(37) A Stag's Secret

"Betrayed by my own cousin!" Sirius burst through the Entrance doors with a loud bang.

"Betrayal?" James was close behind. "Don't talk to me about betrayal! You should have been my Secret Keeper!"

"I was trying to keep you alive!" Sirius whirled around.

"Congrats, I'm still here!" James snarled as another figure stumbled inside. Remus leaned against the doorframe looking ragged. It was way too early for him to be out & about, but right now there were far more important matters to attend to.

Sirius merely growled so much, Padfoot's fangs snapped into place for a moment. He turned quickly away & crashed into Harry. "Sorry," Sirius snatched the boy up by the collar & put him aside. He glanced up as several screams rang out above him from the marble staircase. "WHAT?!" He bellowed at four early students on their way to the Great Hall. They turned & fled back the way they had come. "You see this James?" Sirius pointed at the fleeing students. "Everyone fears me. They think I'll kill them!"

"Well forgive me for not dying like the world says!" James shot back.

"I DIDN'T WANT YOU DEAD JAMES!" Sirius fell to his knees. "I WANTED YOU SAFE! I TRIED EVERYTHING I COULD THINK OF!"

"I know," James whispered as other students who were on the way to the Great Hall for breakfast stopped dead in their tracks & stared. The crowd grew larger as those in front blocked the way. Many of them glanced back & forth between the pair. Most of them knew what the last of the Potters looked like & so were rather confused when a dead one was having a shouting match with his murderer right in the middle of the entrance floor.

"Please stop being mad at me," James went on. "Let's go to Dumbledore."

"Yes, let's," Sirius stood up. "I never wanted you dead James. It's the fact that I was left for twelve years in hell that I can't come to terms with!"

"Sirius, I'm sorry! I didn't know ok?" James shouted.

The crowd broke into whispers. What was a Potter doing apologising to the traitor? Shouldn't it be the other way around? Or was Sirius actually innocent, the very idea?

"How could you not know? It was all over the news!" Sirius glowered at him, not believing. "I felt love for you! I've loved you since we were in Sixth Year! I let you share my bed for an entire year!"

"Tell the whole world, why don't you?" James muttered under breath as there was a collective gasp from the ever-growing group of students. He & Harry both tried not to look at Remus, but all the wolf did was slowly make his way towards Sirius without aggravating his newest lunar wounds. He already knew this. Harry could see the now-black mark on his father's face.

"This is the thanks I get?" Sirius went on through gritted his teeth. "Your explanation had better be good Potter, or I just might explode!" At that, he turned & marched up the stairs, ignoring more screams from other students who had barely just arrived only to look on, horrified. The group flattened against the walls on either side as none other than Sirius Black & those he had supposedly betrayed marched through in plain sight.

James shook his head, glanced at Harry, then looked at the werewolf who was staring at the stairs with loathing. This was going to hurt to climb up. "Remus...I—Sirius. We had..."

"I already know," Remus was about to put a hand up but winced. "I've known since Sirius & I first became mates. Where else would you get that touch in the sauna?"

"Sauna?" James stared. He put his hands up in defeat & started up the stairs, helping Remus manoeuvre the climb as Harry followed at a distance behind. "Moony ...something's going to come out up there. About Sixth Year."

"Other than you & Sirius?"

"Yeah," James let Remus rest a moment. "You should be in bed. We can do this later."

"Sirius will go crazy if we wait," Remus sighed tiredly. "Besides, I'm too hyper to sleep right now. I just got everyone back after thinking they were all dead or traitors for twelve years. I agree with Sirius on one thing Jim. You better have a good explanation for leaving him like that. How could you not know?"

"You'll understand shortly," James helped Remus along.

By now, they had moved beyond the crowds by the entrance & the stairs had shifted. No more of their conversation could be over heard but everyone had enough to gossip about for a while. Sirius & James? What the hell happened? What was wrong with Professor Lupin (who also seemed to have something going on with Sirius Black)?

James supported Remus as they worked the next set of stairs. James knew all too well how to handle stairs after being put through torture. "It has to do with that school year which Sirius already knows," James said after Remus caught his breath & moved again. "So does Harry since he read that damn diary!" Harry flinched as James went on. "It's connected to something from then."

"Jim, I know something bad happened to you that year," Remus grimaced as he missed a step. James held him up. "We all did."

"Yeah, it's quite bad," James didn't say more until they reached the gargoyle.

Harry felt cold all over. Whatever had happened, it had to do with Orion Black somehow, he was sure of it. He silently entered Dumbledore's office & sat down. Peter was already there, looking a little out of it as if he didn't really know where he was. Dumbledore sat behind his desk. Next to him was Fawkes. Standing on the other side was Fudge who was glaring at Sirius Black. Dumbledore ordered everyone to sit down.

James however, started pacing silently, going over his speech one last time ...or perhaps stalling for just a moment longer before exposing himself to the world. He finally stopped in front of Peter. "First things first." He made as if to put his hands on Peter's face, but the other man pulled back in fright. "Easy, I'm not going to hurt you."

"I might."

"Sirius, shut up! He's as innocent as you are." James reached for Peter again, ignoring Sirius's glare. He put a hand on either side of Peter's head. "You answer only to me."

"Yes."

"Your memories are not your own," James went on. "You remember very little of Peter Pettigrew."

"Yes."

"Jim wh—" Sirius began.

"SHH!" James shushed him. "You've done your job as best possible, given the circumstances. Now tell me, how much do you know right now?"

"Those two," Peter pointed with his four-fingered hand. "We used to be friends. That's a wolf. They're trying to kill Peter for killing the Stag & his mate. Your son is here."

"Yes, he's here," James said. "Anything else?"

"Peter is here, somewhere. But I can't fully access those memories."

"Are you Bloodclaw?" Sirius asked incredulously. "So you're the tra...oh wow! Feed him an Anti-magus potion then."

Peter glared at Sirius. "See? They want me dead!"

"For what they think is a good reason," James said. "But nothing is what it seems. For the record Sirius, Bloodclaw did nothing but obey my commands."

"Who is Bloodclaw?" Fudge asked.

James stared at him. "Surely by now you know the secrets of the Marauders? We're Animagi. Sirius has told me that both he & Dumbledore explained everything last night, yet you still tried to stick the Dementors on him!" Fudge wanted to say more but Dumbledore glared at him to be quiet. James turned back to Peter. "I'm going to release you from the spells I put on you many years ago. It's going to hurt so be warned. A migraine mostly."

He pressed his hands to Peter's temples & began chanting softly in Lakotan. After a few minutes, Peter yelped & fell to his knees. James hung on until there was a ring of yellow around Peter's head. James lifted it off as Peter lay on his side clutching his forehead as a migraine exploded.

"Mm Peter's going to hate me when he rights himself," James stumbled back a few paces, waiting.

"Jim?" Remus glanced back & forth between him & Peter. "What on Earth did you just do?"

"Slave crown," Sirius snarled. "James how could you?"

"I'll explain in a moment," James watched Peter. "Give him some time."

They all waited as Peter slowly stopped whimpering. He got to his knees, then pulled himself up. Harry noticed that the rat-like features were gone & the man before them looked far more human than in the Shrieking Shack the night before. Peter shook himself, rubbing his forehead. He glanced over Sirius & Remus, lingered a moment on Harry, then looked at James.

"Jim?" Peter stared at him. "What the hell did you do to me?"

"I'm sorry," James hung his head. "I thought it was my only option until quite recently." He was right. If looks could kill, he would be dead now. Peter was glaring at him.

"Only ...option?" Peter echoed softly under breath. "THAT was your ONLY OPTION? You bastard!"

"Enough!" Sirius stood up but was suddenly hard on his arse in the chair again.

All James did was lift a finger. "I deserved every last syllable of that."

"We're supposed to be friends! YOU DON'T DO THAT TO FRIENDS JIM!" Peter went on.

"We're not friends," Sirius muttered to himself. Remus punched his shoulder to shut him up.

"Now that's its reversed," James said. "Tell us what you know. In the Shack, your main line was that you didn't know what these two were talking about. You were right & it's my fault."

Peter looked around. "Yes it is," he shot a dark look at James. "But I remember properly now. Sirius is trying to kill me no thanks to you!"

"We thought you sold Jim & Lily to Voldemort," Remus said.

"I was never their Secret Keeper."

"You were supposed to substitute for me," Sirius huffed. "That was the plan. Make people think I was the Secret Keeper while you went off & stayed safe."

"Then why did you change your mind?" Peter demanded.

"I didn't," Sirius glared.

"You attacked me! I woke up in a ditch & the next thing I know, I forgot where Jim & Lily lived," Peter said. "I knew then that the spell had gone up, shutting me out."

"I never saw you again until you blew up the street!" Sirius was on his feet for another second before crashing back into his chair. "Quit it Jim!"

"I SAW YOU!" Peter shot back. "You apparated right beside me & punched me right in the face, knocking me out."

"If only!"

"Enough," James put up both hands, then turned to Dumbledore. "They're both speaking the truth. Peter was attacked before making it to my house. He never got the chance to become my Secret Keeper."

"I never attacked him!"

"No, you didn't," James agreed still looking at Dumbledore. "Confused yet? There's more." He turned back to Peter, holding up the slave crown. "I really do apologise for this." Peter just glared at him.

"What is that thing?" Remus demanded.

"It's a slave crown. Whoever wears it loses all control of themselves & are subject to the owner of the crown. We were magically linked through this. Peter could do nothing without my command."

"You did far more to me than that," Peter crossed his arms.

James nodded. "I thought Sirius & Remus were dead. You to. But I found out what happened to you though when we met by sheer luck once. Remember when we met after Voldemort destroyed my home?"

"About two years later," Peter said. "It was in the Leaky Cauldron. I was so surprised you were still alive. I had gone into hiding for a bit, wondering if Voldemort was truly gone. I posed as the pet of Percy Weasley to listen for information of any kind, but I would often run off just to live as a man. I rarely visited the Wizarding World & when I did, I kept myself disguised."

"I saw Bloodclaw washing his paws while sitting on the side of your neck," James said. "We almost didn't even meet then until I saw him."

"I wish we never did."

"I'm so sorry," James tried.

"You're not sorry! Not yet."

James sighed heavily. "Before we go on, explain what you think happened between you & Sirius."

"I knew he was in Azkaban, but I thought he deserved it," Peter shrugged. "As for the street blowing up & framing him as he claims," he held up his cut hand. "I don't remember doing that. In fact, there's a time I thought I really had been your Secret Keeper & so kept hidden in case people would start blaming me. But ...I never was. I don't understand. There's still a blank missing. What else did you do to me?"

"Oh that wasn't me," James said. "That was the same person who attacked you."

"Which wasn't me!" Sirius declared.

"We know that," James said wearily. "Back to the Leaky Cauldron. Peter saw me just before I caught him."

"I was about to talk to you," Peter interrupted. "I was going to ask you why Sirius was in Azkaban if you were alive but then you attacked me!"

"I stunned him," James said. "Oh if only I had waited two seconds! If only. Anyway, after that, I took full control of him & I reversed his human & Spirit memories. That is why Peter lived as a pet for all these years. I ordered Bloodclaw back to the Weasleys, knowing the kids would go to Hogwarts. Bloodclaw was to keep a better eye on my son than I ever could."

"You...reversed..." Remus stared at James.

"Like I said," James put up a hand to stop him. "I deserved every last syllable."

"How could you?!" Sirius exclaimed.

"Sorry, I don't get it?" Harry asked.

"You read what I wrote so you know enough about Animagic to know that these things are Spirit Guides," James said. "Normally the Spirit allows us to transform but we can live our own lives as we wish. I forced Peter down & used his Spirit, Bloodclaw, as a spy to look after you."

"Why couldn't I just do that?" Peter asked.

"I was trying to keep you safe as well," James said.

"Didn't you think I was dead?" Sirius droned in a cynical voice.

"I'm not talking about being safe from you," James retorted. "As for you," he looked Sirius in the eye. "Your plan terrified me. I knew what Voldemort would do to you whether or not someone betrayed me. So I wrote out what we had decided & brought it here. I put it in our conference room under this castle. I set up a brick wall similar to Platform 9 & ¾'s but with a major difference. Only those of my blood could now get in. You & unfortunately, Harry. Dumbledore, just before Lily & I were to put up the Fidelus Charm, you asked about my Cloak. Remember the day I brought it here?"

Dumbledore nodded. "I ended up keeping your Cloak until Harry came to Hogwarts. I gave it back to your family for Harry's first Christmas here."

"Thanks," James said. "Now Sirius, the last time I saw you was in the walnut grove. I left a few minutes later to give Dumbledore my Cloak. I also put that note in its place, intending to tell you about it before I returned home. After the walnut grove, when was the next time you saw me?" They shared a silent look. James knew exactly when the next time for Sirius was but it had to go on record. "Sirius...Padfoot. Please."

Sirius blinked. "Uhh, you were dead in my arms. That's right! I held you one last time. James you WERE dead!" Sirius stood up & began pacing. He saw James dead. Remus declared James dead but there was no vampirism. "Jim, did you find a reversing spell for the death curse?"

"No," James answered. "Tell us what happened that night."

Sirius glared at him. "When the spell was lifted, of course I remembered where you were. I knew something was wrong. You were dead on the floor!" He gasped in a breath. "I fled upstairs. Lily—then I see Harry in his crib. He was alright. Bleeding a bit. Scared. Crying. But he was alive. I eventually gave Harry & my motorbike to Hagrid, then I took off after you!" He glared at Peter. "We all know what happened next."

"Only I know what truly happened next!" James shot back.

"James! You WERE dead!" Sirius suddenly broke down. Remus pulled him back into the chair.

"I was never there," James said. "Just like Peter, I never made it back home."

"You were there!" Sirius repeated.

"No, I was not," James buried his face in his hands. "Ohh we're getting to that part! Sirius," he looked up at him once more. "After leaving the note for you, I met you at the gates at Hogsmeade, or so I thought. It was really the same guy that took Peter out & became my Secret Keeper instead."

"Who?"

"We missed, Padfoot," James said. "I missed, actually." He addressed Fudge. "I'm the one that needs to go to the Dementors. During my Sixth Year, I attempted a murder & thought I had succeeded. Turns out I had just put him into a coma."

Sirius was on his feet once more. James looked at him over his shoulder. Sirius was shaking. "No...please no!"

"On my way back from the Forest, I noticed Regulus walking across the Pitch," James went on. "He found the new grave & saved his father."

Fudge stood up a little straighter. "Why did you try to kill him?"

"Ohh Merlin help me," James whimpered. "That's the question I had been dreading all night." He turned away, wiping his eyes with one hand.

"Mr. Potter," Fudge said after a few moments. "You've just confessed to attempted murder. Have you anything else to say?"

"Oh give him a moment, for pity's sake!" Sirius shouted at him. "Jim, don't! It wasn't him who tried to kill, it was me! I can be quite the murderer wh—"

"Oh shut up Padfoot!" James interrupted. "You weren't the one raped nearly to death by Orion Black that summer!" The room went silent for a moment before James added in a hoarse voice. "Or crucified by him or suffered more of his advances while nailed to that cross!"

Sirius had closed his eyes. Harry & Peter kept their eyes firmly on the floor. After a long silent moment, it was Remus who spoke first. "So it took the destruction of the entire pack for that to come out." Sirius took hold of Remus's hand while everyone else looked at them. "Oh please! When will you lot remember that I am a wolf? I smelled it the moment I boarded the train going back to Hogwarts. I knew Jim was raped! I've always known!" There were gasps from everyone but Sirius as he went on. "I didn't know who. But I tried more than once to get Jim to open up but he didn't want to, so I watched over him from afar. I had a feeling it was Orion Black that night Jim attacked him. The rabid Stag, remember?" Dumbledore nodded silently.

James groaned & knelt on the floor. He looked up at Peter who said, "I've known to."

"How?" James asked furiously. "How did you find out?"

"Harry told me a while ago."

"No I didn't," Harry stared at him.

"Yeah, you did," Peter switched to his rat for a moment. "Remember? There was a jolt of magic between us when you touched my paw."

Harry clapped one hand to his mouth. "Dad, I'm sorry! I didn't know what Scabbers was then!"

"Forget it," James muttered. "He would have found out here anyway."

"That power bolt was a Wizard's Promise," Peter went on. "I can't tell anyone not in the know about it. I wouldn't want to either. Neither can you."

James pushed himself up & undid the cuff buttons on each sleeve. He pushed the left one up to reveal a black arm band wrapped around that covered from his wrist to his elbow. It had a slit on the underside where the edges slightly overlapped each other. He pulled it off, then did the same to his right arm, then held both up for Fudge to see. The Minister gasped as he saw the scars criss-cross all the way up both arms. At each wrist, the crucifix scars were still visible. James lowered them & Harry could see the marks. His teeth clenched into the flesh inside his cheeks. He somehow knew that a lot more scars had been added since Passion Year had been written.

"That is...quite dreadful," Fudge stammered. "Dreadful indeed."

James put both hands together in an arrest & held them out. "So, will you let my two friends go? Sirius & Peter did nothing!"

"Obviously," Fudge said. "You're alive after all."

"Sir!" Remus cried out. "You can't send Jim to the Dementors for that, can you? It was self defence! What would you do if someone did that to you?"

"Mr. Potter won't be given to the Dementors," Fudge cut in. "You are right, it was defence, but I don't understand. Forgive me for being indelicate—I am truly appalled by what happened to you, Mr. Potter—but what does that have to do with the innocence of either of these men?"

"That man that attacked Peter & became my Secret Keeper instead," James began. "is the same one who met me at the gates of Hogsmeade & kidnapped me before I got home. It was Orion using Polyjuice to look like Sirius. Then, he took more Polyjuice to look like Peter so Lily would think it was Peter who hid us & as for that dead man you said goodbye to Sirius, he's a muggle that was given Polyjuice & put under Imperious. Sent by Orion Black. His name is Andrew Scott & he took my place while Orion had me under lock & key far away. That's who you declared dead, Remus. Andrew, not me. You die with the face you're stuck with if you had Polyjuice. Andrew is lying beside Lily right now, in a grave bearing my name but I can't fix those graves. Orion knows I want to return Andrew to his family. It's also why," James looked straight at Harry. "I'm staying away from you. My dear boy, I would die if my hunter gets his hands on you!"

"I understand now," Harry felt a sudden rush of relief. He was not abandoned! It wasn't his father's fault he couldn't be around.

"As for Peter's finger," James went on. "Peter did do that BUT!" He quickly stood between Peter & Fudge. "It was Orion who put him under a very powerful Imperious curse. I tried to remove the lingering effects but I can't. Peter will always have a blank from that day & know only what he had read or what we told him. All this is Orion Black's fault! Not Sirius! Not Peter. Orion turned all my friends against each other trying to kill them all. He told me they were all dead. He said Sirius died in the blast, not go to Azkaban. He even had a Daily Prophet to prove it. I realise now it was a fake one. I was stuck with that man for two years before I finally escaped but he keeps trying to get me back. I thought Sirius was dead. Same with Peter but then I knew Peter changed to Wormtail after blowing up a street when I saw him in the Leaky Cauldron. I began to wonder if maybe Remus at least was alive so I looked for him, but I couldn't find him anywhere."

"Mama died just after it all happened," Remus interjected. "Papa & I left for several years. We went to America. Canada. Russia. Any place we usually wouldn't go."

"Remus I'm sorry," James sighed. "You were really hit hard back then weren't you?"

"Yeah," Remus said in a weak voice.

"My only hope was getting Peter to stick him on my son," James turned back to Peter. "I had to switch Peter & Bloodclaw around in case Orion started going after you to, if you get what I mean?" Hands clasped behind his back, James stepped slowly towards Peter. "Orion wouldn't rape a rat I doubt. I didn't want him to hurt you to, so Bloodclaw had to take over. Understand now?" Peter had both hands over his mouth by now as he nodded slowly.

"There's something we're all forgetting in all this," Dumbledore finally spoke. "Someone has been slipping information to Voldemort in that War."

"You think it was one of these men?" Fudge asked.

"Originally, all evidence pointed to Mr. Lupin here," Dumbledore said. "But he had nothing to do with it."

"Mr. Lupin...where have I heard that name before?"

"Lycan register," Lupin stated simply.

Fudge stared at him. "You—you're..."

"A werewolf?" Lupin stared coolly back with a short nod. "Oui (Yes)."

"That's why they're calling you a wolf," Fudge said weakly. "I thought maybe you were yet another illegal Animagus."

Remus shook his head. "It's why I'm so weak right now. I just got back from my latest Lunar shift but haven't had time to rest up yet."

"I've known him since he was a wee pup," Dumbledore went on, ignoring the blush rising in Lupin's cheeks. "He was kept by his human family after Fenrir's attack. He was a student here for seven years & now one of our best teachers."

"You hired...a werewo...Albus, that's illegal!"

"Laws are meant to be bent at times," Dumbledore replied.

"You have a problem with Remus, you will answer to me," James glared, stepping forward to block Fudge's view of Remus. The windows shuddered ominously.

"I didn't say that."

"You as good as!" James retorted as the windows exploded. Everyone ducked. "My sorcery's been warped ever since that summer when I was sixteen. Voldemort himself would be foolish not to fear me. In fact, he probably should have killed me when he had a chance. So don't test me! You think an ol' moon dog's terrifying? You haven't seen me unleash control of my powers!" Harry got ready to bolt for the door as he saw pale beams of light coil around his father's hands, wand free hands.

Fudge seemed to have a similar idea. A long dead top-notch Auror losing control of his magic was not something he wanted to deal with. "Let's get back to who the spy was then. Do you know? Is that spy here?"

"Yeah I know who that is," James said quickly, glancing at Peter. "Where's Zephyra?"

"What?"

"Your fiancée," James said. "Where is she? What happened?"

"She disappeared just before the wedding," Peter said. "Voldemort took her. You know that!"

"Zephyra was black," James said. "You can't see the Dark Mark on her arm."

"WHAT?" Peter & Sirius both yelped.

"She had you under love potion Peter," James went on. "She used you. As her lover, you of course let slip random things. I did that with Lily. It's only natural. When she had enough information, she took off."

"How can you say that?" Peter gasped.

"Because she joined Orion," James said. "She had her way with me a few times to. She often laughed about how she tricked you, usually when she was getting off at my expense. During one of my attempts to escape, I cut her from throat to groin for what she did! She's dead & thank God!"

"Wow what a mess!" Sirius pinched the bridge of his nose as Peter doubled over in shock. "Where's Orion now?"

"Out there," James pointed out one of the broken windows. "He's close but he won't dare come into the grounds. He didn't expect to have you, Remus & the Dementors here on top of Dumbledore & Fudge."

"He's here?" Remus gasped. "Well let's get him!"

James smiled & for once it looked genuine even though it didn't last long. "I thought I was doing this alone. I thought you were both dead. All I had left was my son & Peter. I was only trying to keep them safe."

"Two years," Sirius sighed. "You people better give me to the Dementors now before I get my hands on that vile creature!"

"Remember what Orion said?" James began. "That if he ever got his hands on me again, he would make me pay for attacking him? Well ... he did. Sirius! If I had known, I wouldn't have left you there. I came as soon as I knew what really happened to you. I thought you were dead. I didn't see anyone outside of my own prison for two years before I finally managed to get away. But then I had to keep out of sight, protect my son & keep moving. By the time I had gotten out, the story had died down. No one spoke of you or what they thought you did & I didn't have time to wait around for them to start. I had to keep my son & myself as well as Peter out of Orion's hands."

"I know Jim," said Sirius. "What's done is done. It was complete hell these past years, but I think I got the better end of the deal really, considering. I just wish ..." he glanced at Peter. "If only it was as easy to stop hating as it is to start."

"These things take time Padfoot," Remus took Sirius's hand. "Let's just keep the two of you separate for now."

"So," James turned back to Fudge. "Will you please release Sirius Black & acquit him of crimes his father actually did?"

"Oh the Daily Prophet's going to have a field day with this one," Fudge grumbled.

"How much are you putting in there?" James asked.

"Well simple really," answered Fudge. "Wrong Black. Orion not Sirius."

James ground his teeth together but said no more. Sirius watched him for a moment. "I think he means, are you going to plaster the rape for all to see?"

"Oh Sirius," James huffed. "You're too blunt you know."

"Yes well," Fudge stammered. "This is a rather delicate matter. Considering the nature of it, you will be spoken to personally & you'll have most of the control of what will go into the papers concerning you. I assume you wish to press charges against Orion Black for all his crimes against you?"

"Whatever it takes to get Sirius & Peter off the hook," James resigned himself to the fact that it would eventually go public. "Murder. Illegal use of Polyjuice. Impersonation. Use of Imperious."

Fudge hesitated a moment. "What of the rest of his crimes against you?" James didn't answer. "You say this started when you were sixteen? Then that is one crime right there. Sex with a minor. Forced at that. Another crime. Then he held you against your will for two years. Another charge. Plus two kinds of rape, himself & involving others. Any one of these already earns him the Dementor's Kiss. Unlike muggle folk, our laws about rape are much more harsh since one can also harm with magic as well."

James ground his teeth. "I ... I haven't thought about that."

"You can also add torture," Fudge went on. "You showed me those scars."

"Those are from me," James said quietly. "I actually tried suicide in my Sixth Year. Didn't take but I continued to cut."

"So mental as well as physical torture," Fudge said. "Two more separate charges. Your crucifixion is on record at St. Mungo's. According to your father, Charlus Potter, it was Orion Black who did it; though, most didn't believe him."

"Us Blacks have a lot of money," Sirius muttered. "He paid to have any investigation shut down but I can attest to that event. I saw it happen. I saw the first attack to."

"I haven't ..." James stumbled back, looking shocked.

"Also it seems he nearly had his hands on you again," Fudge indicated James's swollen black cheek.

James put a hand over the bruise. He laughed out loud. "Oh this? No I fell down the stairs by the boat house actually. For once I get hurt by a stupid clumsy accident." He felt it was better to not point out that it was Sirius who had smacked him. Sirius was in enough trouble. "I only hope no one saw," He added, acting bashful & even managed a bit of blush. Every Marauder could lie like the devil.

"Oh? Well if that's all it is then," Fudge wasn't sure if he believed this or not. It wouldn't be the first time a victim of abuse would deny things just so as not to cause more trouble.

"Jim," Sirius leaned forward. "We could nail him with the whole thing! It's no less than he deserves. I'll add Crucio to the charges. He used that on my brother & I as punishment growing up. We could really bring that tyrant down!"

"Everything?" James gasped weakly.

"Everything," said Sirius. "He'll wish he never laid a finger on you." A moment of silence passed. Sirius reached out & grabbed James by the hand to pull him close. He whispered in his ear, "Would you like to add Bella to that? She was there for the first time. She's already in Azkaban. I saw her."

"...Bella..." James felt weak. He had never thought to slam Orion Black with everything. He had thought he was alone with everyone dead. He turned back to Fudge. "We'll discuss that later today then."

"Alright," Fudge said.

"I'll have you escorted to his office by two this afternoon," Dumbledore said.

"Escort? So I am a prisoner then?"

"No, but you say Orion Black is nearby," Dumbledore said. "A man with that kind of mentality will never stop hunting his quarry. You need protection."

"From Orion? Is that even possible?" James gasped in one breath.

"Albus, I'll leave twelve Dementors here to guard Mr. Potter on his way out of the castle," Fudge said. "If Orion Black tries a Patronus on them, we'll know exactly where he is. He'd be foolish to approach." Dumbledore nodded his consent as Fudge turned back to James. "I'll have a councillor ready when you arrive."

"Oh," James shook his head. "No. That...th...not nec—"

"Jim, please," Sirius insisted.

"No, no," James shook his head. "I've been away from that man for ten years. I've had time to deal with it."

Sirius just shook his head as Fudge sighed. "Very well. In the meantime, we're going to have a hell of a time what with that stupid hippogriff that esca...hang on. Do any of you know about that?" Everyone shook their heads. Only Harry, Hermione, Sirius & Dumbledore knew the truth of that one. "Oh well. Worth a try."

"I want to witness," James suddenly went on. "When Orion is caught & given to the Dementors. I want the right of last words with him & to witness."

Fudge nodded shortly. It was plain that he was horrified at James's request. "Of course. Naturally."

"Also, there are several things that ought not to leave this room," James continued. "If I see one word about Animagic ..." he let it hang.

Fudge glared at him. "Are you threatening me?"

"Yes," James declared. "With money. Blacks aren't the only rich snobs in town."

"Hey!"

"We are to remain unregistered & no one else outside this room is supposed to know. Name your price. I have access to both the Potter & Black vaults. I can triple your price with room to spare."

As Fudge pondered that, Harry said, "Dad, what do you mean? I've been into that vault a couple of times. While there is a good deal there, it isn't THAT much."

"You've been in your own personal vault that Lily & I set up for you. It's so small a fraction of the main family vault that it's hardly worth mentioning," James cast his son a quick smile. "You'll get the key to the family vault when you come of age. We also have a stock of the Black vault. A large stock. Malfoy's to."

"Malfoy's?!" Harry gasped.

James laughed at him. "It's a very small stock, probably about the size of your own personal vault, but yes. They are distant family after all."

"We will discuss those terms at a later time," Fudge finally spoke, then looked at Dumbledore who stood up. "I think we should focus on catching Orion Black. He is responsible for several things, including the death of those in the street as well as Lily Evans Potter."

"Dora-Charlotte Potter as well," James suddenly added.

"Who's that?" Fudge asked.

James started. It seemed he didn't realise he had even spoken. He stumbled to Sirius & knelt before him, putting his face in his lap. "Lily was pregnant again."

"What?" Sirius gasped. "Ah Jim!"

"I did a gender charm on her," James went on. "It was a girl. I named her after my parents." Harry felt himself shudder. He had a sister! He would never meet her thanks to Voldemort & Orion.

"Jim, I can't begin to imagine what you're feeling right now," said Remus as James pulled away. "We need to find Orion Black. Charge him for everything he's done. He's the one who ought to go to the Dementors!" He stood up but promptly crashed to the floor.

"Remus," Sirius helped him up. "You should be in bed. You're so weak right now."

"We have to...to get…" Remus passed out.

(AN: Ripped off a line or two from Mouse Hunt & Star Trek: Voyager. Also stole the slave crown idea from Final Fantasy VI {III for America})