore now! Or I'll hex you!"

James ran quickly out of the room and down the stairs. He almost ran into Sirius in the living room.

"Oh, Jamie boy. Where are you off too in such a hurry?" Sirius asked stunned by his sudden appearance.

"Where's Albus?" James asked, ignoring his question.

Sirius gave him a look before pointing towards the kitchen. "He's in the kitchen. Why?"

James ignored him once again and ran to the kitchen with Sirius quickly following behind him.

He burst through the down yelling, "Albus, quick!"

James slid into the kitchen and stopped when he saw that Albus wasn't the only one there.

Albus Dumblerdore was talking in quiet, urgent tones with Professor Minerva McGonagall. They both looked up alarmed when James and Sirius burst into the kitchen.

"What's wrong, boys?" Minerva asked.

"It's the boy, Sir." James said, directing the answer towards Albus. Albus seemed to have perked up. "Poppy said he was hit by the cruciatus curse, but we don't know how or who."

The three of them gasped. Before they trooped quickly to the room. "Tell me exactly what happened, James." Albus demanded. So, James did. He told everything from hearing Harry scream to Poppy's entrance.

By the time they reached the room where the boy and Poppy was, James had finished his side of the story.

"Does anyone know if Severus has anti-cruciatus curse potions?" was the first thing out of Poppy's mouth.

Albus, ever the calm one, shook his head. "I do not know. Even if I did, no one would be able to enter his stores without him. How's Mr. Potter?" He asked not noticing, or not caring, that James cringed.

He took a glance at the boy on the bed. He was shaking a lot worst then when James left the room. Is he having another nightmare? Or was that cruciatus curse a lot more powerful then he thought it was?

James turned his attention back to Poppy. She seemed to be telling Albus what was wrong, but James couldn't focus on what she was saying. He suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning slightly to see who it was, James saw Sirius with an awkward grin on his face. He shifted his glaze to the boy on the bed in understanding.

No words were said, but they weren't needed. James saw that Sirius understood his conflict, even though James, himself didn't fully understand it. It was nice to have him here when he needed him. Sirius had always been there when he needed it. When his parents died, when he was freaking out over his many dates with Lily, his wedding proposal, Harry's birth, their death, and now this. Sirius was…no is his brother. A brother that understood him and comforted him when needed.

James had never been so glad to have slipped on that train his first year. Slipped and landed on Sirius, who fell on Remus who was walking by, who landed on Peter, who was just standing there looking confused, and they all fell into the compartment of a few girls that were changing into their robes. In that group of girls happened to be his future bride.

Yeah, James had never been so glad to have a friend, a brother like Sirius. Remus being a close, a very, very, very close second. Those three been through so much together. So, much.