(A/N: Don't fret. Marauders Misery isn't over yet. We have about 8 more chapters or so left-including the last three chapters-I will also be putting the first chapter of MM2 when I put up the last of MM so never fear. Also MM2 will be a prequel and a sequel.)

Chapter 56: Death is apart of Life

Christmas break had come before anyone had known what had happened. Everything seemed to be moving so fast. Lily and James were now the hottest couple at Hogwarts. Faith talked to Serverus less and less. Serverus became colder and meaner as the days went on. Sarah seemed more and more depressed as the days passed, knowing the school year would soon be over. Remus fell more in love with Sarah. Sirius played more and more pranks, trying to leave behind a legacy. Peter became distant from the others.

Their lives just seemed to get more confusing every day. It really became chaos though on December 24th. It was about 6:30(pm) and Lily was sitting at the kitchen table watching the snow fall and drinking hot chocolate.

An owl came barreling towards the door, Lily jumped up from her seat and opened the door just in time for the owl to come swooping in. The owl landed on the table and gave a few urgent hoots. Lily snatched the owl from the owl and it flew off. Lily opened up the envelope and recognized the rushed cursive letters that slanted to the left as Faith's. It read:

Lils,

Come to Saint Mungos Right away. James's father is dying.

Faith

Lily noticed a small amount of green powder at the bottom of the envelope. She quickly grabbed her forest green coat out of the closet. She scribbled out a note to her parents as she hurried over to the fireplace. The fire spat at Lily as she threw in the Floo Powder.

"Saint Mungos!" She hollered and with a whush she was gone.

Faith paced nervously back in forth. 'Where was Lily?' She thought. Faith stared anxiously at the row of fireplaces that lined the downstairs waiting room of Saint Mungos. She twisted the tie to her black, cotton trench coat in her fingers.

A green fire roared before quickly dying again reveling Lily standing there. Faith grabbed Lily's hand anxiously and began to drag her about.

James sat at in a chair at the side of her fathers bed, his eyes stung terribly. His head was in his hands, his head was down so low it was just centimeters from the bed. Seated next to him was his mother who was sobbing which broke James's heart. His father lay on the bed a ghostly pale color. His hair was a fierce gray color, he still held mischief in his eyes. James couldn't believe what was happening. His father was dying. His father. The man that had raised him, had snuck him chocolate when his mother said no. The man who pretended to discipline when he made trouble but secretly rewarded him.

Leaning up against a far wall was Remus. He held a sniffling Sarah in his arms. Remus's eyes were clouded over with grief. Seated on the other side of James was Sirius. Sirius was looking down at the floor trying to will himself not to cry. Here was a man that lay dying that had been more of a father to him than his own. He had let him stay in his house when he had none.

Lily walked into the room silently. It was completely quiet except for the ragged breathing of Alden Potter and the sobs and sniffles of the others. Lily walked softly over the James and knelt besides him. James's head came up slowly and the first thing he saw was Lily's soft green eyes. Lily wrapped her arms around James's neck and he buried his head into her shoulder. Sirius got up and pushed his chair closer to James's, so Lily could sit down.

Sirius's eyes were a nasty red color and he walked up to Faith, who gave him a big hug. (Keep in mind Faith is the only one who really knows what its like to lose a family member. Remus's mother died but he was way too young to know anything about it.)

Hours went by and their limbs became stiff from their lack of movement. Sirius and Faith had seated themselves in a spot on the floor. Faith's head was leaning up the wall and she was raking her fingers through Sirius's hair. (Why do people like that so much?) Sarah's head was pressed up against Remus's chest and he held her tightly. Lily and James's hands were tightly intertwined and she rested her head on his shoulder as he concentrated on the floor.

Faith rested her head on top of Sirius's shoulder. One of his arms was holding her close while the other was entwined with her hand. She began to wake up.Faith winced as she looked around the room. Bright sunlight shone in through the window above her. The floor in front of her was brightly lit and hurt her eyes. She looked over and that James and Lily's chairs were emptying. Faith then noticed two pairs of legs poking out from the other side of the bed.

Lily was awake and looking around the room. She had not allowed herself to fall asleep. She and James and settled down on the floor next to his father's bed. Both of James's arms were wrapped around Lily and she could hear the steady beat of his heart.

James had drifted in and out of sleep all night. Every time he awoke it was to his mother's sobs and his father's ragged breathing. At the moment James was sleeping. He was having a firmlar dream where everything was perfect. James wanted desperatly for that dream to be real.

Remus's leg felt warm. His eyes opened lazily and he noticed his leg was in the direct direction of the sun. He moved his leg out from the sun and yawned. His eyes were blurry and when they came back into focus he noticed Faith and Sirius sitting under the window. Faith gave a faint smile. Remus raised his eyesbrows and then fell back asleep.

After a good 25 hour nap, Alden Potter woke up and looked around the room. He noticed it was deathly quiet and pale moonlight was drifting into the room.

"Hannah." he said hoarsly. His wife's head jerked up as did everyone elses. Everyone's grip on everyone elses hands tightened.

"Alden?" Hannah Potter said leaning forward, her voice croaking as she reached for her husbands hand. They were ice cold. Alden gave a slight smile and looked at Sarah.

"S-S..." Alden said but was finding it hard to breathe.

"Shhh. You don't need to speak." Hannah said.

"No...I...wanna get this all out." Alden said clutching his wifes hand who squeezed in response as hot tears ran down her face.

"Sarah. You've been so...good to Remus here. Only your soft poetic nature could bring out the real man that Remus is. I know your parents have never really been there but you mustn't let that stop you from getting what you want out of life." Alden said. Silent tears fell down Sarah's face and she blushed deeply. Alden then turned to Remus.

"Remus...Ever since James brought you home in his 3rd year I knew there was something different about you. Your such an enigma....you have no idea what fun that is trying to figure you out. Treat her good boy." Alden said smiling slightly. Remus nodded and looked at Sarah who held his gaze. He squeezed her hand as if morse code.

"Faith.I'd heard much about you before I even knew you. Your one of the strongest women I'v met...never lose that...also you'll need it to keep Sirius in line." Alden chuckled. Faith smiled widely and nudged Sirius slightly as if to say 'troublemaker'.

"Sirius...I knew once James brought you home in his first year that you two would soon be the troublemakers of the school. I wasn't wrong. Make sure you hold on to that one." Alden said nodding to Faith and smiling.

"Hannah...There are no words nor enough time to say exactly what I want to say to you. The only words that... come to mind are that I love you...and I espically loved all the times we had...I always remembered the good ones and never gave the bad ones a second thought." Alden said. Hannah weeped and kissed her husbands hand.

"James...my what a striking brave handsome image of your father you've become. Much to... your mothers displeasure I knew... one day you would be as every bit mischievous.... and troublesome as I was in my day. Remember James, every man dies... but not every man lives."

"Lily...I knew from the first time I met you that my son would be enthralled with you....I wasn't wrong...with your breautiful eyes...how could James resist....be sure to watch my son for me....hes a bit of a troublemaker." Alden said. Lily squeezed James's hand.

A few short hours later. Alden Potter died at the young age of 40.

(A/N: I must say that I recommened everyone watch the show Lost on Tv. Every Wed. at around night timeish (probably around anywhere from 6-8oclock) but its a great show and I advise everyone watch it...plus any requests people have. Anything anyone would like to see happen before thier school year ends?)