A/N: There was some confusion concerning the last chapter and this one. I would like to apologize for anything I may have done to contribute to this and take this opportunity to set the record straight and clear up any confusion.

This fanfic takes place in 1980. Harry is three months old at this point in time. He's fine. And when the sun rises on November 1st, 1980, James and Lily are fine too. Don't panic. You have plenty of time before you have to worry about Halloween night, 1981.

Any foreshadowing in the last chapter was meant for my future plot devices, not James' eventual demise.

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November

"I have an assignment for you, James. It is a very delicate situation."

"Of course, Dumbledore. What do you need me to do?"

"I need you to escort one of our operatives. He will be in a meeting at this address." Dumbledore passed over a paper. "However, you can't be seen to escort him. The reason he needs an escort is that he's been targeted for death."

James nodded. "You want me to identify Voldemort's hit-man?"

"Yes. The meeting is in two day's time at nine in the evening. I'm not sure when it will end. You'll know our operative by his purple cloak."

"Consider it done, Dumbledore."

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James pulled his cloak up around his neck and ears. This is crazy! I've been here since eight-thirty, freezing my butt off! The dingy pub in the street below him went dark. James ducked down, watching and waiting as the meeting broke up. There he is! A tall, thin figure wearing a purple cloak started down the wet street, half-hidden by the falling rain. James moved to follow him.

He climbed down to street level as he followed the purple cloak. Any shadow could hold the assassin. James studied each one, searching for movement. There! On the rooftop across the street, he saw a furtive shadow. There he is. Keeping the purple-cloak in his sights, he set an intercept course.

As he moved, the shadow paralleled him. James stopped. Maybe he's spotted me. He moved on. The shadowy assassin continued trailing him. His heart skipped a beat. He's not after the guy in the cloak. He's after me! James changed course, moving away from the operative. The shadow assassin followed him, confirming his suspicions.

I'm not an easy hit, Shadow-man. James changed course again, starting for an industrial area. He soon reached a shipping yard. The box containers formed a narrow maze of paths before him. James checked for his shadow. The assassin had disappeared.

Swallowing, James crept along, eyes and ears straining to hear or see. Just one hint! Harry, Lily, I love you! He pulled out his wand. A soft footstep whispered across the pavement just around the corner. James held still, his breath caught in his throat. On three. One . . . Two . . . Three! He leapt around the corner. The shadow assassin was there! A cold blade of light flashed towards James' head. James brought his wand up and stopped. The blade of light flew past James, singeing his ear. Sirius' grey eyes stared at him over the tip of his wand.

"Prongs?" he breathed. Footsteps echoed through the shipping yard. James looked away from Sirius and towards the footsteps. The man in the purple cloak appeared. Sirius shifted his aim to the operative.

"What a pity," he hissed, "You're both still alive. Dumbledore hopes this will serve as a lesson to you both." He pulled out a wand and disapparated with a POP.

James looked back at Sirius. "He said you were Voldemort's hit-man." Sirius nodded, glaring at where the operative had last stood. "That's what he told you?" Again Sirius nodded. "Dumbledore set us up? I can't believe it," James whispered.

"I can. I'm going to see him."

"Now?" With a soft CRACK, Sirius vanished. James sighed. "Yep," he said to himself. Should I go? Padfoot's temper is always impotent against Dumbledore. But, at the same time, I can't let him go alone. James turned his wand around and disapparated as well.

He appeared just outside the grounds of Hogwart's. Sirius was a dark shadow traveling the muddy road ahead. "Sirius! Wait!" James called, running to catch up. Sirius waited until he reached him. Then they hurried up to the castle.

Sirius led the way, silently swinging the main door open. He stopped and laughed under his breath, "This brings back memories." Smiling, James nodded. They crept up to the secret entrance to Dumbledore's office. Together, they stared at the gargoyle.

"Chocolate Frog," James tried. The statue didn't move.

"Bertie Bott's" said Sirius.

"No, he hates those."

Sirius shrugged, "They're a candy."

James stood in thought. "Fizzing Whizbee?" he tried.

"Sugar Quill." The gargoyle stepped aside at Sirius' suggestion. Sirius gave James a meaningful look. Yeah, you did it. Together he and James ascended the moving stairs to Dumbledore's office. When they reached the top, Sirius barged in. James followed cautiously.

Dumbledore sat at his desk, smiling softly at them. Sirius slammed a fist down in front of him, shaking the desk and sending a pile of papers to the floor. James stood beside him, hands clasped, watching Sirius master his temper. Long ago, Dumbledore had made it clear that he wouldn't put up with Sirius' rages.

When Sirius' breathing had slowed, Dumbledore conjured two chairs, "Sit, please," he said, indicating them. James pulled his friend back into one, as he sat. Dumbledore smiled across at them, waiting.

"I just want to know why?" James said.

"We almost killed each other!" Sirius added.

"And you received my message?" Dumbledore asked. James nodded. Dumbledore sighed. "You two are almost more trouble than you're worth. Do you know that?" James looked down. "You're the two greatest wizards since Voldemort himself. And when you work together . . . No one can stand against you. You know it, I know it, and Voldemort knows it.

"But, quite frankly, I am tired of working against both the two of you and the Death Eaters. I feel as if I've set my forces against themselves."

"So you set us against ourselves," James whispered. Dumbledore nodded. Sirius sighed and leaned back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling.

"My count," Dumbledore continued, "is six killings without my say. Three minor players who may have been under the Imperius curse. And three higher-ups. One of which was an important source of information. Did I miss any, Sirius?"

"Just you," he whispered. Dumbledore smiled.

"Sirius--" James began.

"Acted on your orders," Dumbledore finished. James nodded weakly. "Perhaps. But he already knew I had countermanded those orders."

"Don't talk as if I'm not here," Sirius hissed, still staring at the ceiling.

"Then you will both explain yourselves. Starting with you, James." He steepled his fingers and waited.

James opened his mouth and nothing came out. You're too old, too slow, and too cautious! We have to fight back before they decide to pluck us out! Because all we are is a thorn in Voldemort's side! He closed his mouth then tried again. I have a perfect wife! A perfect son! They deserve better than hiding from half our kind; worrying if the next time I go to work, will be the last time they see me! James closed his mouth again. How can I say any of that?! He sighed.

"I'm tired of it all. I want this over!" he said.

"I know, James," Dumbledore smiled softly, "I know. This is a trying battle we must fight. Not everything is as it seems. Our enemies could really be our friends under a curse and we don't yet know everyone on the enemy's side. Our best friends could be our enemy's greatest spies."

"No," James interrupted. "I trust my friends," he whispered. "Especially you," he said, turning to Sirius. "Sirius turned away from Voldemort when we were still boys," he said to Dumbledore.

"True," Dumbledore nodded. Sirius dragged his eyes from the ceiling and looked from one to the other. "And your explanation?" Dumbledore prompted, after a minute, a suppressed smile on his face and a twinkle in his blue eyes.

"James asked me to do it and I did. I'm not sorry for it. James said he checked them and I believed him."

"I did check them. I even ran them past your spy."

"Yes, he told me," Dumbledore said with a smile. Well he is his spy. Sirius looked at James, skeptically. James shrugged. Dumbledore chuckled.

"Please, James," the Headmaster said. "I need the two of you on my side. Really on my side. Enough vigilantism. You've had your revenge for July." James sat in silence. He could feel Sirius waiting for his answer. What will you do if I say no?

"Can we be a bit more aggressive?" he asked staring hard at Dumbledore. "If we know that someone's a Death Eater, even if they may be cursed, can we move against them?"

It was Dumbledore's turn to sit and think. "And if I say 'yes' to this?"

"Then I'll be a good boy," James answered, "I promise."

Sirius' barking laugh rang through the room. Dumbledore stared at him until his laughter died.

"Very well, James. We will move as swiftly as possible, even if I have lingering doubts." He glared at Sirius, "And you, Sirius?"

"I follow James, Dumbledore. You know that."

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes. I know that."