Gnaw...No...He fought the urge to bite his leg. What are you doing? Finals start next week. You need rest...The wolf leapt on the mattress, sending a plume of feathers into the air. He circled once, twice, once more, and flopped down, snout resting over his front paws. Hours later, he awoke, sniffing the air. Man. Quietly, he stood and padded down the stairs. Next to a broken lamp stood a brown human. Vision narrowed in on the morsel...
Not food, friend, his mind reminded him. He sat on his haunches and allowed the bipedal to approach.
"Fascinating..." he trailed off slowly. Magic stick was in one hand. The other reached out towards the wolf... "Remus. Remus, you know me. I know you do, Remus."
He sniffed and licked the proffered fingers. Friend: Confirmed. He allowed his tail to twitch. Friends had never played with him before! With a more forceful nudge to the hand, the wolf bounded happily backwards, crouched to play...happy he'd got some sleep before man entered. Man laughed, but didn't want to play. Magic stick changed chair he sat in. The wolf trotted over and poked the hand again, receiving a tentative and soft pat on the head...scratch behind the ears...mmm...that was pleasant...
Remus groaned, turning his face into the warm body carrying him, light of day storming his head.
"We're almost to the castle, Remus," a voice soothed.
Soon he felt another pair of hands on him, removing the fabric wound around his body before magic began prodding him. Eventually a hospital gown wriggled itself over his head.
"...Decent month..." his foggy brain registered, "...nasty bite on that arm...bring me tray of potions...in my office..."
He painfully coughed on some potions before drifting off completely while scratchy sheets were being tucked tightly around him.
Early Saturday morning, James bobbed and weaved through spitting rain across the castle grounds. He was waiting impatiently for the opportunity to visit Remus, looking for anything to distract him. Eventually, Sirius caught his attention further down at an open Gryffindor window, making obscene eating gestures. With a sigh, James turned downward and slipped through the opening to their room. At breakfast, Nick dropped the Daily Prophet in front of him as he began his second egg banjo.
Oh sweet Merlin, he thought as he read what made the front page: International incursion begets offensive onslaught at Oglärminn's Institut.
"Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ," a fourth year spoke near him. While unsure what he meant, James understood from her tone and sick expression she was reading the same article he was:
Wednesday evening, at approximately 2300 hours (Wizard Standard Time), Oglärminns schule für Hexerei und Zauberei was attacked. Each of the sixteen muggleborns in attendance, along with three professors, and fourteen other students were murdered. Causes of death were various Dark Spells, including the Killing Curse, and a clutter of Acromantulas under control of the four attackers, thought to be Death Eaters (previously named Knights of Walpurgis), as their new signature mark was seen above the school. Eyewitnesses state the masked wizards had multiple accents; at least one was English and one was French. Upon the stone wall of the institute's entrance, the words Hogwarts is Next, was written in the blood of the fallen.
The institute, which was closed last year for the abduction and murder of seven students by Death Eaters, had only recently reopened for spring term. The Headmaster, who was released of all charges last year of being a Walpurgis sympathiser, is once again in custody of the Rötauroren on suspicion of leaking names of muggleborns attending the school to Death Eaters. They believe he may have identities of some of the group members. On the decision of the Soviet Chairman of Magic, Oglärminn's will be permanently closed. Wizardkind of Britain are encouraged to take extra precautions in who they give names of muggleborn friends and family to...
The plate in front of James rattled; he folded his paper in half. Further down the table, Lily Evans flung a paper to the floor before storming past him and out the Great Hall, looking for all intents and purposes like she was going to be sick. He searched for the other muggleborn in their year. Green was white as a sheet. He was thankful for the headship of Dumbledore and the other professors, who would never sell out students with muggle parents or misunderstood wizards like Remus.
Peter had the thoughtful suggestion of taking Prince Caspian to read aloud to Remus instead of the news. Luckily, Remus seemed to have had a less intense transformation than the last several. However, the sight of the bloodied bandage wrapped around his arm served as a reminder to all three of them how imperative it was they be there with him. Once home for the summer, James could ask his father to get the Ministry's permission and learn how to become Animagi.
Sunday evening, Remus was released to sleep in the dorms before exams started. Tomorrow was simply the practical for Transfiguration. Written examinations wouldn't be for another week yet since there would be four transformations to complete this year.
Monday Peter was a proper wreck in his classes, even Herbology, until Transfiguration rolled around. Despite the dire threat which hung over the school, Professor McGonagall was still administering exams.
He took a seat by Kingsley and tried to slow his heart rate. There were sheets over the cages in front of the room so they couldn't see what animals they'd be using. Maybe they'd all be living → non-living transformations. Peter hoped.
"You've got this, mate," Kingsley told him.
A turned piece of parchment appeared on each of their desks.
"You have until the halfway mark of class to solve the equations. The second half, each of you will be distributed the proper necessities for the spellwork. Begin," the parchment flipped over as did a sand timer.
Write the Equation for the Problem Under Each of the Three Problems. On Number Four, Reverse the Transfiguration and Write the Formula Most Suited to the Original Equation Used to Cast.
With shaky hands, Peter picked up his quill. He shouldn't be this nervous.
1. Hedgehog → Pincushion
2. Terrapin → Teapot
3. Quill → Flobberworm
4. Water Goblet → Newt
He could do this. He'd done it in class. Multiple times. So why was a timed test so bloody difficult?
As the timer ran out, Peter finished, setting down his quill.
Hedgehogs were passed out to the class. Remus' immediately curled into a ball, making his transfiguration much easier. Peter managed a simple brown pincushion. His teapot had a green sheen, but he'd managed to decorate the sides with pinstripes. James had included a tartan cosy around his, remnant of the pattern on McGonagall's desk. Show-off.
Several students in the class who'd turned their quills into flobberworms couldn't turn them back. Peter was proud to say he was not part of that bunch. Lastly, he was given a crystal goblet which he turned back into a newt, albeit the creature was completely translucent. The Marauders exited the classroom with smiles on their faces. Peter was glad Remus had done so well so soon after a full moon.
He was more confident that their Defence practical would be a breeze.
Peter wanted to laugh when he realised the last Duelling Club of the year would be incorporating aspects of their final practical exam (The aspect which was not included involved cornish pixies, tickling charms, and a mis-(well)-placed throw by James Potter, resulting in Severus Snape being hoisted by his ears up into a thick pedunculate oak.).
Today, they were told to partner with someone they did not know well and figure out three physical disadvantages, three personal disadvantages, and three technique disadvantages. These answers would then be given to their partner, with comments from Professor Windsor, on how to improve their defence in the areas it could be. The fewest students of the year were in attendance.
"It is my hope that you use this summer to choose two or three of these weaknesses to work on. Not that they will ever become strengths, but by being aware, you can better defend yourself. Moving on to our final demonstration. Professors Xing, Kettleburn, and I have had the honour of Professor Dumbledore accepting our invitation."
Peter was sure every regular attendee who missed today would be kicking themselves tomorrow.
Dumbledore calmly entered the scene to rounds of applause. The warlock had forgone his usual velvet hat in favour of tying his long hair back in an intricate plait which was knotted on itself several times off to the side, adorned with a phoenix feather. His beard was tied off by a string of bells in the middle. Velvet robes were replaced with purple embroidered cotton, with a black cloak fastened by triangular broach with a central circle and line through it at his shoulder. His half-moon glasses were replaced by rectangular ones which rested further up the bridge of his crooked nose.
"D'you think he was dressed like this when he defeated Grindewald?" James bounced next to him.
"I heard he was naked," Remus spoke.
"Ah!" James cried in a high pitched voice, "How dare you!"
"Bollocks," Sirius affirmed.
"Just telling you what I heard from Esther, who heard from McKinnon, who heard from MacMillan, who heard from a seventh year Hufflepuff, whose grandfather's lover's best friend was an eyewitness and said the books got it wrong to protect decency," he shrugged. "Didn't say I believed it."
Peter didn't believe it either. Now that Dumbledore was currently bowing to the three professors, he realised a key object was missing.
"Where's his wand?"
The duelling position Dumbledore took was approved, but he held no wand.
"Well, he needs a challenge, doesn't he?" Sirius' grin split his face.
Sparks flew.
Peter couldn't quite remember how Professor Dumbledore bested three duelling masters at once, as there had been a lot of smoke coming off each magical flicker, but James' animated version showing off to the common room later that evening seemed highly probable.
Remus breathed a sigh of relief as he finished his written exam for Transfiguration. Not only was he was finished for second year, he'd had a well thought out answer to the prompt on limited capabilities of objects transformed into living beings. The ease didn't last long when he remembered his second final for the day was History of Magic.
Multiple choice was a breeze. True/False questions, however, were more iffy on a matter of historical interpretation on behalf of the oppressors—for instance, who was at fault for starting a certain rebellion. The extended response and essay questions allowed him freedom to dig into explaining his answers further, for which he was grateful, albeit he wondered if Binns actually cared.
Once out of the one track mind of test mode mentality, Remus was able to join his friends for an outdoor walk before their obscenely early castle curfew of five o'clock. Since the massacre in the DDR, and the promise it entailed for Britain, restrictions were not only reinstated, but more tightened. Their ice cream social had been cancelled, as had Health class.
"You're all coming over again this summer," James said.
"Went without saying," Sirius affirmed.
Remus was glad he no longer had to think of excuses for scheduling around the full moon. They meandered past the Quidditch pitch, where James and Sirius cleaned out their lockers and fetched their brooms to begin packing with the rest of their shit.
"Where are you going to keep all your vinyls and books?" Remus asked Sirius. There would hardly be enough room in his trunk for all his belongings.
"I've had a think about it, and the Room of Requirement seems a safe enough place as any. Especially if I think of our music listening room. I'll stash the most of the books and mags there too. But James is still gonna watch my throw and shirt, so I can use 'em when we visit this summer."
Remus wondered why James would have more room for a throw and shirt than Sirius when all of James' excess knick knacks and Quidditch paraphernalia fell out of his arms once they reached the top of the slope they were climbing.
"Quit qwaffling around," Peter joked.
Remus also shook his head, "Thought you wanted to be a chaser, not a dropper."
"And I will!...I think I may ask my dad to send another trunk..."
James ate his supper with a moue. He'd hated clearing out his Quidditch gear, the walk was also supposed to have been a jollification after completing exams, but instead left his gut feeling dark and off. So much so, he had dropped and muddied up his belongings. After meals, the four sorted through whose items belonged to whom, which included separating Mega-bed (patent pending) in order to reach a years worth of forgotten holey socks (Remus'), cummerbunds (Peter's), black, leather planner and mouldy biscuits (Sirius'), and a dress shoe (James'). James' eyes widened as he uncovered the racy magazines they'd sent to Remus and quickly chucked them back under the bed. There was a deep bell sound, like that which dismissed them from class, and then an announcement:
"All students are to return and remain in their house dormitories!" Professor McGonagall's voice commanded throughout their room.
"Fuck, that can't be good," Remus mused.
"Let's find out what's going on," James left the room, others following, and searched until they found Frank.
"What's happening?" he asked.
"Just stay in your room. Professors are reenforcing wards and protection around the school."
"And why do they need to be reenforced?" Remus crossed his arms.
Frank seemed to realise his mistake, "There may have been a situation...go back to bed. It will be all right come morning."
"Come morning all the toilets may have found themselves full of wet-start Blaster Balls," James threatened sincerely. How'd they all stay in the tower with no plumbing?!
"Look, the Ministry's had a compromise within a security department and some names have been taken. An alarm was triggered. They're on lockdown by orders of the Minister. We're taking extra precautions in case they stole anything which would pertain to the wards here as well. But they're changing so even if they did, no one will get through."
James' heart fell into his stomach, "The Ministry's on lockdown?" he parroted numbly.
"Professor Dumbledore's there!—was in some meeting, Professor Windsor too!" Remus' eyes widened as Frank's frown deepened. "Windsor's here—with Dumbledore gone, McGonagall's in charge."
Was his dad working today? What if he was stuck at the Ministry as well?
"I need to floo my Mum," he told Frank.
"Potter, I can't allow-"
"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!" James yelled.
"I DO! My dad works there, too, James," his voice softened, "Now, return to your room before I have to petrify you and toss you in there."
James chose the latter.
As the door was closed and locked, Remus undid the binding Frank had put on him. James charged the door and banged on it, demanding to be let out. He had to know if his dad was all right.
"They're preparing for a Death Eater attack on Hogwarts!" Sirius exclaimed behind him.
"Th-they c-can't get in. There's n-no way around the w-wards, surely?" Peter sought assurance. "F-four or five people can't b-break through."
"They had dark creatures in the DDR," Sirius brooded. "What if a gang of giant spiders sneaks in through the forest or somethin', like a back door, and attacks."
"It's actually called a cluster or clutter of spiders..." Remus trailed off. "Besides, one can't just sneak into Hogwarts. Invisibility cloak or no," he added as an afterthought, looking at James.
"But there are back doors," James argued, "We've found two of 'em! Plus your safe house! What if we're the only ones who know—" his head was spinning. How and where would they break in?
"Death Eaters aren't going to be able to just break into Honeyduke's or Zonko's. There're also wards around the Shrieking Shack that don't let anyone in, except from the trap door, so no one gets hurt and dark wizards can't kidnap me..."
"R-reckon there are any remote back doors?" Peter asked.
James thought about what Sirius said about the forest, "It extends for ages. There's surely a remote spot far off where someone could travel in then walk to the grounds...," his mind raced like a thousand snitches zooming by. One caught his attention. He thought of Schmidt that one class period in History of Magic, "No...there're remote spots far off where someone could travel directly to the grounds."
"Where?" Peter asked nervously.
"We're at the bloody centre of a ley line pentagram!" he yelled.
Sirius scoffed, "Is this about Schmidt's presentation? Those dragon paths are used for ritualistic magic, or contacting the dead on All Hallow's Eve."
"AND BENDING SPACE! WHICH MEANS GATEWAYS FOR TRAVEL!"
"Cor," Sirius said.
"Forgot that bit, did you?" Remus asked.
They weren't staying on topic, "The magical energy has been stronger around the stones all year! That means someone's been mucking about with them! And this afternoon when we neared it, something felt wrong!" he waved his arms emphatically for emphasis...they needed to see!
"So, Voldemort and his followers go to one of these points and, what? Hop on a boulder and ride it to Hogwarts?"
"Essentially. They'd have to have more than one activated, though, and perform some sort of magic to steer where they go..." James thought out loud.
"We won't let them kill you, Moony," Sirius vowed.
"They m-murdered m-muggleborns and o-others the last time," Peter said.
Remus pinched his lips, "If they get in, I don't think they'd have interest in killing me," he said quietly.
James doubted the open-mindedness of racial bigots but allowed Remus to continue, "Like you said, Sirius. Dark creatures were used to attack earlier this month...and there's strong suspicion the winter werewolf attacks weren't solitary."
"NO, no, Remus, they won't get you. They can't have you," James vehemently promised. "We just have to stop it from happening!"
"How?" Sirius asked, shaking his shoulders, "You got us locked in our room!"
"Umm, guys," Remus pointed to the bathroom door.
"Far out. Peter, take the cloak and find McGonagall. It's most important she knows about the gateway points. I'll sneak into her office and use her floo to call Mum. Remus and Sirius sneak out to guard the stone circle."
"What makes you think they'll attack tonight?" Sirius asked.
"We go home in two days! Everyone clear on their roles?" James didn't wait for an answer before sprinting to their adjoining room.
That evening, things quickly fell to shambles.
Sirius and Remus were intercepted by Frank, who forced them both to stay in the common room with body binding curses. It wasn't until the sun began to rise around, four o'clock, they were allowed to go back to their bedroom.
Instead of McGonagall, Peter found Peeves, whose cries of an invisible student, alerted Mrs. Norris, who alerted Filch, and sent him running in circles to avoid them, tripping on a trick step and hitting his head. He woke up later and walked disoriented back to the tower.
James found McGonagall. In her office. Livid that he was out of bed and unwilling to listen to anything he had to say after asking if he could floo home. In retrospect, James probably should have first brought up the practically open back door they suspected Voldemort would pop through any minute.
"Well," Remus said when they were all back in the room, "We weren't attacked last night."
"And-and-and I-I figured out why," Peter thumped his previously packed Astronomy book in front of them. "Xing taught us earlier this year. Ley lines n-need a solar event for travel...like the solstice, or an—"
"Eclipse," Remus' eyes widened. "There's a solar eclipse today! Just after half eleven! Werewolves...If werewolves are involved with Voldemort, he'll use werewolves today!"
"For Circe's sake," James groaned. "You want something done right, you have to plot it yourself..." he muttered before pulling out all the maps he had just packed, flipping through them haphazardly until he found a good one of Scotland. He pulled out a quill and ink, marking five circles on the map, "This is where Schmidt said the pentagram points are, right? Hogwarts is here," he drew an X in the middle, "where all the ley lines connect. We can go and stop it."
"How?" Remus asked.
"Haven't got that far," James shrugged. His ideas were still forming.
"That is the most fuckin' foolish plan I have ever heard," Remus said. "We need to find a Prefect, Professor Windsor, or even Professor McGonagall again to call Aurors."
"The Ministry is in omnishambles, do you believe they can actually call in Aurors at the moment?!"
"Isn't there a way to like, interrupt a ley line so they can't use it as a gateway?" Sirius asked.
"Like blowing up a boulder near the courtyard?" Remus suggested.
"Desecrate it, somehow?" Peter suggested.
James thought about that, "You can't just desecrate sacred land! That upsets the magical balance which has been around since the stones were even erected ages ago! If anything..." he formed another thought, "We cleanse the land. Yes! That's it! We re-cleanse the consecrated gateways so the lines are less likely to send anyone with mal-intent through!"
"You're forgetting one key thing," Sirius said.
"ONE!?" Remus yelled, "THIS IS UTTER LUNACY! WE'RE ABOUT TO HAVE A LUPERCALIA MASSACRE REPEAT!"
Sirius ignored Remus, "In the sickest way possible, people like my family believe they have the best intentions. Voldemort thinks he's doing right by murdering muggleborns."
"But all murder is sinister; it leaves a stain on the soul. If they're coming through with the intention of killing anybody, the magic won't let them!"
"B-but, there's f-five of us, and f-four points," Peter pointed.
"We don't have to cleanse all of them. Just these three, solid, anchor points, like a triangle, see?" he moved his finger roughly over where they were headed. "These two are harmonised for use of bending time, and the other three for space. And that leaves one person to stay here and cleanse our own circle." James roamed around the whirlwind of belongings and found his collection of magical crystals and gemstones. Amethysts. We need amethysts. "Bury them in the ground to cleanse the sacred space of any dark energy. It will protect itself from those with mal-intent to use its magic! We smudge ourselves with sage first, so the cleansing is pure."
Remus caught the gemstone tossed his way with a furious expression, "One more thing: How the fuck are you intending to travel a hundred and fifty miles either direction when we have no portkeys or apparition training?!"
James hadn't thought that far. His eye caught his Quidditch gear.
"We fly. That's making it in nearly four hours if we're traveling high speed," James said, "It's nearly quarter past 7, we can be there in time, if we hurry."
"Four hours?" Remus said, seemingly unimpressed with the math James did in his head. "No way Peter or I can stay on a broomstick that long, or a Cleansweep will hold out the journey for that matter."
"Wait," Peter pointed, "This one's in East Lothian. I-I can get there by floo. Well, near enough."
"Moony stays and keeps guard," James decided. Peter would sneak in McGonagall's office (safer than James had last night) to floo near Haddington. Sirius and he would fly to Calanais and Stenness.
"Absolutely not," Remus crossed his arms.
"C'mon Moony, live fast, die young..." Sirius paused for Remus to finish.
"It's not dying I'm scared of! What if we fail?! What if the muggleborns get attacked?!"
"All the more reason to go right now," James said.
"Fuck!" Remus yelled at the ceiling.
James took that as a yes.
Sirius and James left through their window, necessary items including sage, amethysts, magic mirrors, wands, water bladders, and biscuits for sustenance weighed down robe pockets. They bundled warm, which added even more weight and wind resistance, to James' displeasure. Remus would take a thick book and sandwich out to the stone circle, spending the day on guard out there, after cleansing. Peter would once again take the cloak, keeping proper watch on McGonagall's office, praying she hadn't changed her password since academic advisories.
"You know where northeast is, right?" James asked Sirius.
Sirius was absolutely certain he was positively sure he did not know where northeast was. But he was given James' map and straight shot direction he should fly. And Stenness was on one Orkney island; how hard could that be to find? So he should be golden. He launched into the air. James took off northeast. Or was it northwest? The other general direction Sirius was traveling in but not journeying to.
As he gained altitude, the thin cold air tore through his lungs and Gryffindor hat, scarf, and jumper. But he carried the course straight on. He checked his watch repeatedly: 0800, 0900, 0902, 0903, 1015. Nearly there, surely. The wind attempted to knock him off course. Landing on the West Coast of the Isle of Hoy, his strained, sleepy legs immediately collapsed under him.
"Bugger," Sirius pulled the map out again. He needed to go further up to Stromness, then Stenness was just to the right, across a bit of water. With a grunt, he managed to push himself off the ground and mount his broom again. 1100.
The stones were an easy enough landmark to spot. As he'd thought. Landing behind a scraggly bush, Sirius allowed his legs time to adjust to standing before walking over to the circle far greater in both height and width apart than Hogwarts'. As for width of stones, they were more thinner and angled. He felt its power thrumming through his body in a magical pulse. Every hair on his neck stood on end.
Limping towards the centre, Sirius carried his broom in one hand and withdrew his wand with the other. After casting a measurement spell, determining he was in the correct location, he cast a bombardment spell. It was easier than digging. Hopefully there weren't any stones underneath upsetting James' "Thou shalt not desecrate," command. He put his broom down and pulled out the smudge stick to light.
As he finished cleansing himself, Sirius wondered if Moony had somehow bestowed some werewolf powers on him, because over the roaring wind, Sirius heard the unmistakable sound of multiple shoes crunching rock behind him. No spell was discerned, but Sirius turned and yelled, "PROTEGO!"
The force from the offensive spell knocked Sirius backwards into his hole, leaving him breathless, like he'd taken a nasty fall in Quidditch practice.
Black robes billowed around the cloaked figure who peered into the hole. A skull mask concealed his face. Sirius' breath started to come back in rhythmless pants. Several visible faces appeared as well: Scarred, gaunt, and snarling.
As he stared down the shaft of the Death Eater's wand, Sirius whispered, "Help me," to any deity or magical ancestor who may have been listening.
It took Peter an embarrassing length of time to sneak into his Head of House's office. James and Sirius were surely at least halfway to their locations when McGonagall stepped out, presumably to go to the Great Hall for the last lunch of term. Peter couldn't help but think if he died today, he'd miss the commencement feast with his friends that evening.
Easily enough, but barely breathing, he stuck the edge of his trainer in the door, not even needing the password.
He stuffed the cloak in his Gryffindor robes, lest it get marred by floo powder, before lighting up the fireplace, "The Flaming Unicorn!"
Coughing several times, Peter stepped out of the floo grate. The pub was understandably sparse for ten in the morning. A few souls sat around with a coffee and books, all nameless, but at the same time, stood out against the blue and silver glittery hues which decorated the bar and walls. A pale, white haired woman with a soft face who stood behind the bar was the first to acknowledge his presence, "Oi, 'ow old ar' ye?"
Peter felt several other eyes turn on him, conspicuously looking up from whispered conversations and over their cuppas. Remember your mission. "I-I-I-I my-my-my sister s-said to c-come h-here."
The barista eyed his uniform with x-ray vision, "Ye Pettigrew's wee brodder?"
He nodded.
"She says ya wasn't comin' 'til next week," the woman turned and cast a silvery unicorn out the door. When she turned back, Peter caught better sight of her features and couldn't stop a gasp. Her ears were pointed. A non-corporeal patronus reentered the room.
"Says to wait for her outside. Be 'round in a mo'," the wisps dissipated.
"C-Can I-I-I use the l-loo?" Peter inquired first, feeling like he was in primary school.
Several patrons smirked or pointed him in the general direction of the facilities.
"Th-Thanks."
He wasn't long outside before a yellow Ford pulled up, passenger seat occupied.
Great, Peter thought, Should've told her to come alone.
"All right, Peter?" Jess looked his robes up and down funny.
Quickly, he clambered in the vehicle. Jane turned around; looking at his face with knit eyebrows, she asked, "What's wrong? You're not supposed to be on the train until the morning."
There were many words Peter couldn't say, even if his tongue wasn't stuck to the roof of his mouth, because he was in the freaking presence of a muggle, "M-Mavis Hall! We need to go to Mavis Hall; you know where that is? Th-the special p-place?"
Jane's eyes widened slightly, but the concern didn't leave her voice, "Yah, Pete, I visited there a few days ago...but what's going on?"
"Can't tell you," his eyes flickered to Jess, "Just drop me off."
"Has something happened at school?"
"N-not yet. Something bad will happen if we don't get there in time!" he emphasised the urgency.
"I'll contact the Ministry—," she started.
"THE MINISTRY'S ON LOCKEDOWN AND DUMBLEDORE'S THERE!" Peter lost all patience.
"Not Downing Street?" Jess asked, clearly confused.
Honestly, Peter was impressed by Jane's level-headedness, "We can go together," she stated simply, moved the car out of park, and slipped onto the road.
"Hurry!" Peter urged. He spent the nearly hour long drive counting his breathing while Jane talked about this and that: How work was, a lovely day trip to Inverness, exploring the inner city...Peter knew why. She knew he was moments away from freaking out. But he couldn't. He had to help the school. Once they were out of the main part of the city, the car was speeding faster than Peter had ever gone.
They went off road, across hilly grass, narrowly avoiding some escaped sheep. The bumps had Peter scrabbling at the front seats at the lack of safety belt in the back.
"What the fuck!?" Jess yelled.
"I'm getting us as close as we can!" Jane responded.
They pulled to a merciful, yet jerky halt by the edge of a wood where Peter felt tugged towards its centre. This was definitely the place.
He exited the car quickly.
"So where exactly are we going?" Jess asked.
"You're staying here," Jane said not unkindly, but firmly.
"As if! Tell me what the fuck is going on this instant, Jane Pettigrew!"
Peter tugged his sister's sleeve, "Just," he whispered before tensing up his body as James had when hit with a Full Body Bind Curse.
"No," she shook her head, "I can't."
"JESSICA CAN'T COME!" he waved his arms before taking off at an uncomfortable run, allowing the line of magic to pull him towards its source.
"Damn it, Peter!" she yelled after him.
There were no stones, unlike at Hogwarts, to visibly show he was in a place of great power. However, once he took stock of the land around him, he realised there was a ring of toadstools cropped up. Please don't let me fall into a faerie realm, he pleaded silently as he remembered the barista he'd seen earlier. In the distance, he could see a bright yellow blob and hear his sister and Jess yelling.
Lighting the smudge stick was easier than a cigarette. Once he was finished, he collapsed to his knees and burrowed into the rocky soil best he could. He wished for a trowel from Greenhouse Three...his hands weren't enough. The sound of his sister's footsteps and heavy panting approached. She knelt next to him. Must've gotten Jess to stay behind, somehow; he doubted by magical means.
After taking in the sight of his bloody and ragged finger tips, she grabbed his wrists and pulled out her wand from where it was hidden in the folds of her tiered floral skirt, "Let me," as magic dug the hole she asked, "Now, what's going on? I smell sage..."
"W-We th-think V-V-Voldemort's g-going to use ley lines to get into Hogwarts and attack muggleborns," he said quietly, dropping the amethyst in and began filling the ground in as if he'd planted the most delicate seed in the world.
"My G-d," she whispered. "How sure are you?"
"Pretty sure," Peter nodded.
"Only pretty sure?" she asked.
The sound of apparition made two heads pop up; three cloaked figures appeared.
"R-really p-p-pretty sure," Peter squeaked high pitched, reaching into his robes for his wand.
The cold air tore at James' face harder than any winter Quidditch practice. He was wearing his fur lined cloak, but the thin and bitter air seemed to cut straight through. James was grateful to have a tailwind on his side. He felt as though he were in his first official school match again. But he wasn't flying for the glory of points and a boring job. He was flying to protect lives. As the Outer Hebrides came into view, he slightly lowered his speed and altitude to catch his breath. Once he was over Lewis and realised he'd slightly overshot the crucifix shaped stone pattern with a circular centre, James began his descent. The closer he came, the more he felt a powerful tug at his magic, calling.
He landed in the middle of the northernmost avenue on squishy, grass covered peat. The ground quickly met his arse when his tired legs refused to hold his weight.
"Oof," he let out a breath before quickly undoing his cloak and scarf. He pulled out the water bladder to his dry lips. As he brought his arms down, James' eyes widened as a sense of deja vu overwhelmed him. The stone path in front of him...a magical tugging towards the circular centre with some stones thrice his height...salt air flooding his desperate lungs...soft but rocky ground...James fully expected Evans to be hiding behind one of these rocks...warning him. Natheless, he was alone, but for the heartbeat of the land.
From his place on the ground, James smudged himself with sage. The soul of the circle intensified, almost painfully, as if calling to be cleansed for the first time in millennia. James gripped some of the grass underneath him before unlacing his muddy trainers. The sacred was no place to tread so casually. Picking his wand up, James used his fists to balance himself until his feet were securely under him. He moved towards the centre.
There was a chambered cairn near the point of strongest magic, but not quite, and James was able to transfigure a biscuit into a trowel, which lasted long enough for him to dig through peat and stone, before disintegrating into crumbs. He gingerly placed the amethyst in the hole before covering it. A crack of someone apparating nearby pulled him out of the dreamlike fog his head was in. He immediately turned towards the sound and crouched into viper position.
Let it never be said James Potter went down without a fight.
James breathed a sign of relief, standing erect again when he saw who it was, "Professor?" he called.
The moon began to shift in front of the sun's path. All they'd have to do is wait until the period of time for travel was over, then hop back to Hogwarts.
James wasn't sure if it was a Quidditch or Duelling Club reflex which told him to hit the ground. But at the twitch of Professor Windsor's hand, James dove for the dirt. And as he heard words spoken out loud he'd only ever read this year, his wind swept hair narrowly missed a green light.
Sitting cross-legged on a tree stump, peripheral vision on the bisection of ley lines in front of him, Remus flipped a page of Yeats. However, he didn't read the next poem, instead taking the time to write out his reflection to process his thoughts. Mixed in with them was his worry over monsters and dark wizards potentially infiltrating Hogwarts, inner discord over how it was too late to approach an authority (considering he was now not only an accomplice to breaking 14.5 school rules, but a werewolf accomplice at that), an attempt to personify the tingling pull of magic in the old henge area combined with the grossly heightened senses ('super powers', as Peter would call them) usually reserved for much closer to the full, and his yearning for the days (earlier that week) where his deepest care involved doing well on his Herbology final and surviving summer.
Surviving summer was now far lower on his list, if it meant keeping his peers safe, especially those like sweet Lily.
He looked at the sun's position in the sky. James would be able to have the time down to the nanosecond, however, it was more the pull of the moon, not quite visible, which informed Remus it was nearly time for the eclipse to start.
For the last day in the castle, and a sunny Saturday at that, he'd seen few people that morning. It was a high probability people had put off packing until the day before (unlike the Marauders who wisely began packing two days before. However, due to understandable circumstances outside of their control, this was halted and would have to be revisited later that evening.). Or perhaps the threats on the school being attacked last night had people exercising extra vigilance to remain in their dorms. It was mostly nostalgic seventh years who he'd seen mucking about before their graduation tomorrow, Lily and her friends on a morning run, and a terrified terrapin too scared of Remus to even come out of its shell and run away.
When a sliver of a bite was taken out of the sun, Remus packed away his belongings and stood, wand in hand. Part of him still expected Death Eaters and werewolves to come crawling out of the rocks. Sure, he'd cleansed himself and the central point of the pentagram. However, if one of his friends failed, the clean line would be incomplete. And even if they succeeded...a piece of Remus doubted the darkness of his warped and twisted soul could be rubbed away with a bit of sage and smoke.
His thoughts and actions were quickly vindicated.
They didn't crawl out of the rocks, so much as simply appear touching them. Four men; one woman, all shirtless (though the female's snarled and matted brown hair reached her muscular stomach), all dirty, reeking of body odour and blood, and, Remus could tell from scent alone, all werewolves.
"This our first lil treat?" the woman swayed and smiled with pointed teeth, running her tongue over them.
"We stick to the list," a dark, bushy bearded one replied.
"Surely we'll be forgiven for—" the one nearest began to speak, but Remus didn't hesitate any longer, "Incacerous!" he yelled at him. Ropes shot from his wand and bound him.
The others leapt. Two had wands.
Remus knew, just short of Unforgivable Curses, there was hardly any spell which would completely stop these incredibly strong and muscular wolves. He slowed two with impediment jinxes, sent the nastiest cutting hex he could at the crotch of another, and disarmed one of the wizards with a simple Expelliarmus.
The one in ropes twisted and flexed, breaking through the binds as the sky got darker, leaping on Remus, fingers digging into his stomach.
"Agh," Remus grunted. In his first ever physical fight, he threw his elbow back with a crunch against the other's nose, causing blood to spurt from his attacker, strength of his own coursing through him. Remus wriggled away, unfortunately sans wand.
"Little bitch," the dark one slashed with sharp nails at his back, tearing one of Remus' few shirts. He could feel blood welling up.
One covered in greying chest hair and blue tattoos, who had a disfigured face, which looked nearly canine even though untransformed spoke, "Stop!" and grabbed Remus to his front. At the immediate obedience and submission of the others, it was easy to deduce this was their ringleader. One hand was large enough to pin both Remus' wrists behind his back, the other wrapped around his throat, squeezing just enough to show how quickly those claws could tear it out.
Thick, rancid breath brushed the back of his neck as the leader, bent his head down. He inhaled deeply where his ear met his jaw. Remus shivered.
"You're one of us, aren't you, cub? Where's your pack?"
"GET OFF!" Remus twisted, attempting to free his arms. His right shoulder separated from it's proper socket, eliciting a whimper more canine than human from Remus. Nails dug deeper into his throat.
"Now, now," the pack leader tutted. The claws came out from his skin and a hand swiftly shoved his shoulder back in with a painful pop.
"Ah!" Remus cried. He tried throwing his head backwards since his neck was free. However, his captor avoided his skull and returned the throat hold, thumb against Remus' pulse.
"Lone wolves don't last too long out here—especially tame wolves," he spoke with a deep and gravelly voice. "We have to watch out for our own. And I think..."
His head bent to slowly lick a stripe along a scar on Remus' cheek, causing Remus to grimace in disgust.
"Mmm," his throat rumbled, "I think you're one of mine."
Adrenaline already had Remus' heart being a million miles an hour, but he was certain this werewolf could both smell and feel his fear increase.
"What's your name, cub? Hmm? Why didn't I take you?"
Remus could see his wand lying on the ground, about five feet away...
"I asked you a question!" the hand pushed against his trachea. "Answer your daddy..."
"L-L-Lupin!" Remus shuddered and choked out, "Remus Lupin..."
The thick body against his back rumbled with a chuckle, "Ah yes, it's coming back to me now...Lupin's boy with a name so poetic...simply destined to be changed. Thought you'd have been killed before your first moon. That is, after all, all we're good for, right?" the hands tightened.
"Master Greyback, are you sure...we only have seven minutes left of this power...and a list of muggleborns to—" the dark wizard spoke.
"I'll deal with your insubordination later," Greyback growled. Greyback. Oh fuck. Fenrir Greyback. Fenrir Greyback had purposely bit him. Fenrir Greyback had purposely murdered his mother...
Remus dealt a swift kick to Greyback's knee. His hold loosened just enough for Remus to leap for his wand...
"STUPEFY!"
The spell hadn't come from Remus.
He looked up and saw Alice Smith rounding a stone, shortly followed by Hampton, Brown, Cari, Marlene, and shit, Lily.
The spell from the Death Eater's wand never hit Sirius. It never even came. Only laughter.
"Salazar's sake, what do you think you're doing here, Sirius Black?"
That voice. It was so familiar. But then again. Any pureblood he knew could be under that cloak. So who...oh.
"Lestrange," he spat out, risking a look away to spot his wand. Near enough, if he could make a sudden move and not worry about getting blasted.
The sky began to darken, and the uncovered wizards disappeared.
"Where are they—" Sirius panicked. He hadn't buried the amethyst, it had fallen out of his robes and lay at his side.
"Don't worry about them just now," Lestrange hopped into the hole, "What are you up to? Hmm, sage...pitiful purple amethyst," he bent and picked up the latter before chucking it at one of the stones overhead. Sirius winced at the shatter. No, he thought, I've failed I've failed I've failed. "I'd say this was an innocent little attempt at a cleansing ritual we can chalk up to a bad day," he laughed again. "Don't you know? Dark desecration of powerful sites is much easier if one wants to stop a bit of magic."
"And upset it's magical balance," Sirius snarled James' explanation at Lestrange. Taking the opportunity of eyes no longer on him (he hoped...one couldn't quite tell behind a mask), Sirius grabbed his wand, "Expelliarmus!" he reset his stance.
The spell was deflected with a flick.
"Bells says you're always causing trouble. Always too smart for your own good, or not smart enough. Voldemort will be most displeased to hear I had to drag the naughty Black heir home, kicking and screaming. Perhaps I'll be given the pleasure of using the Cruciatus on you and Orion...the little Black can watch..."
At the mention of Regulus, Sirius cast a blasting curse at the man (unsure what it would do to a wizard, but bright enough to know it would surely shut him up), "Bombarda!" which was deflected over the hole and hit the ground like a bomb. "Serpensortia!" Sirius' venomous snake was cut in half before it hit the ground. Lestrange continued to sound amused, "Months of espionage and I don't even get to torture any mudbloods from the list I've procured, simply swat at a teenager."
Sirius threw up a shield when a body binding curse was thrown his way, along with other unknown spells in quick succession. Keeping the shield up, he allowed himself to move backwards towards the slope of the hole, hoping to reach higher ground as an advantage.
This was nothing like what they'd learned in Defence. The ground wasn't flat, the opponent wasn't near his age, and he also wasn't afraid to use spells which could kill him.
Adrenaline pounding, Sirius reached the top of the slope, sending spell after spell down at his cousin-in-law. What are his weaknesses? Windsor's voice reverberated through his mind. It wouldn't be long now before Lestrange was once again on equal ground. Sirius spotted his broomstick and sprinted. A tripping jinx caught him in the air, and he fell arse over face, but managed to keep hold of his wand this time.
"UP!" he yelled at his broom, which moved the few feet left into his hand. Sirius steadied himself onto his knees, and kicked his toes hard on the ground, sending a shockwave of pain through his legs, but launching him into the air. This was an advantage over his opponent. It occurred to Sirius they'd never gone over aerial duelling before.
The sky darkened as he bobbed and weaved throughout the stones, casting hex after hex at the piece of scum who kept deflecting. Every now and again he had to wipe his sleeve over his face as blood kept dripping in his eye from some unknown place. He hoped Remus was okay. He hoped those nasty looking wizards didn't even make it where they wanted to go; he'd seen no rituals or heard any spells. Mostly, he hoped he could keep Lestrange distracted enough through the eclipse.
There was a vibration in his pocket. Fumbling in his robes, Sirius pulled out his mirror, "James!"
"Sirius!" a voice cried, but Sirius couldn't look at him.
"I'm a bit busy!"
"Same, mate. Impedimenta! Professor please, you don't have to do this!"
Sirius continued to dodge spells, "Damn Defence professors!" he cursed, "My cousin is here trying to kill me! Five ugly arse wizards went through. I'm sorry, Jamsie. They're going to kill Green and Evans..."
Blood was stinging his eyes, definitely blood.
"Blast it! Sirius—Sirius that's okay. You just make it back to Hogwarts alive. My ritual worked," James panted heavily, "But I'm not so sure I'm getting out of here, Sirius. Please tell my parents I love 'em. Professor! Please!," his voice cracked, "Protego! Sirius...I love you too. Just want you to know that..." the connection went dead.
The sky began to lighten again.
As he slipped the mirror back into his pocket, Sirius missed the curse headed his way.
His shoulder screamed at him all fifteen feet to earth. Sirius heard multiple cracks, then everything went dark.
"STUPEFY!" Jane Pettigrew immediately hit one of the Death Eaters.
"We need to go, now!" Peter yelled. Hogwarts would be fine. The ground was cleansed like James said.
"Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ!" Peter heard Jess' voice call from behind him.
"Protego!" he cried as Jane became distracted.
"Get back to the car, both of you!"
Ropes shot out of one of the attackers wands and hit Jess, who screamed.
"Finite," Peter freed her.
They began moving back towards the edge of the wood as the two remaining Death Eaters began to touch the surrounding toadstools.
Nothing happened.
"You...fuckin..." an angry male voice cried and raised his wand at them again, charging at them. All training on figuring out weaknesses and using his surroundings fled. Peter just wanted him and his family to stay alive. Peter ducked a blasting spell which shot out of the woods. He cringed as he heard the explosion of metal.
Jane shot stunners, shields, ropes, disarmaments, and spells which were probably more useful given the situation they were in. She disarmed the other cloaked figure, catching his wand and yelling, "Confringo!" it broke to pieces in multicoloured sparks, just as her car had.
Peter's stinging hex hit the first man right in the bollocks.
However, the man didn't seem to give Peter the credit for such a great shot; he bent double and screamed in a high octave, "Muggle...fucking...BITCH! Av—" the wand raised at them.
"Petrificus Totalus!" Peter's voice cracked high. The body froze. The remaining one came at them, even without a wand.
They all turned to run. He'd barely gone three steps towards the edge of the woods when he felt a hand slip into his and a sharp twist spin him into the abyss.
It had been a perfectly lovely morning to lounge near the Black Lake after their last run together before summer hols. Lily enjoyed the cool highland breeze under her sweaty armpits as she lay on the grass, arms behind her head.
"You gonna keep up running this summer, Lils?" Ginny asked.
"It's going to be hard not doing it with anyone else," she confessed. "I'll definitely do it again come September."
"Yeah, but summer seems to be when you need it most," Alice prodded and Lily grimaced. Her other roommates found them later, bearing toast and hard boiled eggs, clowder of cats on their heels.
"I'm going to miss Hogwarts' cooking," Lily said, "Not that my parents' isn't lovely."
"Miss all those late night snack raids Gin goes on," Kitty said before remembering Alice, "Erm—"
"Everyone knows where the kitchens are," the Prefect rolled her eyes. "The rules against going there are like the pointy hat rule."
When they began discussing summer plans, the sky began to darken, "Oh right, solar eclipse today!" Kitty said.
"Partial solar eclipse," Cari corrected.
"Nearly full solar eclipse," Lily remembered Xing told them it was happening after they'd turned in their written exams.
A distant "GERROFF!" was heard, followed by a yelp. Lily could've sworn that was Remus' voice.
The girls quickly stood. It didn't take them much climbing to see there was a skirmish happening in the stone circle.
"Go back to the castle!" Alice commanded, but Lily was already running towards Remus' voice.
"Fuck that," Ginny said.
"Oh, blast it," Kitty cried and followed.
They weren't fighting with wands, which Lily found strange. However, once she caught sight of their hideous, unsightly faces, and the stunner Alice threw didn't knock him out, only angered him, Lily realised these weren't just people.
"That's Greyback!" Ginny exclaimed towards the ugliest being of all.
Werewolves. And there was poor Remus, right in the middle, wand raised.
It was like being on the Hogwarts Express again. Cognitively, Lily knew each step she made had to count, but in reality, her adrenaline and instincts were calling the shots.
"STUPEFY!" she shot at the female wolf. No, are you so unlearned?! Spells have to count, spells have to count.
The sky darkened.
Ginny shot ropes at one which Kitty petrified (and continued to petrify each time he seemed to get his mobility back).
One flung Cari across the entire circle, following shortly after. Lily saw her point her wand at something motionless on the ground, then hit him with a silver teapot, "ARGH!" he grabbed his face, which was burning.
Marlene narrowly escaped Greyback's claws. Remus hit him with a cutting hex. The whole time, Lily was shooting off spells meant to wound, yet they didn't seem to stop the wolves. The female grabbed Lily by her shirt. She screamed. The hand let go and Lily fell forwards, rolling to get up as quickly as possible again. Above her, she saw Remus on the she-wolf's back, arm wrapped around her neck, ignoring the thrashing and clawing at his legs.
Greyback smelled putrid. That was Lily's first thought as he approached her, wand raised, "LEVICORPUS!" she yelled, hoisting him with a spell Sev taught her. She momentarily panicked. He was trapped, but the minute she released her hold, he'd be fine. Lily eyed the ground beneath him.
Lifting the murderer as high as the spell allowed, Lily braced her other arm under her wand at its forty five degree angle, and knelt swiftly, putting all her force into bringing the wolf down on his head. This knocked out what would have shattered any typical human's skull.
The sky lightened again.
The she-wolf screeched, slamming Remus back against one of the stones where he released his hold and fell limply. Lily shot a body binding curse at her, which held until she got ropes around her. Each time the body binding curse wore off, she snarled and Lily recast it.
The other wolves seemed incapacitated in similar manners, with Alice standing guard over Greyback.
There were sounds of shouting and footsteps running. Officially dressed Aurors entered the scene, along with Professors McGonagall, Flitwick, and Kettleburn.
Lily exhaled a sigh of relief.
Everything moved so fast, Lily couldn't even describe what happened. Greyback managed to come round, snatch his wand from Alice, cut through ropes of three of the wolves, and break for the forbidden forest.
"Don't let them get away!" an Auror shouted as they ran and spells fired after them.
One was caught, and the Aurors put some stronger spell on the one left behind, however, the she-wolf, the dark wolf, and Greyback all got away.
"We're sending backup into the forest immediately," an Auror assured Professor McGonagall.
"I'll alert the centaurs and have Hagrid mind the thestrals," Professor Kettleburn left.
"Filius, get Poppy," Professor McGonagall said sharply, with a tinge of fear to her normally unwavering voice. Lily allowed her adrenaline rush to crash and fell to her knees.
"They've found two of your missing students," another Auror reported, "...it's not good. And one was gone once we traced his signature. Professor Dumbledore's still at the Ministry. Amel Windsor's been taken into custody for leaking names of muggleborns the Ministry's been hired to help with housing wards."
"Who's missing?" Alice asked at the same time Lily said, "Someone stole information on us?"
They didn't get answers because another Auror said, "Three persons approaching."
"I believe that's Mr. Pettigrew," Professor McGonagall said tiredly.
"Black and Potter," Alice said quietly.
It made sense, if Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew were involved. Her stomach lurched.
"Ladies, if you can walk all right, please go to the hospital wing. Poppy and I can assist the others," Professor McGonagall said. Alice helped Lily to her feet.
Sirius regained consciousness on his side, aware there were even more bodies around him, all blurry and moving in slow motion. He scrambled to his knees, unable to stand, and raised his wand. Rodolphus Lestrange wouldn't be taking him.
"Drop your wand and hands up!" a fuzzy figure called.
"Drop it, I say!"
Sirius could make out the colour and embroidery of an Auror's uniform. He allowed his wand to go lax, but still held it against his palm, pointing down, with his thumb. Never would he let it go again. He raised his other hand.
"Drop your wand!" his voice echoed. Was he being arrested? Expelled? Sirius laughed at the audacity.
"...He's going in shock..." someone said. A disarmament spell snatched his limp wand away and the world disappeared again.
James ran and hid behind rocks as the sky darkened and green light chased him. He couldn't wrap his mind around it. Professor Windsor?!
Two cloaked Death Eaters appeared who he managed to knock out by flying rocks at their heads.
Casting an impediment jinx from tiger position, James leapt over the cairn.
"How could you!?" he yelled at the teacher. James remembered what Frank said about information being stolen at the Ministry. Remembered someone had to have been messing with the central crossing of ley lines. Remembered the wards falling on the train Windsor was in charge of safeguarding. Remembered Halloween night, as Voldemort went public by breaking through fallen wards on the castle. Hogwarts was fairly safe from the outside, but one traitor on the inside had ruined all protection.
This was far worse than anything Robert Cross may have attempted.
"Expelliarmus!" was quickly shielded.
"Get back here, nosey little brat!"
James' heart clenched. This was a man who'd been pretending for months. Who'd given James advice on Quidditch, family, the perfect cup of tea, ancestral Defence styles, and they'd shared stories with each other. James cast spell after spell, trying to get Windsor on the ground. But he wasn't even fighting like he did in Club.
As he dodged another green light, Windsor turned from him and grabbed onto one of the central stones.
Nothing happened. Which was what James hoped would happen.
"NO!" Windsor yelled. "Cruc—" James didn't hear the rest of the spell, because his body was on fire. His body was lit up like lightning and surely he was going to die.
As quickly as it begun, it ended the second he screamed.
James panted, tears forming in the corners of his eyes. His hand shook as he tightened his grip on his wand and rolled back over to stand.
Professor Windsor staggered backwards and gripped his head although James hadn't managed to disarm him or anything. One half of his glasses were cracked, toying with his depth perception. James cast another jinx which was shielded. He met Windsor's eyes. And then James knew something was wrong because they were dark. Not dark physically, but dark like the entirety of the heart of the forbidden forest. Everything hit James like the Hogwarts Express at full speed. Windsor wasn't Windsor. He was under an Unforgivable Curse.
"Sir, you have to stop!" James urged, remembering Remus' capability of fighting the effects of Veritaserum and conviction one could fight the Imperius, which his dad had told him took away the will of a man, enslaving his mind to the whims of the caster. They began a dance with James' anger no longer driving his spells, and instead running, casting to disarm, not maim.
He called Sirius, to say goodbye, to make sure his practically adopted brother knew how much he cared about him. The call ended. Sirius hadn't been able to do it, James thought. They're at Hogwarts now and I'm stuck here with a dangerously powerful wizard who doesn't remember that killing me would be wrong.
James cast another spell which disarmed him, but not strong enough to catch his wand. Windsor charged him, dodging every spell James threw his way, sliding through the pile of flobberworms James transfigured from grass.
He easily pinned James' small frame, the boy's left knee popping sickeningly; he pulled some sort of ornate janbiya from his robes. The blade came near James' throat, "Relashio!" the knife was forced to fall from Windsor's hands. His wand was ripped from his grasp and spectacles knocked off.
"Sir! Professor Windsor! Please," James begged as he picked up the knife again.
"Please, you'll never forgive yourself," tears streamed down his face, "I know you're an honourable man," the metal rested against his throat. He felt a warm stream of piss soil his lucky boxers. This was it, this was how he died, but he refused to shut his eyes as the sky turned bright again.
The slice of steel he was waiting for never came.
Through blurred vision, James saw recognition hit the man full force. The knife left his throat, "James Potter? How did I?...Where am...What's going on?" He scrambled back.
"Lewis. You're under the Imperius Curse, sir," James floundered for his glasses and wand, crying out in pain as he moved his knee.
"Here, let me," James flinched back from him now that he was reunited with his wand. "Just-just a splint," he stuttered and conjured a splint. "Merlin, what'd I do?"
"Used ley lines to open a gateway to get Death Eaters into Hogwarts grounds."
"Shit," he cast blue emergency signals for the Ministry in the air, "They're on lockdown, but at least they'll know to come once—"
The crack of many Aurors sounded around them. Way faster than any emergency call could have warranted...
"Drop your wands! Hands up!"
James put his hands up, but pointed his wand towards the ground, unwilling to part with it.
"James, drop it," Windsor hissed, "Or they'll force you."
Reluctantly, he allowed it to slip through his fingers.
"We're tracing the underage magic of James Fleamont Potter, illegally using magic outside of Hogwarts."
"Because of the Death Eaters!" James defended.
"What Death Eaters?" One of the Aurors asked.
Good Godric, they'd scarpered.
"We need to take you into questioning. Amel Windsor, you're under arrest for suspected espionage and affiliation with a terrorist group."
"No!" James said, "He was cursed!" But no one listened.
Magical cuffs were put around James' wrists; he was levitated when they took stock of the splint on his leg.
"Unfit for apparition," a short and stocky man muttered.
"Portkey then," another pulled out an official Ministry Portkey hexagon with the British Ministry of Magic emblem in the middle.
He felt a tug behind his incredibly upset abdomen before being carried away.