AN/ Hey guys. I hope you all had an amazing Christmas and got everything that you wanted and more. I also hope you all have a fantastic new year and wish you good luck, if like me, you've got exams when the holidays are over. Anyway I hope you all enjoy the story and stay with it until the end. :)

Bad News and Even More Fighting

"Guys! Guys come here quickly." Mary stood in the living room of the flat. It was three weeks after the Death Eaters had killed Marlene but Lily was still having nightmares so James had been staying in the girls flat along with Sirius. Peter had returned from his holiday with his mother the week before and had decided to live with her rather than move in with the rest of The Marauders. It was late at night and everyone had gone to bed except Mary who had been studding at the Hospital late. No one seemed to have heard her so she went looking. Less than five minutes later having dragged Marigold and Sirius out of bed, Lily, James, Alice, Marigold and Sirius were sitting on the sofa in the living room.

"What's wrong?" Alice asked voice still thick with sleep.

"Dumbledore just sent a message." Mary told them. "With his patronus. He wants you all to meet him at Hogwarts."

"When?" James asked.

"Now. He wants to see you as soon as possible."

"Are you coming too?" Marigold questioned jumping to her feet suddenly wide awake.

"Suppose I can. But if its Order stuff I'm leaving."

"Whatever." Marigold left the room to change.

"Does he want to see Remus and Frank as well?"

"Yeah. We'll drop by and pick them up before we go."

Lily sighed as she dragged herself of the sofa, "Oh great and I thought I might actually get a good nights sleep for once this week. Anyone want a coffee?"


The corridors were dark and the light from the wands cast gloomy shadows over everything, as the old Gryffindors made they're way to Dumbledore's office. Suddenly they heard footsteps and James pulled Lily under the cloak whilst the others used disolutionate charms. Argus Filtch passed them with his ever faithful cat Mrs Norris trotting behind him. Sirius let out a sigh, "Phew that was close."

"Come on, we should have been there by now." Lily hissed and stepped out of the cloak. Ten minutes later they reached the stone gargoyle that guarded the entrance to Dumbledore's office. Mary whispered the password and the statue moved to the side, revealing the staircase that was already moving. The stairs came to a stop before a big wooden door, which Mary knocked on.

"Come in!"

Mary pushed the door open to reveal the office of Albus Dumbledore. None of the group had been in there since they left the school, but nothing had changed. The old wizard sat behind his desk and he watched the group carefully as they entered. He noticed the way James held Lily close, how Marigold's hair was tousled, how Sirius looked a bit more scruffy than usual, and how all over them had dark rings under their eyes, Lily's darker than the others. He continued staring at them for a few seconds before he spoke.

"I trust you are all well, apart from being over-tired?" They nodded and Dumbledore smiled, "Good. Now to business. I'm sorry to call you all out here and at this time of night, but I thought it best that you hear this from me, instead of stumbling across it in the Prophet tomorrow."

"What's happened?" Alice's voice started to shake. She had seen the look on Dumbledore's face and didn't like it.

"Unfortunately another one of our members has left us." Dumbledore turned his gaze on Marigold, "I'm afraid Miss Lucas that your brother was killed."

Marigold stared at Dumbledore in shock, wavering slightly on her feet. Sirius noticed, conjured up a chair and guided her into it. She pushed back a strand of hair with shaking hands, and finally spoke, "Elliot's dead? But he wasn't supposed to be out today. He told me he wasn't on duty."

Dumbledore nodded slowly, "I'm sorry Miss Lucas. He was telling the truth, I called on him at the last minute but be assured he died fighting for a good cause." He turned his gaze on Lily and James and Marigold broke down in tears. "James, Lily I would like to talk to you alone please."

Lily and James nodded, and waited while their friends left, Sirius carrying Marigold. Once they had gone Lily spun to look at Dumbledore.

"Professor, are you absolutely sure about Elliot?"

"Yes Lily I am, and I'm sorry that such a tragedy could have hit her family again so soon after the death of her mother, but happened it has. If I may remind you, before you agreed to join The Order you were told of the risks, and Elliot Lucas decided, just like you and your friends to take that risk. Just like Marlene McKinnon and Martin."

"But-" Lily stopped as James squeezed her waist.

Dumbledore continue as if he hadn't heard Lily's 'but' , "Now, I want you both to stay here tonight."

"Why?" James asked. "Shouldn't we be with Marigold?"

"I think that Sirius can look after her and anyway she must go to her father. But I want you to stay here because there has been a sighting of Death Eaters in Hogsmead, and there is a possibility that they could have got into the school."

"So you want us to patrol the village?"

Dumbledore lent forwards, "No James. What I want you, Lily, Alice and Frank to do is patrol the school. If I am not mistaken you know almost everything there is to know about the secret passageways and hideouts in this school."

"So we're here to search the school?"

"Yes Lily you are. But you are also to keep your eyes out for anything suspicious."

"What about our jobs Sir?" Lily asked, "We all have to work tomorrow. Well we've got our lessons but Remus and Mary are working."

"I have sent a message to Kingsley. He will make excuses for your absence tomorrow to Simon. But Remus and Miss McDonald will have to work, seeing as they are not Auror's."

Lily and James nodded, ""Where are we going to stay Professor?"

Dumbledore smiled slightly, "I thought you would know somewhere to sleep."

James nodded "I do."

Dumbledore nodded, "Good. Well then I'll see you and the others tomorrow morning, in the Great Hall at breakfast."

Lily and James waited but it became apparent that Dumbledore had said all he wanted to. When they got down back into the corridor, they found Frank and Alice waiting for them.

"Where are the others?" Lily asked.

"They went home. Professor McGonigall came and told Remus and Mary to go home and Sirius took Marigold off, to comfort her. We were told to wait here."

James pushed a hand through his hair. "Um yeah we're going to stay the night here. Dumbledore wants us to do something tomorrow."

"What?" Frank asked, as he and Alice followed James and Lily down the corridor.

"I'll tell you when we're somewhere we can't be overheard." James answered.

He lead them up the staircases and through passageways that they never thought they would see again, and up to The Room of Requirement. Once safely inside James told them exactly what Dumbledore had said, leaving nothing out.

Alice shook her head in wonder, "So we have to search the entire school tomorrow? Just us four?"

"I guess so. I was hoping that Sirius would stick around but, at the moment Marigold's more important." James sighed and pulled back the covers of the double bed. "Come on Lils I'm tired . Its past midnight and we have to be up early tomorrow."


Soon afterwards, there was silence in the room as both couples got into bed. They woke up early the next morning and still yawning made their way to the great hall. Some how time had flown by and it was already passed the 1st of September. That meant that all the students were back, and they had to manoeuvre their way through the crowds.

"Why," Lily asked stumbling down the stairs, "does this remind me of when we were students?"

"Because we're in Hogwarts and we got up the same time we used to." Alice muttered, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "I think I got less than four hours sleep last night."

Frank pulled her tighter to his side as a group of Hufflepuffs rushed passed, "Well at least we all feel the same, Ali."

"James?" James stopped in his tracks and turned round. There came a squeal, "James! It is you! Oh Jami I missed you."

Amy threw herself at her brother and James was almost knocked over. He laughed, "Hey Amy."

The brown haired girl grinned at him before she turned to Lily, and gave her a hug, "Hey Lily. What are you doing here? Your not coming to take me away are you? Terms only just started and I haven't been that naughty." she said worriedly, although there was a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

"We're working and nobodies taking you away." James replied with a grin, not failing to noticeher last comment.

Amy looked relieved, "Good, cause I love it here. Why are you here?" she asked again.

"I told you, we're working."

"Oh come on James! What work are you doing here please tell me?"

"Miss Potter!"

Amy spun round, "Hello Professor."

"What are you doing harassing guests?" Professor McGonigall looked down her nose.

Amy seemed un-fazed at the sight of the teacher, "But they're not guests Professor. Its my brother and his-"

"I know who they are Miss Potter, but as they are no longer students at this school they are considered guests. Now get into the hall and try not to hex people as you go."

Amy grinned suddenly and turned and turned. Even though it was still only the first week of School Amy had received enough detentions for the whole year. She was so like James and loved hexing Slytherins. She was able to perform spells that not even third years could and although some people wonder how she managed it, most suspected that James and Sirius had been teaching her spells as soon as she had got her wand. The latter was true but neither Amy, or James and Sirius felt the need to tell anyone.

Professor McGonigall turned to the group of old Gryffindors as Amy disappeared into the hall, "Professor Dumbledore is going to talk to the students, and he wants you to be there. However he also says that now would be the best time to search places where there are normally lots of students."

"Then we'll split up." Lily looked at James, "You and Frank do the searching and Alice and I will be in the hall."

"That way you also get all the food." James pouted, "And that is not fair."

"You know where the kitchen is James, you can get your own food. And coincidently, you also know the school better than us."

James sighed, knowing that Lily was right, "Fine, we'll start looking. I say we start with the common rooms and dorms."

Frank nodded, "Good idea. But how are we going to get in if we don't know the passwords?"

"I can help you with that." Professor McGonigall handed them a piece of parchment. "Destroy it after you've finished."

"Will do Professor. Come on Frank." James let go of Lily as Frank took the parchment and the two of them headed in the direction of the Slytherin common room.

"Are you ready?" Alice asked Lily as they stood looking at the great hall, with its occupants.

Lily nodded, "Yep, come on Alice. Its only the great hall, we've been here hundreds of times."

Alice nodded and followed Lily. As they walked down between two of the tables people turned to look at them. Everyone except the first years knew them so it wasn't long before whispers started to go round the hall.

"Is that Lily Evans?"

"She left left last year."

"When she left she was going out with James Potter."

"They're both training to be Auror's now, and the girl next to her is her friend Alice, she's together with Frank Longbottom."

"Where's James? I thought his sister said he never let Lily go anywhere by herself."

"Amy's brother is going out with the red headed woman, her name's Lily."

"She was head girl here last year, with James Potter."

"What are they doing here?"

Alice and Lily ignored all the whispers until someone shouted, "Stupid filthy Mudblood."

At that Lily stopped, and turned to look at the boy who had shouted it. It was a Slytherin, of course. Before Lily could do anything, boils suddenly sprouted all over his face and hands and there was quite snickering coming from the Gryffindor table

"Miss Potter!" yelled Professor McGonigall, who was already marching over. "How dare-" she started but Lily cut her off.

"Sorry Professor, I'll deal with this." there was a collective gasp throughout the hall. Nobody ever interrupted McGonigall. The teacher glared at Lily but she prevailed and stepped back. Lily flicked her wand in the direction of the Slytherin boy and the boils vanished. Amy watched, her mouth agape, "But...Lily, he-"

"Don't do that again Amy." Lily said sharply. "Never attack someone just because they called you or a friend a name and do not use any of the spells that James and Sirius taught you over the Summer."

Amy looked shocked and she sunk back down into her seat. McGonigall stepped forwards, "Miss Potter, Mr Conradi, come with me please."

The students watched as Amy and the Slytherin boy followed the Transfiguration teacher out, then their attention went back to the two Aurors. By this time Lily and Alice had got to the staff table. Dumbledore smiled at Lily, the familiar twinkle in his eye and gestured them to stand by the wall. He then got to his feet, his eyes sweeping the hall as usual.

"Firstly I would like to say that anyone, be it students or teachers, who insults our guests will be punished." he stated sternly, his gaze lingering on the Slytherin table. "It does not matter where you are born, it matters who you become. Secondly I am sure you are wondering what two Aurors are doing here in the first place. Well as some of you might know, yesterday some Death Eaters were spotted in Hogsmead, and I have reason to believe that they may have got inside the castle." At this there came more whispering and Dumbledore had to call out before the hall fell silent again. "Because of that, a few Auror's have been sent here to search the school and the village. They may ask you questions and you will answer them, if you do not answer them or waste their time by giving immature answers, they do have the right to take you to the Ministry for questioning. So please do not waste their time." Dumbledore smiled suddenly, "That is all. Have a good day."

He went back to his seat, and Alice turned to Lily, "Do we really have the right to take them to the Ministry? And surely most of the students know we're still in training."

"No idea." Lily answered eyes still on the students, "Maybe he thinks they'll respect us more if we're Aurors."

"Suppose." Alice muttered and started to scan the crowds. "Lily!"

"What?" Lily jumped her attention switching to Alice.

"Look over there. Some Slytherins are leaving, but breakfast has only just started."

"Does it look suspicious?"

"I think so."

Lily stared at Alice, "Then what are we waiting for? Come on."

She grabbed Alice's hand then stopped, pulled a small bag out of her pocket and started rummaging in it.

"What are you doing? They're almost out the hall."

"Ah ha." Lily pulled the invisibility cloak out and threw it around her and Alice. "There now no one can see us leave."

"How did you get this?"

"James thought it was better if I had it, for today. Seeing as he's better at disolutionate charms than me."

Alice shrugged but didn't say anything as they slipped out the hall, un-noticed by students and teachers. Well all except Dumbledore. The old wizard had been watching the girls out of the corner of his eye, and had seen the cloak, now as his eyes followed the path he thought they were taking, his hands twiddling his wand, his face thoughtful.

As soon as they were out of the hall Lily stuffed the cloak back into her bag. Quietly she and Alice followed the Slytherins as they made their way down to the dungeons.

"We need to get closer." Alice hissed, as they started to talk. Lily nodded and pulled the cloak out again. Safely hidden the girls crept closer.

"How did he know?"

"The paintings talk, they could have seen us bringing her in."

"I thought they 'slept' at night?"

"Some might have been awake."

"It doesn't matter about that now. All that matters is that we get her and tell her what has happened. She'll have to do it as soon as possible, now that Auror's are here."

"But there's only two of them, and they left last year, they must still be in training."

"Yes, I know he said that, but Dumbledore might not be telling us something. There could be more, or those two girls might really be Aurors, which means we have to be careful and that she needs to do it as soon as possible."

"Why do it here? Why not at their house?"

"Because her parents are both Auror's, and her brother and most of his friends are supposed to be training, but if his Mudblood girlfriend is an Auror he defiantly will be. Do you never listen? They were practically telling us their life stories in the hall. No it has to be done here, and once it is no where in the wizarding work will be safe again."

The group stopped suddenly, staring at an open door. "You don't think-"

He broke off suddenly as Frank appeared, "Well there's nothing in there, lets try-"

Frank too stopped when he saw the small group there, and James jumped out to see what was going on.

"What were you doing in there?" a boy, who seemed to be the boss, stepped forwards.

"I could ask you the same question." James replied shortly, "Shouldn't you be in the great hall?"

"We're not hungry."

James nodded, "Ah shame, school food is amazing. Just wait till you leave and your girlfriend has to cook." James shivered, and Lily fumed silently.

"But we're not hungry."

"Fine with me, just a warning though. Come on Frank, lets go."

James clapped Frank on the shoulder and they started to move.

"James look out!" Alice yelled pulling the cloak off herself and Lily, wand pointing over James' shoulder.

James and Frank started to turn but were thrown back in the air, having been hit by a spell. They hit the wall and fell to the floor in a heap. The Slytherins stared and the woman Alice had seen, stepped out from the shadows.

Lily gritted her teeth, "Bellatrix."

Bellatrix snarled, "Filthy little Mudblood."

"Hey Black." Alice glared at her, "Why don't you go crawl back to your master?"

Bellatrix turned to Alice and snarled at her, "Because I have a job to do. " she flicked her wand and Alice to went flying. As soon as Alice was hit Lily started to run. She ran back up the corridor heading for the entrance hall. There was no way she could fight Bellatrix in the confide space down there; not that it would be any easier anywhere else. Bellatrix knew a lot of dark magic and Lily's only hope of surviving this battle would be getting some place where people could help her. She reached the entrance hall and back up, watching the doorway. A few seconds later Bellatrix appeared. She grinned at Lily, "Ah after I kill you there will be no one stopping me from killing the Potter girl."

Lily was shocked, "You want to kill Amy?"

"Of course." her wand flew up as she blocked the spell Lily had sent towards her. "Her family are Blood Traitors and they need to be wiped out."

She flicked her wand and Lily dodged. It hit the wooden doors of the great hall behind her and the noise from inside stopped.

"Well that day won't be today Black." Lily started to circle. "Because today you will lose."

Bellatrix cackled, "Dream on Mudblood." another spell flew towards Lily and this time unable to escape the spell grazed her arm, drawing blood. Bellatrix laughed again, her wand flicking madly. Lily jumped and hid behind a pillar, the spells hitting the doors again. The doors creaked and then fell off their hinges, falling to the floor, with bits of wood flying everywhere.

"Protago!" Lily's shield charm flew up to protect her but not before a few splinters cut her face.

Everyone in the great hall now looked up, and there were cries of alarm. Dumbledore got to his feet, striding down the aisle.

"Better finish this of now Bellatrix, this is the only chance you'll get." Lily got to her feet as students started cramming in the doorway to see. Bellatrix watched them, and Lily suddenly saw her eyes light up. Following her gaze Lily saw Amy standing at the front of the crowd. The girl was staring at Bellatrix.

"Avada Kadava!"

"Protago!"

Two spells shot towards Amy, and the on lookers screamed. Amy flinched as the killing curse was blocked by Lily's spell, inches away from her face.

"Don't you dare touch her." Lily moved and planted herself in front of Amy. "You will have to kill me to get to her."

Bellatrix smirked, un-fazed "Then I'll do just that, Mudblood!"

"No you won't." Lily's head turned and she saw James standing at the entrance to the dungeons, Frank and Alice barely visible behind him.

"Well, well, well. James Potter, I didn't recognise you down their, shame, if I had you would have been dead."

"Well it was very kind of you not to recognise me then Bellatrix."

The witch grinned and shot a spell towards him, then turning quickly and shooting three separate spells at the crowds.

"Protago!" Lily shouted again, paying more attention to the spells heading for the students than the one coming for her.

"Protago!" a voice shouted from the back of the crowds and a shield flew up in front of Lily, seconds before the spell hit her. Lily glanced behind her and saw Professor McGonigall's wand pointing at her, but at that moment James started to attack Bellatrix and Lily's eyes flew back to them.

"Expeliarmus!" James' wand flew from his hands, and Lily jumped into the fight.

James ran over to his sister, "Amy give me your wand."

"But-"

"Amy now!" the girl released her wand just as Lily managed to disarm Bellatrix. Everyone held their breath, waiting to see what Lily did next. The red head was staring at the three wands in her hand, she looked up at Bellatrix, then back at the wands. James inched closer, and Bellatrix started to move back.

"Stupify!"

Bellatrix stopped moving and fell to the floor. The teachers pushed their way through the throng of students, Dumbledore at the head. Lily waved her wand and ropes flew out of it tying themselves round Bellatrix, before summoning her patronus. Everyone watched as the doe disappeared out the front doors, carrying a message to the Ministry.

"Lily!" James took her into his arms, "Are you okay?"

Lily nodded, and then Amy was there. James bent and pulled Amy to his chest. Lily bent down with him and the three of them hugged each other, before Lily broke away to find Alice. Professor McGonigall came up to them, "Right James, you, Lily, Alice and Frank will go to the hospital wing and get your cuts seen to."

"If you don't mind Professor, we'll go home and Mary can clean us up."

Professor McGonigall pursed her lips, "Mr Potter, you may have left the school, but when you are here you will do as I tell you."

James sighed, "Professor please, Mary can clean up the-"

"Mr Potter do I have to force you up there? Because I will do that, if absolutely necessary."

James continued to stare into the teachers eyes then looked towards Bellatrix, "Professor we need to stay here until someone arrives to take Bellatrix. If you insist that our injuries get seen to then please ask Madame Pomfrey to come down here, but we cannot leave."

The students stared, waiting for a reaction. Twice in less than an hour, two ex-students had defied the Transfiguration teacher. Professor McGonigal's lips grew thinner but then she smiled suddenly, "Very well then Mr Potter. Madame Pomfrey will come and treat you, but Lily and the other two will go to the hospital wing."

James shook his head, "No Professor, I'm sorry. I can't do that. I will not let Lily go anywhere without me."

Lily rolled her eyes, "Relax James, I'm not going to be killed in Hogwarts."

"You might get attacked. You never-"

"Stop it James." Lily warned.

James however took no notice, "Lily if one Death Eater can-"

"James Potter," she interrupted sharply. "I may be your girlfriend but will you please stop acting as if you own me and being so over protective? I thought this had all stopped but obviously it will take more than being pinned to the ground till you understand." Lily shook her head and turned away, "Come on Alice, lets go. Frank you might want to come to otherwise James will have a heart attack because I'm wondering round a protected building without a big strong man to protect me from danger."

Lily waited until Frank moved towards her before she left. James sighed, leaning back against one of the pillars.

"Hey Jami, one word of advice." Amy put a hand on his arm, "Girls don't like to be controlled. Oh, and can I have my wand back?"

"When did you get so smart?" James retorted handing it to her and Amy smiled.

"I'm a girl Jami, and we know what we want."

Amy spun on her heel, and skipped over to a girl with brown hair. As James watched the girls hair changed from brown to bright pink. Amy looked over her shoulder as she and the girl climbed the stairs, James met her eyes and she winked. Even though she'd almost been killed she looked as if she didn't care less.

James looked after the girl and then chuckled, "Huh a Metamorphagus."

"James, what did you call us for?"

James' attention switched from his sister and friend to the group of wizards and witches standing in front of him. Kingsley among them.

"For her." James pointed, "Bellatrix Black. Death Eater and one of Voldermorts biggest supporters."

"Black? Bellatrix Black? Your a bit behind James." Kingsley spoke as the rest of the group gathered round Bellatrix

"What do you mean?"

"Bellatrix Black is married. She's no longer a Black, but a Lastrange."

James shrugged, "Doesn't make a difference. The Lastrange family still supports him."

"True, and I bet they won't be happy that she's been caught. You'll have to watch out for yourself now."

James nodded, "Don't worry. I'm always watching."

The Kingsley smiled, "We're all watching. Where's Lily?"

"Hospital Wing."

"Ah Minerva sent her did she?"

"Yes."

Kingsley sighed, "That is the one bad thing about meeting an old teacher. You still feel as if she can order you about, no matter how old you are. Oh are you going to write up a report?

"I'll do that as soon as I go back to work."

"Good, good. Right see you later." Kingsley clapped a hand on James' shoulder and went to help the Aurors. James stood there watching as the Ministry members took Bellatrix away. Before they left he handed over the witch's wand, that Lily had dropped. By the time they had left, the entrance hall had emptied of students, and only a few teachers had stayed. Professor Dumbledore strode over to him, "Thank you for that James. Your not hurt I trust?"

James shook his head, "No. Wait Professor, I don't understand. If you knew she was here, then why didn't you go after her?"

Dumbledore smiled, as Lily, Alice and Frank came into view, "Because I'm not an Auror James, I'm a headmaster."

"You ready to go?" Lily asked, coming to a stop beside James.

"Um yeah, unless there's something else you need us for Professor?"

Dumbledore shook his head, "Not from Lily, Alice or Frank. I will however James be needing you and the rest of The Marauders later. I would like all the secret passageways to be boarded up or have you at least tell and show me where they are, so that charms can be put on them."

"Charms Professor?"

"Charms that will tell us if anybody comes in or goes out via the passage."

"Well I could do that now if you like, Professor. I mean unless you want the-"

"I think we'll have all The Marauders come James." Dumbledore started to turn, "Makes the job faster."