Disclaimer: all characters belong to J K Rowling and Warner brothers.
a/n see bottom. Before you read, I owe everyone a very, very sincere apology for the length of this chapter. I had purposely chopped it since this was where I intended to splice in Draco and Remus' view, and since everyone insisted that it was unnecessary, I never added anything to it. But the next chapter is not yet ready, and I have a vague idea no one wants to wait any longer. So here is the two page long, choppy, not complete interactions between James and Sirius, continued in chapter 15. I'm sorry!!
Another thing I have to clear up. I think I mentioned this before, and obviously I did a very poor job of explaining it before hand in the story, but Sirius is only there to guide Harry. He doesn't bring anyone back to life. And Harry's the only one with enough power to have that opportunity open for him. So now, on with the story!
Cheating Death
By neutral
Chapter fourteen - cheating a friend
"You… you know me?" The voice of his old friend was suddenly frighteningly familiar. The innocent confusion of his friend would have made him laugh aloud at his Hogwarts years.
Sirius leaned against the rocks heavily as the man hesitantly approached. His face came into view through a crack between the branches, and both men froze.
Sirius seemed to have lost his voice; he could only stare at his old friend, face still young like the man he remembered fourteen years ago. His face was deathly pale, and his hair was more ruffled than usual. Blood stained the side of his face, but he didn't notice.
Sirius watched numbly as the remaining color drained from his friend's face, his hand trembling.
"Sirius?" James whispered slowly. He rushed towards him shakily, not taking his eyes from his face
Sirius gave into a shaky smile, the small weight against his arms the only thing keeping from running forward and suffocating James with hug.
James dropped to his knees beside him, "Padfoot, don't tell me you died too."
Sirius broke then; he could feel the bubble of emotions cracking as he threw an arm around his friend to give him an awkward hug, Harry nested uncomfortably between them. "Did you have any idea how much we all missed you, Prongs?"
James returned to embrace full force; it was only when Harry cried out in pain that he pulled away.
"Harry needs medical attention," Sirius said quickly, mentally hitting himself for momentarily forgetting.
James shook his head, "We don't need it. We all heal quickly, Harry will be sore and weak for a bit with injuries like that though," he looked pained at the red stains, touching a streak of dried blood on his face lightly. "Oh god, I'm going to kill them."
"Who? Who did this to him?" Sirius asked, wrapping an arm around his godson protectively.
"Dead supporters of Voldermort out for revenge," James hissed. "They were looking for Harry since they caught wind of his arrival. They cornered us last night and knocked me out. I just woke up a few minutes ago. He's just a child! God, I am going to kill them," he scowled angrily.
Sirius sobered, any semblance of a smile stolen when he heard James' explanation. He contemplated Harry's peaceful countenance, marred only by the bold blotches of dried blood caked on his face. These troubles seemed to follow Harry everywhere, plaguing him even in death. The poor boy was doomed not to have a moments peace.
James was silent as well. But another thought clouded his face and he stared at Sirius with concern. "Padfoot, how did you die?"
Sirius shook his head. "I didn't. I came here with a charm to get Harry."
He gave his friend a brief summary of Dumbledore's words, and when he was finished, the James was speechless. He shook his head, smiling with a mixture of relief and hope.
"So Harry can still live," he said, pulling some strands of hair from his son's face, fingers lingering on the oddly shaped scar.
Sirius sobered, "James, Harry doesn't want to go back. I think he wants to stay here with you and Lily."
"That's bull," James said with disbelief. "How can Harry want to die?"
Sirius sighed, "I'm sorry, James. I did a terrible job taking care of him. Harry's life was nothing short of miserable there. I'm not surprised he wants to stay."
"But he's in danger here!" James shot back, standing up sharply. "He can't stay; he'll be constantly preyed on."
"James, Harry's preyed on back there too! Only a month ago, Voldermort kidnapped him, and he barely escaped alive. Harry probably was hit by more cruicatus curses in a year than you in your whole life. Not to mention the kind of treatment he gets from the Dursleys. Maybe its better for him to stay here, where he has a family who can be there for him," Sirius didn't know why he was suddenly trying to convince James to let Harry stay. But as he spoke, he couldn't help but to admit Harry would be happier here. Perhaps it would be better if he just let Harry go…
James had gone still at Sirius' words. He stared at his friend, eyes wide, but it soon became clouded with pain and regret when he looked down at his son.
"That happened to him?" he asked softly. "I noticed Harry was really silent last night. He looked almost scared…" he sighed, sitting down beside his friend heavily. "He wouldn't tell me anything about his life. He wouldn't even tell me how he died. He just kept saying it wasn't your fault," James smiled weakly at his friend. "Harry is very fond of you."
Sirius choked, vision blurring in his eyes again. He pulled Harry closer, resting his head on the mop of wild hair, a habit that somehow stuck three days ago. "It was my fault, Prongs. Harry died because he took the avada kedavra for me."
*
You know, from this chapter to chapter 28, every single chapter is a cliffe but 2. I don't know how it happened, considering I usually write my story and then crop it later, but I guess it did, *eep!*
Ack! I feel like the boy who cried wolf with all my ranting about how horrible the rest of the story is compared to the beginning, but that's because I'm serious!! But I'll shut up until I post the rest and you can all see for yourselves how much I suck *hides*
SiriusBPadfoot - my chapters are becoming more cliffe like? *grins* Yay! I have achieved my goal! I mean… oh, but I already post my chapters every two days though. Well, I could post it every day soon 'cause I'm done with the entire story, including all the added scenes and everything. But if you insist… *cackle* I'm just kidding
Taracollowen - thank you!
Tilly & MercS - wow… you're not angry! Yay! *runs around excitedly* don't worry, this chapter was posted within two days! See? *hides some food in the closest for later cliffes just incase*
Lin-z - yeah, it turns out she does make a very small appearance. But it's a horrible menace trying to balance James and Sirius without being too biased and remaining true to their characters. I'm afraid everything after chapter 19 takes a rather downhill turn.
Vmr - thanks!
Anonymous - really? Wow! It's my first HP fic that I actually wrote past chapter 2. Thanks!
Kay - well… true. But I still feel a bit guilty. Ooo.. Cliffe! Well… it's your suggestion, so I'm holding you accountable if anyone wants to kill me!
Mihoshe - it's coming! Really it is!
Lord Amber - wow! Amazing poem, I can't write poetry for the death of me… wah *is green with envy* Thanks for such a wonderful poem!
Hermione45695 - I will!
Pampered Tigress - Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keara Jordan - yeah, I was afraid that Lily and James both fretting over Harry's past at two different times of the story would be overkill. And James is so much cooler considering his friendship with Sirius and his past reputation *grin*
Madelaine - uhh… but… but…
Rowan - yup! Here is it! Wow… everyone seems to love James more.
Tsuki tatsu - don't worry, I know what you mean! But I just love detail… oh no! it's going to take forever… *groans*
Leigh - yup!! Here it is!
Sherylyn - well, at least dead people can heal faster. I plan to use that to my full extent *cackles evilly* Harry can take a lot more physically than emotionally though.
Shichan Goddess - thanks!! Well… as for Harry dying… that's a secret! *grin*
Gwen - you're making me hungry!
Gaby - that was what I was worried about. It doesn't seem to further the plot very much. Urg. That's because the beginning of this story is so much better than the end. I'm living in horrible fear that I'll disappoint everyone. *cries*
Kat - noo! Don't be mad! *hides and offers a candy bar*
Nicky - I will! Yeah, I'm glad James came in too… otherwise I'd be horribly guilty
Connie - well, that's a secret! I'm not telling what the sequel will be about. But Lily will be in here, just… not as much. Sorry!
Hippy Flower - yeah! It's really sad, how Sirius's bond to Harry is attached because of guilt and Harry is attached because he needs a parent. Wah!
Phoenix - you're welcome!! I hope you enjoy this chapter… however short….
Starlight - I will!
Iris - okay! Chapter 18 has been severely edited though, but Harry still gets beaten up. Oops
JLBGirl - I'm sorry! It's too tempting!
Allocin - yup, the Death Eaters are really a pain! Well, things will never be easy for Harry *laughs evilly* He's going to be in a lot of trouble soon *hint hint*
Lady Aquila - here it is! Or.. Part of it
Lily Potter - She'll come! I'm guessing… about… wow… a long way from now… urg… sorry!
Bumblebee Bucy - thanks! I hope I don't disappoint you anytime soon! Ack… *cackle* doesn't hurt to beat him up. Yes! I agree!
Moppet Puppet - yup! Harry went smack! *grins* woah! No more sugar for you! *offers caffeine pills instead* Yeah, I changed chapter 18 (now 20 though) so Harry won't get beaten up too badly…
Shayla - if I die, I can't write or post! Don't kill me yet!! And you have to review! Tell me what you think!
Googoo4you - lots of cliffes then? *grins* partners in crime!
Miss ice - but its so tempting…
Who Knows - well, that is an idea. I have her playing not much of a large part though… she doesn't have Harry by himself like James and Sirius do. Ack… I don't know if I can keep it up! After I read the rest, it doesn't seem as good as the beginning. Noooooo….
Sandrine Black - I didn't notice until you pointed it out to me! Wow… James is a vicious guy isn't he?
Tasha - thanks!!
padfoots girl - I will!
Sparks - *cackle* I'm EVIL! *runs in circles*
1212121 - *grin* that's a secret
Nacasara - uhh… are you alright? *looks concerned* maybe I should have less cliffe's since they're bad for our health…
a/n see bottom. Before you read, I owe everyone a very, very sincere apology for the length of this chapter. I had purposely chopped it since this was where I intended to splice in Draco and Remus' view, and since everyone insisted that it was unnecessary, I never added anything to it. But the next chapter is not yet ready, and I have a vague idea no one wants to wait any longer. So here is the two page long, choppy, not complete interactions between James and Sirius, continued in chapter 15. I'm sorry!!
Another thing I have to clear up. I think I mentioned this before, and obviously I did a very poor job of explaining it before hand in the story, but Sirius is only there to guide Harry. He doesn't bring anyone back to life. And Harry's the only one with enough power to have that opportunity open for him. So now, on with the story!
Cheating Death
By neutral
Chapter fourteen - cheating a friend
"You… you know me?" The voice of his old friend was suddenly frighteningly familiar. The innocent confusion of his friend would have made him laugh aloud at his Hogwarts years.
Sirius leaned against the rocks heavily as the man hesitantly approached. His face came into view through a crack between the branches, and both men froze.
Sirius seemed to have lost his voice; he could only stare at his old friend, face still young like the man he remembered fourteen years ago. His face was deathly pale, and his hair was more ruffled than usual. Blood stained the side of his face, but he didn't notice.
Sirius watched numbly as the remaining color drained from his friend's face, his hand trembling.
"Sirius?" James whispered slowly. He rushed towards him shakily, not taking his eyes from his face
Sirius gave into a shaky smile, the small weight against his arms the only thing keeping from running forward and suffocating James with hug.
James dropped to his knees beside him, "Padfoot, don't tell me you died too."
Sirius broke then; he could feel the bubble of emotions cracking as he threw an arm around his friend to give him an awkward hug, Harry nested uncomfortably between them. "Did you have any idea how much we all missed you, Prongs?"
James returned to embrace full force; it was only when Harry cried out in pain that he pulled away.
"Harry needs medical attention," Sirius said quickly, mentally hitting himself for momentarily forgetting.
James shook his head, "We don't need it. We all heal quickly, Harry will be sore and weak for a bit with injuries like that though," he looked pained at the red stains, touching a streak of dried blood on his face lightly. "Oh god, I'm going to kill them."
"Who? Who did this to him?" Sirius asked, wrapping an arm around his godson protectively.
"Dead supporters of Voldermort out for revenge," James hissed. "They were looking for Harry since they caught wind of his arrival. They cornered us last night and knocked me out. I just woke up a few minutes ago. He's just a child! God, I am going to kill them," he scowled angrily.
Sirius sobered, any semblance of a smile stolen when he heard James' explanation. He contemplated Harry's peaceful countenance, marred only by the bold blotches of dried blood caked on his face. These troubles seemed to follow Harry everywhere, plaguing him even in death. The poor boy was doomed not to have a moments peace.
James was silent as well. But another thought clouded his face and he stared at Sirius with concern. "Padfoot, how did you die?"
Sirius shook his head. "I didn't. I came here with a charm to get Harry."
He gave his friend a brief summary of Dumbledore's words, and when he was finished, the James was speechless. He shook his head, smiling with a mixture of relief and hope.
"So Harry can still live," he said, pulling some strands of hair from his son's face, fingers lingering on the oddly shaped scar.
Sirius sobered, "James, Harry doesn't want to go back. I think he wants to stay here with you and Lily."
"That's bull," James said with disbelief. "How can Harry want to die?"
Sirius sighed, "I'm sorry, James. I did a terrible job taking care of him. Harry's life was nothing short of miserable there. I'm not surprised he wants to stay."
"But he's in danger here!" James shot back, standing up sharply. "He can't stay; he'll be constantly preyed on."
"James, Harry's preyed on back there too! Only a month ago, Voldermort kidnapped him, and he barely escaped alive. Harry probably was hit by more cruicatus curses in a year than you in your whole life. Not to mention the kind of treatment he gets from the Dursleys. Maybe its better for him to stay here, where he has a family who can be there for him," Sirius didn't know why he was suddenly trying to convince James to let Harry stay. But as he spoke, he couldn't help but to admit Harry would be happier here. Perhaps it would be better if he just let Harry go…
James had gone still at Sirius' words. He stared at his friend, eyes wide, but it soon became clouded with pain and regret when he looked down at his son.
"That happened to him?" he asked softly. "I noticed Harry was really silent last night. He looked almost scared…" he sighed, sitting down beside his friend heavily. "He wouldn't tell me anything about his life. He wouldn't even tell me how he died. He just kept saying it wasn't your fault," James smiled weakly at his friend. "Harry is very fond of you."
Sirius choked, vision blurring in his eyes again. He pulled Harry closer, resting his head on the mop of wild hair, a habit that somehow stuck three days ago. "It was my fault, Prongs. Harry died because he took the avada kedavra for me."
*
You know, from this chapter to chapter 28, every single chapter is a cliffe but 2. I don't know how it happened, considering I usually write my story and then crop it later, but I guess it did, *eep!*
Ack! I feel like the boy who cried wolf with all my ranting about how horrible the rest of the story is compared to the beginning, but that's because I'm serious!! But I'll shut up until I post the rest and you can all see for yourselves how much I suck *hides*
SiriusBPadfoot - my chapters are becoming more cliffe like? *grins* Yay! I have achieved my goal! I mean… oh, but I already post my chapters every two days though. Well, I could post it every day soon 'cause I'm done with the entire story, including all the added scenes and everything. But if you insist… *cackle* I'm just kidding
Taracollowen - thank you!
Tilly & MercS - wow… you're not angry! Yay! *runs around excitedly* don't worry, this chapter was posted within two days! See? *hides some food in the closest for later cliffes just incase*
Lin-z - yeah, it turns out she does make a very small appearance. But it's a horrible menace trying to balance James and Sirius without being too biased and remaining true to their characters. I'm afraid everything after chapter 19 takes a rather downhill turn.
Vmr - thanks!
Anonymous - really? Wow! It's my first HP fic that I actually wrote past chapter 2. Thanks!
Kay - well… true. But I still feel a bit guilty. Ooo.. Cliffe! Well… it's your suggestion, so I'm holding you accountable if anyone wants to kill me!
Mihoshe - it's coming! Really it is!
Lord Amber - wow! Amazing poem, I can't write poetry for the death of me… wah *is green with envy* Thanks for such a wonderful poem!
Hermione45695 - I will!
Pampered Tigress - Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keara Jordan - yeah, I was afraid that Lily and James both fretting over Harry's past at two different times of the story would be overkill. And James is so much cooler considering his friendship with Sirius and his past reputation *grin*
Madelaine - uhh… but… but…
Rowan - yup! Here is it! Wow… everyone seems to love James more.
Tsuki tatsu - don't worry, I know what you mean! But I just love detail… oh no! it's going to take forever… *groans*
Leigh - yup!! Here it is!
Sherylyn - well, at least dead people can heal faster. I plan to use that to my full extent *cackles evilly* Harry can take a lot more physically than emotionally though.
Shichan Goddess - thanks!! Well… as for Harry dying… that's a secret! *grin*
Gwen - you're making me hungry!
Gaby - that was what I was worried about. It doesn't seem to further the plot very much. Urg. That's because the beginning of this story is so much better than the end. I'm living in horrible fear that I'll disappoint everyone. *cries*
Kat - noo! Don't be mad! *hides and offers a candy bar*
Nicky - I will! Yeah, I'm glad James came in too… otherwise I'd be horribly guilty
Connie - well, that's a secret! I'm not telling what the sequel will be about. But Lily will be in here, just… not as much. Sorry!
Hippy Flower - yeah! It's really sad, how Sirius's bond to Harry is attached because of guilt and Harry is attached because he needs a parent. Wah!
Phoenix - you're welcome!! I hope you enjoy this chapter… however short….
Starlight - I will!
Iris - okay! Chapter 18 has been severely edited though, but Harry still gets beaten up. Oops
JLBGirl - I'm sorry! It's too tempting!
Allocin - yup, the Death Eaters are really a pain! Well, things will never be easy for Harry *laughs evilly* He's going to be in a lot of trouble soon *hint hint*
Lady Aquila - here it is! Or.. Part of it
Lily Potter - She'll come! I'm guessing… about… wow… a long way from now… urg… sorry!
Bumblebee Bucy - thanks! I hope I don't disappoint you anytime soon! Ack… *cackle* doesn't hurt to beat him up. Yes! I agree!
Moppet Puppet - yup! Harry went smack! *grins* woah! No more sugar for you! *offers caffeine pills instead* Yeah, I changed chapter 18 (now 20 though) so Harry won't get beaten up too badly…
Shayla - if I die, I can't write or post! Don't kill me yet!! And you have to review! Tell me what you think!
Googoo4you - lots of cliffes then? *grins* partners in crime!
Miss ice - but its so tempting…
Who Knows - well, that is an idea. I have her playing not much of a large part though… she doesn't have Harry by himself like James and Sirius do. Ack… I don't know if I can keep it up! After I read the rest, it doesn't seem as good as the beginning. Noooooo….
Sandrine Black - I didn't notice until you pointed it out to me! Wow… James is a vicious guy isn't he?
Tasha - thanks!!
padfoots girl - I will!
Sparks - *cackle* I'm EVIL! *runs in circles*
1212121 - *grin* that's a secret
Nacasara - uhh… are you alright? *looks concerned* maybe I should have less cliffe's since they're bad for our health…