Chapter 37
In a dark, dank basement, a young man who barely escaped his puberty shuddered in cold and horror. His chubby cheeks tremored as he taken in the view of a man in front of him. A handsome face marred with waxy complexion that made him look inhumane was facing the chubby man. He whimpered as the perfect face twisted in disgust before quickly masked with fake hospitality.
What he felt was just the opposite of hospitality.
Watery blue eyes lowered down to the hem of the man's long robe. He'd rather not watch the man by his face, and he was sure the superior man would not appreciate his staring.
A light movement of the robe caused the whimpering man quiver in fear.
"Do you understand the importance of this work?" asked the man.
It was so unlike him to speak with such plain words and direct question. The man's usual tone was rather more elegant and contained much more sophisticated euphemism. It was as though the man considered the shivering mass knelt before him was too ignorant and inferior to understand the technique.
The chubby man knew, of course he knew, that this man would never treat him as equal. Yet, he came to this man on his own volition. He gave most of the things he owned to the man just to become a personal toy soldier. However, he also knew, undoubtedly so, that this man would allow him to be in his circle of power for the rest of his life.
A secured, solid connection.
That is what was offered before him.
That is what he chose above all the other.
That is what he traded with what he had.
"Y-yes, my lord. I know," he stammered his answer. He cringed visibly at his own ineloquence. He so desperately wanted to be able to speak like the man before him. Elegant and graceful, yet cunning and piercing.
He wanted to become someone who does not stutter like an idiot and who does not fear anything.
And he knew. He knew this man will help him to become one. To become what he desires to be. Of course, he can. He has everything. He was so powerful and so great. He could do anything.
"Do not disappoint me."
…...…...…...…...….….
Remus was out again. He was out yesterday, and he was out today. He was out the day before yesterday and the day before that and the day before that.
He has been going out for… almost since the day they've graduated from Hogwarts and never once mentioned where he was heading. Apparently, that does not bother anyone but James Potter.
He suddenly felt like he was the one who was acting strange and weird. Maybe he became paranoid without him knowing. But what the fuck does that matter when there is substantial evidence that there might be something going on between Sirius and Remus and… and, and that Snape boy!
He has been trying and trying to figure out what was going on. This is not just about him being left out. James started to worry deeply about his friends. Is there something significant going on? Something that could be dangerous?
Or maybe it's not about Snape boy at all.
Maybe it's something to do with… whatever it is they have gotten themselves hooked up with.
He tried to deduce from all the weird business going on yet there were no concrete lead that might lead him to a conclusion.
So, James gave up.
Oh, Merlin help him, he gave up.
James Potter, the guy knew no such word as 'quit', gave up on spinning his wheel trying to figure out what the fuck is going on. Evidently, they were clever enough to cover their tracks. They obviously wanted their secret to remain as it is. And if that is what his friends needed, then he should, at least, try to respect that.
So instead of stalking and prying them, James decided to confront them so that he can explain his desire to fight against the dark side and his wish to have partners whom he can trust.
Starting with Remus Lupin.
As he was the only one, he can actually meet face to face.
James waited until the hour has late and his friend to arrive. His mother gave him an odd expression, but he ignored it. Reading books and newspapers to pass the time, James got bored.
Later in the evening, though, someone finally paid a visit.
It would have been so nice if it were Moony, though.
"H-hi, Prongs. Could we talk for a sec?" Wormtail asked.
Typical daily luck of James Potter. He rolled his eyes. He could feel the chubby boy cringing, as if afraid James might hurt him. Though he would never raise his fist against his friend, but the taller boy rather enjoyed the sense of superiority whenever he sees Pete's fear. It made him feel like a better, greater man than the latter.
It just felt too good to know that it's wrong.
"Yeah, come inside," James gestured the inside. Peter got in silently and sat down on the couch next to the fireplace.
"What'd you want to talk about?" asked the taller boy.
Peter crushed his lips together and then opened, and then closed. His eyes were darting everywhere as if unsure of something. James frowned at the boy's weirdness.
"Look, I have some things to discuss with Moony. He'll be back any time soon and if this is not at all important than we might-"
"My grandfather died," Peter blurted out.
James went silent. His face suddenly serious and dark, the dark-haired boy questioned the blond again.
"What did you say?"
Peter's watery blue eyes were welled up with tears and he was fumbling his hands. James could see that he was shaking rather badly.
"M-my grandfather… you know, my dad's side of… he died," Wormtail spluttered out as he could not hold his breath well as he spoke.
James was lost for words. "I-, I'm really sorry for that, Wormy. How did that happen?"
"There was this… hunting, going on in a Muggle village. Not really a big one to make it to the Daily Prophet. But… he was living there, and no wizards were near. My dad's pretty shaken up and… um…" The chubby boy was now sobbing.
James felt like a heavy stone pressing down his chest. Difficult to breathe, he looked away from the sobbing mass in front of him.
He knew, obviously, that someone was going to hurt in these times of days. Someone dying and getting killed is not exactly a news to anyone. But someone he knew or someone his friends were close with, related to anyway, was just too much to handle.
"I just came here… so that I can ask you whether you've found a way to get into Sirius' house. So that I can ask Sirius why he wouldn't, couldn't fight with the dark side. A man with talents like himself shouldn't be spared. There should be enough numbers to fight with-" Peter ranted on, but James could not hear it any longer.
He held up his hand to stop the boy.
"I know what you are saying, Pete. I do."
Peter seemed startled to hear his own name by James.
"Look, I haven't figured it out yet. But I am going to ask Moony about it. Telling him that we need men in the field, and we need Sirius to count on our backs. I swear to you Peter, I promise that I will help to stop this war. To stop this horrible nightmare, so that we can have peaceful days," James fervently promised.
He meant every word he said.
James was going to do whatever it takes him to do to stop this war. He will fight against the man who claims himself to the one to rule the world. The man who wrecked this country up and down.
Because he can no longer sees this happening. This miserable, horrendous, nightmarish days with endless fear.
He did not know what held Sirius up and he was not sure whether Sirius would be able to fight against the dark side now. But James was going to. And if he cannot have Sirius on his side. Well, that's a shame but that won't deter his determination.
He just wants to make sure about Sirius' opinion on this.
…...…...…...…...…...…...…..
After a few more hours of waiting, the two Gryffindor boys finally saw Remus Lupin entering the door. James embraced himself for whatever it comes.
"Hey, I didn't realize you are here, Wormtail," Remus smiled, putting an empty basket on the table.
Peter returned the smile, wryly. "Hi."
"What are you guys doing here?" Remus gestured around the living room where Mr. and Mrs. Potter were gone, off to somewhere private for themselves.
James followed his hand and looked around his house. A large place filled with expensive furniture and decorations. He remembered a particular vase, Grecian pattern ingrained on it, laid on top of a shelf. Its delicate patterns were exquisite, beautiful almost. His mother was particularly fond of it because it has magic that makes people around it happy. The Potter heir could not recall the exact price of it, but he was sure that it cost a fortune. Yet, such extravagance was never his interest.
His interest was doing what he have been taught to do. What he have been taught was right thing to do.
There were thousands of lives on the risk just because one man and stupid, gullible people thought having no magic means that they are inferior enough to be murdered for sports. Those murderous monsters are like children pulling a wing from a dragonfly just because they can.
James cannot have that.
He simply cannot let that go on forever when he can do something about it. He may not be the hero who can change this world, but he was not a coward who backs out when there were people needed him. Albeit how small his help can be.
James knew that he alone can't do much but with Sirius' help, with Remus' help, he can do so much better to stop this massacre.
If Sirius can't offer his help, however, he won't stop and wait for his friend. Because every second and every minute he spends on waiting, there will be people who are going to be perished by brutal murderers.
James made up his mind. He just wanted to know what theirs were.
"Is there something you wish to tell me?" Remus frowned, sensing something's going on.
The dark-haired boy slowly got to his feet, facing his friend.
"I want to know where you are going these days," said James.
Remus, taken aback, opened his mouth but was stopped when James held up his hand.
"I don't want to hear about your lies or excuses. I want to know where you are going and where is Sirius and what he's been doing all this time," James Potter said in a very firm voice, conveying his determination. "I want to know all of this, because, I need to know."
"James, I-" Remus was lost in his words, dumbfounded in James' fortitude.
The bespectacled boy drew a deep breath and continued, "There is war going on, Remus. People are dying outside, every day, every hour and second while I seat here and do nothing. I cannot have that. I want to fight. I want to fight for the people who are dying just because they are not a wizard. Because I can't stand another day knowing that there are people who are dying, and I am not doing anything to help them."
Silence fell as the Potter heir paused to take another deep breath. His emotion was high as he thought about all the horrible murders he have read from articles. He had to do something. He had to do something.
James held up his chin to gaze into Remus' green eyes. The rich color were darkened with conflicts, he noticed.
"So, I need to know whether my friends will be at my side."
His last words were almost like a whisper but there was undeniable pull that made Remus open his mouth.
"James…"
The taller boy knew that this was it. He could no longer hide what is going on. He had to tell the truth. He had to show this young man who is up to do the right thing yet so oblivious to what is going on.
The brown-haired boy tried to smile, be optimistic about it, but all came out was rather rueful one.
"Follow me, I will show you the answer."
And so, the three Gryffindor boys went to a flat hidden among muggle's residential buildings. They entered the building with pounding hearts that were beating dramatically with unpredictable future ahead of them.
All three of them couldn't even guess at what would happen next.
When they entered, they were met with a dark-haired baby with big grey eyes and parent who were cooing their child.
And every thought that crossed in each person's mind was 'Oh Merlin.'