Disclaimer: I'm going to say this again! I'm not some rich English woman. Nor will I ever be! (no offence to some people)

Yippee! Chapter 10 already! I can't believe I made it so far. However school soon starts and this year will be pretty busy. Ah, who am I kidding? James and Sirius aren't the only ones who get great grades without studying. Although my mum will shut me in my room but I'll figure something out. Thanks for my beta: mellyone and for those who reviewed for convincing me to continue writing.

P.S. I know some people could be bothered by this but I don't really care. This chapter is dedicated to Steve Irwin, our little Hagrid who died today doing his beloved job. I didn't watch his show but I heard a lot about him even in my little part of the world. May he rest in peace!

Chapter ten: Targeted

"Remus?" James whispered to the sleeping boy, unsure if he should wake him up or leave him there until morning.

The boy was covered in wounds, painful looking ones, and his clothes barely hung on his body. His lips were purple and swelled, as if he had bitten them until he felt them no more and his face was whiter as James could ever remember. James had the impression for one moment that he was seeing a corpse but then he heard loud snores that reassured him that Remus was alive, as alive as anyone in that condition could be.

Black and Pettigrew also gasped when they first saw him but either they didn't care enough or they did it because James could see them because they turned to the bathroom and closed the door behind them.

James looked around the room searching for anything to occupy him. Then he realized that it was still dark outside so he should sleep. He turned to his chest searching for his pajamas and soon realized that he was still wearing them. He sighed and walked towards his bed, not feeling sleepy at all. He was too worried for Remus. He didn't think it was a good idea to wake him but that boy needed urgent attention from Madame Pomfrey. He wanted now more than anything to have listened to his parents and learn some healing charms.

As he was struggling to figure out what to do next, questions began popping into his head. Why was he hurt? Who did this to him? Why was he at Hogwarts when he could have stayed at his mother's house? Why return in the middle of the night?

The frustration of not being capable to do anything didn't leave him until after half an hour when he fell asleep. Neither Sirius nor Peter came out of the bathroom but they were probably busy making theories about Remus. James felt annoyed that they were gossiping while Remus was unconscious.

His dream was again of running from the dark lord. This time instead of Sirius was Lucius Malfoy and an army of little zombie blonde kids trying to tackle him. Remus then came to the rescue killing everyone. Then Remus became a blonde woman version of Sirius yelling at him because he wasn't letting her kids play. She took her wand out and said the killing curse.

James woke up feeling as if he was being pushed by someone. That someone was Sirius looking at him questioningly. James woke up and realized he was on the floor. The sun was already shinning outside and Sirius and Peter were both dressed. Remus was still asleep or unconscious.

"Right," James said "let me change and we'll carry Remus to the hospital wing."

Both Sirius and Peter nodded and waited for James to quickly put on a warm sweater and some robes.

"What do you think happened to him?" Peter asked while James was changing.

"I don't know but it's pretty bad." Sirius answered.

"Do you think Voldemort has something to do with this?"

"Neah! If he wanted to hurt him, he would kill him! It's not his type to hurl a boy over a cliff or something."

James finally came and levitated Remus's body. They silently walked to Madam Pomfrey earning a few stares on the way from the other students. Snape was really curious and didn't leave them until James threatened to hex him. When they arrived Remus was quickly put on a bed and they were thrown out.

"Why didn't you come to me yesterday?" they heard Madame Pomfrey saying when they were closing the door.

Sirius turned to James with a look of determination "Right! You find out what this is all about. If not, poor Corinne will share another wonderful night with me."

James, already annoyed, snapped at Sirius "First of all, why don't you ask him yourself? He trusts me as much as he trusts you. Second, 'poor Corinne' is gone for the holidays so good luck with her!"

James left them alone and walked to the Great hall. He found out that because of their low number, instead of four tables there were two. Gryffindor was sharing with Slytherin while Ravenclaw was with Hufflepuff. He watched with amusement that the Slytherin-Gryffindor table was split in half. The Slytherins were at one end then there was a three seat space and then there were the Gryffindors. James sat down in one of empty seats which meant that a Slytherin was to his left. Unfortunately the Slytherin was Snape.

Snape sneered when James sat and looked at him with a face full of disgust. James chuckled realizing that Snape had not yet forgotten his little Halloween prank. James didn't have anything against the boy. Really! But he was a Slytherin and a greasy one at that. The fact that Snape was always with his nose in the air mocking every Gryffindor didn't help.

"What has Lupin gotten into now?" Snape suddenly asked.

This surprised James not imagining Snape a petty talk person "Don't know, not that I'd tell you!"

"Don't think I don't know you're planning something Potter! I know your kind! You can't resist showing off!"

James was torn between wanting to laugh and punch Snape in the face "What's it to you anyway?" he asked.

He was saved from a fight by Sirius who came and sat between them not appearing to realize that he interrupted something. He put a few potatoes in his plate and filled his glass with pumpkin juice.

"Hey! Can I help you?" Sirius asked when he noticed the glare he was receiving from Snape. James tried to stifle his laughter by drinking juice but ended up choking in it. Snape turned to his food without saying anything.

"Thanks!" James said gritting his teeth. He wasn't going to forgive Sirius for meddling that easy.

"What are you talking about?" Sirius asked oblivious to everything.

"Nothing!" James quickly responded relieved that he didn't have to thank Sirius, though if one looked better he would see a twinkle in Sirius's eyes.

"Anyway I thought we could go see Lupin after lunch, give him time to recover you know. Peter wants to talk to Wilkes so it'll be just us. Then I'm going to go and leave you there to talk to him. Maybe if he's hurt enough he'll talk!" Sirius concluded.

Any good thoughts about Sirius James had at that moment faded. Instead, a rush of annoyance and anger rose realizing he was asked to betray his friend and also take advantage of him.

He spent the morning outside playing with snow. After a snowball fight with the Prewett brothers and their cousin, James headed to the castle for a quiet lunch (he kept his distance from the Slytherin side of the table) and unfortunately met with Sirius. After eating, they both got up and went to visit Remus.

The infirmary was unusually empty. When James brought Remus earlier that day, four beds were occupied by some fourth years complaining about Quidditch injuries. Now the beds were empty, and only Remus was there, isolated in one of the beds Madame Pomfrey had secured by her office.

Checking around to make sure Madame Pomfrey wasn't listening, they approached Remus's bed. Most of his injuries were already healed but he was still very pale and his lips swollen.

James would have left but Sirius, seeming to expect this, took a pillow from a nearby bed and hit Remus on the head with it waking him up.

"Merlin, Black! Did your parents do this to you when you were little?" James asked infuriated looking at Remus who was slowly realizing where he was. Behind him, Sirius's face darkened and he gave a small nod not seen by anybody.

"Hey James!" Remus greeted in what he hoped to be cheerful but came out as a grunt. "Black!" Remus nodded towards him actually wanting to grunt.

James sniggered and Sirius rolled his eyes. Remus looked around at his surroundings clearly not surprised.

"We brought you here this morning." James explained "You looked awful and were covered in scratches. You really have to do something about your furry little problem!" he joked.

If Remus was still drowsy, after James's comment he widened his eyes and came to a sitting position "W-What?" he stuttered.

Sirius looked curios and interested too and James gave a grin and winked at Remus "C'mon Remus, it's nothing to be ashamed of! You already told me about your pet Cerebus!"

Remus let his breath out relieved. "Right! I didn't understand what you were talking about. Yeah, my dad accidentally left a firewhiskey bottle on the floor and my dog drank it. He got really mad and white bubbles were coming out of his mouth. Luckily, my mom was at the hospital so only I was there to face him." he said lowering his gaze from them.

"So why did you come back to Hogwarts?" Sirius asked clearly not impressed with the story.

"Well, they had to put Snickers, my dog, in the pound, that's a muggle pet hospital, but they didn't think I was safe at home so they sent me here!" Remus quickly explained.

"So they preferred the dog and sent you here to spend your holidays?" Sirius asked.

"Yeah Black, keep talking!" James retorted annoyed.

Sirius's face darkened again and he spoke in a small whisper "Look, they may not be very smart but they have their reasons. After I have time to discuss the situation with them they'll understand! They didn't do anything to you so shut up!"

James snorted "Yeah except they have the stupid habit to insult me and my entire family whenever they get the chance, they hate every muggle-born and want to kill them just because they want to and besides," James continued lowering his voice to a low whisper "you said it yourself that they support Voldemort and I'll be damned if I'll follow that git!"

"Guys," Remus interrupted suddenly nervous "cut it out! My parents didn't make me want to come here! I actually enjoy the idea of spending Christmas here!"

Sirius looked surprised at Remus and shook his head "You're a strange one! Well, I did my part of caring for today," James snorted "and I'll leave you two alone! Have fun!" and he left leaving James and Remus.

"Er…so, how are you?" James asked edgy.

"Much better from what I hear. Though every part of my body is sore and my mouth tastes like garbage!" Remus smiled "So when aren't you going to ask me the real reason?"

James staggered "What are you talking about?" he asked innocently.

"I don't think Sirius would come here without Peter because he gives a damn. And you seemed upset with him. I imagine he wanted to come here because he suspected I would be telling you and he could eavesdrop. But you caught him in the act and forced him to come and he couldn't give up the act."

James was amazed by Remus's thinking. Though not entirely correct, that was some quick thinking.

"Anyway," Remus continued "I have to tell you something."

"You…you shouldn't! You don't have to! Only if you want to!" James stammered.

Remus shook his head "No. Not about that." He took a deep breath "A few months ago, actually when Corinne got that letter and you went after her remember?"

James gave a small grin remembering exactly the incident "Yeah, she got a letter from her mother and she was upset. I went after her and I upset her more." he looked at the ceiling for a second and added "though I still don't understand why she erupted into sobs."

Remus laughed "That's the one. Well, after you left the table something happened. Sirius came and pushed me into your seat. Then an owl came." he paused "He brought a letter. It was a dark letter, with the seal and everything. First I thought it was addressed to me,"

"I'm so sorry Remus" James interrupted.

"No. It was addressed to the Gryffindor table and had the location I was at. I was frightened! I thought my end had come. Either way I chose I'd have still been hunted. And then I opened it." he sighed.

James nodded "And it wrote that either you join them or you'll be killed."

"It wrote either the receiver joined them or he'll be killed. When I saw the first line I understood it wasn't addressed to me! It…it began…it began with 'dear Mr. James Potter'!" Remus finally said.

James stared at his friend for a while trying to let the news sink in. He had a choice to make but somehow…he had already chosen.

"Right! Give me the letter, envelope and everything." James said.

Remus didn't say a word and put his hand in his robe and shakily handed the black letter to James "I sealed it again. I'm sorry I didn't give this to you earlier. I wanted to give you last night but I was too weak and I think I fainted. I don't even remember seeing either of you in the dorm."

James silently nodded and examined the envelope. It was like he thought it would be. It wore a dark color. The darkest he ever saw. On the front was the animate picture of the skull with the serpent coming out of his mouth. The skull's eyes were shining red and seemed to laugh at James while the serpent was trying to come out of his mouth unsuccessfully and hissed from time to time. Turning on the back, the same image was there, this time in a miniature version acting as the letter's seal.

James looked at Remus as if searching for confirmation. He pulled his wand out and muttered "Flagrate" causing the tip of his want to turn red. He pointed it at the letter and made an X causing little sparks on the way. The letter started to burn and James thought that for a moment he heard a distant hiss emanating in the room.

"Aren't going to read it?" Remus asked shocked by his friend's decision.

James shrugged and tossed the burning letter in the bin "Why bother? I know what I want and reading it will cost me some time. I meant it you know! What I said to Sirius." he explained "I don't care what he offers me. I don't care if the whole world turns to him. I'll not be joining his little army. When he comes after me, and I know he will, I'll be ready and I'll give him hell! Screw first year!" James swore determined "I'll be learning as many jinxes as I can. OWL, NEWT and even more advanced."

Remus smiled "You're taking this well." he observed half joking, half serious.

James nodded "When I came to Hogwarts, the hat and McGonagall told me 'Carpe Diem', you know seize the moment! I didn't understand then. I thought they were telling me to be relaxed. But now, now I think it meant more like 'be prepared!'"

Remus nodded more relaxed, convinced that his friend would choose the right side "Yeah. What will come, will come! And we'll meet it when it does!" he concluded.

James grinned "I like that too." he thought about something and laughed "Hey I'll write my own book! Advices and slogans for the next victims of dark lords! I think it's catchy!"

Remus joined in the laugh "You better give me credits, and at least 15 percent."

"Yeah!" James said "At least the sorting hat can't give me any problems. He already sorted me. He doesn't have any pockets to hold money anyway!"

"We'll make a survey! Sirius and Peter will go to every dorm and ask if the sorting hat gave some more advices. I don't think he'll mind to go to the seventh year girl's dorm!"

"You know he did try a month ago! He ran up the stairs but they turned into a slide so he tripped on the way and went past several people's heads. You should have seen him!" James laughed, tears coming out of his eyes.

They spent the entire afternoon making jokes imagining different possibilities to make the book but after a while they got bored and started playing wizard's chess. Finally James left Remus after losing several games and only saved by Madame Pomfrey insisting that he was draining too much of Remus's energy. He quickly ate in the Great Hall successfully avoiding Sirius and Peter (they didn't come at all which was strange) and went to the stone gargoyle, up the moving staircase and into Dumbledore's office.

The first thing he saw was the phoenix perched near Dumbledore's desk looking much more worn than the last time he saw it. Another thing that surprised him was that instead of the strange objects Dumbledore had on his desk last time was a big bowl with silvery liquid and strange engravings on the margins. Dumbledore was talking with some furious portraits like the last time probably making them leave their portraits again.

James made a coughing sound trying to alert Dumbledore of his presence. Dumbledore nodded and after he was assured that all portraits were gone, he turned to James with the usual twinkle in his eyes looking like a small child in an old man's body.

"Hello James," he said "have a seat! Care for a Bertie Bott's?" he offered.

James shook his head still staring at the bowl.

"Ah, yes! I see you already took notice of my new asset. This is a Pensieve, a useful object in which you can store memories that disturb you. I wanted to buy one for a while now but I didn't have a strong enough motive until now."

James hesitated "Sir? What motive?"

Dumbledore took his focus of the Pensieve and looked strait into James's eyes "You!"

James shifted uncomfortable in his seat not wanting to be the cause of Dumbledore's discomfort. "I didn't want a Pensieve."

Dumbledore gave a smile "I know James. But since you refuse so much to offer information while we will have classes you will have to store all your memories on the subject in here. After it's over we will place them back in your head."

James gaped at Dumbledore surprised that the headmaster would talk about memories like they were little inconvenient toys. Unfortunately, he had a point so James nodded. "How?" he asked.

"The procedure is quite simple. You point your wand to your head and the incantation is 'Capio memoria'. Then you replay the events in your head pulling your wand slowly from it. Unfortunately I cannot perform it for you since the caster can only take his memory not anyone else's."

James sighed, closed his eyes and pointed his wand as instructed. He cast the spell and felt like a bucket of pins was dropped on him and every part of his head was silently yelling to get this over with. Focusing on his memory, he gently began taking his wand away, remembering less and less of that incident. Finally, when his memory finished playing in his head, and discovered that it didn't exist anymore, he opened his eyes and gasped when he saw the silver string hanging from his wand. He slowly let it drop in the bowl and turned to face Dumbledore.

"Excellent." he said "Now we must continue to what we started yesterday. As I was saying, the art of deciphering memories and thoughts belonging in other people's minds is Legilimency. The one opposed to it, blocking intruders from seeing your thoughts, is Occlumency. The procedure is simple but I'm afraid you'll only master it through hard work. You have to clear your mind of any powerful thoughts; love, hate, bravery, scariness, or any thing that makes us human."

James stared at Dumbledore contemplating if the brilliant man had gone crazy "Sir, if that is how I must be from now on, how will I…exist?" he stupidly asked.

Dumbledore chuckled "Don't worry, after a while you'll be able to feel but as a beginner, I'm afraid there is no other choice. A factor that would help is if you imagine anything that could make you peaceful. For example, I happen to enjoy the sensation of relaxing in a chain in a pair of new socks. You may enjoy the sensation of lying in your bed or…flying on a broomstick." he added guessing James's thoughts.

James smiled and ran his hand through his hair remembering the wonderful sensation of flying.

"All right," Dumbledore concluded "be ready!" he raised his wand and muttered "Legilimens!"

As James was flying, his broom bounced for a second. Then it started spinning and he fell. He saw his father grabbing him and spinning him around when he was five. He saw his mother hurrying him to the train station while his father was lying in the hospital bed. He saw Sirius's lip bleeding when he promised that he would find out about Remus.

No! He had to stop this. He could get in trouble! Focusing on his broom again, he started to lift from his memory towards the sky.

James opened his eyes and realized he was on the floor covered in sweat. Dumbledore looked at him with a mixture of worry and pity.

"Don't worry James. The first couple of times will be like that but we must prefect your Occlumency."

"Yes sir!" James said rising from the floor he went for his chair but Dumbledore interrupted.

"I think for the time being, it will be better to stand."

James nodded and closed his eyes again. He was flying in the forest in a spring day. The birds were singing and the trees were growing. Suddenly wind started to blow and he fell of the broom. His mother was singing to him. His father was giving him his first broom. His mother was crying over him.

No! That was personal. He concentrated on his last memory with his first broom. He sprung in the air as fast as he could, trying to leave all his worries behind.

This time James woke up on his knees. His fists were clenched and he wondered if he opened them he would find blood.

This time Dumbledore was smiling at him impressed "Very good. Although you didn't stop me you focused on other memories thus you stopped me from entering too far. Also you managed to resurface with the aid of your memories."

James smiled and ran his hand through his hair glad that he did something that impressed Dumbledore.

"Let me help you with that!" Dumbledore said pointing at his wounded hand. The gashes disappeared and the pain was slightly decreased.

"Thank you sir!"

"Don't mention it! James, I heard you were an excellent flyer. School rules don't allow first year students to play Quidditch for their team. However, I would advice you to seek Kingsley Shacklebolt, the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team and speak to him about going to his trainings. This will improve your maneuvering so it'll harder for me to push you off and as well train our new player."

James grinned "Really?" he asked then added "Sir."

"I have no doubt that your father has trained you well. The Potters were always good flyers for generations and each one played for Gryffindor. I imagine that you will be no exception. Now," he said with a twinkle in his eyes "I've praised you enough. We will continue. This time, James, I want you to grab tighter on your broom. Don't let any thoughts come in your mind. As you fly, you do not exist but only in spirit. Do you understand?"

James nodded and closed his eyes. He was flying on a broom, a Nimbus 1000, the latest one. It had improved acceleration, capable of 100 miles per hour and handling, turning 360 degrees on a turning point in mid-air. As James was flying towards the mountains, clouds gathered and a storm started. Tides of wind were coming and going unbalancing the broom. James was holding to it with his life gluing his fingers to the handle. As he was doing this, a lightning bold blasted the broom off and James fell. He was at his fourth year birthday. He was playing in the yard with his parents. He was opening the compartment door and saw Remus and Lily for the first time. He was at the Slug party watching Sirius dancing closely with Corinne.

Oh no he won't! It was hard enough for James to watch it the first time. He tried to push Dumbledore out of his head and when he saw that he couldn't, he transfigured Sirius into a broom and jumped out of the window with it flying away from the castle.

He opened his eyes again and saw that he was on the floor panting barely able to breathe. Dumbledore made a swish with his wand and James was able to breathe normal again thought his head started to hurt.

"Excellent James!" Dumbledore said in a low voice not meeting his eyes. James wondered if he did something wrong or if he disappointed him. "I think this is all for today. Practice this as much as you can. Don't forget to talk to Mr. Shacklebolt for Quidditch practices. We will meet again in three days at the same hour. I think it's enough time to celebrate Christmas."

James nodded and looked at the Pensieve. He withdrew his wand and dipped the tip in the silvery liquid. Receiving a nod from Dumbledore, he began to put it back in his head the same way he took it out. This time, he felt like his brain was pushing his head trying to make room for the memory.

"Sir?" James silently said to his headmaster "I…er…do you have any news with Voldemort?" he asked.

Dumbledore took a grave face and looked at the window "No. He has been quiet for a while. The newspapers don't report anything either. I think that either he is recruiting or planning a horrible attack. I'm afraid we can't stop either from happening."

"Sir, maybe we can!" James said "Two night ago…I…I couldn't sleep. So I kind of left the common room and went exploring." James stopped and looked at the headmaster who wasn't showing any sign that he would punish James "and I overhead a meeting and students were talking about Voldemort. Lucius Malfoy was there. Mulciber and Rabastan Lestrange were also there!"

"I'm sorry to say this James but I cannot do anything about this information!" Dumbledore interrupted.

"What? Why?"

"The Malfoys and the Lestranges are very old and very influential families. Doing anything against them just because one first year student overheard them while walking aimlessly through the castle past curfew…Well, it might give us more trouble than anything. Also they aren't Voldemort's supporters yet."

"There is someone!" James remembered. "There was an adult talking with them."

"And I suppose he came in the same way you and Mr. Black and Mr. Pettigrew went to Hogsmeade?" Dumbledore asked looking strait at James through his half-moon spectacles.

James looked surprised then he nodded "Yeah. I suppose you…"

"No. I don't need Legilimency to know who goes through Hogsmeade after dark. Madame Rosmerta sent me an owl this morning asking me why three of my students were at her bar after midnight in their pajamas. I was amused and I won't do anything to punish you this time James but I won't allow you to roam through the castle and out of it in such dangerous times." His joyful twinkle disappeared and his face became grave "Make no mistake, Voldemort is real as well as the threat. He was a hard working boy while he was my student and he's capable of anything. Now, unless you have anything else to tell me I suggest you hurry to your common room. Curfew is almost over and if Argus catches you I'm not responsible for any punishment Minerva gives you."

James nodded and saying good-bye to the headmaster, he left the office jogging to the Gryffindor portrait.

As he opened the door to his dorm he saw that Remus still hadn't returned and regretted that his friend will enjoy Christmas in the hospital wing. Sirius and Peter were changing and looked up at James when he entered.

Sirius was the first to ask "So…what lame excuse did Lupin find to explain himself from coming to Hogwarts in the middle of the night looking like a bloody Inferi?"

James shrugged thinking quickly of a lie. He didn't want Black to know about his issues or he wouldn't ever hear the end of it "He says he fell asleep on the Knight Bus and woke up several hours later so the driver didn't know where he had to stop."

Sirius snorted "Only an idiot would come up with that lie."

James resisted the urge to punch Sirius in the face and went to his trunk to change. His head hurt from the Occlumency practices with Dumbledore and he was still tired after last night's adventure.

"So what'd you two do at dinner?" James asked

"While I was talking to Wilkes he let it slip that the Slytherin common room password is 'bad unicorns'. Sirius and I went to check it out and we showed our gratitude to that lot for insulting us and ignoring us simply because we're Gryffindors." Peter explained.

James fought back a grin "Oh? What'd you do?"

Sirius grinned and casually explained "Let's just say that my entire collection of Dung Bombs has made its purpose!"