(I do not own any of the characters (Owned by J.K Rowling) , I am borrowing them for fun. )

Chapter 14: Secrets and Decisions

After breakfast the five roamed the hallways while Sirius skipped fire crackers along the stone floors.

"It's all in the wrist." Sirius said. He shuffled in his cross body bag, pulling out a small, round, red object. They walked around a corner where they were greeted by four armored knights against the wall, and a large painting of many witches and wizards gathered around for a feast. Sirius swung his hand back, releasing the fire crack that skipped and eventually rolled down the hallway. It's exterior broke in half, releasing loud sounds and bright colour sparks that, when touched the armor knights, they began to brush their armor hastily as if it were burning holes through the metal. The feasting wizards and witches in the painting, scurried to get behind chairs and tables for cover.

"Wow! It's so beautiful!" Ana said, her hands clasped together by her chest.

James and Lily looked at each other as they watched Ana; an outbreak of felicity emanated every time she was around Sirius – James could say the same for his best mate as well.

Sirius shuffled through his bag once more, pulling out his last fire cracker.

"Here – try to throw it like this." Sirius made a motion with his arms, then handed the blue fire cracker to Ana.

Ana held her arm back, then released it as hard as she could throw; the fire cracker shot down the hallway like a quaffle, smacking a passerby teacher in the face.

"AGH! What – how – who … WHO THREW THIS?" Professor Slughorn danced on his feet looking around at what hit him in the face; then the firecracker broke in half and emitted a dark smoke, till seconds later bright colored sparks released from its center, into Professor Slughorns face. He wailed his arms frantically as if swatting flies that were buzzing too close for comfort.

Sirius laughed and grabbed Ana as they ran behind a corner.

"Merlin! I think I injured the teacher!" Ana said, her eyebrows high, her expression shocked with a panicky voice.

Sirius put his arm on her back; "Relax An, He'll be okay. He wasn't hurt." Sirius said, trying to muster up a serious voice, though couldn't stop giggling from the look on Slughorns face.

Lily rolled her eyes and grabbed Ana's hand, pulling her friendlily towards her.

"I think she's had enough 'Marauder Rule Breaking' for now. I don't think she understands how often you guys get caught – and put into detention."

Ana looked even more worried, trying to glance around the corner, suspecting Slughorn would appear any moment to give her a year worth of detention.

"We don't always get caught, Evans." Sirius said, his hand placed under his chin.

"Sorry – whenever you're involved, you guys always get caught." She said, looking at Sirius.

"The dice are still rolling, Evans, we haven't been expelled yet." Sirius smirked.

"We'll be back in the common room." Lily said, tugging Ana in the opposite direction.

Ana looked back at Sirius, smiling innocently, then walking off.

"Are you guys together, yet?" Remus said, leaning against the second floor window.

"Together? No." Sirius said, furrowing his brow in concentration. "Since when do I ever become an item with any girl, Moony?"

"Well it's obvious you two like each-other."

"Like? We have fun." Sirius said, not making eye contact.

"I'm sure James agrees with me, don't you?" Remus eyed James, making him feel uncomfortable with the situation.

"I… erm… ugh…" James winced… Sirius was looking at his feet shuffling at the stone floor, and Remus staring at him for agreement. "I mean… you two do seem like a good pair…"

"Yea, and you haven't talked to any other girls since you met her." Remus pointed out.

"Alright you two…" Sirius said, roughing up his hair a bit.

Suddenly, the three heard footsteps approaching them. James and Remus turned around, but Sirius pushed them aside, next to the window Remus was resting against.

"Remus, what time is transformation?" Sirius said, fast yet clearly.

"Ugh… what?" Remus was take back by the sudden question.

"When do you think the Werewolf transformation begins?" Sirius said, his two hands on Remus' shoulders.

"Sh… keep it down Sirius, bloody hell." James said, slack-jawed at Sirius' outputting questions.

"Uhm… midnight…" Remus said, confused.

"You'll transform in the Whomping Willow right? How do you get in again, hit the knot?" Sirius said, quickly, tapping Remus' shoulders as he waited for an answer. "YES?" His feet began to drum against the floor.

"Oh! Yes! Yes yes yes." Remus said quickly.

Sirius ran his hands from Remus' shoulders to his arms, patting him comfortingly. "Right. I'll see you two later… I've got something I need to do. Can I borrow the map?" Sirius said, looking at James who last had it in his possession.

"Uh… Yea sure. It's in my black jacket."

"Great. See you two later." Sirius winked at James and ran off in a blink.

"What was that about?" Remus said.

"Not…sure? With Sirius it could be anything."

The two separated as Remus suggested he should study for his O.W.L.'s; while James decided to take a trip to Dumbledore's office.

James walked slowly, reluctantly to Dumbledore's office, The Daily Prophet clutched in his left hand. "Tre-… Treacle Frudge." James said, shuffling his feet indecisively.

The large stone gargoyle began to spin upwards, ascending stairs along with it. James stepped onto the stairs, tapping on the newspaper till he appeared in front of the door.

James raised his hand, holding it in mid-air, debating whether he should make the move of knocking – or simply turning around.

"Bloody hell…" James said to himself, and he closed the gap between his knuckles and the wooden door.

Complete opposite of James' actions; the door swung open so fast, James was taken back with his hand still in the air.

"We meet like this again, Mr. Potter." Dumbledore said, smiling and lifting his hand towards James to lower his fist.

"Dumbledore, sir…"

"Please, come in." Dumbledore shifted behind the door, stretching his arm out, gesturing James to come inside.

James walked in, the newspaper swinging by his side. He ascended two steps towards the main chairs facing Dumbledore's office desk; and sat down, sinking into its cushions.

"What can I do you for – butterscotch?" Dumbledore walked around his desk, lifting a small bowl of butterscotch candy and offering them to James.

"No thank you."

Dumbledore unwrapped a metallic blue butterscotch square, placing it in his mouth and sucked on it.

"They melt almost instantly. Present from McGonagall. Ah, I see you've read the paper – can't say I didn't notice you scanning it during breakfast." Dumbledore sat down on his skinny, tall throne behind his desk. He folded his hands as his butterscotch melted away, and looked at James' nervous facial expression with a smile and bright eyes that shone behind his half-moon spectacles.

"Right. I've read the bit about Thomas Beckett…"

"Have you?" Dumbledore said, looking between the newspaper and James.

"Yes, sir. Malciber… He's the one I heard at Gladrags…Bellatrix? She's missing now?" James asked, spreading the newspaper on Dumbledore's desk.

"Indeed. Bellatrix Lestrange is a top wanted Death Eater – We've searched high and low for this woman, but indeed she is good at getting herself out of situations where she is most wanted." Dumbledore picked up the paper to read the article.

"You read the paper every day, Mr. Potter." Dumbledore said, placing the paper between them flat.

"Sorry?"

"You keep up with Voldemort's whereabouts."

If James didn't feel any awkward before, he sure was now. Why was Dumbledore bringing this up? He stiffened, hiking his shoulders up from the cushion.

"Why do you suppose that is?" Dumbledore asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

"That I… read the paper, sir?"

"Precisely."

"Uhm… I like to know what is going on… with Voldemort specifically?" James said confused, as if this answer was obvious already.

"Why do you suppose that is? What makes you different from many others out here in the Wizarding World?" Dumbledore said, getting up from his chair and striding towards the window. "I knew you would be coming to see me, Mr. Potter; I had hoped you would."

"Sorry, sir… I don't quite understand…"

"You're the top in your class for Defense Against the Dark Arts, James."

"…Severus…"

"We shall overlook that." Dumbledore said quickly, interrupting James; still looking out the window, the sunlight bleaching the wrinkles on his face.

"Not many people are like you, James. Not many people would be too keen on Voldemort's doings and whereabouts. Not many, would be able to handle a situation like you had in Hogsmeade. You feel personally invested in it now – seeing what you have witnessed, and hearing what you have heard…"

James opened his mouth, before snapping it shut again. He couldn't conjure up a response for any of this; he felt it acceptable to let Dumbledore continue talking, for James had no idea what was going on. He fiddled his thumbs, embarrassed with the compliments, looking at the bright red and orange Phoenix that perched itself on top of a mount of books on top of the desk.

"Fawkes." Dumbledore said, making his way over towards his bright feathered bird. "Beautiful creatures they are, very loyal. Once the bird gets old and dies… it will be reborn, from its ashes."

"That's amazing." James said, sitting up from his chair, looking intrigued at the bird.

"Fawkes is a Phoenix, James. He has been with me for many years… and many years to come. Fawkes has been an inspiration to the many ideas I have transpired in my head." Dumbledore raised his hand softly, petting the back of Fawkes' neck. "One of which… is a group I have created, for the suppression of Voldemort."

James' throat went dry, his eyelids snapped open, refusing to close. 'Suppression of Voldemort'? Why was Dumbledore telling him this? James had completely run out of room in his brain for thoughts – they were filling his head to the brim with questions and concerns.

"Suppression of… Voldemort…sir?" James said, his mouth going dry.

"Naturally; I bet you're wondering why I am telling you this, James." Dumbledore smiled.

"It might've crossed my mind." Oh and it did, about ten times.

"We are recruiting, James; people we think are a good fit, people we think who are strong enough to take on the responsibility of this dangerous task. You want to be an Auror, isn't that correct?"

James nodded quietly.

"You will be an Auror, Mr. Potter; I know you have what it takes. The same reason I believe you will be successful in such a field, is the same reason to why I am asking you to think about this opportunity." Dumbledore paused, giving James some time to process the information – which to James, was honestly not enough time. "Dwell on it. We will have a meeting in my office a few weeks before next term ends."

James nodded once again, awkwardly. He began to sit up from his chair, grabbing the newspaper and folding it under his hands.

"Is there anything else, any questions perhaps, you would like to bring to my attention now?" Dumbledore asked, raising his eyebrows and tilting his head down towards James.

"No, sir."

"Very well. Also, James before you go – do tell Mr. Black to join you for the meeting…"

"Yes, sir." James walked off, shaking his hand as it reached for the door handle, and walked out.

James walked down the stairs towards the middle courtyard of Hogwarts School, trying to raddle his brain of everything Dumbledore proposed to him. Join a group… to suppress Voldemort? He wanted him to join, and Sirius? What did the group consist of, it must be a secretive organization if it was to be against Voldemort's?

"You're a bloody pathetic git, no wonder you left home."

"I left home, because I have the intelligence to know when people are rotten. You on the other hand are as dimwitted as Longbottom's pet snail."

"Intelligence? If you had any ounce of intellect, you'd go home and apologize to mum."

"APOLOGIZE? For WHAT? For being a cold-hearted old witch? No wonder you turned out the way you did, with a mother like that."

"She's your mother too."

"She's no mother of mine…"

"Oh? So you suppose living with that Potter family can replace us? Blood traitors they are. James even has the nerve to dirty his blood line with that mudblood Evans."

"Don't you DARE call her a mudblood."

James overheard something he couldn't resist to purposely eavesdrop. He shuffled quickly behind a pillar that arched an entry way towards the middle courtyard. James tilted his head, looking out at the yard to notice Sirius fighting with his Slytherin brother Regulus.

"You're a disgrace to your kind."

"Why? Because I down get down on my knees and get put on a leash by Voldemort?" Sirius jabbed a finger at Regulus' chest.

"Don't you say the lords name like that!"

There was a slight pause, James' heart was racing faster as the conversation went on. He thought they noticed him for a moment, and rested his head once again behind the pillar.

"The 'lord'?" Sirius said, with an appalled, repulsive tone to his voice; as his eye's widened and his eyebrows rose.

James turned around once more, to find Regulus looking in both directions of the courtyard. His long black hair swayed with each turn. It was at this moment he noticed how much alike Regulus and Sirius looked; besides the characteristics of Regulus' appearance that included a pale face with dark under eyes, long wavy hair and significantly shorter.

Regulus stretched out his arm, pulling his sleeve up to reveal to Sirius a tattoo. James found this odd at first – then he noticed the tattoo slither and move. He squinted his eyes, rubbing them, as if it couldn't be true. The dark mark.

"I should have known… my own brother…" Sirius said, rubbing his forehead in distress.

"It's not too late for you, Sirius." Regulus said, dropping his sleeve.

"too late? Too late!? It will NEVER happen. You Death Eaters are foul… what you advocate is foul… why would I ever want to be a supporter of Voldemort's disgusting ideology." Sirius' voice rose as he clenched his fists, digging his nails deep in his flesh.

"Lord Voldemort will succeed… he will grow strong, Sirius; he will make you regret this decision."

Just then Sirius lifted his arm, parallel to his shoulder; throwing a fast punch to Regulus' nose. Regulus fell back, clutching his face as blood poured between his fingers and down to his lips.

"You will fail. I will make sure of it." Sirius said, looking down at Regulus, squaring his shoulders and lifting his chin just as he left the courtyard.

James watched Regulus pick himself off the grass, and walk in the opposite direction towards the north side of the building. He waited for the way to be clear before he followed Sirius back inside.

"Sirius?" James said, once he entered the stone doors inside the castle. He grabbed onto the railing, pulling himself up the large, stone steps; "Sirius?... Siriu-"

"Hello, James!"

James turned around; at the bottom of the staircase was a shorter, skinny girl with long curly blonde locks, and blue eyes to pair her fair skin. She smiled widely, as it made her friendly eyes appear smaller. She held a large Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook with both hands, by her stomach. She tilted her head as she smiled, looking at James.

"Marlene… Hey." James said, descending a few steps to meet her closer. "What's up?"

"Nothing! I've just noticed you come in, and I figured now is a good time to talk as any!"

James didn't understand why Marlene would want to talk to him; especially in the way she said it – maybe it was about Sirius?

"Sure, what's going on?"

Marlene gestured her hand towards the staircase James was on; "Shall we walk?"

James nodded, moving aside for Marlene.

"How is Quidditch this season, James?" Marlene said, as they reached the top of the stairs and turned left at the corridor.

"Great, we've won against Slytherin." James said, enthusiastic with the topic on Quidditch.

"Wonderful isn't it? I was at the game – the Slytherin's were not too happy during dinner." Marlene laughed, James let out a smirk of triumphant victory.

"Suspect you'll win the cup this year?"

"I know we'll win the cup this year." James said, rubbing the back of his head.

"You are a great seeker." Marlene said, smiling at James.

James smiled back; it was hard not to with her contagious positivity… her dimples were very clear when she smiled so big.

"What do you do?" James asked.

"Funny question really; what do I do?" Marlene said, pondering for a moment. "Most of my time is spared for Dumbledore, really."

James pushed his brows together, curious about this statement, and didn't know whether that was a good or bad thing.

"Ah, I know that sounded a bit strange; but let me explain –" The two turned the corridor for the revolving staircases.

"I gather information for Dumbledore; I send – he receives."

"Information?" James asked.

"Right… Not just me – a group of people help."

"Help with…?" James' curiosity grew stronger.

Marlene stopped as they waited for their revolving staircase to stop moving, looking around at her surroundings and dipped her head closer towards James in a whisper; "Voldemort's suppression."

James raised his eyebrows, feeling surprised at the sudden information Marlene has just given him.

"Did Dumbledore send you…" James said, remembering back to his conversation with Dumbledore.

"No, no!" Marlene shook her head. "Though I know who he plans to recruit; and I know you are one he's had his eye on for a while now… He truly thinks you would make a great addition…" The two stopped in front of the old lady portrait, in silence as if they were both waiting for someone to say the password.

"Aperto." Marlene said; and the portrait swung open revealing the entry to the Gryffindor common room.

"Aperto?" James said, exhausted.

"Don't you remember they change it after every term?" Marlene said, laughing.

The two walked forward, entering the common room when Lily's red hair peaked from the couch. She turned around to see James and Marlene laughing and walking closely as they continued to approach the center of the room.

Lily stood up, walking towards James, a half smile plastered on her face.

Marlene smiled upon seeing Lily, then looked at James, her head tilted upward to face his eyes. "Think about it." She walked off to the girl's dormitory, her long blonde locks trailing behind her.

"Hey." Lily said, kissing James on the cheek. "What's that about?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing. Random occurrence really… where's Ana?"

Lily looked at James with speculative eyes, shrugging; "She went to visit her parents…"

"Again?" James said worriedly.

"It's alright… she said she understands this time."

Lily looked at James' worried expression, grabbing his hands and trailing him back towards the couch.

"You're a good friend, you know?" Lily said, smiling as she placed her hand on his forehead, brushing his brown hair out of his eyes.

"Yea? I guess I am." James said smirking.

Lily nudge his arm playfully, her face turning slightly rose.

"A good friend, huh? A good boyfriend I am too, perhaps?"

"Well I suppose I'd mark you up there."

James' eyebrows rose, his arm rested on the back of the couch around Lily's body.

"You act as if you've had others."

Lily chewed on her bottom lip, "Hmm… maybe I have… maybe I haven't."

"Don't play, Evans. I doubt it by the way you looked at me without a shirt on." James laughed, tucking a piece of hair behind Lily's ear.

"Please, there wasn't much to see anyways." James could see the façade in Lily's eyes; as she blushed trying to hold back what she really thought.

"You know you'd kill to see me without a shirt on again, Ms. Evans."

"Definitely not! I prefer for you to keep your shirt on, thank you." Lily said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Really?" James shifted closer to her, leaning forward, forcing her to move back as he grabbed her chin gently with his hand; the corners of his mouth twitched. "Because I prefer you didn't." He faintly kissed her lips, as he held her chin in his hand. Her elbows were rested on the couch, supporting the weight of her body. As she opened her large, emerald green eyes; she noticed him looking directly at her hungrily.

He let his body weight fall on her, her head laying comfortably on the pillow, her red hair cascading over the maroon fabric; as he lifted her legs up off the floor. Their lips locked from an innocent touch to a hungry possession, their breaths quickening.

James trailed his hand up her legs as he created space between his lips and hers; looking at her with wide eyes.

Lily cocked her head, "What?" She threaded her fingers through his hair. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." James said, gazing down at her. "You're just… so beautiful."

Lily reached for James' face, lifting her head as their lips met again for an intimate kiss.

Suddenly the portrait door opened and James quickly sat up, looking over the couch.

"Oh, hey Prongs; ready for tonight?" Remus said, waving at James from across the common room.

"Er… yea." James said, darting his eyes between Lily and Remus.

"What's the matter?" Remus asked.

Lily appeared from out of view, lifting her body off the floor of the couch, and waving at Remus.

"Oh! Didn't see you their Lily; sorry thought James was alone. Well, see you tonight then." Remus said, promptly making his entry for the boy's dormitory.

Lily looked at James suspiciously, one eyebrow raised. "What's tonight?" She said, fully lifting herself up now.

James fixed his glasses and twisted his body so he faced the fireplace. "Nothing."

"Nothing? That didn't sound like nothing." She massaged her shoulders, beginning to worry about James.

"Don't worry about it okay?" James said, boosting himself off the couch, not meeting Lily's eyes.

"You telling me not to worry, is making me worry, James." Lily stood up, pursuing James from behind, who was beginning to walk towards the dorms. Her heavy-hearted expression beamed at him as he turned around, placing his hands on either side of her long, thick red hair.

"There is nothing for you to worry about." He closed the gap between them, kissing her forehead. "I love you." He gazed past her.