A new chapter for my lovely readers. :) Really hope you have a good time reading this chapter. I will try to update in the next few days but I have an essay due on Monday so apparently that has to be my priority.


Chapter 44:

Remus' mum was ill again so Remus had gone to see her or at least that's what most of the marauders thought. James alone understood that Remus was a werewolf, although he didn't know where he went on the full moon.

James, Sirius and Peter sat alone in the common room. The other Gryffindors had made their way up to bed. James pulled out his invisibility cloak and covered the three of them with it. They made their way through the school towards the Slytherin common room. They could hear voices come from what appeared to be a deserted corridor, "Well done. The dark lord is very pleased with you all." Lestrange could be heard saying, "you all proved yourselves very helpful over Easter."

The three marauders moved towards the sound of Lestrange's voice. "Soon we will be leaving," he said gesturing to himself and Bellatrix, "and you will be responsible for Hogwarts." He particularly looked at Malfoy and Narcissa. "Lucius and Narcissa received their marks the Easter break so they will give you instructions from the dark lord. Do as they say, or else!"

"You're not leaving just yet though, Lestrange!" Malfoy laughed.

"No. You have a few more months of me bossing you around," Lestrange smiled. "I think we need to start telling people what we think. I don't want you to hurt anyone necessarily but I want you to make our message clear – hex a few mudbloods, leave some messages on the walls, whatever you can think of…"

"Whatever we can think of?" Avery asked excitedly.

"Just don't kill anyone just yet," Lestrange commented.

The marauders were listening closely as the Hogwarts deatheaters planned different ways in which they could tell "Dumbledore and his stupid mudbloods that they weren't welcome in Hogwarts."

At one point Peter squeaked. The Slytherins looked over towards him – they couldn't see anyone but they knew someone was there. James didn't have time to plan anything; he merely pulled out his wand. Hexes and curses were flying through the air in a matter of seconds. The boys were still under the cloak but Peter was hit by a stunner leaving Sirius and James to take the entire group of Slytherins. James hexed one of the Slytherins as Remus threw a protective charm around them. James and Sirius hit hex after hex at the Slytherins whilst trying desperately to avoid their hexes and curses. James was hit by a cutting curse that cut his cheek. Sirius was knocked back and stunned. James was alone.

Harry watched as his father fought at least half a dozen Slytherins alone. Harry couldn't help but feel incredibly terrified. James was hit by Snape's septasempra curse and fell down, "you've got to get a new curse, Snape." He called as the Slytherins ran away. James lay there on the ground. He was in agony. His skin was red hot and searing. He felt like he had been ripped open several times. Eventually he passed out.


James woke up the next day in the hospital wing. He'd missed all of his lessons. The sun was beginning to drop outside the window. "Mr Potter, you're awake."

James smiled at Professor Dumbledore, "hi sir."

"Well. You do get yourself in trouble don't you." James merely nodded. "I have to ask you something and I want you to be honest with me." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.

"Yes, Professor."

"What has your father asked you to do?" Dumbledore asked.

"Professor, I…" James began.

"Don't tell me you can't tell me James. You are risking your life!" Dumbledore frowned.

"He just wanted me to work out which of the students were deatheaters," James whispered.

"I see. I was wondering where your father was getting all his information from. As useful as it is, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with my first years risking their lives to get it."

"But Professor," James started.

"No James. We now know, thanks to you, that pretty much the whole of Slytherin house are at least for Voldemort even if they are not his followers. You have done well but I must ask you to stop."

"But Dumbledore!" James protested.

"Mr Potter, I understand that you want to help but would you just wait, in a few years you'll have no choice but to fight in this god awful war that Voldemort is starting but don't rush."

"Yes sir. At least let me tell you what I've learnt. The Slytherins are planning on making their opinion more vocal. They are planning something. Why won't you let us help protect the school?"

"Because James, it is not your responsibility to protect this school. That is my responsibility."


An hour later, James was allowed out of the hospital wing. He made his way down the corridors towards the common room. The marauders were sat around the fire with the first year girls. James walked up to them, smiling as he tapped Remus on the back, "glad to have you back man."

"Thanks James." Remus nodded.

"Where were you today?" Lily blurted out angrily.

"None of your business," James replied.

"You weren't in any of your lessons," Lily continued, "you didn't hand in your homework, you're going to lose us house points."

"Whatever Evans." James replied. "Did you miss me?"

"No! You arrogant pig!" Lily said before storming off upstairs.

James sighed, "she's really beginning to piss me off. I don't know why she won't leave me alone."

"Maybe she likes you," Sirius laughed.

"Unlikely," laughed Alice, "I think she actually hates you."

"I think it's easier for her to hate you than to realise how crap Snape is," Marlene said wisely.

"Oh, well. I need to write to my dad." James said before walking up the stairs towards the dormitory.

Sirius smiled at the group, "right I'm off to the… erm… library…"

The group all burst out laughing, "where are you really going?"

Sirius coughed, "the – the astronomy tower with Britney from Hufflepuff…"

"That makes way more sense than you going to the library. Sirius Black in the library – unlikely." Mary laughed.


So please review because nothing makes me happier than your awesome reviews. :)

Next chapter...

We see some Lily and Sev time...

James and the marauders have some pranking fun...

James and Remus try to work out how many girlfriends Sirius has had so far... lol.

Let me know if you have any ideas. :)