Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns the Marauders and all the characters from Harry Potter. She just lets us play with them, and we dearly love her for it. The characters you don't recognize, however, are my own, and I protect all rights to them. Respect my work, please!

Author's Note: Getting an early start on this chapter! Hopefully it won't take as long to get it up, but it also might not be as long. Either way, we'll have to wait and see. In other news, I know the James/Lily shippers are getting restless. I, too, grow weary of their bickering. But do remember that they don't get together until their seventh year… but that doesn't mean that something can't happen. Anyway, I hope you all like this chapter.

Exciting News! My glorious, wonderful, talented beau has consented to draw me some sketches for my work! Huzzah! I don't know when those will be produced, but I promise to crack the whip! As soon as I get them up somewhere, I'll let you know.

---

James had never in his whole life been as glad to see his mother take charge as he was at that very moment.

"Unbelievable!" Mrs. Potter muttered as she pushed forward. "They send half the damn Department of Disappearances to occupy the house and they can't spare one person to tend to a frightened woman?" She put a hand on Rion's back and spoke softly to his mother. "Cassie, right?" she said in a gentle voice. "I'm MaryAnn Potter; my son James is in Gryffindor with Ani and Lily. Why don't you come with me into the kitchen and I'll make you a pot of tea? It'll soothe your nerves."

Cassie Hellsing, who shared Ani's tumbling curls and Rion's blue eyes, nodded and wiped her tears away with shaky fingers. "Yes, of course," she said, fighting for composure. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't even realize I was… Well, anyway, thank you, the kitchen's just this way."

James' mother started to follow Mrs. Hellsing towards the kitchen, but glanced back over her shoulder. "Remus," she ordered, "you and Sirius help Ani to the couch. Peter, you come with me and get her a glass of water from the kitchen. Poor thing, she's had a scare." She looked at her husband, worry in her eyes. "Harold, why don't you go with Rion and see if you can't find out what the Ministry knows about what happened to his father."

"Of course," Harold said. He patted his son on the back as he moved past him and put a firm hand on Rion's shoulder. "Come on, lad, we'll get to the bottom of this." Rion, his face pale as he watched his mother leave with Mrs. Potter, nodded shakily. He and Mr. Potter strode off purposefully to where Malius Baldrick stood.

Glancing nervously around the room, James suddenly found himself alone. He was about to follow Sirius and Remus, who had finally dropped their hostility towards each other as they guided Ani towards an overstuffed sofa, when a flash of red caught the corner of his eyes. He glanced up to see Lily, whose face was stricken, moving back towards the front door.

Concerned, he did an about face and sprinted back towards the door. He burst out onto the front porch just as Lily descended the steps. "Evans, wait up," he called out to her.

He didn't expect her to listen—in fact, he'd steeled himself for a flaying retort: Lily's tongue was about as sharp as her wits—so when she paused and turned around, a little tremor of shock went through James. Her bright eyes actually seemed soft rather than flashing with hatred, the way they usually got when she looked upon him. Merlin's ghost, James thought as he moved down towards her. She must be really upset.

"Are you okay?" he asked and stifled a wave of irritation at the nervousness in his voice. Anyone else—any other girl in the world!—and James Potter could talk his way into and out of anything. But Lily reduced him to nothing but immaturity and nerves. Great way to win a girl on a date, he thought to himself. Stutter like a moron so she can't help but feel sorry for you. The great James Potter, lady-killer and village idiot!

"Yeah," Lily said, and James, unbidden, felt himself go soft at the tone of her voice. "I just—I figured I ought to go let my parents know what's going on and tell them I'm home. But then I want to go back and see Ani… see if there's anything I can—"

"Oh God." Horror filled James as Lily's green eyes swam with tears. "Hey, Lily, it's okay," he said, and awkwardly put a hand on her arm. "I'm sure Ani's alright."

"Of course she's alright," Lily snapped, and James actually felt a sense of relief at the sharpness of her voice. But the relief disappeared when she spoke again. "Sorry," she murmured, looking at her feet. "I'm just upset."

"Don't apologize," James replied desperately. "You're worried about your friend."

"It's not that," she went on, her voice slightly trembling. "Well, I mean, it is… but there's more. It's just that, well, the Hellsings have been like another family to me." She twisted her hands together nervously and James instinctively reached out and touched them gently. Her fidgeting stilled. "Cassie would help me with my homework when I was here over the summers and Cephas taught me how to play Quidditch. It's just… seeing Cassie so upset… and with Cephas missing… I just…"

Her voice trailed off and James cleared his throat uncomfortably. He'd watched his mother get weepy over sappy love stories in Witch's Weekly and that had been bad enough: but for Evans to stand before him, teary eyed, was almost too much to take. "Let me walk you over to your house," he suggested. "And then we can go back and check on Ani, and see what my Dad found out. Okay?"

She nodded, her eyes still over bright, and James tentatively put his hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "It'll all be okay, Lily," he repeated.

His heart leapt as Lily glanced up at him and gave a slight smile. "Thanks, James," she said. "I appreciate it."

---

"Mum?" Lily called out. "Mum, are you here, I need to talk to you."

James, vaguely apprehensive, followed Lily into a comfortable house next door to the Hellsings. It was the first time in his life he'd ever been in an entirely Muggle household and the lack of magic seemed to be a palpable thing, despite the house's outward comfort. The pictures on the walls were eerily still, and everything seemed—well—dull as mud. How is it possible, James asked himself incredulously, that a witch who sparkles the way Lily does could come from someplace that seems as blank as parchment?

He paused before a family portrait on one wall. Lily's mother was rather pretty and had apparently passed her red hair onto her daughter, though Lily's was bright with youth and Mrs. Evans' had become speckled with grey. Mr. Evans, tall, green eyed and grey haired, seemed very distinguished, but had a warm smile and rested a fatherly hand on Lily's shoulder in the picture. Both Mr. and Mrs. Evans seemed like friendly, warm people. Pictures didn't lie, as James had found, and the warm smiles on the Evans' faces made him wonder yet again why so many witches and wizards held such ill will towards Muggles.

James pulled back a step when his eyes landed on the picture's fourth occupant. An older girl—Lily's sister, obviously, whom she had called Petunia on the way to the Hellsings'—with a brittle face and pale blue eyes looked out at him. Though she had forced her face into a smile, her eyes were flat. Though it seemed silly and he was sure it was his imagination, James thought he could feel her eyes slide over him with distaste. He shuddered. He hoped she wasn't home—he had no desire on meeting that particular member of Lily's family.

"Lily!"

He turned away from the portrait to see tall, graying Mrs. Evans enfold her daughter into a warm hug. "How was Bath, darling, did you have a good time?" she asked, a smile creasing her face. She glanced up to see James and flashed a smile at him, her brown eyes warm behind wire-rimmed glasses. "You've brought a guest! Hi there, I'm Lily's mother, Blodwen."

Emboldened by her smile, James shook Blodwen Evans' hand and smiled back. "Nice to meet you, ma'am, I'm James Potter," he introduced himself.

"James is in my year and house at school, Mum," Lily explained.

"Oh, how nice!"

"He and his family and some of the boys from school were staying at the same place in Bath as we were," Lily continued. "Lynx's car wouldn't start up, so the Potters brought us home."

"Oh, that was good of them," Mrs. Evans said with a smile. "Are your parents outside, James, would you like to invite them in for tea?"

"His parents are over at Ani's," Lily said. Then, concernedly, she said, "Have you been over there in the past few days?"

Mrs. Evans had taken James by the elbow and was showing him to a chair in the living room. "Let me get you something to drink, James," she said. "No, Lily, I haven't. I've been spending more time at the office lately. Seems like Cassie's had visitors for the past few days, though, so I'm sure she's busy. Maybe we'll have the Hellsings over for dinner sometime later this week, alright?"

Lily and James exchanged looks. "Mum," Lily began, "Cephas is missing. Cassie doesn't know what's happened to him, she's been frantic."

Mrs. Evans started and her jaw dropped. "When did this happen?" she asked, her voice stark with shock.

"We don't know," James replied. "My Dad and Rion are trying to find something out."

"Oh God, poor Cassie," Mrs. Evans said and she rushed towards the kitchen. She called to her daughter, "Honey, go upstairs and say hello to your father, and then you can go back over to the Hellsings'. I've got a casserole in the icebox; I'll stick it in the oven and bring it over."

"Okay," Lily answered. She glanced at James and said, "I'll be down in a moment, if you want to go back."

James nodded. "Sure," he said, but as Lily headed up the stairs, he found himself moving into the kitchen.

Mrs. Evans, her kind face worry lined, was bustling about the kitchen. She glanced up when James entered and smiled, obviously awaiting an explanation for his presence. "Do you need any help, Mrs. Evans?" James asked tentatively.

Her smile widened. "Thank you, James, but I'm fine," she said kindly. "Go ahead and go back to the Hellsings; Lily and I will be there shortly."

He turned towards the doorway and then glanced over his shoulder. "I really like Lily, Mrs. Evans," he blurted out, before he could help himself. "She's really smashing: she's the best girl in the year and a great Quidditch player. She's just… she's really something."

Blodwen Evans paused for a moment, then turned and slowly surveyed the boy in her kitchen. "You're James Potter, you said?" she asked. James swallowed hard and nodded. The older woman's brown eyes moved over James like a comb and he had the distinct feeling that, despite her lack of magical talent, Lily's mother could see right through him. "Yes, I've heard Lily mention you," she said, a glimmer in her eyes. "You and your friends. The… Marauders, did she say?"

His stomach dropped to his feet. So much for a good first impression! his mind groaned.

Sensing his anxiety, Mrs. Evans smiled again. "Well, I'm glad Lily has such good friends at school." James thought he saw her wink at him. "Go ahead and walk on back to the Hellsings', James, Lily and I will be there shortly.

Feeling like he'd made an ass of himself, James nodded and moved out of the kitchen. He'd just placed his hand on the front doorknob when he heard Mrs. Evans give a low chuckle. "Lily Maria Evans Potter," he heard her muse. "Fancy that."

---

Unease started to creep over Sirius, slowly at first, but soon the feeling was so strong that he couldn't resist it any longer.

He pushed up off the couch and began to pace around the living room. Several of the officials gave him curious looks and he was sure he heard his name murmured—"Maurus Black's son? Are you sure?"—but he ignored them. He simply wasn't in a mood to have Ministry officials simpering over him simply because his father had them in his pocket.

If they say a word to me, he thought, I will hex them all. His temper, foul and snake-like, coiled in his stomach, yet he couldn't place its source.

Whatever it is, he thought darkly, it doesn't help that Remus glares at me every time I move towards Ani. Or that he never looks away from her face. Or that he keeps touching her face and her hand. He glanced back at the couch. Sure enough. Ani, though she was looking better, was still bone-pale and had sunk back against the pillows of the couch and Remus was still hovering over her.

When Ani heard that her father was missing—And let's face it, he reminded himself, when a group of full-grown wizards can't find you when you're not supposed to be missing, it's never good—and had crumpled to the floor, Sirius had instantly started towards her. But Remus got there first and as a result it was he who gently lead Ani to the couch and he at whom she smiled weakly.

That was when he'd started to burn. It wasn't until his hands had begun to cramp that he realized he'd clenched his fists so tightly that the nails he kept short were slicing into his palms. He relaxed his hands, flexing the fingers, and turned back to the couch just in time to see Remus smooth the dark curls away from Ani's face. Instantly the tension was back.

Oh, enough of this!

"Where are you going?" Peter asked, returning from the kitchen with another glass of water as Sirius brushed past him.

"Outside," Sirius snarled. He moved towards the back door and pushed outside, shoving the door roughly back into its place, feeling a vague and selfish satisfaction as the slam echoed through the house.

"Easy now, lad, that's an old door."

Sirius started and looked around the yard. Dusk had lowered itself over the sky, staining it a dusky berry pink. The trees, old and sprawling, cast long shadows through the Hellsings' yard. Sirius caught a glimpse of a familiar figure with blond hair sitting, knees up to his chest, beneath one of the trees. "What're you doing out here?" he asked Rion as he approached.

Ani's brother shrugged and gestured for Sirius to settle onto the ground next to him. "Mum's still pretty worked over and I just can't stand to see her that way. I wasn't doing any good in there, apparently: one of the gentlemen in there suggested that I get out from underfoot," he grumbled, his words as bitter as aloes. He glanced at Sirius, his scowl erased by a look of concern. "How's Ani doing?"

Forcing his face to remain still, Sirius responded, "She's looking much better. Got some color in her cheeks, at least."

"That's good." The two fell silent and when Rion spoke again, his voice was low. "They think they know what happened."

"Really?" Sirius glanced over at Rion, whose face looked like stone. "How? Did they find something your mum didn't?"

"Kind of." Rion dug through the pocket of his jeans and unearthed a small, crumpled piece of parchment. "I wasn't supposed to see this, but James' dad slipped it to me before I went outside." He pressed it into Sirius' hand.

Feeling as though his stomach were trying to escape, Sirius unfolded the parchment. He winced against a bright green glow that suddenly emanated from the paper. He felt his eyes grow wide as he looked at the image in his hand. Glowing so brightly it would have burned to the touch was a wand-drawn symbol: a menacing skull with a snake, so lifelike Sirius swore he saw it move, protruding from the mouth. It was a thing he'd never seen before and one he knew he never wanted to see again.

"What is this?" he asked.

Rion shrugged. "Not exactly sure," he replied. "I managed to get some information out of that Baldrick fellow and James' dad, and what I did find out isn't good." He laughed sharply. "Don't know why I'm telling you this," he said, running a hand through his hair. "You're just a kid. You really shouldn't have to hear this. Hell, I didn't want to hear it."

They were quiet for a moment while Rion organized his thoughts. Trepidation crept up Sirius' spine. "There's a wizard," Rion began, "they call Voldemort. Not much is known about him, other than he's very powerful and very, very dark." He paused, let the information sink in. "What do you know about the Pureblood Sanctity Act, Sirius?" he asked.

He felt cold. "I know that my dad thinks it's a great idea," he said, his voice hollow. "They want to get rid of all the half-bloods in schools and the Ministry and things like that. Right?"

Rion nodded grimly. "Voldemort is of the mind that it should be taken a step further," he continued. "He wants to… well, for the past few years, half-bloods and Muggle-borns have been… disappearing." He reached out and tapped the parchment with one long finger. "This is the symbol he and his followers have created for themselves."

"Why do they think that's what has to do with your dad?" Sirius asked. "I mean, okay, they found this… but you're Purebloods, Rion. Hellsing is an old, old name."

"I know, that's what I said," Rion said. "I asked Baldrick how this could be, but that's all he would tell me… and I'm pretty sure he didn't even want me to know that. Just wanted to get me out of his hair." A wry, humorless grin stretched over his face. "I can be very… persistent."

"So why do they think it's something to do with Voldemort?" Sirius repeated.

"I finally asked James' dad about it," Rion admitted. He glanced around them and whispered, "Stand up." He hauled Sirius to his feet and then crouched into the grass. Sirius watched, fascinated, as Rion drew a thin silver line in a circle around them. It reminded him of the Gender-Line that James' dad had put across all the likely places for snogging at James' last summer party. As soon as the circle was completed, a silver curtain shot up from the ground, only to fade to little more than a glimmer a split second later. "Silencing charm," Rion explained. "I don't fancy being overheard.

"There's an order of witches and wizards," he went on quietly. "No one knows what it's called. But rumor has it that Albus Dumbledore's behind it, that he started it up when he first heard about Voldemort. It's supposedly an effort against Voldemort; maybe protecting the people he's likely to go after. But as I said, it's very hushed. Harold Potter isn't even sure it's true… as of right now it's just a very likely rumor." He met Sirius' eyes for a long moment. "He thinks my dad might be a member."

Sirius went suddenly rigid. Unbidden, his father's voice echoed through his head. Cephas Hellsing is a disgrace to his name and his breed… The Pureblood Sanctity Act has come under nearly constant attack thanks to that man alone.

He spoke and his voice sounded far away. "What would they do to him… if it was Voldemort and his followers?" Sirius asked.

Rion's face remained impassive. "I don't know," he said shortly. "I imagine they'd kill him."

"Sirius! Rion!"

Both he and Rion snapped to attention at the sight of James rushing across the yard. Rion muttered "Finite Incantatum" and the spell sizzled as it ended.

James skidded to a stop before them and, looking furtively over his shoulder, lowered his voice as he said, "Rion, has my dad talked to you?"

Ani's brother gave Sirius a significant look and said guardedly, "Yeah, he did."

"I'm going to guess he told you what he just told me," James rushed. His hazel eyes were alight with something akin to panic and, against his will, Sirius began to worry. "Rion, I was just thinking… how long have you had that car? How many times has it broken down?"

"I can't remember it ever breaking down," Rion admitted. He shrugged. "Guess it was about time. What does this have to do with—"

"No," James interrupted, "it wasn't about time. I don't think it just wore down… I think someone messed with the engine of your car, Rion." Rion's eyes went narrow and hard as flint as James continued. "Your dad disappears… and suddenly the car you are all in breaks down in a place in the middle of the country that's surrounded by Repelling charms." James took a deep breath and finished, "I don't think it was an accident. If the thing with the owl hadn't happened, I wouldn't be so suspicious, but it's too much at the same time to be coincidence. Rion, I think someone is after your family."

Rion was silent for a moment and Sirius noticed his hand gripping his wand, the knuckles white. When he spoke, his tone was hard and flat, the tone of a man who has been tricked. "Did you mention this to your dad?" he asked.

James shook his head. "Only you two. I didn't tell Ani, either."

"Good. Don't say anything about it," Rion warned. "Don't tell Ani or my mum or anyone where I've gone. Not a word. If I'm not back in half an hour, James, tell your dad. But no one else. Understand?"

He didn't wait for an answer. A second later, he had Disapparated into the deepening night.

---

It was almost nightfall when Ani finally felt strong enough to get up from the couch. "I should go find my mum," she told a concerned Remus, who had yet to leave her side.

He nodded and put a hand under her elbow to help her up. She gave him a grateful smile. "Last time I checked, she was in the kitchen with Mrs. Potter," he told her. Lily patted Ani on the back as she passed her and Peter smiled up timidly at her, shifting on the couch to let her by.

The dizziness had passed, but the cold pit in her stomach remained. Her father. Missing. The two phrases didn't fit. She'd just seen him a week ago, smiling at her from the breakfast table, reminding her and Rion that there was such a thing as too much fun and to behave themselves. "Where could he have gone?" she asked herself aloud, but the lack of answers her mind could produce gave her no comfort.

On the way to the kitchen, Ani's eye fell upon Sirius and James deep in murmured conversation behind a group of black-robed officials. Curious, she moved towards them. Sirius, who was facing her, stopped speaking abruptly as she approached and James quickly followed suit. "What's wrong?" Ani asked them as she drew near.

James shrugged. "Nothing," he said, a bit too quickly, and Ani's radar went off.

"Just talking about going back to London," Sirius recovered, giving Ani the impression that he was trying to distract her. "I'm really not looking forward to going home. Marks will be coming in soon and my dad's going to be none too pleased."

"Uh huh." Not satisfied but without the energy to pry, Ani shrugged and walked off, distinctly aware of Sirius watching her go. He'd stalked off earlier, and through her haze of worry Ani had been half tempted to follow him. But Peter had pressed another glass of water into her hand and Remus, who seemed certain she was going to shatter, had looked so worried that she didn't want to distress him further. Awhile later, James had come back from Lily's alone and made a beeline to his father and from thence outside, where Sirius had gone. Lily returned shortly afterwards with her mother in tow. Mrs. Evans had gone into the kitchen and Lily had joined Ani, Remus and Peter on the couch. Since then, they'd all been sitting around tensely, waiting for something… but Ani didn't know what.

When she entered the kitchen, all conversation stopped. What is with this? she thought as her mother, Blodwen Evans and the Potters all exchanged guilty glances. Why does everyone stop speaking the moment I come into a room? She pushed the thought aside and moved to her mother, putting a hand on her shoulder. Cassie covered her daughter's hand with her own. "Are you okay, Mum?" Ani asked gently.

"I'm better, darling," her mother said, her voice straining to remain calm. "Just worried about your father is all." She glanced over her shoulder. "What's become of Rion?" she asked. "He went outside almost an hour ago and I haven't seen him since."

"Didn't he come in with James and Sirius, Ani?" MaryAnn Potter asked.

Ani slowly shook her head and moved to the kitchen window that overlooked the backyard. No Rion. "He's not out there," she said softly. "He's not anywhere."

Her suspicion once again mounting, Ani turned on her heel and stalked back into the living room. Something was happening, and someone was lying. She marched up to James and Sirius and grabbed James by the upper arm. He whirled around, surprised, and looked down at her. Ani's anger started to rise. "Where did my brother go?" she demanded. "He was outside with you and then he was gone. Where did he go, and what aren't you telling us?"

Wordless, the two dark boys gave each other a long look. Ani was about to scream, her patience finally splintered, when she heard her brother's voice.

"Mum!" The house went dead silent as Rion's bellow echoed off the walls. "Come upstairs, right now!"

Instantly Ani released James' arm and sprinted for the stairs as she watched her mother rush out of sight. A strong arm caught her around the middle and pulled her backwards. "Easy, Hellsing," Sirius said against her hair as she struggled in his arms. "You don't know what's going on."

"No thanks to you!" Ani shouted, wrenching around so that she faced the much taller Sirius. She tilted her head defiantly and glowered into his black eyes. "Let me go," she said in a low voice, "or I will never forgive you."

"Ani…" he began.

"Sirius." Her voice cracked. "There's no time. Let me go."

He sighed and the sound came from his very soul. "Fine," he said, releasing her. "But I'm coming too."

"Fine."

Released, Ani raced up the stairs, Sirius' footsteps pounding behind her. She hesitated at the top of the steps, unsure where to go, when from Rion's room she heard her mother's low, animal moan. She shot down the hall and through the open door to Rion's room.

When she saw the scene before her, she froze. Sirius, quick on her heels, had to brace himself in the doorframe to keep from ramming into her.

In her brother's bed lay Lynx, his face ashen, a thin river of blood dripping from his lips. More blood stained the crown of his long blond hair, and his forearms were littered with cuts and bruises and wounds that Ani knew came from a wand. Her mother, stricken, sat next to her eldest son, his head on her lap, stroking his hair, a look of shock and loss marring her features.

Rion, breathing hard, stood at the far side of the bed and looked up to meet Ani's eyes. Brother and sister shared a long look. "I found him at the Reynolds," Rion explained, his voice dull. "The Reynolds… they're dead, Ani… both of them. He's lucky he's as alive as he is."

From the bed Lynx let out a moan and suddenly struggled against the sheets. "Darling, be quiet, lay still," Mrs. Hellsing whispered, cradling her child's head. "We've sent for a Healer, just lay still."

"Blythe." Lynx let out a keening moan, his eyes still welded shut, his hands grasping at the bedclothes. "They took her… they took her…" He was silent for a moment and then, his face contorted, began to scream.

Ani felt the pressure build in her chest and whirled around before it reached her throat. She ducked under Sirius' arm and flew from the room, heading to her own room, her sanctuary. She burst through the door and was about to fling herself onto her bed when strong arms caught her once more.

"Oh God, Sirius," she wailed as he turned her gently. His coal eyes burned down at her, an expression of unspeakable grief on his face. Ani buried her face in his chest and felt hot tears begin to flow. "Why is this happening?" she sobbed, desperately grasping him around the waist, her sorrow overwhelming her. "What is happening to us?"

Sirius, his voice locked in his throat, could say nothing. He simply held her close and rested his cheek against her hair, letting her cry.