Chapter 11

Just when he was about to reply, James had to glance once more at Lily, possibly for the last time. His heart ached as he was probably making one of the most important decisions in his life. He would rather die than join the Dark Side, but he knew that Lily wouldn't be able to defend herself. He was torn between love for Lily, and loyalty.

Out of the corner of his eye, James saw Lily get up from the spot she was at, and wipe her forehead in exasperation. She caught his eye and grinned widely. She nodded, signaling the Portkey was ready to use. James was clearly surprised. Even though he knew Lily was good at Charms, making a Portkey was very advanced magic; he couldn't believe she'd managed it in such little time!

He smiled secretly, avoiding the Death Eater's gazes. When he turned his head back to them, he smiled slyly. They would never be able to capture him this easily…let alone force him to join their side. His heart was set on defeating these foul, loathsome beasts that called themselves humans. He was going to become an Auror…and do something good for mankind.

"Pathetic…it's going to take a lot more than you to make me join the Dark Side…I'd rather die." James spat, pure loathe in his eyes as he ran for the woods to where Lily was.

They both grasped the leaf, beaming smiles on their face, and a look of pure triumph. Both their eyes twinkled, and James' heart swelled as he realised they were both going to live. Perhaps after this, Lily would actually give him a chance. Maybe she would realize that he loved her…would do anything for her.

As he was jerked forward by the Portkey to another destination, James was feeling particularly blissful. He never preferred traveling by Portkeys as they gave him a particularly uncomfortable sensation, but right now, he felt as if he was the happiest person in the world.

As they landed in front of Hogwarts, James found the moon to be especially bright and they lit up Lily's beautiful features perfectly. The pale glow also enhanced her fair skin, and made the red of her lips especially lush. Her smiling face was directed at him, and an excited look was in her eyes.

"Thank you" was all she said, but the emotions that ran through James were indescribable. He and Lily had experienced their first near death encounter, and their relationship had clearly grown one step further…or so he thought.

"Not at all" he replied, still beaming brilliantly at her. They entered Hogwarts' front gates and made their way to the Heads Tower in a serene silence. However, just as they were about to step through the portrait of the Distressed Damsel, a bubbly looking Gryffindor 5th year came up to them, fairly puffed.

"Professor Dumbledore wanted to see you in his office. Said something about recent unexpected changes. Don't know what the hell he was going on about…always been a strange man---" Lily and James sped off in direction of Dumbledore's office, leaving the fifth year looking lost, and still babbling to an empty corridor.

As they gargoyle sprang alive, the Head Boy and Girl were on full alert. Lily was secretly reminding herself what an idiot she was. She should've immediately gone to see Dumbledore after they'd come back! Death Eaters at Hogsmeade…it was an outrage! Things had to be done!

"Professor! I'm sorry we didn't come here as soon as we were safe. I guess it kind of slipped my mind. It's all---"

Dumbledore clasped his long fingers together and gazed at them through his half moon spectacles. He smiled gently at Lily's little burst. He knew she was frightened and shocked. Even he was worried at this sudden appearance of Death Eaters…especially in Hogsmeade.

So many questions rushed through the Headmaster's mind…and most of them he couldn't answer. Why would Voldemort suddenly order Death Eaters to attack Hogsmeade at night? For all he knew, there were only a few students left there. Sirius Black, Lily Evans, Brittany Davies, Remus Lupin, Eva Milton…and James Potter.

Suddenly it seemed to click. Dumbledore glanced over to James who was standing unsurely in the middle of his office. It all made sense. Voldemort was after James Potter…the last of the famous line of Potters. His whole family tree had all been Aurors, all brave, and all loyal.

"Mr. Potter…I presume as soon as you found that there was suspicious movement in Hogsmeade, you disregarded your own safety, and immediately searched for Ms. Evans to ensure her safety?"

Both of them were taken aback at such an unexpected question from the Headmaster. After recovering from initial shock, Lily's face flamed a brilliant red, while James seemed to be fascinated at something on the office's carpet, and wouldn't divert his gaze.

He mumbled something, which Dumbledore obviously took as a yes.

"I would like you to describe to me the happenings you experienced at Hogsmeade." Seeing Lily's eyes drop, and James grit his teeth from anger, Dumbledore stood up and made his way to them. "I know it hasn't been easy for either of you. It is essential for me to know tonight's events for me to help you."

James found himself unable to speak, and Lily had briefly accounted the events. She'd left the part about Amos Diggory deserting her out, and James had been about to spill, but after seeing Lily's horrified expression, made the right decision and kept his mouth shut.

"Very well" Dumbledore's figure demanded authority, and he loomed over both of his students. But he was clearly tired and overworked. Even his voice had lost energy, and he slowly made his way back behind his desk and sat gently.

"Is there anything else Professor?" James fiddled with his hands and wasn't sure what to do next.

"One other thing, Mr. Potter. Can you describe the Death Eaters to me…what did they say to you? Did they…offer you anything from Voldemort?" James widened his eyes in awe as Dumbledore had predicted exactly what the Death Eaters had done.

"Why…yes, Professor. There seemed to be this especially built one who was the Ring Leader. They were all under dark hoods, so it was hard to actually distinguish them. All I could do was try and differentiate their voices. I'm certain a couple of them were seventh years from Hogwarts. A few females were there…one which I recognized to be Bellatrix Black. I think Sirius' brother…Regulus was also there" At this, Dumbledore nodded slightly and asked him to continue.

"Well, there was this other one that didn't really seem fit to be a Death Eater. He was a bit on the tubby side, and quite stumpy. He had a particularly squeaky voice, and seemed to be quite intimidated by the others. I'd say he was an exactly replica of Peter!" James chuckled, but Dumbledore was frowning ever so slightly, and worry crossed his face.

"What did they say, James?" Dumbledore's kind eyes met his, and he felt energy run through and replenish his body. His eyes urged James to continue…no matter how hard it was.

"T-they said harsh things…put me down, but I presume that was only to try and catch me off guard. I took them no notice. At that point in time, I had knocked many Death Eaters unconscious, and many were injured pretty badly. I was also growing weak…I knew I couldn't keep going. As you know, Lily was trying to make a Portkey, but that's really advanced magic…and she needed time"

Dumbledore smiled at Lily, who was still gulping hard trying not to let the horrific memories affect her that badly. She tried to hold back her tears, but a few of them escaped, and soon, she was sobbing silently in the corner. She'd always been strong, but she was, after all, human.

"And then?" Dumbledore whispered, every so softly.

James gulped and snuck a peek at Lily's heaving back. She was overcome with tears and grief. Seeing her like this pained James as well. His body was numb, and all he could feel was his heart squeezing particularly painfully in his body.

"T-they asked me to join them...the Dark Side. At first, I told them I would rather die. They'd offered me riches, power, immortality…but I knew where my loyalties lay. I knew I would rather die noble, then evil. Then, their ring leader threatened me." James' throat was dry and parched, and only a bare few words were making their way out one at a time. A single tear slid down his cheek.

"H-he said he would kill Lily if I didn't accept defeat. I knew I had to make a decision fast. I couldn't bear to see Lily hurt in any way. I was going to accept their offer." A wave of guilt and shame washed over James, and he hung his head, unable to meet Dumbledore's eyes.

"That was a very noble thing you did Mr. Potter…a true deed worthy of Gryffindor. You were willing to risk you life for another! That is nothing to be shamed about! In fact, if you chose death, I would call you foolish. Death is the easy way out, James. Surrendering to the enemy is a deed that required bravery beyond anything else." James slowly lifted his head up to meet Dumbledore's eyes.

He registered the Headmaster's words, was he right? James' head hurt from all the things that had happened that night. He wanted it to all end…all the pain, suffering and doubt.

"Luckily, Lily is very gifted in Charms and she finished the Portkey just in time. We escaped by very little Professor. I can say with certainty that whatever Voldemort's up to, he won't give up this easily."

Dumbledore nodded, with sincerity and regret as he studied James. "Let me tell you a story…both of you. When I was, oh, a few decades younger, I made a mistake." Lily had wiped her tears away, and only sniffed a few time as she closely listened to Dumbledore's story. James was also gazing intently at the Headmaster, asking him what mistake he made, and how it was relevant to Voldemort.

"I fetched an extremely odd boy from an orphanage one day. Tom Marvolo Riddle. I brought him to Hogwarts to learn magic. Yet, it is only too late now that I realize all the things he has been upto. It was a mistake…my mistake to have taught this boy everything he has learnt. And now, it is one of my deep regrets. I have created a monster. I was the one who created Lord Voldemort."

James and Lily gasped at hearing Dumbledore's confession. Yet, why would he tell them this? Has this some hidden meaning? They were bursting with questions, but hadn't had a chance to ask before Dumbledore spoke again, in the same tired, regretful voice.

"Mr. Potter, unfortunately, his new target is you. I expect that Voldemort wants to extinguish all that are threats to him. Your family has a long history…and it is clearly against him. I want you both to know that Tom Riddle is not someone to be underestimating. You need to work together. Be glad you have close ones in these dark times. Stick by them…as they will be an essential source of comfort in the time to come. Thank you for your time. You may leave now."

Words completely failed both James and Lily as they dragged their feet out of the Headmaster's office. They had no idea what Dumbledore's words meant…but James knew that his target was him. Why Voldemort would think a seventeen year old wizard would become a threat to him was beyond James, but he realised something.

If it was him Voldemort wanted, then there was no need to endanger anybody else. He knew there was no point in distancing himself from the Marauders as they had sworn to stick by each other in times of despair…but he needed to have no connections with other people.

And that meant he needed to close himself from Lily Evans.

He convinced himself that the pain he suffered now would be far less to if Voldemort captured Lily and threatened him with her. He sighed in defeat and quickened his pace to the Heads Tower, leaving Lily wandering slowly behind.

Their happy moods at triumphing over the Death Eaters had vanished, and were replaced by fear and confusion as to what was to come…and the difficulties they had to face.

Christmas was coming up in a couple of days, and James was glad for it because he desperately needed time and space to think for a while. He knew he could always rely on Sirius, Remus and Peter to be there for him.

But there were just some things he needed to work out for himself.

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A/N: Hullo ppl…I know, quite a depressing chapter this one…and nothing that interesting. Sorry to disappoint all of you. I know you were expecting a really happy chapter where James and Lily get together after he saves her life…but I thought it would be a little cliché.

Sooooo…now we have James coming to a decision that he has to distance himself from her so she can get out of harms way because Voldemort is after him.

Lol! I'm so evil…anyways, thanks to everrrrrrrrrryone who reviewed. I'm really touched by all the things people have said…and I sincerely thank everyone for their support and encouragement.

Plz plz plz review and let mi know whether you're liking the story. I know I'm kind of whining…but I like reviews! Lol

Just a question…I know I haven't really been putting that much effort in romance…but it will all come in later! I wanted to know if you liked Remus/Eva and Sirius/Brittany pairings and if you wanted to read more on them. Let mi know plz!

In response to WhiteCamellia I thought your fanfic name, and your real name were really special! LOL! Thx for your lovely review.

Anyways, one last thing…a warm happy birthday to Jumpernumbernine

Once again, plzzzz review and tell mi what you thought of the chapter!

Many thanks,

Purebliss90