Chapter 26

James and Sirius both gasped for breath once the sensation left them. Their knees buckled from under them and they fell the to floor. James started to cough before looking around him. The first thing he saw was a long, dark stone corridor. "Wher—where are we?" He looked around him and saw three more corridors branching off the little room they were in.

Sirius sat up and looked around to. "Don't know. How exactly did we get here?"

"It felt like a portkey." James answered standing up. He helped Sirius up then looked back around.

"That was no portkey I ever saw. A portkey is usually an object you touch that sends you to a place. I wasn't touching anything, but my wand, were you?"

"I know what a portkey is, Sirius. I'm not saying it was a portkey, I'm saying it felt like a portkey." James sighed. "It happened when we passed the doorway. Do you think Voldemort cast something there that transported us here? Something that my spell didn't detect?"

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Now, look who's stating the obvious. Which way do you thing we should go?" He asked, getting at the situation at hand.

James looked down each corridor and shrugged. "They all look the same to me. Just pick one. Keep your wand ready. We have no idea what we're getting in. Better yet, transform into Padfoot and try to sniff Remus out."

Sirius stared at him in shock for a moment. Not only had James used the old nickname, but he was also the one to suggest for Sirius to transform. That would never have happened before Harry arrived. But Sirius didn't dare mention it. Instead, he nodded his head. "I can try that. Hopefully, it'll work." Sirius transformed into a big black, grim like dog. He sniffed the air, ran to the edge of one of the corridors and sniffed again. When he found nothing there, he moved to another corridor and sniffed, until he had gone to all four corridors.

He transformed back and shook his head. "Nothing. Nothing but the scent of Death Eaters and that scent is everywhere. I don't even have to be a dog to smell their skunk."

"Their skunk?" James questioned.

Sirius nodded. "Yeah, you know. Their bad smell."

James once again wondered how he became such good friends with Sirius before changing the subject. "So, no Remus?"

Sirius shook his head. "No. I think we should just pick a corridor and hope for the best."

"When you were sniffing around, did you notice anybody nearby?" James asked, not in the mood to fight at the moment.

Sirius shook his head. "Nobody."

They picked a random corridor and started to walk quietly with their wands out and ready. They didn't even walk four meters when they heard a popping sound coming from behind them, where they were just at.

Sirius and James quickly pushed themselves against the wall, hoping the darkness of the corridor would hide them from view. James turned his head to look at the new comers.

It was two Death Eaters, a tall one and a shorter one. "Well, Fredrick." The taller Death Eater said. "This is what we call the Main Hall. It's where every Death Eater has to go first. Kind of like a…"

"…a check-in. I know, father. You told me this already. Which hall way leads to the Dark Lord's thrown room? That is where I need to be for me to get my Mark. We have no time for tours, yet, father."

"Fredrick Anderson, graduated last year, was in Ravenclaw, and a second generation pureblood." James murmured.

"Quite right you are, Fredrick. The portkey to the thrown room is that way." Anderson said, nodding down the hallway on the left of the hallway James and Sirius were. "Just continue down that hall until you reach the dead end and then say…"

"…death of the mudbloods. I know, father."

"Right. I'll be going down to the dungeons." James and Sirius's ears perked up. That's where Remus would most likely be. "I wish I could see you take your Mark, but that's where my duty takes me. Good luck, son." Fredrick didn't reply as he made his way down the corridor. Anderson watched him go before making his way down the corridor right across from corridor James and Sirius' was hiding in. They waited a moment before following Anderson. They kept themselves far enough so he didn't hear them, but just close enough to see him.

Anderson stopped at a dead end and spun around to face the hallway. James and Sirius quickly pushed themselves against the wall to avoid being seen.

"Purest of Blood." Anderson called out, before disappearing.

Sirius and James walked out of their hiding spots. "That does it. Voldemort defiantly found a way to make a certainly area or room into a portkey." Sirius said.

"We should go." James said.

"You think that's smart? We don't know where we're going to pop up at." Sirius pointed out.

"I know and I don't care. Just make sure your wand is ready." James responded.

Sirius sighed and nodded. "Alright." He said. "Let's do this."

"Purest of Blood." James said. Then off they went.

Remus was staring at the setting sun. Tonight. Tonight the moon will be full. He only had two hours before he transform and he can feel the effects already in his bones and muscles.

Elise was once again sleeping next to him, using his tarred robe as a blanket and looking as innocent as possible. He sighed thinking of the fate of the girl and his own guilt that would sure to come afterwards.

"Mr. Remus?"

Remus turned his head and saw Elise had awakened. She was still laying on the ground, coiled up into a ball, but her eyes were now opened. "Yes, Elise?"

She looked at him curiously. "Why is your eyes yellow? And why are they shiny? Is my shiny? Do I have shiny eyes too?"

Remus held back a chuckle. Though the questions themselves weren't all that funny and they're questions he would like to avoid, it was the way Elise asked them. So innocent and serious and full of true curiosity. He nodded. "Yes, your eyes are shinning, Elise. Everyone's eyes shine when they are happy or overjoyed, even when they're in love."

"I never seen mommy's and daddy's eyes shine like yours before." Elise pointed out. "Why are you happy, then?"

Remus sat there; not knowing what to say since positive feelings certainly wasn't what he was feeling. Suddenly, he heard something from outside the door. He stood up and strained to listen.

"Remus!" He heard someone, sounding a lot like Sirius, yelled. "Remus, where are you!?"

"Mr. Remus, what's wrong?" Elise asked as she sat up.

Remus ignored her as he rush to the door and pounded on it. "SIRIUS! JAMES! IN HERE!" He buckled over as a pain spasm hit his body, one of many to come until the transformation later tonight.

"He's here, James." He heard Sirius yell. "Remus, stand back. We are going to blow the door open."

"Shouldn't you do something less noisy?" Remus asked.

"Won't matter. We all ready have Death Eaters down our backs because of a certain someone I won't name." James said.

"It wasn't my fault I had to sneeze." Sirius protested.

Remus grabbed onto Elise and pulled her away from the door. "We're away from the door."

"We?" Remus' super hearing caught Sirius asking.

"Reducto!" The door burst open and Remus saw their appearances for the first time.

"What happen to you two?" He asked. They both were dirty, no more dusty then dirty. There were dust all over them and Sirius had a bruise forming on his forehead.

"Don't ask." Sirius scowled before leaving the cell.

"We were hiding in an unused closet all day. We took a wrong turn last night and ended up in this room. We heard Death Eaters coming so we hid in the closest door, which happens to be a closet. The Death Eaters were there all night and all day long." James explained. "We found your wand when we took out the guard that was…."

Remus suddenly went into another spasm. James caught him before he fell to the floor. "Merlin! I didn't realize it was a full moon tonight. We got to get him out of here, fast."

"What's wrong with Mr. Remus?" Elise asked.

"Nothing, Elise. I'll be fine." Remus said weakly. "Come on. We got to go."

They all headed out the door. "What about my aunt?" The girl asked.

"She's right. We can't leave Sally." Remus said.

"Don't need to. I found her!" Sirius yelled from down the corridor. "Mrs. Harsh, please stand back away from the door. I am going to blow the door open. Reducto!"

Remus' head whipped up when he caught the scent of the Death Eaters. His head titled to the side to hear how far they are. "James, Death Eaters coming." He warned. "They'll be upon us very shortly."

"How shortly?" James asked

"Like…now."

"THERE THEY ARE! Deprimo!" There were about seven Death Eaters. Sirius and James fired back at them as Sally supported Remus as he went into another spasm. They kept firing spells as they moved backwards towards, hopefully, safety.

"Stupefy!"

"Crucio!"

"Confringo!"

"Avada Kedavra!" The green curse flew past Sirius and hit Sally Harsh.

"NO!" Remus yelled.

"Stupefy!"

"Come on, we got to go." James yelled as he pulled Elise into his arms.

"What happened to my aunt? Don't leave my aunt! Aunt Sally!" She yelled as she burst into tears. Sirius pulled Remus to his feet and the three of them ran down the corridor. They didn't have much time before Remus transforms.

Harry found himself standing at the Ministry. A battle has already started. Spells, hexes, curses of any kind were flying this way and that. Aurors and the Order vs. the Death Eaters. He can hear screams and yelling from both sides. He can see Tonks fighting a Death Eater and Remus was fighting with Wormtail. Tonks quickly took her Death Eater out and went to help Remus with Wormtail. They quickly knocked him out. Remus stood over him, staring emotionless. His eyes then showed the pain Wormtail had put him through.

"I should kill you." Remus said to his unconscious body. "I really should, but I don't want to sink to your level." Remus turned to go. Tonks was watching a few meters away. Her eyes showed her pity as Remus turned away from his former friend. Tonks rejoined the battle after it was clear Remus was ready to jump back in the battle himself.

Time seemed to slow down for Harry. All he can do was watch in shock as Wormtail shakily stood up and stepped towards an unexpected Remus. His silver hand shinned in the sun's glare from the broken ceiling above them. Harry wanted to warn Remus, but he couldn't. Not only was this only a vision, but also Remus was too preoccupied with the Death Eater he was currently fighting. If Harry could manage to grab his attention, the Death Eater could take the chance to fire a curse at him. So, there was nothing he can do as Wormtail took another shaky step towards Remus. He was now right behind him, his eyes shinned in angry and sorrow before he stabbed Remus through the stomach with his silver hand. Wormtail twisted his hand into Remus' stomach, making the silver brake off his arm. His silver hand was now inside of Remus, slowly killing him like a poison.

"REMUS!" Harry yelled painfully, even though he knew Remus couldn't hear him. Remus fell to his knees, eyes opened wide with shock and face filled with pain.

Tonks took noticed what happened and ran over, throwing a curse at Wormtail that made him fly back, hitting a wall. "Remus!" She yelled tearfully. She knelt next to him, quickly catching his body as he fell back. "Remus. Stay, please, Remus." She said crying, cradling him into her arms.

Harry knelt down on Remus' other side, breath shaking from trying to hold back the tears. Surprisingly, Remus' eyes snapped to Harry. "H-Harry?" Harry touched Remus' hand only to go through it. "Remus." Harry managed to say through the tears that were now falling.

"W-where…" Remus couldn't finish his question as blood inside his mouth made him cough, painfully.

Harry knew the question Remus was going to ask, but he waited until Remus was done coughing before answering. "I'm with Sirius and my dad, Remus." He chuckled dryly. "I finally got the chance to met my dad."

Remus eyes dulled with grief. "D-dead?"

"I'm not dead, Remus and you can't die. I'll be returning home and I need you there." He said through his tears.

Remus smiled softly. "I will be there when you return home, Harry. I'll…I'll be there with Sirius and…and your parents. We'll all be waiting for…for the day you'll join us. Hopefully, it won't be…be for many years to come." His skin color started to turn this ugly unhealthy color.

Harry frowned and shook his head. "That's not what I mean Remus and you know it."

"I know, my cub. I know." Harry almost choked back a sob. Remus looked at him, breathing heavily. "My time is almost up, cub." He coughed up blood again.

Harry shook his head in denial. "No, Remus, you can't. You can't die. I need you. Please, Remus, don't go."

"Remus? Who are you talking to?" Tonks finally asked through her tears.

Remus glazed at her. "Harry."

Tears fell from her eyes as she shook her head. "Harry's gone, Remus. He's gone."

Remus looked away from her and turned back to Harry. "B…but he'll be back. He will be back." He repeated.

"Please, don't go Remus." Harry begged. "I need you." He repeated.

"I-I'm sorry." Remus raised his arm to touch Harry's cheek. His hand hovered there, knowing he couldn't touch him. "I love you, cub. We weren't…weren't close as I wanted us to…to be, but I still thought of you as…as a son I could ne…never have. We are all pr…proud of you; your parents, Sirius, and…and I." Remus took a shaky breath.

Harry kept shaking his head in denial. "Please, don't go, Remus. Please." He begged pitifully.

Remus smiled sadly. "S…sorry, cub, but I…I must. Your-your parent's and-and Sirius is calling me home. T…take care, Harry."

"Please, Uncle Moony. I need you." Harry begged tried one last time. Remus smiled at the name Harry had once called him many, many years ago when Harry was just a year old.

Remus looked at the sun through the broken ceiling and drew in his last breath. His arms fell at his side and his eyes shut against his will. His head flopped to the side.

Harry felt numb as he stared at the body. He was barely aware of Tonks cursing at the Death Eaters angrily. Grief and anger fueled her as she took out one Death Eater after another. Harry couldn't even find the energy to cry anymore. The vision slowly faded and the last thing Harry saw before he woke up was Remus' body, empty of life.

Harry woke up with a gasp of breath. He quickly threw himself out of his bed, grasping for his breath. Tears rolled down his eyes as he thought of Remus's death. "Remus…" He whispered into the quiet room. The only sound was the sound of Ron snoring. He looked around the dark dorm room, suddenly feeling closed in, like the walls were closing in on him. He had to get out of here. He needs air! He stood up, put on his robes, and quickly left the dorm room.

The corridor was dark, with only a few torches lit, but it helped him think. He couldn't quite put it in his mind that Remus was dead. He just refused to believe it. First Sirius and now Remus. Harry hugged his body, feeling suddenly cold. Why? Why? Why did he have to die!? He felt angry, thinking of Wormtail. Right at this moment, Harry felt like he can kill Wormtail without remorse.

Harry suddenly froze when he felt the familiar feeling of his surrounding atmosphere grow cold and dark. He started to curse himself, forgetting the dementors were now at Hogwarts. He pulled out his wand.

The dementors came out of nowhere, so quick and quietly from where ever they came from. "Lily, take Harry and go! It's Him! GO! RUN! I'll hold him off!" He heard in his head. "Expecto Patronum!" Harry's patronus leaped out of his wand towards the incoming dementors. "Expecto Patronum!" He cried again when the dementors came back. "Not Harry, please no, take me, kill me instead!" He tired to shake the memory from his mind and tried to think of happy memories, but there were too many of them and Harry was quickly growing tired. "Expecto Patronum!" He felt his inside freeze as he grew weaker and weaker. He fell to the ground, his wand falling from his hand.

He heard running footsteps then, "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" A blinding light brifly took over his vision. He could feel someone kneeling down next to him, calling his name. "Harry! Harry, stay awake. Harry! Come on, so—Harry."

Harry focused his vision on the person kneeling next to him. "D—dad?" Then he blacked out.

"I love you soooooo much, Harry, and I will always love you, no matter what. You know that?" His father said as he held him in his arms.

Harry's mother chuckled as she hugged her husband from behind. "Of course he knows that, dear. You tell him everyday."

His father turned around and smiled at his wife. "True." He kissed Harry's forehead and Harry used that chance to grab his father's glasses. "Harry, I'm going to need those back."

His mother laughed as she took the glasses from him. "It's time for bed, Harry. You can play with your father's glasses tomorrow."

His father playfully glared at his wife as he balanced Harry on his hip with one hand and put on his glasses with his other. He smiled down at his son. "Goodnight, Harry. I'll be up later to tuck you in." He said as he started to hand him over to his wife, but Harry, who was laughing earlier, had stopped laughing and was now holding onto his father tightly, afraid to let go. "Harry, go to mommy." Harry whimpered and looked at the front door. "Harry, what's wrong?" His father asked, realizing something was up.

Suddenly, his parents heard what he had heard earlier, footsteps slowly walking up the porch steps. His parents looked at the door fearfully before connecting eyes. "The only people who knows where we are are Sirius and Peter. Sirius just left and Peter is coming tomorrow." His father whispered. He walked closer to the front door, pulling his wand out. Fear went down their spin when they heard a cackling laughter. His father ran back to his mother, yelling, "Lily, take Harry and go! It's Him!" He forced Harry into her arms and pushed her towards the stairs. "GO! RUN! I'll hold him off!"

"James…" Harry's mother cried.

Harry's father stared at her bright green eyes and ran a hand along her cheeks. "Go, Lily, please. I love you. Protect Harry."

His mother cried as she nodded through her tears. "I love you, James. Be careful." She stumbled up the stairs just as the front door blew opened. Harry can still hear what was going on downstairs as his mother went from room to room, trying to open a window to escape or find any other way out, any other way to save them.

"It's time to die, James Potter." He could faintly hear. The sound of battle made Harry's heart pump and fear grabbed him, fear for his father and his mother. His mother ran into the nursery, just as they heard Voldemort shout, "Avada Kedavra!" And then the sound of a thump as a body hit the ground.

His mother spun around to face the door. "JAMES!" She cried, knowing her husband was dead. She placed Harry in his crib and closed the door as they heard the sound of footsteps on the stairs. She ran back to Harry and looked down at him with tears. "I promise to try the best I can to protect you, my son. I'm sorry." She bent down and hugged him to her chest and kissed his forehead, right where his father had kissed him not twenty minutes before.

The door burst opened behind his mother and a cackle of high-pitched laughter filled the room. His mother quickly placed Harry back into his cot and spun to face Voldemort. "Not Harry, not Harry, please not Harry!" She begged.

Harry couldn't see the man, his mother was standing in his way, but he can certainly hear him. "Stand aside you silly girl. Stand aside now!"

"Not Harry, please no, take me, kill me instead!" She continued to beg.

"I have no time for you! Stand aside!"

"Not Harry! Please, have mercy…have mercy!"

"Alright then. You leave me no choice! Avada Kedavra!" Harry saw the green light and heard his mother screaming as she was hit by it. Then the sound of her falling to the ground. He was now balling his eyes out with big fat tears. "MAMA! DADA!"

"It's your turn, Harry. Avada Kedavra!" All he heard was the sound of a high, cold cruel laughter, but he was more focused on the green light heading towards him and a burning pain on his forehead. Then a loud scream full of pain.

Sorry, it's taking long to update...Senior year right now...lots to do and no time to do them....sooooo.....it's taking me a while to update all my stories....anywho, PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!