Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and Co. J.K. Rowling does.

Summary: After one very eventful night ten years ago, Voldemort was destroyed and Harry disappeared. Where did he go? What happened that night? Only one man knows the answer: a teacher named James, aka Harry. Hermione's plan to get Harry back is going into action, and James isn't too happy.

Author's note: My chi was horribly off once I realized that my story was going to have to be longer than 25 chapters, but I dealt with it and decided that 27 chapters was okay, too. Then I figured that you all would probably want a faster update because of that terrible cliffhanger, and since my chi was already imbalanced, I just decided to update what I had instead of trying to fit it all into one chapter and taking longer to update. So, once again, there is another cliffhanger, but not as bad as the last one (so, technically, it could still be considered evil since the last once was amazingly-super-evil). And now, without further ado, the chapter…

Chapter 26: Blindfolds and Tests

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James awoke to the sound of arguing. He was tied to a chair, blindfolded, and had a massive headache, but it seemed that his hearing was fine.

"You fell asleep?" asked a feminine voice angrily.

"You're the one who woke us up at five this morning," said a man's voice.

"My own husband falls asleep! You were the one who was supposed to be ready to drive the taxi over to the restaurant on time! It was Fred who had to get you! I've only been planning this for how long?"

The name "Fred" made James even more nervous than any sadistic kidnapping ever could. Just relax, thought James. There are probably lots of kidnappers named Fred. There are lots of Freds in the world...

The man's voice was apologetic. "Look, I found him, didn't I?"

"Yeah, I guess so, but it was lucky everyone else took the other taxis. Your other brother had a close call, he barely stopped the group from getting into one."

"I said I was sorry. What more do you want?"

"I want him to wake up," said the woman, her voice filled with impatience. "How much of that stuff did Fred put on that cloth?"

"Don't know."

James could hear someone walking back and forth. "It's been almost an hour. Should I get the others? They're eating at the McDonald's down the street."

"Who gave them the right money?"

"I did," said the woman. "But it doesn't matter, that was the rendezvous spot."

"Wow, you sure are prepared," commented the man.

The woman sounded angry. "You were supposed to have read all that in your manual."

There was a pause.

"You know," began the man, "Why don't I get the others... I'm sure he'll wake up soon."

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Peter, Sarah, Emma, and Jacob had heard James' voice and had turned around just in time to see James being dragged into the car. They stared in shock at the retreating taxi, watching as the car swerved a few times before lurching to the left and turning down a side street.

"Did-- Did-- Someone just-- Was-- Did--" Sarah could not even begin.

"Yeah... I think so..." said Peter slowly.

"You mean..." asked Emma.

Peter nodded his head, dazed.

"Someone just stole Jamesie!" shrieked Emma. "What the hell did they do that for! I'm going to kill them! Just wait until I get my hands on them! I'll give them--"

Jacob interrupted. "Emma, calm down. We've got to think about this logically. What did the car look like?"

Emma was breathing deep and murderous breaths, staring daggers at where the taxi had turned down the side street.

"Black... a taxi shape..." said Peter.

"There might have been--" began Sarah. "I mean, I thought I saw an '82' on the back."

Jacob put his pointer finger up, like a detective finding the last clue. "And I noticed that there wasn't a sign on top for vacant/not vacant. We've got find this car."

"Taxi!" cried Emma, pointing. "Tax-i!"

The group sprinted towards a taxi that was dropping off a passenger. They all climbed into the vehicle, startling the previous passenger who was still paying.

"Driver, this is a matter of life and death!" said Jacob, "We need to turn left on that side street ahead of us there-- see it?-- and we have to find a car that looks like a taxi but with a small 82 on the back and without sign on the roof! And hurry!"

"That is the oddest thing I've heard all day," said the taxi driver, tipping his hat to the passenger who had just paid.

"Just go! Our friend is trapped in that car!"

"Alright, alright," the driver grumbled. "Don't get your knickers in a knot."

And with that, the taxi drove off to where Jacob directed.

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The blindfold was ripped off James' face. James, using a tactic probably not seen by kidnappers very often, kept his eyes squeezed shut and his chin tucked down on his neck.

"Wow, do you think it's really him?" asked a man, different from the one at the beginning.

"Are you nuts?" asked the woman's voice (which seemed more and more familiar to James). "Of course it's him. Just look at him!"

"And how do you suggest we do that?" asked a voice that might have been the same man. "I mean, he's all scrunched up. His hair is covering a good portion of his face and he's looking down."

"His eyes are squeezed shut," said another woman's voice, softer than the first. "And I don't see a scar anywhere. Besides, his hair is the wrong color."

"It's easy enough to dye hair, don't you think?" asked the first woman.

"Well, are you sure this is the right guy?"

The woman was once again annoyed. "Would you all just look at him? His whole body language screams--"

"I can hear you, you know. I'm not dumb. And I'm not an exotic animal in the zoo, either."

The room was suddenly quiet after James spoke. James was rather annoyed at being talked about and he had spoken without realizing it. He had really just voiced his internal thoughts, but he was angry at himself for talking. Now he would have to face his kidnappers. At least it got them to shut up, thought James.

"And just what have you got to say for yourself mister?" asked the woman, sounding even more annoyed and angry. "You disappeared all together! Without a word to any of us! You deserve a severe beating. I bet you can't even think of the words to say for your despicable conduct!"

James, who still had his eyes shut (the logic being that if you can't see it, it's not there), cleared his throat. "Um, can I have a glass of water?"

James heard someone walking away, while the woman groaned loudly.

"You are unbelievable! Absolutely unbelievable! Don't you have anything profound to say? And stop closing your eyes! Open them! Are you nuts or something? I can't believe..."

James heard the footsteps coming back. The woman was still talking, but James had tuned it out. It was easy enough to do if you had heard the lecture before.

The woman paused to take a breath while someone handed James a glass.

"Here's your water," said a man's voice.

"Thanks," said James.

The woman started talking again, but James was too busy looking for his pills to listen. Unfortunately, he had a sneaking suspicion that he had once known these people, and if he wanted to even remotely suggest that they were wrong about him, he had to make sure nothing... unusual happened.

James finally found his bottle and started to rapidly swallow the pills.

"And what? you just expect that we'll take you back with open arms? Oh, no. You are going to pay for doing so much damage to all of us and society. Yes, you have a debt to society, and it's way over due."

James was still swallowing the pills, and if he had had his eyes open he would have noticed very strange looks coming from the people in the room, excepting the woman who was currently speaking, as she was too busy to notice.

"The debt has to be paid, and you are the one who is going to pay it. Do you even know how long everyone has been looking for you? You can't just leave a whole world behind. It's a stupid thing to do. And I thought you were smart, ha! What a laugh..."

James realized with a sinking heart that the pill bottle was almost empty, and then, with just a few more swallows, it was empty, along with the tall glass of water. James had never done that before, never. He had never finished a whole bottle of pills before the bottle had a chance to refill itself.

James sighed and tried to lean back in his chair, the ropes making it rather difficult. His eyes were still closed, but he could sense that he must be under very bright lights.

"I mean, when I saw you that day," continued the woman, "I thought that you would be--" she stopped. "Did you just swallow that whole bottle of pills?" she asked disgustedly. "That is incredibly unhealthy."

But James had to disagree. The power inside of him had been reduced to such a level that he wondered how he had ever lived before this. He felt free and glad that he could no longer tell that he had an ability, he could not even pinpoint the location of the source anymore. He felt healthier than he had ever felt before. James supposed that this was how some of Ciara's customers became too dependent on and attached to the pills.

"And have you opened your eyes yet?" asked the woman. "What's wrong with you? Don't you want to see your old friends?"

It was now or never, James figured. Face a very angry world, or stay happily in denial. Egypt won.

"But, I don't know you," James said innocently.

There was silence.

"Really, I honestly don't know you," continued James. "I'll even open my eyes, but I'm telling you, I don't think I know any of you." James took a moment to mentally prepare himself, and then he opened his eyes.

And in front of him he saw Hermione, looking exactly the same since the day at the bakery, albeit slightly more irritated. James tried as hard as he could to keep a look of innocent confusion on his face as he saw his old friend Ron and the other Weasleys, Fred, George, and Ginny. It was like looking at his family, and it hurt him to stay so callous.

"I really think we got the wrong person," said Fred. "His eyes are different, his hair is different, he has no scar or glasses, and he sounds as if he's from the colonies."

"I'm from Canada, not the US," said James.

"Whatever," said George, "But I agree. This has got to be the wrong person."

Oddly enough, the twin's doubt gave James more courage and the hope that he just might be able to get away.

"And personally," said James, "I don't know why you kidnap random people off the streets, but I, for one, am going to report it to the police."

Hermione rolled his eyes. "Harry, no one is falling for your tricks."

"I don't know," said Ginny, "He sounds pretty convincing to me. Your SpySphere could have picked up the wrong conversation, or something. I think I'm with Fred and George on this one."

"So we can go now, right?" asked Fred. "I'm tired, and it seems we've got the wrong person. What do you think, Ron?"

All eyes turned to Ron, who had been silently and intently studying James ever since James' blindfold came off.

Ron looked thoughtful. "I'd say it would be a better idea to let Harry live the life he seems to desperately want, instead of the life my wife would like for him."

James was taken aback by this oddly kind statement, and was so surprised that he just managed to whisper in a sort of wonderment, "My name isn't Harry."

Suddenly, there was a banging on the door, startling everyone from the quietness.

"Open up!" shouted a voice (most likely Peter's, James thought). "We know you've got James in there! Open up!"

James shook his head and closed his eyes. James was willing to bet his right arm that things would start going steadily downhill once his friends entered the room. Sure, their motives were well meant, but they knew information that would be damning for James if spoken in front of Hermione and Ron. And I had been doing so well on my own, too... thought James. They were just about to let me go...

The banging continued until one of the twins calmly walked over and opened the door.

The group outside looked startled for a moment, before a voice in the back called out, "The redheads have taken Jamesie captive!" and the group burst in.

"James! You're alive!" said Sarah, running to give James a hug. After pulling away from the hug, Sarah observed the state James was in. "Ropes! What kind of people are you? James is a sweet, caring individual, and he would do nothing to harm anyone! How dare you?"

Emma gave a shrill yell and ran up to one of the twins, grabbing Fred's neck. "I'm going to hurt you so badly you'll be blue for a week! You're a cruel, vicious, weed of a human! How dare you hurt Jamesie!"

George ran over to save his brother from Emma, pulling at her waist to get her to let go of Fred.

Of course, this only enraged Jacob, who ran over and pulled on George to get him to let go of his wife.

Ginny then started pounding on Jacob's back, worried for her brother, while Emma continued yelling creative profanities and Sarah started yelling at Hermione.

It was a full-scale war, and James could do nothing but watch, until he noticed that neither Ron nor Peter were fighting. They both looked thoughtful, which was unnerving to James.

"Psst, Peter!" James whispered, loudly enough for his friend to just hear him. "Peter! Untie me while nobody's looking!"

Peter walked slowly over to James. "What?"

"I said, untie me while nobody is looking."

"But James," asked Peter, staring at the fight, "Don't you know these people?"

That was a bad sign, James could tell. "No! And be quiet, would you? I don't want them to see you untying me!"

"But I'm almost positive that that is the woman you saw in the bakery," said Peter, pointing at Hermione. "What was her name? It sounded funny, but it was close to a normal name. Helen? Barbara? No..."

This was definitely not good. James started wiggling as hard as he could, trying to free himself from the ropes before Peter could figure out anything.

"Minny? Audrey? Harmony? Helena?..."

James could feel the beginnings of a rope burn forming around his wrists, but he kept wiggling. The battle in front of him raged on, until, to James' horror, Ginny bit Emma when Fred's face started turning blue, and Emma shrieked so loudly that the fighting stopped and the room fell quiet.

And Fate was obviously angry with James that night, because as soon as the room fell quiet, Peter figured out who the woman was.

"Hermione! That was it! Hermione!" said Peter triumphantly. He turned towards Hermione and pointed at her. "Look, don't you think kidnapping James is a lame idea? I mean, I know there have been bad things in the past, but I really think this is a bad way to get revenge."

Hermione blinked a few times. "Harry told you what happened?"

"Of course he told us," said Peter. "We're his friends. We're James' best friends. He wouldn't hide such an important part of his past from us!"

James was too shocked to say anything. He opened and closed his mouth like a fish as he tried to make the words come out, and the blood drained from his face as the conversation continued.

"Well," said Hermione, "You aren't shocked or afraid? Or curious? Did he tell you the whole story?" she asked suspiciously.

"Of course," said Peter indignantly, "And, lady, I'm sorry for what happened to your family after the trial, but James was only doing his job and I really think you should stop blaming him for their deaths."

There was a pause.

Hermione cleared her throat. "There was a trial?"

Not good, was the only thought running through James' head. Not good.

"Yes," answered Peter. "And I said that--"

"But you see, my family has never been affected by the trials I've been in. And my family is still alive." Hermione smiled sweetly.

That got Fred, George, and Ginny's attention. They watched Peter try to figure out just who was telling the truth.

"But weren't you a witness to a trial where James was the defense attorney?" Peter asked, confused.

"Hm, James must have told you the wrong past." Hermione's sweet smile was beginning to look eerily triumphant. "Funny how that works out."

Peter turned towards James. "Can you help me with this? I mean, that is what you said, right? That you were a defense attorney?"

James closed his eyes and took a deep breath. How he was ever going to get out of this one was anyone's guess. And it was strange, but he still wanted to at least try to escape his old friends than just admit then and there to who he was. Because to admit who he was took the will not only to show other people what he was trying to escape, but also show himself was he was trying to escape (which was, essentially, himself). I am so messed up… thought James. But he would not surrender.

"Yes, I was a defense attorney," said James.

"Ha. See? He was telling the truth," said Peter.

James wanted to curl up into a ball and die. Peter was being such a supportive friend, but unfortunately, he was fighting the wrong battle.

"Then how do you explain his knowledge of who I am?" asked Hermione reasonably.

"Ooh, tough question," said George. "I'd like to see Harry talk himself out of this one."

"His name is James," said Sarah.

There was silence as everyone turned to James, waiting to hear his answer to Hermione's question. Yes, that question was a problem for James. Potential explanations for the reason he knew Hermione started running through his head.

The silence was becoming oppressive, and James finally shrugged. "Um, I can't?" he said helplessly. Stupid, James thought to himself. I thought of how many explanations? And this was the one I chose? Definitely stupid...

"Uh-huh. I thought so," said Hermione. "So do you admit to being Harry Potter, then?"

No, thought James, but he thought it wiser just to stay quiet.

"No," said Sarah, "You have it all wrong. James is James Potterson. You obviously got a mix-up in the phone book, or something."

"Well, does your 'James' have a scar on his forehead?" asked Hermione.

"No," said Sarah, "I would have noticed that."

"But James does have scars on his back," said Peter. "Does your 'Harry' have that?"

"No way," said Fred. "With all the times we've had to carry him from the quidditch pitch to the infirmary with a torn uniform, we would have noticed that."

"I know!" said Emma, "We'll run a test. If James has a scar on his forehead, he's Harry. But if he has scars on his back, we get to go back home. Deal?"

"Fine, it's a deal," said Hermione, her confident smile shattering all James' hopes.

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You guys were all so brave to read the cliffie chapter, and so incredibly sweet for not killing me for writing it (because I know that cliffie warrants slow torture). You guys rock!

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