(Note from the author: These are not my characters, my world, or my
situations. They all belong to J. K. Rowling, and are protected by
copyrights.)
(Again, French translations: Thank you very much for the translations to everyone that has sent them to the review board. When I get the time, I will edit my translations. Much appreciated.)
(A note for readers under 13: This is a violent chapter. Please do not continue if you are under 13, due to the PG-13 rating. You guys know the drill by now. Thanks.)
The room was dark. Darker than anything that James had ever seen. He groggily opened his eyes, blinked, and the world came into view. He could feel his arms bound to his side, and he sat in a wooden chair, gagged. He felt so weak. What had happened?
In front of him stood a greasy looking man, filled with muscle and his slick hair falling in his face. His teeth were rotted, and his rigid figure was leaning against the wooden wall, his wand tapping his hand in rhythm to something that James couldn't hear.
"Ah, the brat is awake," he mumbled to himself in a thick Russian accent, peering down his long crooked nose at the boy. James could have sworn that it was Snape, if Snape had been a few years older, and in shape. Which he wasn't.
He turned to look to his right. There was Lily. She was bound and gagged as well, already struggling with her bonds. She was glaring at this man in front of them.
But where was Lupin?
Where were they?
Footsteps in a hall outside as another figure joined the Russian guard. He was equally as large as his colleague, and spoke in another foreign accent.
"Are both of them awake," he asked in a cold tone.
"Yes, Igor, they are both awake," the man replied, and then resituated his white mask onto his face, and exited the room.
"Lily," James said, trying to speak through his gag. But the sound was muffled, and Lily just gave him a frightened look as they faced the new guard in the doorway.
"So you're the Potter boy," "Igor" said, sneering, "Yes, I remember that family. I was there when he killed them. I was behind him, watching him do it. Your mother was screaming, pleading for her life."
James's eyes narrowed.
"And your father was a coward," he said, "He was begging for mercy when he killed him. He was always one for groveling."
James lunged forward, but the locking curse had been delivered well, and he was thrown back in his chair.
"I killed your sister, you know," he smiled, revealing worse teeth than the man before him, "I enjoyed it. She was just like your mother. Screaming. Crying."
James felt like crying again. Lily looked from Igor to James, and then back to Igor.
Dust filled the room, and cobwebs hung from the ceiling's corners. The sun was setting, James knew. He wondered what the other members were doing right now. Where was Remus?
Was he alive?
The image of him dead, clawed to death like Jonathon June, came back to him. He shook his head. That wouldn't happen. It couldn't happen.
It wouldn't happen.
"Stop torturing our guests, Karkaroff," a snakelike hiss came from the corridor outside, and Igor's face lost all color.
"Master, I was only . . ."
"Silence."
And then, James saw the man again for the third time. Him and Lily faced Voldemort once again. He was sneering at them, as if he knew something that could kill them both in a matter of seconds. He held his wand to James as he stepped into the vacant room, and nodded.
"You have been very brave, my friend," he growled, "But sadly, with bravery comes stupidity," he pointed his wand closer to him, "Crucio."
A pain like no other jolted through James's body. He screamed from behind his gag, and felt his muscles convulse and shake. Lily screamed, and James gave out a cry.
"Tears, Potter?" Voldemort said, stopping the spell with a wave of his hand, "Ah, you are human."
James glared, breathing heavily. He couldn't get enough air from behind that gag. He couldn't breathe . . .
"You are probably wondering to yourself why I took the trouble out of my War to bother with the likes of you," Voldemort said, drawing closer, "No one defies me. No one."
With a flick of his wand, the gag unbound itself from James's head, and fell to the ground in a heap. James lunged forward, and spat in the Dark Lord's face. Voldemort did not look amused, and he raised his wand again.
"Crucio," he hissed.
The pain had returned, and James's neck jolted back, his eyes rolling back in his sockets. He muffled a scream, and Voldemort laughed.
"You have courage, I will give you that," he snarled, "And that is why I will spare your life one last time. I am giving you one last chance to change your answer, Potter. If you agree to accompany me and join my regime, I shall reward you with all of your dreams. Power, Potter. Power and riches. And your darling lady will be spared. Along with the werewolf."
James's eyes grew wide.
"Where's Remus?"
Voldemort gave another cold laugh, and his lip curled into a sneer, "You do know that it was twenty eight days ago that he last transformed."
James and Lily's faces grew pale, and they looked in horror to him. He found this amusing.
"I suppose you have heard of June, have you not?" he prodded them on, "His father I believe you were well acquainted with."
"WHERE'S REMUS?!" James shouted.
"Crucio," Voldemort said again, but this time, he pointed his wand to Lily. It was now Lily's turn to shake in her chair, before going still again.
His cold laugh sounded through the room for another time.
"The sun is almost set, Potter," Voldemort said, "If you defy me again, I shall kill her," he pointed to Lily, who looking very maddened, "And I shall let the werewolf destroy himself. All I need to do is persuade the wolf inside. Dolohov is excellent with handling beasts like him."
James clenched his fists; "I'll never join you."
Voldemort's face sunk, "You are a fool. And for your stupidity, you will watch your friends die. One by one. Until you swear your allegiance to me."
"I won't!" James shouted, "I won't!"
"Then let them die," Voldemort snarled, and waved his wand at the two of them, "Imperio."
The same happy feeling came over James as he felt his arms relax, and the bonds broken. Everything was happy with the world. Everything was . . .
His vision had cleared. The happiness was gone.
He went to open his mouth, but he couldn't. Voldemort smiled evilly, and then looked into his eyes.
"You will join me."
James couldn't say anything. He was frozen. He had no control over what he did or said. The curse was still put upon him, but the hazy feeling had been lifted. He felt his face relax, and smile back at Voldemort.
Inside he was screaming.
"Come," Voldemort said, ushering the two of them out of their chairs and into the corridor, "It is time to see what happens when a monster becomes wild."
They reluctantly followed him out of the room, and down the hall. James could see empty rooms on all sides of him, some of them filled with devices that he had never seen, and others so ghostly quiet it seemed as if someone had died enclosed in their walls.
It seemed as if a thousand spirits were screaming out at them, clawing through the doorways, warning them of what was to come.
There was a room ahead of them, in which the first Russian guard had entered. His shouting voice came from behind the open door as Lily, James, and the Dark Lord arrived downstairs.
"Get up, you filthy animal," he said, and something gave a cry like it had just been kicked.
Remus, James thought.
"You will die, because of your friend's pride," he snapped, and Voldemort raised a hand to the door.
"Dolohov, come," he hissed, and the Russian appeared from the room. He was grinning, and wiping his hands on his robes, as if he had just touched something greasy and dirt ridden.
"My Lord, the moon is almost full," he said in his thick accent, and then bowed as the three of them passed him. James wanted to reach out and grab his throat.
Walk, a voice said in his head.
Walk with me.
No!
I don't want to walk! Leave me alone!
A pain ran through his head, and he gave up trying. It wasn't a lesson with Moody anymore. This was real life. He couldn't break Voldemort's spell.
They entered the room, and James felt his heart drop. There was Remus, lying on the floor, struggling for a breath. His face was covered in sweat, and his hair was clumped together in a feverish spell. He knew it wouldn't be long now.
Remus, don't give up, James thought, Don't give up.
"Your friends have decided to see the world in a new way," Voldemort lied, and James and Lily grinned maliciously from behind him.
NO! James thought, NO! Don't believe him, Remus! Don't . . .
"You must have known that one day it would come to this," James heard himself say darkly, "You are a monster after all."
Remus was breathing heavily, his cheek to the cold hard ground, staring unbelievingly at his two friends. His eyes were wide, and he looked very confused.
That's right, Moony, James thought, It isn't us. Don't give up.
God, if only he could give him a sign! If only he could just break free for one moment to show him that he was still here!
"Sadly, we do not take Dark creatures into our ranks," Lily said in a tone that actually sounded just like her. If James hadn't known better, he would have thought that she was truthfully saying such an evil thing to Remus.
"No," Remus coughed in a small voice; "I know your tricks. James would never . . ."
"This is no trick, werewolf," Voldemort sneered, "And now you shall die. And our world will be rid of one less piece of filth."
And then the three of them turned, and walked back to the open door where Dolohov was standing. Remus shakily got to his feet, and ran after them.
"Oh, no you don't," Dolohov said, and raised his wand, "Expelliramus."
Remus went flying back, and hit the bare wall behind him. With a groan, he fell to the floor again, and Dolohov laughed.
"Good night, werewolf," he said as he slammed and bolted the door.
Remus was alone.
The sunlight was coming through one window, high on the wall. It was slowly diminishing, and the sky was becoming darker. He had lay in that room all day, ever since Voldemort had transported them here. He knew what had been ahead of them.
He knew the story of Jonathon June.
It had haunted him every night ever since he had joined the Order.
"I know it isn't you, James!" he shouted, hoping that James could hear. His friend's eyes had been cold and dead. They hadn't had that glow to them like James had.
James had lost everything. And now he would turn to the Dark side? Not likely.
And Lily would never turn. Not even if they had James at wand point, threatening to kill him. She would never join.
They were loyal. It had to be the Imperius Curse.
He had to stay strong.
The moonlight hit the floor, and quickly filled the room. It seemed brighter tonight. It seemed closer, and Remus could already hear the wolf howling inside.
"NO!" Remus cried, "NO! YOU'RE NOT GOING TO KILL ME!"
But the transformation had already started.
"You can stop this at any time, Potter," Voldemort hissed, "Join me, and I'll close that window and give him proper medical attention. Join me, and I will spare him."
The Imperius curse was lifted, and James felt his arms go stiff again. He was in charge of his body again, and he twisted and struggled to get to the man that stood in front of him. Yet, he couldn't move his arms from his side.
"Why don't you just make me say it," he snarled.
Voldemort's eyes grew cold, "Because a man like you cannot be truthfully my servant unless you yourself agree to it. I admire your bravery, Potter. And I want to use it against this filth that clutters our perfect world," he waved his wand to the door.
"That filth in there is twice the man you are," Lily shouted from James's shoulder.
Voldemort's eyes glew with fire as he raised his wand to Lily; "I shall also kill her if you do not join."
There was a howl from behind the door, and Dolohov laughed, "It has begun."
The wolf was back. And he was smiling evilly at Remus, laughing yet again.
Tonight, you die, my friend, the wolf said.
And then Remus felt a sharp pain on his neck. He howled, and fell to the ground.
NO! he shouted, NO!
He threw the wolf off, and resurfaced. Panting heavily, he glared at the wolf that was lying underneath him.
Tonight you die, Remus snarled back.
Another howl. James went to run to the door, but the bonds were still working on his arms. Voldemort gave out his cold laugh as he studied this boy in front of him.
"Just like your father," he said, amused, "Your pride will kill you, James. You and I both know that. I will kill you all tonight before letting you escape me again."
"I'll never join you!" he shouted, "Go ahead! Kill us all!"
"There are things worth fighting for, are there, Potter?" Voldemort sneered.
James's eyes grew wide.
"I read your mind that Christmas night," Voldemort laughed, "I know every memory before that point. I know everything about you. I know everything about your life. You have no secrets from me."
James glared, and another howl resounded from behind them.
"You were a good son," Voldemort continued, "You loved your family, didn't you? You loved that stupid house-elf."
"Shut up," James snarled.
"Good, feel the hatred well up inside of you," Voldemort grinned, "That is the only power. Hatred is stronger than anything on this earth. You would like to kill me, wouldn't you, Potter?"
He didn't answer.
The door jolted as Remus threw his body onto it, and Dolohov's smile grew larger.
"It won't be long now, my Lord," he said.
You think you can kill me! The wolf laughed, You can't kill me! I am you!
Remus leaped for his throat, and felt the pain hit his own neck. The wolf took this moment to slam them into a wall, and Remus's head hit the stone.
"AAAAOOOO!"
Let me guess, the wolf laughed, standing above him, This is the point in which you say that you will not die. And then I kill you.
Remus struggled to get to his feet.
The wolf kicked him back down to the ground.
Except this time, the wolf added, You won't come back.
"This is your last chance, Potter," Voldemort said, "I am losing my patience."
"No," James said. His heart was pounding. He wanted to kill him. He wanted to strangle him.
Voldemort grew darker, and his eyes narrowed. His lip curled, and he raised his wand to point at his head.
"So be it," he hissed.
BAM!
The four of them snapped their heads to look to where the sound had come from.
"Downstairs," Voldemort said, nodding to Dolohov, "The front door."
Dolohov returned the nod, and ran down the staircase to the lower level. Voldemort turned towards James yet again, and his smile returned.
"Now, where were we . . ."
BAM!
A laughing came from downstairs, and then a crash of glass. The remaining three turned to listen to what was happening underneath their feet. James's heart had stopped pounding, and he let out a breath of relief.
He knew that laugh.
"Up here!" Lily shouted, also recognizing the voice.
Another crash and then the wall shook.
Another howl from inside the room. It wasn't as strong now. It was weaker. Remus was dying.
James struggled with his bonds. He couldn't get free! His friend was going to die! He had to save him!
If only he could reach his wand.
Voldemort was glaring at him, a smile coming across his face. He waved his hand, and James was freed. The Dark Lord threw his wand back to him, and his smile diminished.
"I dare you," he jeered, "Hit me, Potter. I'm giving you your chance. Hit me."
"You killed them," he cried, pointing his newly returned wand at the man's darkened face, "You killed them! You took everything that I had away from me!"
There was another crash downstairs.
"DIFFINDO!" James cried, and lashed his wand out at his opponent. Lily struggled with her bonds to help him, but she couldn't get herself free.
A slash of blood cut across Voldemort's cheek, and he gave out a howl that sounded like a maddened animal. He put his hand to his face, and his eyes grew wide as he saw the blood on his skin.
"You are human," James snarled.
Voldemort raised his wand, "YOU LITTLE BRAT!"
"Tom! Leave the boy alone, Tom!"
It was Dumbledore! Dumbledore was here!
Voldemort glared at James, "I will kill you, Potter. I will kill you. Mark my words, I will hunt you down and murder you with my own hands until you are dead and cold on the floor, bowing to me. I'll come when you least expect it. I'll be that shadow in your bedroom. That stranger that you cross on the street. That unsuspecting guest at your house. I will find you, Potter. And I will kill you."
And then with a flash of light, the Dark Lord was gone.
Their bonds were broken, and Lily flung herself into James's arms. He held her for a moment, until he heard the weakest howl of them all come from behind the door.
"Remus . . ." he turned towards the staircase, and shouted, "UP HERE! UP HERE!"
There was a sound of footsteps, and five bodies flew into view, all wands out and pointed in different directions. Dumbledore, his eyes alight with life, Frank, Moody, Peter, and Sirius Black.
"James! You're alive!" Sirius cried as he ran to embrace his two friends. Peter followed him, and looked in horror at James's haunted face.
"Are-are you all right?" he stammered.
The door in front of them shook, and Moody's eye swiveled to look through it.
"Damn them," he said, running to the door, "Someone help me. Alohomora."
Moody kicked the door open and rushed inside. A weak snarl came from out of sight. Sirius's face grew pale.
"What happened," he demanded as he let go of Lily and James.
"They tried to kill him," James said quietly, "Like June's son."
Sirius just stared at him. His eyes were wide with fear, and slowly he turned to step into the room. His shoulders sagged as he saw the sight before him.
Moony was lying in the corner, his chest heaving. He was covered in claw marks, and his eyes were closed. His face was contorted with pain, and he seemed to be moaning. He was still in wolf form.
"Stay back," Moody said to Sirius quietly, "He's still not Remus yet."
"Is he alive?" Sirius asked.
"Yes," Moody said, "Barely, but yes. He's alive," he then waved his wand, "Mobilicorpus."
The wolf flew into the air, and hovered in front of Moody and Sirius. He looked so weak. So . . . lost.
"Your friends are lucky to have you, Mr. Black," Moody said, leading Moony out of the room, "They would all be dead if it weren't for your loyalty."
Sirius smiled to himself as he watched the old Auror disappear into the hallway to speak with Dumbledore and Frank. He had proved himself. And in doing so, he had finally been inducted into the Order. Truthfully, they now trusted him. Frank even smiled at him as he led him (along with James, Lily, and Peter) outside the run down mansion.
They passed Dolohov's unconscious body as they opened the door to the front walk. He was sprawled out on the couch of the large common room his mouth hanging open. Broken glass littered the floor and cushions that surrounded him.
"You two are lucky to be alive," Frank said, as they stepped outside, "Very lucky."
James was lagging behind Lily and Frank, and walked in step with Sirius and Peter as they crossed the lawn to a stone gargoyle. He looked shaken, and he was looking down at his feet, examining his laces.
"Thanks," he mumbled as Moody, Dumbledore, and a floating werewolf exited the mansion.
Sirius nodded, "Something messes with one of us . . ."
"It messes with all of us," James finished, "Yeah, I know."
"Come on now," Frank said, tapping the stone gargoyle, "I don't want to stick around here all night. They aren't going to stay Stunned forever."
The band of members quickly rushed to touch the gargoyle, and then in a matter of seconds, they had disappeared.
And the night was quiet once again.
"We found them at Antonin Dolohov's old place," Moody said, "You know, where they used to take the Muggles to torture them. A bunch of empty rooms, filled with spells and enchantments. We thought that they wouldn't have the nerve to continue to use it, but we were wrong."
"They were very lucky," Professor McGonagall said, peering into Remus's room. The four young members of the Order had been sitting there all night, waiting for Remus to wake up. The wolf had been silent and still since they had brought it home. Sirius had sat next to the beaten monster since they had placed them there, and Peter had been pacing the floor nervously, muttering anxiously to himself. Lily and James sat by Sirius, holding hands, examining their friend lying on the bed, silent.
Moody had warned them that if Moony woke up, then he could tear them apart. They didn't seem to care.
They were loyal friends. It wasn't everyone that shared a bond like that with another person.
"Yes," Moody said, "I know."
"Do you trust him now?" Professor McGonagall asked, eyeing him over her square spectacles. Moody sighed, and took a drink from his hip flask.
"With my life," he replied simply, and then went back to watching the scene before them.
"Will he be all right, Alastor?"
Moody nodded, "Yes. He was lucky tonight. Too lucky. You remember June's boy, don't you?"
"Oh, Alastor," she gasped, "They didn't . . ."
"They did," he said, his expression darkening, "They used the same room. The same technique. Two minutes later and Lupin would have been dead."
All color that the professor had left in her complexion drained, and she looked fit to faint.
"He asked me to join again," James said quietly, squeezing Lily's hand, "They were going to kill him if I didn't."
"What did you say?" Sirius asked, not taking his eyes off of Moony's limp body.
"No," James mussed his hair, and then said to no one in particular, "But I still don't know if it was the right choice."
Peter stopped pacing, and turned to look at James curiously.
"What?" he said.
"Because of my pride," James explained, "Lily and Remus would have died. Is my freedom worth that? Is my pride worth that?"
Sirius took a deep breath, and then turned away from Moony. He ushered Peter over, and then drew in closer to his three friends. He had a spark in his eye that he had never shown before, as they huddled together.
"Right now," he said, "We're making a new pact."
"What?" Peter asked.
"That no matter what," Sirius said, "No matter what sort of risks we take on ourselves, we will give our life to any one in this room, no questions asked. We will sacrifice for each other, as long as the outcome is right. If Voldemort has a wand to my head, and says that he's going to kill me if James doesn't turn, then so be it. He can kill me. Are we all agreed on this?"
Slowly, the three of them nodded.
"They were right," Sirius said, "There's a bigger cause out there. It's bigger than any of us here. But we stick together, all right? We stick together and look out for each other. Because you four are all I've got left. And I'm not going to see you die."
No one said a word as Sirius held out his hand in the middle of them, and said, "Forever alive, all right? We're not going to die." James set his hand on Sirius's rough knuckles, followed by Lily, and finally Peter. And if Remus had been able to, he would have joined his friends. They knew that his spirit was with them, and would agree with their pact.
The four of them sat there, staring at their hands as if they had just sworn a solemn oath. Slowly, James smiled sadly as his friends..
"Forever alive," James agreed.
(Again, French translations: Thank you very much for the translations to everyone that has sent them to the review board. When I get the time, I will edit my translations. Much appreciated.)
(A note for readers under 13: This is a violent chapter. Please do not continue if you are under 13, due to the PG-13 rating. You guys know the drill by now. Thanks.)
The room was dark. Darker than anything that James had ever seen. He groggily opened his eyes, blinked, and the world came into view. He could feel his arms bound to his side, and he sat in a wooden chair, gagged. He felt so weak. What had happened?
In front of him stood a greasy looking man, filled with muscle and his slick hair falling in his face. His teeth were rotted, and his rigid figure was leaning against the wooden wall, his wand tapping his hand in rhythm to something that James couldn't hear.
"Ah, the brat is awake," he mumbled to himself in a thick Russian accent, peering down his long crooked nose at the boy. James could have sworn that it was Snape, if Snape had been a few years older, and in shape. Which he wasn't.
He turned to look to his right. There was Lily. She was bound and gagged as well, already struggling with her bonds. She was glaring at this man in front of them.
But where was Lupin?
Where were they?
Footsteps in a hall outside as another figure joined the Russian guard. He was equally as large as his colleague, and spoke in another foreign accent.
"Are both of them awake," he asked in a cold tone.
"Yes, Igor, they are both awake," the man replied, and then resituated his white mask onto his face, and exited the room.
"Lily," James said, trying to speak through his gag. But the sound was muffled, and Lily just gave him a frightened look as they faced the new guard in the doorway.
"So you're the Potter boy," "Igor" said, sneering, "Yes, I remember that family. I was there when he killed them. I was behind him, watching him do it. Your mother was screaming, pleading for her life."
James's eyes narrowed.
"And your father was a coward," he said, "He was begging for mercy when he killed him. He was always one for groveling."
James lunged forward, but the locking curse had been delivered well, and he was thrown back in his chair.
"I killed your sister, you know," he smiled, revealing worse teeth than the man before him, "I enjoyed it. She was just like your mother. Screaming. Crying."
James felt like crying again. Lily looked from Igor to James, and then back to Igor.
Dust filled the room, and cobwebs hung from the ceiling's corners. The sun was setting, James knew. He wondered what the other members were doing right now. Where was Remus?
Was he alive?
The image of him dead, clawed to death like Jonathon June, came back to him. He shook his head. That wouldn't happen. It couldn't happen.
It wouldn't happen.
"Stop torturing our guests, Karkaroff," a snakelike hiss came from the corridor outside, and Igor's face lost all color.
"Master, I was only . . ."
"Silence."
And then, James saw the man again for the third time. Him and Lily faced Voldemort once again. He was sneering at them, as if he knew something that could kill them both in a matter of seconds. He held his wand to James as he stepped into the vacant room, and nodded.
"You have been very brave, my friend," he growled, "But sadly, with bravery comes stupidity," he pointed his wand closer to him, "Crucio."
A pain like no other jolted through James's body. He screamed from behind his gag, and felt his muscles convulse and shake. Lily screamed, and James gave out a cry.
"Tears, Potter?" Voldemort said, stopping the spell with a wave of his hand, "Ah, you are human."
James glared, breathing heavily. He couldn't get enough air from behind that gag. He couldn't breathe . . .
"You are probably wondering to yourself why I took the trouble out of my War to bother with the likes of you," Voldemort said, drawing closer, "No one defies me. No one."
With a flick of his wand, the gag unbound itself from James's head, and fell to the ground in a heap. James lunged forward, and spat in the Dark Lord's face. Voldemort did not look amused, and he raised his wand again.
"Crucio," he hissed.
The pain had returned, and James's neck jolted back, his eyes rolling back in his sockets. He muffled a scream, and Voldemort laughed.
"You have courage, I will give you that," he snarled, "And that is why I will spare your life one last time. I am giving you one last chance to change your answer, Potter. If you agree to accompany me and join my regime, I shall reward you with all of your dreams. Power, Potter. Power and riches. And your darling lady will be spared. Along with the werewolf."
James's eyes grew wide.
"Where's Remus?"
Voldemort gave another cold laugh, and his lip curled into a sneer, "You do know that it was twenty eight days ago that he last transformed."
James and Lily's faces grew pale, and they looked in horror to him. He found this amusing.
"I suppose you have heard of June, have you not?" he prodded them on, "His father I believe you were well acquainted with."
"WHERE'S REMUS?!" James shouted.
"Crucio," Voldemort said again, but this time, he pointed his wand to Lily. It was now Lily's turn to shake in her chair, before going still again.
His cold laugh sounded through the room for another time.
"The sun is almost set, Potter," Voldemort said, "If you defy me again, I shall kill her," he pointed to Lily, who looking very maddened, "And I shall let the werewolf destroy himself. All I need to do is persuade the wolf inside. Dolohov is excellent with handling beasts like him."
James clenched his fists; "I'll never join you."
Voldemort's face sunk, "You are a fool. And for your stupidity, you will watch your friends die. One by one. Until you swear your allegiance to me."
"I won't!" James shouted, "I won't!"
"Then let them die," Voldemort snarled, and waved his wand at the two of them, "Imperio."
The same happy feeling came over James as he felt his arms relax, and the bonds broken. Everything was happy with the world. Everything was . . .
His vision had cleared. The happiness was gone.
He went to open his mouth, but he couldn't. Voldemort smiled evilly, and then looked into his eyes.
"You will join me."
James couldn't say anything. He was frozen. He had no control over what he did or said. The curse was still put upon him, but the hazy feeling had been lifted. He felt his face relax, and smile back at Voldemort.
Inside he was screaming.
"Come," Voldemort said, ushering the two of them out of their chairs and into the corridor, "It is time to see what happens when a monster becomes wild."
They reluctantly followed him out of the room, and down the hall. James could see empty rooms on all sides of him, some of them filled with devices that he had never seen, and others so ghostly quiet it seemed as if someone had died enclosed in their walls.
It seemed as if a thousand spirits were screaming out at them, clawing through the doorways, warning them of what was to come.
There was a room ahead of them, in which the first Russian guard had entered. His shouting voice came from behind the open door as Lily, James, and the Dark Lord arrived downstairs.
"Get up, you filthy animal," he said, and something gave a cry like it had just been kicked.
Remus, James thought.
"You will die, because of your friend's pride," he snapped, and Voldemort raised a hand to the door.
"Dolohov, come," he hissed, and the Russian appeared from the room. He was grinning, and wiping his hands on his robes, as if he had just touched something greasy and dirt ridden.
"My Lord, the moon is almost full," he said in his thick accent, and then bowed as the three of them passed him. James wanted to reach out and grab his throat.
Walk, a voice said in his head.
Walk with me.
No!
I don't want to walk! Leave me alone!
A pain ran through his head, and he gave up trying. It wasn't a lesson with Moody anymore. This was real life. He couldn't break Voldemort's spell.
They entered the room, and James felt his heart drop. There was Remus, lying on the floor, struggling for a breath. His face was covered in sweat, and his hair was clumped together in a feverish spell. He knew it wouldn't be long now.
Remus, don't give up, James thought, Don't give up.
"Your friends have decided to see the world in a new way," Voldemort lied, and James and Lily grinned maliciously from behind him.
NO! James thought, NO! Don't believe him, Remus! Don't . . .
"You must have known that one day it would come to this," James heard himself say darkly, "You are a monster after all."
Remus was breathing heavily, his cheek to the cold hard ground, staring unbelievingly at his two friends. His eyes were wide, and he looked very confused.
That's right, Moony, James thought, It isn't us. Don't give up.
God, if only he could give him a sign! If only he could just break free for one moment to show him that he was still here!
"Sadly, we do not take Dark creatures into our ranks," Lily said in a tone that actually sounded just like her. If James hadn't known better, he would have thought that she was truthfully saying such an evil thing to Remus.
"No," Remus coughed in a small voice; "I know your tricks. James would never . . ."
"This is no trick, werewolf," Voldemort sneered, "And now you shall die. And our world will be rid of one less piece of filth."
And then the three of them turned, and walked back to the open door where Dolohov was standing. Remus shakily got to his feet, and ran after them.
"Oh, no you don't," Dolohov said, and raised his wand, "Expelliramus."
Remus went flying back, and hit the bare wall behind him. With a groan, he fell to the floor again, and Dolohov laughed.
"Good night, werewolf," he said as he slammed and bolted the door.
Remus was alone.
The sunlight was coming through one window, high on the wall. It was slowly diminishing, and the sky was becoming darker. He had lay in that room all day, ever since Voldemort had transported them here. He knew what had been ahead of them.
He knew the story of Jonathon June.
It had haunted him every night ever since he had joined the Order.
"I know it isn't you, James!" he shouted, hoping that James could hear. His friend's eyes had been cold and dead. They hadn't had that glow to them like James had.
James had lost everything. And now he would turn to the Dark side? Not likely.
And Lily would never turn. Not even if they had James at wand point, threatening to kill him. She would never join.
They were loyal. It had to be the Imperius Curse.
He had to stay strong.
The moonlight hit the floor, and quickly filled the room. It seemed brighter tonight. It seemed closer, and Remus could already hear the wolf howling inside.
"NO!" Remus cried, "NO! YOU'RE NOT GOING TO KILL ME!"
But the transformation had already started.
"You can stop this at any time, Potter," Voldemort hissed, "Join me, and I'll close that window and give him proper medical attention. Join me, and I will spare him."
The Imperius curse was lifted, and James felt his arms go stiff again. He was in charge of his body again, and he twisted and struggled to get to the man that stood in front of him. Yet, he couldn't move his arms from his side.
"Why don't you just make me say it," he snarled.
Voldemort's eyes grew cold, "Because a man like you cannot be truthfully my servant unless you yourself agree to it. I admire your bravery, Potter. And I want to use it against this filth that clutters our perfect world," he waved his wand to the door.
"That filth in there is twice the man you are," Lily shouted from James's shoulder.
Voldemort's eyes glew with fire as he raised his wand to Lily; "I shall also kill her if you do not join."
There was a howl from behind the door, and Dolohov laughed, "It has begun."
The wolf was back. And he was smiling evilly at Remus, laughing yet again.
Tonight, you die, my friend, the wolf said.
And then Remus felt a sharp pain on his neck. He howled, and fell to the ground.
NO! he shouted, NO!
He threw the wolf off, and resurfaced. Panting heavily, he glared at the wolf that was lying underneath him.
Tonight you die, Remus snarled back.
Another howl. James went to run to the door, but the bonds were still working on his arms. Voldemort gave out his cold laugh as he studied this boy in front of him.
"Just like your father," he said, amused, "Your pride will kill you, James. You and I both know that. I will kill you all tonight before letting you escape me again."
"I'll never join you!" he shouted, "Go ahead! Kill us all!"
"There are things worth fighting for, are there, Potter?" Voldemort sneered.
James's eyes grew wide.
"I read your mind that Christmas night," Voldemort laughed, "I know every memory before that point. I know everything about you. I know everything about your life. You have no secrets from me."
James glared, and another howl resounded from behind them.
"You were a good son," Voldemort continued, "You loved your family, didn't you? You loved that stupid house-elf."
"Shut up," James snarled.
"Good, feel the hatred well up inside of you," Voldemort grinned, "That is the only power. Hatred is stronger than anything on this earth. You would like to kill me, wouldn't you, Potter?"
He didn't answer.
The door jolted as Remus threw his body onto it, and Dolohov's smile grew larger.
"It won't be long now, my Lord," he said.
You think you can kill me! The wolf laughed, You can't kill me! I am you!
Remus leaped for his throat, and felt the pain hit his own neck. The wolf took this moment to slam them into a wall, and Remus's head hit the stone.
"AAAAOOOO!"
Let me guess, the wolf laughed, standing above him, This is the point in which you say that you will not die. And then I kill you.
Remus struggled to get to his feet.
The wolf kicked him back down to the ground.
Except this time, the wolf added, You won't come back.
"This is your last chance, Potter," Voldemort said, "I am losing my patience."
"No," James said. His heart was pounding. He wanted to kill him. He wanted to strangle him.
Voldemort grew darker, and his eyes narrowed. His lip curled, and he raised his wand to point at his head.
"So be it," he hissed.
BAM!
The four of them snapped their heads to look to where the sound had come from.
"Downstairs," Voldemort said, nodding to Dolohov, "The front door."
Dolohov returned the nod, and ran down the staircase to the lower level. Voldemort turned towards James yet again, and his smile returned.
"Now, where were we . . ."
BAM!
A laughing came from downstairs, and then a crash of glass. The remaining three turned to listen to what was happening underneath their feet. James's heart had stopped pounding, and he let out a breath of relief.
He knew that laugh.
"Up here!" Lily shouted, also recognizing the voice.
Another crash and then the wall shook.
Another howl from inside the room. It wasn't as strong now. It was weaker. Remus was dying.
James struggled with his bonds. He couldn't get free! His friend was going to die! He had to save him!
If only he could reach his wand.
Voldemort was glaring at him, a smile coming across his face. He waved his hand, and James was freed. The Dark Lord threw his wand back to him, and his smile diminished.
"I dare you," he jeered, "Hit me, Potter. I'm giving you your chance. Hit me."
"You killed them," he cried, pointing his newly returned wand at the man's darkened face, "You killed them! You took everything that I had away from me!"
There was another crash downstairs.
"DIFFINDO!" James cried, and lashed his wand out at his opponent. Lily struggled with her bonds to help him, but she couldn't get herself free.
A slash of blood cut across Voldemort's cheek, and he gave out a howl that sounded like a maddened animal. He put his hand to his face, and his eyes grew wide as he saw the blood on his skin.
"You are human," James snarled.
Voldemort raised his wand, "YOU LITTLE BRAT!"
"Tom! Leave the boy alone, Tom!"
It was Dumbledore! Dumbledore was here!
Voldemort glared at James, "I will kill you, Potter. I will kill you. Mark my words, I will hunt you down and murder you with my own hands until you are dead and cold on the floor, bowing to me. I'll come when you least expect it. I'll be that shadow in your bedroom. That stranger that you cross on the street. That unsuspecting guest at your house. I will find you, Potter. And I will kill you."
And then with a flash of light, the Dark Lord was gone.
Their bonds were broken, and Lily flung herself into James's arms. He held her for a moment, until he heard the weakest howl of them all come from behind the door.
"Remus . . ." he turned towards the staircase, and shouted, "UP HERE! UP HERE!"
There was a sound of footsteps, and five bodies flew into view, all wands out and pointed in different directions. Dumbledore, his eyes alight with life, Frank, Moody, Peter, and Sirius Black.
"James! You're alive!" Sirius cried as he ran to embrace his two friends. Peter followed him, and looked in horror at James's haunted face.
"Are-are you all right?" he stammered.
The door in front of them shook, and Moody's eye swiveled to look through it.
"Damn them," he said, running to the door, "Someone help me. Alohomora."
Moody kicked the door open and rushed inside. A weak snarl came from out of sight. Sirius's face grew pale.
"What happened," he demanded as he let go of Lily and James.
"They tried to kill him," James said quietly, "Like June's son."
Sirius just stared at him. His eyes were wide with fear, and slowly he turned to step into the room. His shoulders sagged as he saw the sight before him.
Moony was lying in the corner, his chest heaving. He was covered in claw marks, and his eyes were closed. His face was contorted with pain, and he seemed to be moaning. He was still in wolf form.
"Stay back," Moody said to Sirius quietly, "He's still not Remus yet."
"Is he alive?" Sirius asked.
"Yes," Moody said, "Barely, but yes. He's alive," he then waved his wand, "Mobilicorpus."
The wolf flew into the air, and hovered in front of Moody and Sirius. He looked so weak. So . . . lost.
"Your friends are lucky to have you, Mr. Black," Moody said, leading Moony out of the room, "They would all be dead if it weren't for your loyalty."
Sirius smiled to himself as he watched the old Auror disappear into the hallway to speak with Dumbledore and Frank. He had proved himself. And in doing so, he had finally been inducted into the Order. Truthfully, they now trusted him. Frank even smiled at him as he led him (along with James, Lily, and Peter) outside the run down mansion.
They passed Dolohov's unconscious body as they opened the door to the front walk. He was sprawled out on the couch of the large common room his mouth hanging open. Broken glass littered the floor and cushions that surrounded him.
"You two are lucky to be alive," Frank said, as they stepped outside, "Very lucky."
James was lagging behind Lily and Frank, and walked in step with Sirius and Peter as they crossed the lawn to a stone gargoyle. He looked shaken, and he was looking down at his feet, examining his laces.
"Thanks," he mumbled as Moody, Dumbledore, and a floating werewolf exited the mansion.
Sirius nodded, "Something messes with one of us . . ."
"It messes with all of us," James finished, "Yeah, I know."
"Come on now," Frank said, tapping the stone gargoyle, "I don't want to stick around here all night. They aren't going to stay Stunned forever."
The band of members quickly rushed to touch the gargoyle, and then in a matter of seconds, they had disappeared.
And the night was quiet once again.
"We found them at Antonin Dolohov's old place," Moody said, "You know, where they used to take the Muggles to torture them. A bunch of empty rooms, filled with spells and enchantments. We thought that they wouldn't have the nerve to continue to use it, but we were wrong."
"They were very lucky," Professor McGonagall said, peering into Remus's room. The four young members of the Order had been sitting there all night, waiting for Remus to wake up. The wolf had been silent and still since they had brought it home. Sirius had sat next to the beaten monster since they had placed them there, and Peter had been pacing the floor nervously, muttering anxiously to himself. Lily and James sat by Sirius, holding hands, examining their friend lying on the bed, silent.
Moody had warned them that if Moony woke up, then he could tear them apart. They didn't seem to care.
They were loyal friends. It wasn't everyone that shared a bond like that with another person.
"Yes," Moody said, "I know."
"Do you trust him now?" Professor McGonagall asked, eyeing him over her square spectacles. Moody sighed, and took a drink from his hip flask.
"With my life," he replied simply, and then went back to watching the scene before them.
"Will he be all right, Alastor?"
Moody nodded, "Yes. He was lucky tonight. Too lucky. You remember June's boy, don't you?"
"Oh, Alastor," she gasped, "They didn't . . ."
"They did," he said, his expression darkening, "They used the same room. The same technique. Two minutes later and Lupin would have been dead."
All color that the professor had left in her complexion drained, and she looked fit to faint.
"He asked me to join again," James said quietly, squeezing Lily's hand, "They were going to kill him if I didn't."
"What did you say?" Sirius asked, not taking his eyes off of Moony's limp body.
"No," James mussed his hair, and then said to no one in particular, "But I still don't know if it was the right choice."
Peter stopped pacing, and turned to look at James curiously.
"What?" he said.
"Because of my pride," James explained, "Lily and Remus would have died. Is my freedom worth that? Is my pride worth that?"
Sirius took a deep breath, and then turned away from Moony. He ushered Peter over, and then drew in closer to his three friends. He had a spark in his eye that he had never shown before, as they huddled together.
"Right now," he said, "We're making a new pact."
"What?" Peter asked.
"That no matter what," Sirius said, "No matter what sort of risks we take on ourselves, we will give our life to any one in this room, no questions asked. We will sacrifice for each other, as long as the outcome is right. If Voldemort has a wand to my head, and says that he's going to kill me if James doesn't turn, then so be it. He can kill me. Are we all agreed on this?"
Slowly, the three of them nodded.
"They were right," Sirius said, "There's a bigger cause out there. It's bigger than any of us here. But we stick together, all right? We stick together and look out for each other. Because you four are all I've got left. And I'm not going to see you die."
No one said a word as Sirius held out his hand in the middle of them, and said, "Forever alive, all right? We're not going to die." James set his hand on Sirius's rough knuckles, followed by Lily, and finally Peter. And if Remus had been able to, he would have joined his friends. They knew that his spirit was with them, and would agree with their pact.
The four of them sat there, staring at their hands as if they had just sworn a solemn oath. Slowly, James smiled sadly as his friends..
"Forever alive," James agreed.