Title: I Think…

Sequel to What Do You Think?

There was a split second, perhaps, when Harry might have considered running for it

"Yes, do that," Lily encouraged.

But his injured leg shook under him as he stood on the overgrown grave

"Damn."

Wormtail walked out of the circle to the place where Cedric's body lay and returned with Harry's wand, which he thrust roughly into Harry's hand without looking at him.

"Kill him, Harry," James said. "Quickly. Before he gets away."

"You have been taught how to duel, Harry Potter?"

"Not exactly," Remus said slowly. "That could be problematic."

"Harry's standing in front of a Dark Lord that wants revenge. That's what's problematic?" James asked.

"I think so, yes. Don't you?"

"Oh, I completely agree."

"Come, the niceties must be observed…"

"Unfortunately, it's true," James admitted begrudgingly.

"Dumbledore would like you to show manners…"

"Again, he is right," Sirius said. "All inconveniences in this case, but still the code of conduct."

"There's a code of conduct in dueling?" Lily asked.

"A strict one," James answered.

"But it's so mean and foul anyway, why observe rules?"

"I don't know. But you have to."

"Bow to death, Harry…"

Lily looked at James.

"That's not in the code of conduct. That's just taunting. It's optional," he stated matter-of-factly.

"And now you face me, like a man…straight-backed and proud, the way your father died…"

"Alright, that's it," James said. "Padfoot, hold me back."

"From what? Ripping a page in the book?"

"Good point."

"And now – we duel."

"Don't hold back, Harry," James encouraged. "Hit him first. Get the upper-hand."

"And then what?" Remus asked. "He's still got all the Death Eaters."

"Well, I didn't say it was going to be easy, did I?"

Voldemort raised his wand, and before Harry could do anything to defend himself, before he could even move, he had been hit again by the Cruciatus Curse.

"Thank you for demonstrating, Voldemort. That's what I meant by getting the upper-hand, Harry. Do that."

I will not, said a stronger voice, in the back of his head, I won't answer…

"Good job, Harry. Fight it," Remus said.

"I WON'T!"

And these words burst from Harry's mouth.

"Good job. Now all you have to do is escape Voldemort and thirty Death Eaters and this could actually turn out to be an okay night," James said as if it were simple.

"You won't?" said Voldemort quietly, and the Death Eaters were not laughing now.

"Ha," James laughed. "He shut them up."

"Yeah, but for how long?" Remus muttered to himself.

"What was that, Moony?"

"I didn't say anything, Prongs."

…he was going to die upright like his father, and he was going to die trying to defend himself, even if no defense was possible…

"That's an encouraging thought," James said, looking like it wasn't in the least bit encouraging. "That's exactly what I want to hear about. How my son's going to die. Thanks."

As Harry shouted, "Expelliarmus!"

"That's it?" Sirius asked. "But Voldemort is bound to use -"

"Avada Kedavra!"

"Exactly."

A jet of green light issued from Voldemort's wand just as a jet of red light blasted from Harry's – they met in midair – and suddenly Harry's wand was vibrating as though an electric charge were surging through it.

"What?" James asked. "I've never heard of that happening before."

"Neither have I," Remus said.

"I have," Lily said.

"What is it?"

"Priori Incantatem. It's the chapter's title. I've never seen it, since it's extremely rare, but I read about it in a book."

"Shocking," Sirius said sarcastically.

She ignored him. "It's when -"

"Actually, we want to read the book. We'll find out what it is in the chapter," James interrupted.

"Do nothing!" Voldemort shrieked to the Death Eaters, and Harry saw his red eyes wide with astonishment at was happening.

"Is he sc-sc-scared?" Sirius taunted.

"I think he might be," James agreed. "Good job, Harry. Keep it up, whatever you're doing."

…the torso of Cedric Diggory.

"Now there's a twist," James commented.

"Did not see that one coming," Remus said.

And Harry, his arms shaking madly now, looked back into the ghostly face of his father.

James' jaw dropped. He hadn't expected this. "M-me?"

"It seems so," Sirius said disbelievingly.

"I finally get a part in the book besides "that dead guy." I feel so proud."

…a young woman with long hair, the smoky, shadowy form of Lily Potter blossomed from the end of Voldemort's wand, fell to the ground, and straightened up like her husband.

Lily was grinning for the first time in a long time.

- they were closing in upon Voldemort, shielding Harry from his gaze –

"RUN, HARRY! RUN!" James yelled.

And Harry ran as he had never run in his life.

"Thank you for listening."

"Accio!" Harry yelled, pointing his wand at the Triwizard Cup.

"Good thinking, Harry," James said.

…They were going back.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. They were all so absorbed in the story, that they hadn't realized they were holding a breath.

"Wow," was all James could say.

"Hey, Prongs. I guess you were wrong about saying his wand was useless and wouldn't save him in a duel against Voldemort," Sirius pointed out.

"Well, Padfoot, my simple-minded friend. That must have been Harry's skills. The wand had nothing to do with it. He could have used any."

"Still, it was an amazing chapter," Remus said.

"Yeah, so let's read the next," Sirius suggested.

"I'm in," James said.

"Chapter 35: Veritaserum…" Remus began.

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A/N: Wow, never thought I'd get past the graveyard scene. (Even though in reality it only took a few days.) Anyway, the main parts of the book have been summarized. This should be winding down pretty quickly. Maybe one more chapter.