YAY! I am so proud of myself for this quick update. Then again, I don't think I could have slept properly until I jotted down what was needed after such a horrible cliffie at the end of the last chapter. So allow me to get on with my thanks and again, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

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Lionella- thank you very much, and you'll find all about Remus this chapter

WhiteCamellia- hope this was a quick enough update

Angel-Miko- got it, ASAP, lol. Hope you enjoy

LilyJames addict- It may take a little while for Lily and James, but I promise, it will happen. I'm just not going to make it easy for them

Buttonbit- lol, thank you

Eve1980- and I hope you continue to love where it's going

Cool-mulle- I'm glad you like, and I hope this was soon enough for you

AnitaPotter- though this is AU, I am trying to keep it as cannon as possible with the original story. I just like having a little fun with it adding my own spin to it, thanks for the review

1BigRomantic- lol, don't worry, I didn't make you wait too long this time

MadameProngs-(for every chapter review) – Wow, thank you for all the lovely reviews on every chapter. I already got to talk to you a bit last night, but again, thank you.

Girl- I'm glad you enjoyed and don't worry, this story is not stopping

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So without further ado, Chapter 12

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Woods, follow me!" James left as he quickly exited the doctor's home. Lily looked to Sirius helplessly only to be responded with a quick nod to obey their King. Keeping in the sigh she so desperately wished to let out, she quickly made her way to go outside where James was waiting. He did not speak at first, even after the door was shut safely shut behind her. He only gazed angrily into the distance where his castle could be seen clearly in the distance. Unsure of what to say or do Lily decided it was better to just wait for any orders to be given.

"I don't know why Sirius trusts you." He finally muttered, his hazel eyes taking in her full appearance. "To be completely you look nothing like a soldier with your status should. To be fair…you did save my life, but still…" Lily listened silently, her features calm and unaffected, inside she was fuming. She did not need criticism from a King who barely knew her.

"Will that be all My Lord?" she answered coolly. James seemed to consider her question for a moment, as if unsure of what to do next.

"Regardless of what I have just said, Sirius seems to believe you capable and trustworthy…or he never would have demanded you come help Mrs. Pettigrew get here." Lily stared blankly back.

"He only needed an escort My Lord…I hardly see why that would mean he trusts me." James smirked while shaking his head softly.

"Do you see any other soldier here? Outside the Generals and the bleeding man inside…do you see anyone else here to help?" Lily shook her head no, confusion still lacing her features. "It is because he trusts you to be here…and if he trusts you then…I guess I should too." He let out a heavy sigh before gazing back up towards the castle. "Sirius will stay here with Peter until Maria is okay, but you will accompany me back to the castle. I want it understood however that you are to speak to no one of tonight's events. I do not need this Kingdom in an uproar over this attack, is that understood?"

"Yes My Lord." James glanced back to the young soldier before him.

"Then let us leave, we are in for a long and busy night."

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Vernon glanced worriedly towards his wife as he began undressing for bed. She did the same, but her expression remained blank and emotionless. She had been this way since he had met up with her towards the end of the banquet.

"Petunia darling…wont you please tell me what is bothering you so?" Petunia was silent for a moment, her mind racing over the night's events.

"I guess I'm just more tired then I had thought I was…that is all." Petunia replied trying to sound as honest as possible. Vernon nodded slowly; he wasn't in the mood to anger his wife so instead opted to drop the subject entirely. Petunia would tell him of her troubles eventually, he was sure of it. Petunia climbed into bed quickly before wrapping the covers tightly around her and pretending to sleep. How was she to explain her troubles of a teenage lad with eyes that matched her sister's? Never before had she come across anyone who had eyes that exact shade of green, and she had seen many. Yet here was this boy with eyes that looked so much like Lily's. Something wasn't right, and Petunia knew it. She would learn what she could of this boy and discover whatever mystery there was to learn of this green-eyed-boy by the name of Jack Woods.

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Peter gazed lovingly at his wife's sleeping form, his baby boy wrapped snugly in a light blue blanket rested in his arms. He had a son…his very own son. He watched as the child wrapped a tiny hand around his much larger finger.

"He's so small." Sirius whispered in awe, he had never really been around a baby before.

"He's beautiful." Peter replied lovingly. Sirius could only smile as his eyes gazed over Peter's serene expression.

"He looks like you…and with any luck he'll grow up to be just like you." Peter smiled, his eyes never leaving his newborn son.

"I don't care how he is when he is older…I have a son, he can do whatever he wants."

"We are going to have to head out soon…James will be waiting." Peter nodded, his eyes again gazing over his sleeping wife.

"Do you think they will be alright?" Sirius nodded before clasping a friendly hand on Peter's shoulder.

"We'll make sure of it. Maria's a tough girl anyway, nothings going to touch that gal." Peter smiled in agreement before handing his new son Alexander over to the doctor's wife for her to now look after.

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Lily could only gasp at the image before her. Remus Lupin, the kind hearted man she had grown to respect, now lay motionless on a blood stained bed before her. You wouldn't even know he was breathing if you didn't watch closely for the small rise and fall of his chest. Dumbledore now stood over the man in a desperate attempt to stop whatever bleeding he could, a grave look remained in his eyes.

"Is he going to be okay?" James asked urgently, his voice sounded small as worry and concern took over him all at once. Dumbledore didn't answer, his hands moving quickly to wrap a new bandage around Remus' torn neck. Lily jumped as the door burst open revealing Sirius and Peter. They both froze at the bloodied mess that was their friend.

"What the hell happened?" Sirius demanded, his shock now quickly turning to anger. Peter put a hand on Sirius' shoulder in hopes of calming his worried friend. Dumbledore finished the bandaging before gazing quietly at the group before him, his eyes missing the usual sparkle they had all grown to know.

"I think it would be best if we make sure no outside ears can hear what I am about to explain to you, no matter how hard it would be for anyone to believe." Peter nodded before taking a quick glance outside the room and looking about for anyone that might be around this late at night. Once satisfied that they were indeed alone, he quickly shut the door before quickly locking it.

"There is nobody around." Peter confirmed before taking his place beside Sirius. Dumbledore nodded before letting out a heavy sigh. For the first time in his life he could actually feel his age catching up with him.

"You have all heard the rumors…regarding the Dark Lord." It was more of a statement then anything else. Everyone in the room nodded, everyone knew of the rumors concerning the Dark Lord who supposedly mastered the ways of Black Magic.

"What has that got to do with Remus…will he be okay or not?" James demanded angrily. Sirius could only nod in agreement to James' question.

"I'm afraid now that what he may possess is more then Black Magic, but the control of creatures we never would have dreamed existed." The group glanced at each other in confusion before looking back up at Dumbledore.

"What…what kind of creatures?" Peter asked slowly, his mind thinking back to the time of his own captivity.

"Werewolves." All but Peter looked at the man as if he had grown a second head.

"I'm sorry…Werewolves?" James asked in bewilderment. Surely the old man had finely lost it. Dumbledore nodded slowly before gazing down at the man lying injured before him.

"They seem nothing short of something you would find in a bad dream but I assure you…they do exist." James would have thought it all a joke if it weren't for Remus so badly injured and Dumbledore's serious expression. Dumbledore would never joke about something like this. Lily gazed sadly at the General before her, her mind trying to wrap itself around the thought of Werewolves.

"But…how would you know…I don't see Remus sprouting hairs and fangs." Sirius replied quietly just in case some outside person did happen to be close enough to hear. Dumbledore let out another sigh before loosening the bandage around Remus' left hand. Clearly visible was a large black circled with tiny yellow spots outlining the rim. The group looked curiously at the hand before looking back to Dumbledore for an answer.

"It is the mark that defines when one bitten will turn. It won't be tonight, he has only now been given the curse, but come next month..." His words trailed off sadly as he looked at the man below him.

"So what do we do…is there a cure?" Sirius asked, his eyes too trailing over his fallen friend. Dumbledore shook his head sadly before rewrapping the injured hand. James looked at everyone in the room, his eyes darkening in anger.

"We tell no one of this, I repeat no one. We will not have our friend's reputation dragged through the mud because of something that's not his fault!" His looked to everyone in the room, his eyes landing lastly on Lily who only nodded numbly in response.

"What do we do…when the next full moon comes?" Peter asked quietly, his eyes resting sadly on his friend.

"We lie…we say he's with relatives, or an important mission, or well…anything. This secret does not leave the room. Remus will have enough to deal with; he doesn't need to be bothered by this. Regardless of his condition, he is still and will always be our friend."

"He's going to have a hard time dealing with this." Sirius replied sadly before moving closer to Remus. "Of all the people, out of anybody out there, why Remus? He is probably the best of us all here…so why?" James shook his head sadly; he didn't know how to respond.

"Remus will be okay…because we will be there to let him know he's alright." Peter replied with determination he never felt before.

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"It is done." Severus whispered as he watched his Master mount a black stallion.

"Then you shall hurry towards the Southern Lands, you will find their King waiting for you." Severus nodded obediently.

"As you wish My Lord."

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James watched as the group filed one by one out of the room. It was now only he and Dumbledore who remained. With everything that has happened to this Kingdom, he felt there was only thing left to do. He was trapped in this decision, he knew this now. There would be no time to find someone. That just wasn't his fate. But if Voldemort could target one of his own Generals so quickly and do…this, then what was to stop the man from getting to James himself. He almost wanted to laugh bitterly at the thought of Voldemort as a man, he was beyond that. He was evil himself, for only evil could do what he did to a man like Remus Lupin.

"You win." James whispered quietly, his eyes remaining firmly on his friend. Dumbledore seemed caught off guard for a moment as he looked questioningly to James.

"I'm sorry?"

"You win…I will marry and produce an heir."

"Did you find someone…have you met someone suitable." James shook his head, an angry laugh escaping his lips.

"No but you will get the pleasure of doing it for me!" Dumbledore shook his head, how could his King, a man he had helped raise since birth, think him able to get any pleasure out of finding him a wife.

"And how would I do that?" James turned his angry eyes on the old man, his tone bitter and harsh.

"I don't know, pick a name out of a hat for all I care, it does not matter to me. I have no time for such things so therefore you can do it for me!" Dumbledore, for what felt like the hundredth time that night, let out a heavy sigh before sitting on a lone wooden chair.

"As happy as I am to find you ready for marriage, I believe it would be best if you were the one to choose your own wife." James took one last look before walking angrily to the door.

"Like I said, I don't care who, just pick someone. I however have more important things to worry about, like how to keep my friends for being killed."

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"Ay, Woods, that you mate?" A familiar voice asked as Lily made her way into the small room that was now her new home. Lily looked to see Weasley, Burke, and the man known as Moody all still very much awake playing what appeared to be a very intense game of poker.

"Yeah, it's me, what in the devil are you all still doing up?"

"Well you see." Weasley replied with that same boyish grin. "Burke here just got back from the brothel and while feeling young, dumb, and full of cum, he has decided to test his luck on cards. Moody here finally got tired of yelling at us to keep it down so here he is, and I…I just wish to come out of this a richer man. Care to join us?" Lily shook her head no, she felt too exhausted from the night's events to really do anything but sleep.

"I think I may just go to bed, maybe another night though."

"Suit yourself." Weasley replied cheerfully before scooping up a few of his winnings off the table. "Best to keep your money anyways." Lily quickly forced a laugh before climbing into her own bed. She had to admit, it was nice not having to share a bunk anymore, and found herself much relieved by the comfort of the new mattress. It was much softer then the one from her barracks.

"So where have you been all night? I believe the banquet ended hours ago." Moody commented suspiciously before folding his hand. Lily glanced over making sure to clear her expression of any emotions.

"Lord Pettigrew's wife gave birth this evening, I was ordered to escort her to the doctor in town." Her answer seemed to satisfy the much older soldier for he didn't ask her anything more of it allowing Lily able to fall into a deep and undisturbed sleep.

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Peter left Remus only to head strait for the Doctor's home. He knew his wife would still be there waiting and would worry if Peter didn't come back soon. Peter also knew that he himself would not be satisfied until he could see wife was perfectly fine with his own two eyes. His thoughts drifted back to Remus and the pain his friend had gone through. Since Peter had arrived back to his Kingdom safely he had tried desperately to forget his own experiences in captivity, but with the birth of his son and the savage attack on Remus, all his mind could do was dwell on the happenings before his escape. He had never talked about it, and was thankful no one had pressed him for information concerning it. Not even his beautiful Maria had questioned him, and she was the one he wished more then anything to be able to discuss it with. He knew now that he could never, it would only worry her further when all Peter wanted to do was make her feel safe. Still…the memory continually haunted him like a plague that he could not shake off.

"Do you still deny what I want?" Voldemort asked as a new Death Eater came up quickly before kicking Peter roughly in the face. The captured General coughed up a mouthful of blood before glaring angrily at the Dark Lord before him.

"I will not betray my Kingdom!" Voldemort spit angrily on the fallen General, his eyes burning with hate.

"Then you will die here Peter Pettigrew, you will die!" Voldemort motioned for two Death Eaters to hold the General up, they wasted no time in obeying. Peter glared daggers as the Dark Lord drew closer, his mouth mere inches away from Peter's ear.

"Oh I will, don't worry about that my dear Peter Pettigrew!" Voldemort spat his name like it was a disease, Peter's own expression remaining one of anger and hate. "But first I will kill your friends, I will kill your family, I will even kill that beautiful wife you have waiting for you at home. I will hunt down anyone who matters, and then, when you have nothing left but yourself, it will be only then that I allow you the death you will be undoubtedly seeking." Voldemort whispered, his voice chilling Peter to the core. Peter glanced over towards Voldemort, he couldn't help but believe every word.

Peter didn't notice he had arrived until he heard Maria's soft melodic voice beckoning him forward.

"There you are, I was just telling Alexander that you would be back any moment." Maria said cheerfully, their son resting snugly in her arms. Peter forced a smile before making his way to his way to his wife who now sat up comfortably on her bed, pillows rested snugly behind her back. "I heard Remus was injured, will he be okay?" Peter nodded trying to make his voice sound as honest as possible.

"It may take a few days but yes…I have faith that Remus will be okay."

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"Bella...Bella!" Sirius called urgently from outside the local Brothel door. Moments later a light could be seen from inside before the door opened revealing a very angry looking brunette.

"Sirius Black, what are you doing?" She demanded angrily. It didn't take her too long to see something was wrong, she could already smell the strong scent of whiskey on his breath.

"Bella my love, I must say, you do look absolutely ravishing tonight. Is that a new dress?" Bella's eyes narrowed as she surveyed the man before her.

"What is it you want Black?"

"Well I was just wandering…no…well yes, wandering, if my room was available." Bella pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.

"Excuse me?" Her voice sounding dangerous now causing Sirius to flinch for just a moment.

"Well you see, I was just making sure that…um, nobody was in my room tonight." Sirius stated quietly sounding much like a child trying to make sure that no one was touching his favorite toy.

"Well of course there isn't, why would there be?" Her hands were now planted on her hips while she fought to contain the anger within. Sirius grinned before quickly walking closer and tossing the beautiful woman known as Bella over his shoulder. "Black, what are you doing?" She asked angrily, though only Sirius could catch the slight amount of humor behind those words.

"Like I said Bella my love, just making sure my room is free. Thought you might like to keep me company."

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Dumbledore shook his head; he could not believe he was even doing this. Before him laid the complete list of every single Lady living within the King's court. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and allowed his finger to land aimlessly on one of the many names before him. Dumbledore slowly opened one eye, followed by the other, before silently reading allowed the name which would now become the future Mrs. James Potter.

"Well Miss. Susanna Halls, I do hope you enjoy being queen."

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So, love it, hate it? I know, things seem to only be getting worse for all of our characters but I promise, assuming I don't kill anyone off in my boredom, it will get better eventually:)

R/R, and thanks for reading.

BTW, me and my roommates were having an argument about this, is there really such thing as too much Chinese food?