Presents and Warnings

A/N: I have set a goal of one review for this week. ONE REVIEW! Anyways the story continues…

In the days leading up to Christmas, the Potter household was unusually somber and serious. Mr. Potter attempted to alleviate the tension by stringing up flashing lights and decorating the Christmas tree while Mrs. Potter charmed the stuffed animals to fly around the house, singing carols in high-pitched voices.

James had done nothing but mope around the house all day, and his mind constantly drifted to Frank and his family.

On Christmas Eve, Mrs. Potter cooked a delicious Turkey and they sat down to celebrate together like they always did. James prodded his share with his fork. He didn't have much of an appetite.

Mr. Potter glanced at Mrs. Potter and heaved a deep sigh. 'James,' he began firmly. 'I know that what happened to your friend is bothering you, and I'm not telling you to forget about that.' He said. 'However, I think it is important that you remember to cherish the moments you get to spend with your family.'

James thought of Frank. He had no more family to go to, except for his mother. He suddenly felt ashamed for acting so gloomy and realized his dad was right. He couldn't spend the rest of the year moping around like a lost puppy.

'Thanks dad,' he said, and he took a healthy sized bite from his turkey. Mr. Potter smiled. 'That's the spirit,' he said.

Christmas morning certainly helped to raise James' morale, which had been down in the dumps all break long. He had woken up to find a huge pile of presents under the Christmas tree and immediately set to scavenging.

He pulled out a small, inauspicious looking package. There was no name on it, so he tore it open.

Inside, was a hand-sized mirror. He wasn't sure what to do with it until he saw a letter attached to the wrapping paper. He opened it and read.

James,

Merry Christmas mate, though I can't say it's been that over here… Those Quidditch gloves you got me are awesome! I can't wait to try them out later this year, though I don't think I'll be trying out for the team next year because my parents won't let me... Anyway, I'll skip the small talk. That mirror you're holding right now, I found a pair of those in an old cupboard in my house the other day. At first I thought they were utterly useless, but then I realized what they do. Try it yourself! Take your mirror and say my name into it.

Sirius

James held one of the mirrors up to his face. 'Sirius,' he said and a moment later, he was staring into the grinning face of his friend.

'Bloody hell!' James exclaimed, leaping up in excitement. 'Sirius, this is awesome!'

Sirius looked rather pleased with himself.

'Yeah, now we can plot more pranks while seeming less suspicious,' he said gleefully. 'And we could use them when we're in separate detentions,' James suggested with a grin.

His expression fell, 'How was your break?' he asked. Sirius grimaced, 'Not so great,' he said darkly. 'Only got worse when we got the news about Longbottom… poor bloke,' he said softly. James nodded, feeling somewhat relieved that Sirius already knew.

He had been worried that he would have to tell him the news face to face.

Sirius suddenly turned around. He turned back to James with an apologetic expression, 'Sorry mate, gotta go, that stupid mother of mine is calling for me.'

Just like that James was left staring at himself in the mirror.

He sighed and stowed the mirror carefully into his trunk. It would certainly be a useful asset in the future.

He turned his attention back to the pile of presents in front of him. When Mr. and Mrs. Potter came down stairs later, they found their son surrounded by heaps of wrapping paper and looking significantly more cheerful than he had all break.

'What did your friends get you?' Yawned Mrs. Potter as she headed to the kitchen.

Remus had, not surprisingly, gotten James several books. A few of them were about famous Quidditch players but the last one made James laugh out loud. It was called, "101 Ways to Tick off a Witch," which James decided to read later to find new ways to get under Lily Evans' skin.

Peter had gotten him a large box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavored Beans, as well as a dark-feathered quill. James didn't know what to do with Peter's quill, so he set it down on his desk.

He had searched through his whole pile of presents already, but there was no trace of a Christmas gift from Lily, something that made him slightly disappointed, although he hadn't really expected one.

Perhaps she was still angry about the enchanted bobble-head figure of himself he had sent her as a present? It had just been a joke, as he had charmed the dummy to spout out rather creative insults to the owner each morning. Personally, James had found it quite cute.

After cleaning up his mess, James went upstairs and began to pack his things. He normally would have put it off until the next day when they were due to return to Hogwarts, but the uneasy feeling he had been having all break had returned after the excitement of his new presents had worn off, and he desperately needed something to take his mind off of things.

As he tossed his robes into his trunk and slammed the lid shut, James wondered if news of the attack on Frank's family had reached the other Hogwarts students yet. He wondered if Frank would still be there, smiling cheerfully as always, when he returned to Hogwarts after break. Would he even return? James' mind was filled with endless questions and concerns. He wanted to get back to Hogwarts as soon as possible and see his friends again.

With a huge sigh, he gave up packing and tossed himself onto his bed.

James was standing with his parents at King's Cross-station the next morning. He was surprised at the minimal amount of people there.

'Some parents aren't letting their kids back into Hogwarts,' Mr. Potter said grimly. 'They reckon it isn't safe, given what happened to poor Augusta's family.'

James' jaw dropped in shock.

'Hogwarts has got Dumbledore!' he said in disbelief. 'I don't think there are many places safer than there.' He shook his head.

Mr. Potter suddenly grabbed James' shoulder and guided him to a corner where no one could see them. He glanced around, looking uncharacteristically nervous.

'Dad, what's wrong?'

James had never seen his father act this way before. Mr. Potter bit his lip. 'Listen carefully to what I'm about to say James,' he said in a serious voice.

'The attack on the Longbottoms, as well as several other muggle attacks around Christmas time, the Auror office believes they have found the perpetrators.' He said, lowering his voice significantly.

James stared at him. 'You're kidding! You mean they know who did it?' He said loudly and Mr. Potter quickly hushed him.

'Be quieter, James.' He said quickly. 'Listen, I'm telling you this for your safety.' He paused for a moment and studied James' face.

James stared right back, 'Dad tell me, please.' He said quietly.

Mr. Potter heaved a deep sigh and nodded. 'The death eater behind the murder of the Longbottoms is a man named Lucien Rankin,' he said grimly. 'We have reason to believe that he is also responsible for the murders of the Hugley and Wallace families in Northern England this past week.'

James clenched his fists at his sides.

Mr. Potter continued, looking more uncomfortable. 'James, there's something important you need to know.' He began in a hushed voice.

In the background, the hoot of the Hogwarts Express sounded, signaling the time for boarding had arrived.

'I'll make it quick then,' Mr. Potter finally seemed to make up his mind.

'I haven't spoken with the others in the office about this yet, but I- I think the reason that the Longbottoms were targeted was because their son Frank, is a friend of yours.' He said.

These words rattled James to the core.

'Dad, do you know this guy?' He asked shakily. Mr. Potter grimaced, 'We've had several… encounters before,' he said tightly. 'Lucien Rankin isn't an average death eater, we believe he may be Voldemort's right hand man.'

Many thoughts began creeping into James' mind at that moment. How did Lucien Rankin know who he was? Was it his fault that Frank's family had perished? Why did Rankin target them?

Mr. Potter moved in and clasped James' shoulder firmly. 'Listen to me James,' he said firmly. 'It isn't your fault that your friend's family was targeted. If fault can be allocated to a single individual… then I believe that person would be me.'

James boarded the Hogwarts Express still reeling over what his father had just told him.

Apparently Mr. Potter and Rankin had had quite a history of battles in the past, and Rankin was essentially his nemesis, so to speak.

In their most recent run in, which was something he hadn't told James or his mother about, Mr. Potter had seriously injured Rankin and nearly sent him to Azkaban. He had returned home that night with a black eye and a cracked rib, telling them that he had fallen down the stairs at work, James remembered.

It appeared, said Mr. Potter, that Rankin had apparently decided to get revenge on him through mental warfare first by targeting one of his son's friends and his family.

'A clever trick,' he had said bitterly.

The last thing that Mr. Potter had said to James before leaving was a rather blunt warning.

'Tread lightly, James. Stick close to Dumbledore and Professor Meriweather. You and your friends could very well be their next targets.'

James made his way down the aisle and sat down in a compartment near the back of the train.

He suddenly had the urge to tell someone what he had just been told. However, all of those thoughts were put on hold when the compartment door opened.

Dressed in his school robes and donning a serious expression, was none other than Frank Longbottom.