Chapter 44: Darkest of Days

I taught for the remainder of the school year, despite attacks. The Order of the Phoenix had become more and more busy with attacks, and it seemed we saved fewer and fewer people. Sirius' job as an unspeakable sent him off doing things he wasn't allowed to tell anyone, and we seemed to see less and less of him as time went on. Eventually even James and I began to feel slightly suspicious of what he was doing. I noticed that this usually got Mari slightly annoyed, not to mention stressed out from trying to raise a child alone. Fortunately, aunt Addi was more than willing to spend most of the time while I was at Hogwarts helping Mari.

Several peculiar things happened that spring. The first, Severus Snape admitted to being a Death Eater, and joined our side, under the acceptance of Dumbledore. We still didn't trust him, however Dumbledore seemed to trust him as much as anyone. He made him a spy for our side. The second thing that happened was that Peter began spending more time with us again. For nearly a year we'd only seen him about once a month. Suddenly, it seemed that he was always visiting, especially James and Lily. We were all very pleased to have all of our group of friends back together again.

Summer came once again. The days passed by so slowly that it had seemed like winter lasted an eternity. Harry and Cassi were quite the pair now. They knew how to steal wands and wave them around, making various things happen.

Soon, it was Harry's first birthday. He was growing up so fast. Lily and James planned a huge party for him. We all attended, and brought all sorts of gifts. Sirius even bought him a child's broomstick that hovered just off the ground. Lily wasn't pleased, but James was thrilled. Nothing could make any one of us more happy than seeing the look of joy on Harry's face as he sat between his beaming parents, surrounded by a mountain of presents, a huge glowing birthday cake, and Sirius who had dressed like a clown for the occasion. Mari played photographer, and was sure to get plenty of pictures of Harry smearing cake all over uncle Pafoo's face. I'll remember that day forever. It was the last day that we were all together, no worries, no cares. Because soon after, things got worse than ever.

James came to visit me one day in mid August, looking terribly worried.

"What is it, Prongs?" I asked, looking at his pale expression.

"I was just to see Dumbledore," he explained. "He asked me to come and see him. The reason is, he thinks someone is spying on Lily, Harry and I. What can I do, Remus. I can't even keep my own family safe!" I stared at my best friend of nine years. He was James Potter, the best wizard of our year, daring and clever minded, always with a plan for everything. Now he stood before me, trembling, near tears. So lost, so alone, so afraid. I never thought I'd see James that way.

"I'm sure everything will be all right," I said, trying to sound certain. But nothing could erase the look of worry stretched across his face.

For a long time, he didn't tell Lily anything at all. Sirius was angry with him for it, but I could see his reasoning. There was no use making her worry unnecessarily.

We all spent a lot of time at the Potters' from then on. We never actually stated the reason, but we all knew it was because we wanted to keep them safe. James and Lily didn't seem to mind in the least. In fact, I think James felt much safer when we were around.

September first came quickly that year, and it was back to Hogwarts for another year of teaching. Sirius, Mari, Addi, and Peter still spent the majority of their free time with the Potters, as did I on weekends. Not once did it ever seem that they were in danger. Not once were they threatened, or attacked. Nothing out of the ordinary happened in the peaceful village of Godric's Hollow. We soon began to believe Dumbledore had collected some wrong information, or the person who was after them had simply given up.

Lily certainly wasn't oblivious to James' worrying. In fact, I think she had enough of an idea what was going on.

"Remus," she confronted me one day while I was visiting. "Have you noticed anything different about James lately?"

"Er—no not really," I lied.

"I think something's bothering him. Something serious. He hasn't been himself lately at all."

"Hmm..." I replied thoughtfully. I felt awful about not telling her the truth.

"I overheard him talking to Harry the other night. He was saying something about if daddy and mummy have to leave. I don't understand what's going on." Lily looked as worried as James. I couldn't tell her though; I couldn't let James down.

"Everything will be all right, Lil," I said. "James would never let anything happen to you or Harry." Lily nodded.

"Mumumumumumumum!" came Harry's voice. Lily sighed.

"Mummy's coming, Sweetie!" she called, heading for his bedroom. She reemerged into the living room again a moment later, holding tiny Harry, who was kicking and screaming.

"Dadadadadadada!" he wailed.

"Shh..shh...daddy will be home soon," whispered Lily. James had gone out on duty for an attack. Harry continued kicking and screaming.

"Come on, Sweetie," cooed Lily. "Daddy will be home any minute." Lily glanced at the clock. "James should have been back by now," she whispered to me worriedly.

"I'm sure he's fine," I reassured her. Harry was still screaming for his dad. It was getting quite late, but I promised to stay with Lily and Harry until James got home. An hour passed; then two. Harry continued whining, Lily trying desperately to remain calm and put him to sleep.

"Where are you, James?" I whispered. "Please be okay." It was another forty-five minutes before we finally heard a whistling in the fireplace.

"James!" Lily cried.

"Dadada!" cried Harry, who was currently in my lap. James staggered into the room, looking weak enough to collapse, scratched and bruised. I noticed his wrists were red as though he'd been tied up and tried to get loose.

"Oh, God! James, what happened?" Lily put her arm around James' shoulder. He winced.

"It's nothing," he muttered.

"Don't tell me it's nothing," said Lily. "You can't come home looking like this and tell me it's nothing."

"The attack got a little rough, that's all."

"The attack was four hours ago. Where have you been?"

"At Hogwarts, where else?" I could tell James was lying. He'd always been hopeless at it, especially to Lily.

"Dada!" cried Harry again. James pulled his tiny son into his arms.

"I'm sure glad to see you again, kid," he said, smiling.

"Maybe Harry will sleep now that he's seen you," Lily sighed with exasperation. "Let me put him to bed."

"Okay, goodnight," James said, handing Harry to Lily. She left the room.

"James, what happened?" I hissed, noting that his eyes looked incredibly alert and worried, dispite his exhaustion.

"I was captured," he replied slowly.

"You weren't!" I exclaimed. "By who?"

"I'll swear it was Lucius Malfoy," James spat. "He was going to get Voldemort. Luckily I escaped." My face fell.

"You've got to be careful, James," I said. "I'm so glad you're safe." I couldn't believe it; I wouldn't have thought it possible that James would ever be captured.

"Thank you for staying with Lily and Harry, Remus," said James. "They're the only thing that keep me going. If it weren't for them, I doubt I would have made it out alive tonight." I nodded.

"James?" Lily's voice came from the entrance. "Made it out alive from where?" James went pale.

"I—I was attacked tonight, Lils. And captured. But I don't want you to worry. Please don't worry! I swear everything will be alright. I'll never let anything happen to you and Harry. Even if it costs me my life, you two will always be safe."

"James, don't talk like that," Lily whispered, her voice shaking.

"I should really be going now," I said, assuming Lily and James probably wanted to talk alone.

"Okay, we'll see you, Remus," said James. "Thanks again."

"No problem. That's just what friends are for," I replied.

"Bye Remus," said Lily.

"Bye." I left without another word. James' capture was never spoken of again. I never even found out exactly what happened that night, or if it had anything to do with what was yet to come.

It wasn't until early October that we found out just what sort of trouble the Potters were in. James paid me a visit one evening at Hogwarts.

"I've just gotten through with speaking to Dumbledore once again. He said he's certain that someone close to us is spying, and plotting against us. We're going to have to go into hiding." He hung his head.

"That's awful," I said. James nodded miserably.

"But I've got to keep my family safe. Could you come with me now to our house. I've got something really important I want to discuss with everyone." I agreed, and James and I both Apparated back to the tiny cottage.

We were all seated in the Potter's living room, James, Lily, Harry, Sirius, Mari, Cassi, Peter, Addi and I. James took a moment to explain what was going on, unable to look Lily in the eyes.

"Dumbledore reccomends the Fidelius Charm." James glanced intently around the room. Sirius, Lily, Peter and I nodded.

"So, I guess what we need is a Secret Keeper." I felt Harry, who was seated on my lap, pull something from my pocket. I glanced down, but not soon enough.

"What's this?" Sirius snatched the bit of parchment from the toddler's grasp.

"Interesting, Remus." His gaze was intent upon me. "Very interesting. Tell me, what were you intending to do with this?" I felt the color drain from my face as Sirius held up a notice.

Don't be caught on the wrong side. Join Lord Voldemort before it's too late. Stick with your own kind, werewolf.

"I've never even read that before, Sirius!" I defended myself honestly. "Jeremy arrived with mail just when I was on my way out. I put it in my pocket without even looking at it. I don't want anything to do with the Death Eaters!" I felt everyone's gaze transfixed on me. Sirius threw the letter back in my face in disgust. I let it fall to the floor. The room remained silent. Finally, James spoke up.

"Sirius, would you be our Secret Keeper?"

I stayed at the Potters only long enough to bid them farewell, and wish them the best of luck while in hiding.

I held little Harry in my arms, and he waved his hands excitedly.

"Dada fy boom!" he exclaimed, flapping his tiny arms.

"Does he?" I asked.

"Yes!" Harry nodded enthusiastically. "I boom too! Down!" I put the energetic toddler down on the ground and he ran off, returning a few minutes later with his tiny toy broom.

"Boom!" he exclaimed. "Boom!"

"That's quite some broom, little mate," I said, feeling my eyes begin to tear. "Uncle Moony has to go now. I might not be seeing you for a little while, so can I have a hug?" I knelt and held out my arms.

"Mooy!" cried Harry running into my arms. I hugged him tightly.

"I'll see you again soon, Harry." I let him go and turned to James and Lily.

"You two take care of yourselves," I said. They nodded.

"You be careful too, Remus," said Lily, giving me a quick hug.

"Yeah, Moony, don't worry yourself. I'm sure we'll be just fine. This will only be for a little while." James sounded much more certain than he looked. I extended my hand to him. He shook it for an instant before we gave each other a brotherly embrace. Sirius and Mari took their turns saying goodbye as well. Finally, all of us stood around uncomfortably, no one wanting to leave, for fear they'd ruin the moment.

"Remember, Marauders are always together," said James with a grin as we all crowded the doorway.

"Everything's going to be just fine, Prongs," said Sirius. "You can rely on me. I'll never fail you. I'd give my own life before I'd ever let Voldemort come near you or your family."

"Thank you for this, Padfoot," said James, looking as though he were holding back tears. It was getting quite dark, and quite late. We opened the door and filed out. James, Lily and Harry stood in the doorway.

"Marauders forever!" James called, grinning.

"Marauders forever!" returned Sirius, Peter and I.

"See you all soon!" called Addi. Everyone waved goodbye. We bid farewell to Sirius and Mari, who were also going into hiding. I also had to say goodbye to Addi, for I was remaining at Hogwarts for the duration of the charm, and she was disappearing as far into the Muggle world as possible. The spell would be performed first thing the next morning and I wouldn't see any of them until it was safe for James and Lily to come out of hiding.

The next two weeks at Hogwarts were miserable. I heard nothing of any of them, although I supposed that as long as I heard nothing, that meant everything was going well.