Avada –"

"Expelliarmus. Oh, just what I always wanted! Unicorn hair cored wand! Actually, I've always wanted one of those adorable little beanie baby things, but this'll tide me for now," James tried hard to make out whose voice was speaking, but he could barely hear as it was. He squinted, but was rewarded only with a black outline again. He groaned, and fumbled for his glasses. Along the floor. A sting against his palm, and a scratchy clinking noise as he recoiled told him that they'd been broken.

"Oi, Jamsie, you better not be dead. If you are, I'm not talking to you," he felt a ghost of a smile creeping onto his ace at this. Someone slipped their arm around his back and pulled him to his feet.

"Bad news, I believe this… what do we call it? Splinter would be a remainder of your wand," James tried to roll his eyes, but squinting was already taking too much effort to bother.

"I wish you could see this, I think you'd be quite pleased," the voice continued. Now he was being very roughly dusted down. He coughed, unable to draw breath properly. He air was dusty, and the passage to his lungs seemed to have shrunk considerably. Suddenly his head was jerked back quite violently, and he felt an irritating itching at the back of his brain. The next thing he knew, his best friend was smiling at him, face as clear as day.

"It's only temporary, mind you. Officially talking, it's dark magic, but I think it's necessary. Prongsie! Why didn't you tell me this was happening! I know all about this tuff\! " The room he was in was a shambles, as compared to its state five minutes ago. A chest of drawers was ruined completely – he must have been thrown against it. He was positive that last bang didn't feel like a wall. Dim shafts of light were making their way through the ceiling, and the air was heavy with dust and smoke. Lucius was unconscious, tied and gagged on the floor. A scarlet bruise that was forming on the side o his face told James that Sirius had given him a sound kick for good measure.

"How… how did you… know where…?" James mumbled wearily. Sirius tried to look guilty, but it was too obvious he was proud of himself. Of course, he looked guilty, but his eyes were smiling.

"followed you. Don't look at me like that, I heard the conversation between you and those doctor-types."

James's glance fell to the floor. He gulped, and closed his eyes, true guilt all over his face.

"I suppose you're absolutely disgusted by me, then…" he muttered, biting his lip. He felt he'd cry if he said anything more, and if he started crying he'd never be able to stop. Sirius was staring at his strangely, and he realized that Sirius thought he was mad.

"Disgusted by you? I admire you! it takes guts to sign up, and even more to get out of it! It's called ' the insurance plan,' and about 30 of the death eaters are trapped in under it. They threaten magically powerful people with murder of their loved ones. In half of the cases they and their family are killed. That's what happened to the Bones's. Still, you should have told me… or Remus… or even peter… honestly!"

"Thanks, Padfoot,"he mumbled weakly.

"What I'm here for," Sirius replied.

*

Pregnant?" Lily repeated dubiously. Remus, Arabella, and Peter (who had just arrived and been filled in) nodded enthusiastically. Lily took one look at them, scanning each of their faces for a sign that they were joking, saw Remus looking uncomfortable (for a different reason) and remember that he was the one who usually felt guilty about pranking.

"You're not serious?" she whispered, eyes filling with tears. McCarthy took a few steps backwards, and murmured to the nurse on the other side of the door that he might need some sedatives. She looked to Peter, the youngest of all in the room, who should still have been in school, really, beeseechingly.

"Sorry," he mumbled, looking at the ground. This really should be a happy occasion, but it was more like a funeral. It wasn't fair, and what's more, it wasn't right. The child would bear the brunt of this, he was sure of it. It was hard to believe that this was the same woman who, just yesterday was sitting with him at lunch time, and pushing him to ask out that cute blonde girl at the counter of the delacatessen.

Just then, her bottle green eyes had been shining with mischief and delight and her curly, un-tamable red hair was rossed once again, but she didn't seem to care. Usually so full of light and sunshine – this was what she was reduced to?

"Why noww?" she whimpered miserably. Hhugging a pillow to herself, tears trailing down her cheek. The door slammed open, and Sirius jogged in, looking concerned. There was a large rip down the front of his robes, but besides that, he didn't look any worse for wear. Remus shot him a questioning look, which Sirius completely ignored.

"Finally shown up! Peter, where the heck were you last night?" he asked sternly. Peter sat back in the chair, and looked at the floor, and muttered 'I'm sorry, I had to go to my mother's funeral,"

Lily glared evilly at Sirius, reached out her good hand, and smacked the side of his head. Sirius didn't respond, knowing well he deserved it.

"I'm sorry, Pete… but, Lily. You trust me, right?" he asked, looking her straight in the eyes and willing her to cooperate.

"Yes," he replied, lookg puzzled. But the person she'd trusted most had tutrned on her. How could she trust anyone now?

"Then come with me," he mumbled. McCarthy heard this and yelped.

"Not a CHANCE! She needs to rest," he said sharply, but Sirius was completely ignoring him, and was very carefully peeling the plaster off of Lily's hand, and even more acrefully taking out the drip. Lily had one eye closed, not wanting to see the needle come out of her hand. McCarthy stared at them both, dumbfounded.

"Now, listen. I'm going to have to call security!" Sirius lifted her arms and slipped her robes on over her nightdress. He handed her her wand, just as McCarthy used his beeper to call security, and two seconds later – disapparated.

McCarthy was left, staring at Remus and Peter,who inocently began walking out of the room and whistling.

A/N: *sigh* I was going to make a prequel… but… nah, I got barely any response on the site I post all these onto first. If I don't get feedback, I won't. Depends. Also, guess what? I get to have another operation. *sarcasm* Whee. Lossa love, Kat.