A/N Harry Potter and all related characters, places and terms belong to JK Rowling and/or (not sure which) Warner Brothers.

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Chapter 5: Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs

James sat at the dining table, wondering exactly how he was going to get through the next few hours. He wished Sirius was still in the house. He had found somewhere to live a couple of weeks ago and had just moved in. The Real Estate section of Gringotts was, to say the least, extremely efficient.

James had, of course, told Lily about the prediction straight after he came home from Hogwarts two weeks ago. Lily had blanched, but she had total faith in Dumbledore that they'd be all right. They had both agreed to sit tight until word came from their former Headmaster, but she had insisted that James tell Sirius, Remus and Peter. She argued that, as his best friends, they had a right to know. James didn't really want to drag his friends into this, but he gave way and agreed with Lily, sending owls to the three of them inviting them over to the Potter residence.

It had been a full year since the four had been together. They were used to popping in at each other's houses, and James had seen them all in the last couple of months, especially Sirius, but whenever they tried to arrange to meet up somewhere, they wouldn't be able to contact Peter. When they asked him about it, he merely replied that he had a very demanding boss. But now, when he sent out owls to the three of them, they were all able to make it. So now he was waiting, rehearsing in his head how he'd tell them about the prediction.

* * *

Sooner than he would have liked, James heard voices in the kitchen greeting Lily. They walked through the door that was adjoining the kitchen, where the fireplace was located. James assumed they had all come via the Floo Network. They were all there, Sirius looking mischievous, Remus looking tired, just recovering from the recent full moon, and Peter just standing there, a nervous expression on his face. Granted, Peter always looked nervous, but James could never get used to it. They were all smiling, apparently glad to see him, but their grins faltered when they saw the expression on James' face. He motioned for them to sit down. Once they were comfortable, Sirius, as always, was the first to break the silence.

"So, good to see you all. It's been a long time… but down to business. James, why are we here? You don't exactly look like a little ray of sunshine, and I doubt it's to sit down and chat over lunch."

Peter piped up. "Yeah James, what is it?"

James decided to start, if only just to get it over and done with. Sighing, he launched into his story.

"Two weeks ago, Professor Trewlaney made a prediction…" he waited for the snickers to die down "… and it was real."

Sirius butted in. "Real? No James, I don't think so… you know how much of a fraud she was."

"Trust me, Padfoot, this was real." Sirius shut his mouth, but still looked disbelieving. "It was about me, and Voldemort…" Peter flinched.

By now, James was really starting to regret agreeing with Lily. He didn't want to tell these three, it would only cause unnecessary worry and grief. But, it seemed, it was too late now.

"Well, James, go on" Remus prompted.

"Oh, all right. Trewlaney said that the last of the Phoenix's would have to stand and fight Voldemort, and that he would have to die for Voldemort to live. . ."

James looked around at his three best friends sitting around the table. They, of course, knew who the last of the Phoenix's was, and they also seemed to remember about the descendants. Remus looked worried, Peter looked downright petrified, but Sirius - Sirius looked angry. Positively fuming. James was a bit taken aback by his best friend's reaction.

"How dare she! That old fake - this is getting out of hand already! Fine, she can go around predicting your death, James, when we're at school, but how long is she planning on keeping up the act? And she's beginning to extend the threats to your family!"

"It wasn't fake, Sirius! Besides, how was she supposed to know about to know that I was the last one to join?"

Seeing how much James was convinced, Sirius shook his head. "Are you absolutely sure she was telling the truth?" James nodded. Sirius seemed to explode again. "Voldemort wants to kill you? Kill you? Why haven't you told me - I mean us - this before? Do you have a death wish, James Potter, or are you just plain insane? I mean, the deadliest wizard of our time is running around waiting to send you to an early grave and it takes you two whole weeks to tell us?"

Choosing to ignore Sirius, Remus leaned forward and spoke, taking James' attention away from his seething friend. "How did you find out, Prongs?"

"Albus. He called me up to Hogwarts and explained. He had a Pensieve there and he actually showed me Trewlaney when she made the prediction. She went even weirder than usual." He looked once again at Sirius. "Don't get angry at me, Sirius, it's not like I wanted this to happen, we've got a baby on the way!" James' voice dropped to a whisper, and he put his head in his hands. "Please help me, I don't know what to do."

James looked so helpless that even Sirius calmed down. Surprisingly, it was Peter who offered the first words of comfort. "Of course we know you didn't want this. Who would? But don't worry James, we're here for you. We'll make sure you're OK. What did Dumbledore tell you to do?"

"Albus? Oh, he said to just sit tight and wait and see, and not to tell anyone if it wasn't necessary. That means that you don't tell this to anyone. If I hear that anyone else knows this, I will personally go after you. Aside from that, he said to stay low, so I don't think I'll be getting back out on the field very soon."

"Anything else?"

"No, that was it, I think."

Remus stood up, suddenly businesslike. His worried look from a while ago was replaced with a very determined one. "Well, there's nothing we can do for now, then. Try not to worry, James. Albus won't let anything happen to you." He made to leave. "I'll go help Lily with the lunch, shall I?"

James, feeling better, and surprised that his friends were so practical, suddenly remembered something. "No wait - Moony, sit down for a sec. I'm sure Lily's all right." A grin appeared on James' face. It was an expression they all knew well - James had something, well, interesting to tell them. "Guess who I bumped into at Hogwarts?"

"Who?"

"You'll never guess."

Sirius never liked being kept in the dark about something. "Well, if we'll never guess, tell us already!"

"It was Snape! At lunch he had nearly all of the House Tables laughing at the faces he was pulling at me."

Remus laughed, trying to imagine being there. Sirius was dumbfounded.

"That slimy git - what was he doing there?"

"Well, he's the new Potions Master."

"Potions Master! And I thought we had it bad." Sirius cracked and evil grin that would have made Zonko himself proud. "Oh, I wish we were still back at school. Imagine the tricks we could play on him…" Sirius retreated into his imagination.

James noticed Peter was looking uncomfortable, squirming slightly in his seat.

"What's wrong Peter?"

"Um, nothing, just, where's the bathroom?"

James pointed down towards the back of the house, and as Pettigrew ran down the hallway, the trio left around the table burst out laughing.

* * *

Wormtail locked the bathroom door, then rolled up the sleeve of his cloak. Sure enough, the tattoo on his arm was burning black. He apparated, not bothering with his mask, and hurried up to Voldemort. Pettigrew's master looked down at the short man with distaste.

"So sorry, my Lord, but I really can't stay. I'm having lunch with James Potter and some friends."

"Friends?"

Wormtail faltered. "Um, not friends, more like ex-friends, I don't have any real friends, only you my Lord…"

Voldemort was clearly loosing patience. "Stop snivelling, Pettigrew. Go then, but I expect a full report when I next see you." Voldemort looked around, and when he looked back Peter was still there. He shouted, and Peter visibly jumped. "Well, what are you waiting for? Get back there!"

Peter bowed, retreated, and with a mumbled "Yes, my Lord," apparated back to the Potter's bathroom.

* * *

Lily and lunch had already joined the table, and the four of them had been talking for nearly ten minutes when Sirius' stomach gave an audible grumble. James, Remus and Lily laughed, and Sirius started to complain.

"Where's Wormtail gone? I'm hungry already."

Remus looked down the hallway. "He's probably gotten himself lost."

Sirius snorted. "Knowing Peter, he's fallen down the toilet! Oh good, here he comes."

James turned around, and sure enough, Peter came rushing down the hallway.

"Sorry I took so long, I…"

James cut in. "Don't worry Peter, please spare us the details. Turning to the rest of the table, he smiled. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving. Let's eat!"

And with those two immortal words, the five friends had their last lunch together.

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Sorry that it's not as long as the last couple of chapters, but hope you like it nevertheless. Thanks for everyone who reviewed. Hopefully I'll get the next one up faster than it took for me to post this one, but I doubt it - I have exams. So until next time,

~*Lady*~

P.S If anyone can think of a better title, review me with your ideas!