Once again, sadly, all rights go to JKR
Albus Dumbledore sat at his desk in the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts, the Daily Prophet in front of him. The headline was deeply troubling him.
A NEW SIDE JOINING THE WAR AGAINST YOU-KNOW-WHO?
Ladies and gentleman, you heard it here first. It appears as if there is a new side in this war! A side that goes against Chief Warlock, Hogwarts Headmaster, and Head of the ICW, Albus Dumbledore as well as the Dark Lord, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. In order to preserve the identity of these brave people, we are not going to discolse their identities, but to those of you who know who they are, I assure, it is a huge shock!
Dumbledore threw the newspaper across the room. He was supposed to be the leader. Everyone was supposed to listen to him! Heed his advice. Follow him. If they didn't, the results would be catastrophic. James Potter and Sirius Black along with their new side - traitors, the lot of them - have been killing! Do they not see that the use of Dark Magic will corrupt them indefinitely? Sirius, he always knew, would go to the dark side eventually. The rotten apple does not fall far from the poisoned tree. But..James? Lily? He buried his head in his hands. Albus Dumbledore could not control them, and it will cost him the war.
Marlene was sitting in the Potter Library, pouring over Battle Magic books that she had a semblance of understanding. She knew about the Potter's affinity of Battle Magic, but she didn't know they practiced the Olde Ways. She sighed. James' birthday was the last time she could remember laughing. And now, only a month later in late April, the only things she could remember doing this month was studying. She doesn't think she's studied this much since Hogwarts. Letting out a groan and rubbing her temples with her hands to ease her headache, she didn't realize someone walked into the library.
A soft chuckle made her jump as she turned around and saw Regulus. She sighed. "Hello," she greeted roughly.
He quirked an eyebrow. "Hello there," he murmured. "Are you alright?" He asked her in concern. She nodded, waving him off.
"I'm fine, just tired. You?" she asked, noting the dark circles under his grey eyes. Her brows furrowed in concern, headache forgotten. He walked over to the desk she was working at, and set a small vial filled with potion in front of her. She looked at him quizzically. "It's a pain potion," he said to her. "Specifically, headaches. Take it." He said, and without another word, left the room. Her eyes followed his retreating figure until he was out of sight, and with a small smile, she drank the bitter potion.
Narcissa has been having a..strange time at Potter Manor. Surrounded by two other heavily pregnant women, she felt relief however. Maybe her son would have friends to play with. And not the pureblood equivalent of 'friends.' True friends. Happiness. A good childhood he would not have under the influence of Lucius Malfoy. She was sitting with Lily Potter and Alice Longbottom in the kitchen, making some tea to help with the cramps they've been having.
"How do you feel, Narcissa?" Lily asked her softly, her emerald green eyes flashing with concern.
"I'm..good, surprisingly." Narcissa chuckled. "I thought I would be an outcast here but..you've all been so kind." She whispered. "I was such a cow to you in school Lily, I'm sorry."
Lily laughed, a melodic sound. "All is forgiven, and has been forgiven for a while now, Narcissa. Have you decided on baby names yet?" She asked excitedly.
Narcissa smiled. "I wanted to name him Draco. It was originally supposed to be Draco Lucius Malfoy, but now.." She trailed off. Alice smiled.
"Draco is a lovely name, Narcissa." She said, then her smile widened. "Have you realized that all of our children have some form of Black blood in them?"
They thought for a moment. "That's true," Narcissa conceded. "If Sirius or Regulus don't have any heirs, I think my son will be the heir of House Black." She murmured. She wasn't sure if she wanted heirdom for her child, knowing how much stress it would be on him.
"Little Harry," Lily said softly. "Will be the Heir of Potter, then Lord someday, I just hope we can prepare him well enough."
"Same with my Nev." Alice murmured. It seemed they had all decided on names already.
"Do you know who you want to name the godparents?" Narcissa asked them. Alice smiled.
"I would love to name Lily the godmother,"
Lily smiled, but then groaned. "I can't choose! How am I supposed to choose between you all, it's not fair." She pouted. "Though, I do know that James is going to want Sirius to be the godfather, and I have to agree."
"I want Regulus to be the godfather of Draco," Narcissa said softly. Lily's smile widened.
"Draco Regulus Black," Lily said touching Narcissa's belly softly. "Seems lovely, doesn't it?"
Narcissa's heart warmed. Draco Regulus Black. "Very lovely." Very lovely, indeed. Her worst fears had not come to pass. Her child would be loved. And that was all a mother could ask for.
Charlus and Arcturus were in the basement, in the room in which the horcruxes they had found were held. The necklace, and the diadem. Arcturus held Hufflepuff's cup in his hand. He stepped forward and gently placed it next to the others. The hum of power got stronger. He felt he was being suffocated. Dark magic coiling around him, toying with his mind.
He stepped back, next to Charlus once more. They said nothing, but simply stared. "How could he?" Arcturus' voice was gruff. "Pieces of History. Of our history. He felt entitled to it. As if he is anything more than gum under a shoe." He spat angrily.
Charlus was calm as he looked at his longtime friend. "Arrogance, Arcturus. Arrogance." He clapped a strong hand on his friends shoulder. "And it will be his downfall."
"It's already April," Arcturus murmured. "We're almost in May. It's been months, and we still have one more horcrux to find. When will this end?"
"Soon," Charlus said simply. "I can feel it."
"Let's hope we're ready." Arcturus spoke, the end of his sentence sporting a dry laugh. Charlus' lips quirked up.
"No my friend, it's He, who should be hoping he's ready." He could not help it, he took a step forward, leaning right in front of the three horcruxes that were sitting innocently on the stone slab in the basement of his home. "We're coming for you, Riddle." He whispered. It was not a threat. It was fact. And if Tom Riddle could have heard the words Charlus Potter spoke to three of five pieces of his soul he had left, a shiver would run down his spine.
Fabian and Gideon Prewett were sitting in the lounge of the Potter Estate. The grizzly Auror had lost his leg, and was now sporting a peg leg of sorts, made by Dorea. He looked at the twins, as they had just finished explaining everything that had happened, minus how the Prewett twin was healed by James. Poor Mad-Eye was unconscious at the time, and all the better for it. James could not afford someone else knowing his secret.
"So, you're against Dumbledore?" Moody asked, not quite sure how to feel. Albus Dumbledore was his long time friend, but he had to admit that this new Order had a point. Dumbledore's ways were going to make them lose. Not only lose, but stagnate the Wizarding Population of Britain. He was making an enemy of the traditionalists, who know of Magic passed from their families and ancestors that Dumbledore does not even know. Lifetimes of knowledge would go to waste because of Dumbledore and his crusade against anything he considered Dark.
The Prewett twins nodded sharply. "We're going to live to see the end of this war, Moody. Are you?"
His options were not ones he liked. Betray a friend, or live to see another day. Another generation. But, he was not put into Slytherin for no reason. Life was more important than a friend who never truly cared, anyways. "I bloody well am." He answered gruffly. "What do you need me to do?"
The matching grins on the twins' faces were enough for him to immediately regret his decision.
Remus Lupin was scouting a Muggle town by the name of Great Hangleton. Reports that he had read showed magical activity here and in its counterpart, Little Hangleton. He knew from the Ministry reports James stole - borrowed - that the Gaunts lived in a shack somewhere in Little Hangleton. He had been searching for the better part of three weeks, and had yet to find it. He was about to give up, say this town was a dead end when he saw people dressed in black cloaks with their hoods over their heads apparating out of an alley behind a dingy pub.
He raised a brow, deciding to follow their apparition trail. He concentrated on the essence of their lingering magic, and the familiar feeling of the pull at his navel, and the feeling of being thrust through a small tube at high speeds, he popped quietly in front of what seemed to be an empty patch of grass, before leading into a vast forest. He raised a brow. He felt magic in the air, protective wards. He could not identify them, he was not a wardsmith after all. But he looked around, trying to find any point he could apparate to. He felt the familiar prickling of magic, warding him away. Telling him to leave. He tensed. He felt eyes on him. He turned once more to the seemingly empty space, that was much too large to actually be an empty space.
People were watching him. He glanced around the empty space before his eyes landed on one point, instinctually. As if drawn to it. It was an empty spot of air. But he knew people were watching him from there. Perhaps through a window? Fidelius Charm, he realized. A house should be standing there. His eyes did not move from the seemingly patch of air he was staring at. He quirked a brow, smirking softly, before he apparated away with a silent pop.
Inside the house that Lupin could not see, sat a man. The man Lupin directly stared at and taunted, not knowing who or what it was. The man was Tom Riddle. And he was furious.
James was once again, sitting in his study when the soft pop of an apparition alerted him to a presence. He looked up, and saw the smirking face of Remus Lupin.
"What happened?" James asked immediately, standing up and walking over to his long time friend and scanning his body quickly for injuries or any sign that he could drop dead at any moment. Once James was satisified that Remus was unharmed, he looked into the amber eyes of his friend.
"I found their hiding spot. I don't know what it is. It's under a Fidelius Charm, but I just know its there. Maybe around there we can find Gaunt Shack." Remus spoke quickly. James grinned.
"Good job, old friend. We'll send you back out there tomorrow, only take the Prewett twins with you, yeah? Specifically, Fabian."
Remus nodded. If they did find the Gaunt Shack, there were definitely going to be wards around it that Remus could not break himself. He'd need a cursebreaker, and what better one to bring, than the best in the business after all?
"Let's tell the others?" Remus asked. James nodded.
The new Order gathered in their designated meeting room. Sirius Black surveyed the room with an appraising look. The brightest witches and wizards their generation had to offer. They were coming along quite nicely. But he felt as if it was too easy. Finding the horcruxes, they have three of four they need to destroy within months. It helps that some of the closest and most trusted Death Eaters Voldmort had turned from him, and they got all of their information. But he knew that there was going to be retaliation from Riddle. And soon.
Before the meeting could even commence, Gideon and Moody jolted upwards. A shock, as they pulled out their Auror alert thing-a-majigs that Sirius had no idea what they were called.
Gideon paled. "Attack in Diagon Alley." Grim looks settled upon their faces as everyone apparated out of their meeting room, whatever news James and Remus had to share was forgotten. Narcissa, Lily, Alice, and Dorea stayed behind. The three young women were heavily pregnant, and could not risk their children. The latter, however, was the only experienced healer they had. She wanted to fight and hope some death eaters get to taste the wrong end of her wand, but she was much more needed here. Where any of their injured friends could be cared for immediately.
Alice, and Lily prayed for their husbands to be safe. Narcissa wanted to see everyone back in one piece. The people who showed her kindness. The people that in just one short month, became more family to her than her older sister Bellatrix ever was. And if one of them died out there in battle, well, Narcissa would just dabble in necromancy to bring them back and personally kill them herself. Specifically, a dashing werewolf by the name of Remus Lupin, who went out of her way to make sure she was comfortable.
The Order of the Grey as the Prophet began calling them apparated on the scene as quickly as possible. Death eaters were raiding stores. Stores that for years had been the staple to Diagon Alley, and British wizarding tradition. James growled as he watched some of them torturing old Ollivander. He immediately ran to them, wand in front of him as he shot a bone breaker at the distracted death eater's wand arm.
The man cried out in pain as his wand fell from his grasp and he cradled his limp hand. He looked and saw James Potter. A snarl was on his face as he picked up his wand with his left hand and began fighting, albeit terribly. James rolled his eyes and stunned the death eater who fell limply, face first on the ground. James lifted up Garrick from the ground. The frail old man was shaking terribly. "Go home," James whispered softly. "Go to your daughter, we'll take it from here." The old wandmaker nodded, and with a CRACK, he was gone. James turned to look at the fight, before he could join Sirius, who was being flanked by two death eaters and beginning to struggle, he heard a high pitched, insane laugh that made his blood run cold.
He turned and saw Bellatrix walking over to him. Her wild black hair blowing in the wind, and her eyes sparkling with mirth and insanity. "Hello, Potter."
"Bellatrix." He said gruffly, raising his wand. "Let's get on with it, shall we?"
"You're going to die!" She said in a child-like song-y voice. He felt a chill go down his spine at just how unhinged she was, before she fired the first spell. Killing curse. Nice. He dodged it before firing a spell chain he's been working on. Bone breaker. Slicing hex. Bludgeoner. And finally, blood-boiling.
She dodged and twirled elegantly out of the way. She fired her own series of deadly hexes, moving so quick James barely missed one by the skin of his teeth. He sneered. "Gotten better, have you?"
"The Dark Lord trains his most loyal," She said with a grin. Firing another hex at him that he blocked.
All of a sudden, everything went cold. Storm clowds rolled in, frost appeared on the windows and doorways of the stores. "DEMENTORS!" He shouted to his friends fighting in the fray, whilst still battling the unhinged Lestrange.
"I'm not an enemy you want to make, Bellatrix." James said through gritted teeth. She laughed once more, and fired a slicing hex at him which hit him square in the chest. The wound began bleeding profusely, and along with the long slash, tiny little cuts appeared all over his chest, beginning to bleed. He felt the familiar tang of metal in his mouth. Blood, but James refused to back down as he fought with more vigor. Her smile faded. He was going to get her, she was beginning to tire. And before his vision got black, he fired one more spell at her. The purple fire left his wand, moving at such speed that she couldn't dodge. It hit here right in the stomach, and the last thing James saw, was her face twisting in agony as she crumpled to the floor.
Sirius Black and Remus Lupin were fighting back to back. Emmeline Vance, Gideon Prewett, and Arcturus sent patronus' at the dementors, driving them away as far as possible. Once the pair of friends blasted the final dementors to the ground, the others who had survived had already portkeyed away, Sirius Black saw a vision that would haunt him forever.
James crumpled to the ground, his skin pale, his hair sticking to his sweaty forehead, as he, with the last of his strength, took down his cousin. Blood leaking through his shirt and mouth. His breathing turned abnormal, and fast.
"JAMES!" Sirius' scream was heard amongst all of their friends. It echoed through the alley. Everyone ran to James, trying to get to him before he died. That night, everyone in the alley heard a young man scream for his friend, with such anguish in his voice that would haunt them forever. Regulus got to him first, being the closest. He held on to James. "Meet me back at the Estate." He said simply, his eyes laced with fear. He disapparated, everyone following.
Lily Potter's worst fear came to pass when she saw a bruised Regulus, blood all over the front of his white shirt, carrying an unconscious and heavily bleeding James. A choked sob came from her mouth as her eyes blurred with tears. She felt two hands grasp both of hers. Narcissa holding one, and Alice holding the other. Both of them holding on so tightly. She squeezed back. They were the only things keeping her grounded.
The rest of their friends came back, everyone looking distraught. Sirius Black had tears running down his cheeks as he was frantic. Dorea was working on James as much as she could, but nothing could staunch the bleeding. Every time she cleaned the wound, a new burst of blood came out, drenching her hands in her sons carlet blood. Regulus' hands were shaking. He was staring at them. James' blood was on his hands. James' blood. James. James. James.
He screamed. Marlene walked over to him, her face carefully blank, but her eyes showing the pain she felt. She grabbed his wrists. He struggled against her. Until she pulled him into her. Blood getting all over her, but she didn't care. Regulus stopped fighting, and just collapsed into her embrace. He sobbed into her, as she held him tightly, a lone tear going down her cheek.
Remus Lupin sat with the rest of the members, in a still, shocked, silence. Charlus was angry, hitting, cursing, and throwing anything he could. "My son," he whimpered, looking at James, who's bleeding didn't stop yet. He sank to his knees.
Lily was crying quietly into her friends' shoulders. Emmeline Vance couldn't stand to be in the same room, couldn't stand to look at James Potter in the state he was in. She got up, swfitly, her eyes blood shot. "I- excuse me." She spoke, her voice thick with emotion as she retreated to the library, pouring through books that could help her. Help James.
Dorea was able to staunch the bleeding from the numerous small cuts all over her sons body. They were already beginning to heal, the puckered skin forming scars that she didn't know would go away or not. It formed angry, red, tiny scars which were beginning to close. But it was the large wound, the wound that was dangerously close to his heart, that she couldn't close. With shaking hands and tears on her face she tried any healing spells she could think of.
Lily walked over quietly, and tried something she wasn't even sure would work. She waved her wand over his wound and whispered the words "Vulnera Sanentur."
It was working, but only barely. She needed more power. One look at Dorea, Narcissa, and Alice, all of the witches stood over James, wands in hand, whispering the words Vulnera Sanentur. It was only after fifteen minutes that the wound began to close, the blood seeping back into his body. James' breathing returned back to normal, and his heartbeat turned stable. Everyone let out a breath, as Lily carefully brushed his hair away from his eyes.
"Get well soon, my love." She whispered softly. "Please."
It was in that moment that Rabastan Lestrange realized that this was what leadership was supposed to be. Even he felt a bit distraught at seeing James Potter in that state. He looked around the table, relief showing in all their faces. Guilt. Happiness that he was okay. This is what it means to be a part of a family, and not just a leader in a fight. Everyone in this manor loved James. Even Narcissa Black. Loved him to the point they'd die for him. And he knew why.
It was because James loved them back. James would die for them. James would kill for them. James would protect them. And once you feel a love and friendship like the type of friendship James Potter freely gave, there is nothing you wouldn't do for them.
Rabastan had never seen nor felt friendship or a bond like the people in this room have. And that was because of James. James brought together the most unlikely group, a group that other than this, would probably never have even interacted, let alone be friends. Dorea and Charlus' son may have been arrogant and chilidish in some of his Hogwarts years, but in Rabastan's unbiased opinion, James Potter has the biggest, and kindest heart anybody could have. Bringing a sense of home, a sense of belonging to people like himself, who had never felt that before in his life, was the reason so many people loved him, and the reason they were all loyal to him beyond anything. James gave them a chance. And because of that, he has their loyalty. Now, until after the war, until the end of their lives.
AUTHORS NOTE: Hellooo ! I did this because I truly feel that James being innjured/dead/nearly dying affected them all. James has such a strong capacity for love, and I think in the original HP series it's so overlooked because of Lily's sacrifice. But James is such a kind soul, and when he loves someone, he loves them wholeheartedly. I portrayed Regulus as incredibly distraught, because James would have truly been the first person other than Sirius to give him that kind of love. That kind of belonging. Narcissa as well. First and foremost this story is about family. It's about building a family with unlikely people. People who didn't fit in. It's not about Voldemort, or his horcruxes. It's about the characters, and it's about being misfits and finding a home within each other. Many people, especially the ones who turned from the death eaters in this story, like Rabastan and Narcissa, have never felt a love or friendship the way James loves. He would be their linchpin. James is the reason all these people, these misfits are together. They all love each other, and feel such a familial bond, because it was James who let them in and opened their hearts to the possibility. You get what I mean? Haha anyways hope you enjoyed the chapter. This also kind of shows all of them who were really confident that nobody's invincible. Even James. It makes things very, very real for our young, idealistic heroes.