...Winding Path...

By Zetta
SUMMARY: James Potter's had a rough year, and when he decided he needs a break from being an Auror, Albus Dumbledore comes up with an interesting proposition....
CHARACTERS: James Potter, Lily Evans, Sirius Black, Sybil Trelawney, Taura Sinastra, Minerva McGonagall, Albus Dumbledore, and more!
RATING: PG-13
DEDICATION: This one goes out to Aileron, and everblue3, who have both inspired me quite a bit- and made me worry even more about all the little details that I've still got left to go, but I still love 'em anyway. :o) Thank you both *so* much!! You guys are totally awesome to me, and I don't deserve to even type your names... (Yet I'm doing it anyway. Go figure!)
NOTES: I have a thing about torturing characters. And so, this chapter is a rather unhappy one, though it does include a bit of L/J getting closer. (YAY!) Also, I've reworked some of the plot ideas, so if you see *anything* that is contradictory towards what I've said before, please, please, please mention it to me so I can dig myself out of any problems....
Anyway... Christmas Eve Day comes, along with an unpleasant confrontation, unhappy news, and the reuniting of MWPP...

LILY AND JAMES START UP A BIT!!! :o) (I'm more excited about it than you, I bet!)

Chapter Seven

In a warm cloak and scarf and mittens, Lily stepped out of the castle and into the cold.

Snow had started falling about an hour ago, and already it was up to the top of her foot.

It crunched beneath her feet as she walked down the hill towards the lake, where Sybil and Taura were already waiting.

"Happy Christmas Eve Day," said Taura when she turned, having heard her approach.

Lily smiled back. "And to you two."

Sybil gave her a small smile as well, but there were bags under her eyes.

Lily noticed, but didn't say anything. Sybil had confronted her earlier that morning and told her about the dreams she'd been having. It made Lily feel very uncomfortable, but at the same time, it also annoyed her. She knew that Sybil didn't like James, but Lily did, and it was very difficult not to get annoyed by the constant pessimism of her best friend.

The three women began their walk- something of a Christmas tradition to go for a stroll around the lake and enjoy the peace and quiet and beauty of Hogwarts.

It had started in second year, after Sybil had found out about her parents and had needed the break.

The next year it had happened again, just because it was comforting. The year after it had happened again, and since both Lily and Sybil were big on tradition, they had kept it up. Taura had joined them once they'd become members of the staff.

"How are things with Remus?" Lily asked Taura. "You said you'd gotten an owl from him earlier this week- I forgot to ask you about it sooner."

Taura smiled. "Pretty well. He's a nice guy. And he kisses great." Then, remembering that Lily had once had a crush on him, she smirked. "You're not jealous, are you dear?"

Lily rolled her eyes. "Not quite."

"That's right," Taura teased. "You've got Potter to worry about."

She didn't notice that Sybil lost her smile and Lily averted her eyes.

"So," Taura said. "What's the deal with him? I thought you two would be all over each other by November. It's almost the end of December and I haven't seen you snogging yet."

Lily shrugged, avoiding any eye-contact with Sybil. "He's still pretty caught up with his parents and everything- we're waiting a while so things don't get... confused."

Taura frowned, apparently sensing more of it than she'd let on. She looked over at the Divination teacher, who was looking out at the lake with pursed lips. "And you don't like him, Syb?"

Sybil scowled at her. "Do not call me that," she said, her voice sharper than normal. She closed her eyes for a moment, and her voice softened, though no less emotional. "No, I don't like Potter. I've seen things about him and they don't bode well for the future."

Taura gasped and raised her hands above her heart, pretending to be shocked. "You've seen things? Stop the presses! After all, you've always been right and this time is no different, I'm sure." There was annoyance in her voice- a lot more than normal. And anger as well. "Honestly, Sybil," Taura snapped. "You're ridiculous. You could at least be happy for her."

"Taura," Lily said sharply. "Calm down."

Sybil's claws were sharpened though, and she gave Taura such a cold look that it made the snow seem warm. "First of all, Sinastra, I've seen a lot of things. What I chose to share with you depends upon how factual I think it is. It doesn't do to share the real future with people who wouldn't know what to do with it, such as you." She gave Lily a long look, but then returned her sharp gaze to Taura, the anger obvious in her eyes. "Neither of you understand- I know that, and I've known it for a very long time. But I know also that Potter is dangerous. If Lily gets involved with him, she will die. I saw it and I know it."

Taura met her gaze coldly. "You'll forgive me if that's not exactly impressive. I have never heard a prediction from you that's truthful. It's all bull. What I think is that you're jealous- Potter is a nice guy who's interested in Lily, and you're too pathetic to wish her well and move on. You're afraid that she'll leave you behind, aren't you?"

"Stop," Lily said quietly, feeling very caught in the middle of everything. "Both of you."

They ignored her. Sybil was white in the face, her lips pressed tightly together and her hands clenched in fists- her nails digging so hard into her skin that Lily was certain she was bleeding. "Believe what you like. By Merlin, I hope that we never find out. But don't you dare question what I've Seen. You don't know the first thing about it. And you'd do yourself well if you would get away from the werewolf- there's doom in his future too."

Taura went white in the face as well, white with fury.

Lily felt like she was being torn in two, and wanted to knock sense into both of them- especially since, to be completely honest, it was none of their damn business who she was interested in. She forced herself to speak up and break them apart before they lost even more control and said something that they would really regret. "You're both being ridiculous," she said, as steadily as she could. "Please, both of you, just calm down."

Sybil glared at her, her patience apparently having been worn away. "Lily, I've warned you. Potter means death for you. If you don't believe me, fine. But when he comes for you, you'll regret it."

Throwing no last glances over her shoulder, Sybil left them at the side of the lake and went back up towards the castle.

Lily turned away from Taura, closing her eyes and fighting back a headache that had come along when the argument had started.

"Since when did she get so sensitive about that?" Taura wondered, her voice cold. "Or perhaps the truth really does hurt."

Lily gave her an irritated look. "Taura, she's always been sensitive about it. She's ignored the comments from you and everyone else for so long that when she does get angry, she'll hold a grudge. Probably against me, too. Damn it. And honestly, the two of you behave like you're back in primary school. It's my business who I do- or don't- date. And she's been correct more times than you're admitting, and you know it."

Taura was stubborn. "Lily, she's being ridiculous. She sees the future about as well as I do- in other words, she doesn't."

Lily gave her a sharp look. "Taura-"

"I wasn't kidding," Taura said in return, cutting her off. "She's just jealous that you've found someone else that you're interested in. Ignore it, Lily. James is a great guy, and I think that you two would be really good together."

Lily looked back at the lake, wondering at the feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach. "I like him a lot," she admitted. "But I have never said if I was interested in being 'really good together' with him. And I don't want to hurt Sybil either, and I think... I think that she's really serious about this. Whether she's right or she's wrong-"

"Wrong," Taura supplied helpfully.

Lily ignored her. "She's going to be very hurt if I don't believe what she's saying."

Taura rolled her eyes. "Well, I know she's your best friend, Lily, but she's got to grow up some time. She's got to learn that the world doesn't always go her way."

Lily gave up trying to be nice and scowled at her. "Damn it, Taura, she is my best friend, and I don't want her to get hurt, especially when it's over James Potter or some guy. You're only a few years older than us, Taura- you don't have that much more experience than us."

Taura didn't flinch. "Lily, be honest with yourself- why on Earth would she be saying such things? She's jealous. And I know you don't want to think of her as less than a perfect friend, but be honest with yourself- she's completely and totally out of line."

Lily started back up the hill. "Or maybe she's right. Voldemort is after James, and everyone knows it."

"Don't be ridiculous," Taura said impatiently. "The only reason You-Know-Who went after the Potters was to make a statement. They were an old family, well loved, and nearly everyone liked him. That's why he killed the Potters, and he's done now. If he weren't, James would probably be dead by now. "

Lily glanced back at her, frowning. "Look. Whatever the reasons for killing them, it doesn't mater. Whether you like it or not, Sybil is someone I don't want to see hurt. I love you both, but I can't stand being around you at the same time because the tension's so thick. You stop it with the harassment, and I'll ask her to stop with her predictions."

They'd reached the castle doors.

Lily gave her one more look. "I'll see you at dinner."

And then she was off down the hall.

*..:..*..:..*..:..*..:..*..:..*

"Hey, Lily."

Lily looked up, startled, then relaxed. James was in the doorway, smiling at her. She relaxed. "Hi. When did you get back?"

He entered the room, staying near the door. "About an hour ago. I was unpacking and finishing wrapping a few Christmas gifts, or I'd have been over sooner."

"That's okay." She smiled at him. "Have a seat," she invited.

He came in the rest of the way and took a seat on the edge of one of the desks, giving her an innocent smile and saying nothing.

She laughed. "You look like you're a student in trouble again."

He smiled back at her. "Well, it wasn't that long ago. How's your break been?"

She lost her smile. "I've had better." She opened her mouth to ask him how his was then remembered what he'd said he was going to do. She shut her mouth again.

He frowned at her. "What happened?"

She sighed. "Oh, Sybil and Taura were bickering a bit too much again, and we've decided to avoid each other for a while."

"What about?"

She averted her eyes again. "Long story." Seeking a change of topic, she smiled at him. "Still interested in going bowling?"

He brightened. "Oh! Yes, of course. But does it really involve bowls? Remus tried to tell me it did, but I don't trust him. I was harassing him at the time."

She laughed. "No. No bowls required. It's bowling in the throwing a ball down a lane and trying to knock pins down kind of way."

He still looked puzzled, but nodded a little. "Okay. I'll just have to get revenge on him next time I see him. Maybe send his mum a picture of him and Taura out on one of their dates."

She smiled, amused by his cheery mood. "You're certainly in a good mood today."

"I suppose I am." He seemed to hesitate for a moment before he looked up at her again. "I went and saw my family yesterday."

"Oh?" she asked, looking at him, studying him with a frown. "How was it?"

He looked away, frowning a little. "Easy? Hard? Somewhere in the middle? Both?" A sigh. "I wish I could tell you."

She studied him with a frown, then stood up. "Come on," she requested. "Let's walk somewhere."

He obliged her, standing and following her out the door, then waiting while she locked the room up.

For a few moments, they were both quiet, walking slowly and wondering what the other was thinking. James finally spoke. "It was easier than I thought it would be. Easier than it was last time. It still hurts, but it's a different kind of pain. Not as sharp."

She crossed her arms in front of her, fighting the urge to shiver- from the cold or from the topic, she wasn't sure which. "Did you cry?"

He blinked, a little startled, but nodded, looking only a little embarrassed. "Maybe a little."

She smiled. "I didn't think you'd tell me that."

He raised an eyebrow at her. "If you ever bring it up again, however, I will do something quite drastic."

She stopped, putting her hands on her hips and giving him an amused look. "And what would that be, Potter?"

For a moment, from the way he was looking at her, she was sure he was going to kiss her. But he didn't, looking away and smiling wryly. "Hell if I know," he said instead.

She felt very disappointed, but at the same time, wondered why. Hadn't she been the one to stop him last time? The thought made her wonder- was he going to wait for her to do something? She wanted to groan, but instead sighed. "Your threat isn't quite as impressive when you can't even come up with a suitable punishment."

He snorted. "You try coming up with something." Giving her an amused look, he started walking again. "It's a threat that has to be reasonable, appropriate, and inoffensive. That rules out what I would tell Sirius, Remus, or Peter. It has to be suitable for a woman, and that makes it even worse."

"Sexist," she accused playfully.

He 'hmm'ed. "Maybe. But what I'd tell Sirius is rather impossible to tell a lady such as yourself."

She thought about it for a brief moment. "I don't think I want to know, do I?"

"Probably not."

They fell into a silence for a while, just walking through the halls.

James glanced at his watch. "Care for tea in the Great Hall? Most everyone was in there when I came up a bit ago."

"Sounds lovely," she said.

They turned down the hall that led in that direction, and upon reaching the hall, took their seats up at the Head Table, giving their greetings to McGonagall, Figg, and Hooch, who were seated on the other side of the table. Professors Falkner and Flitwick were also at that end, and Flitwick beamed at them and almost fell off his chair.

As this was normal, no one was too worried, and Lily and James took their normal seats. Dumbledore and Professor Sprout joined them after a few more minutes, and the group chatted pleasantly.

Then an owl flew in, hooting softly.

The owl landed in front of James, narrowly missing the teapot between them. He took the envelope as Lily gave the owl a biscuit, and she watched worriedly as he opened and read the letter.

His reaction confirmed the bad feeling she had.

His shoulders slumped and he rested his head in his hands for a long moment before he looked up again, his eyes dull again. The rest of the staff had noticed, of course, and were for the most part pretending not to look at him.

He stood up slowly, pushing his chair in and leaning on the back of it. He looked over everyone at the table, and when he spoke, his voice was very quiet. "Roman and Rosada Lupin were attacked this morning. They're both dead."

The reaction hit them all at once- Minerva looked down at her tea cup, looking very pained. Rosada Lupin had been one of her students.

Arabella Figg sat back and closed her eyes. Roman Lupin had been one of hers.

Falkner and Flitwick exchanged somber looks, and Sprout sighed heavily.

Dumbledore looked up at James. "And the younger Lupin?"

"He's alive," James said, still softly. "He came home and found Aurors and Ministry officials all over the house. But he's alive."

From his voice, Lily knew there was more to it than that, but didn't ask.

"I'm going down to see him," James said then, looking to Dumbledore. "I don't know how long I'll be."

"Take as much time as you need," the Headmaster said.

Minerva nodded tiredly. "And send us the details of when the... the funerals will take place."

The room was very quiet as he walked out.

*..:..*..:..*..:..*..:..*..:..*

Peter wasn't at his apartment, and he wasn't at work.

James called Mrs. Pettigrew over the Floo Network, and had the unhappy job of telling Mrs. Pettigrew about the Lupins. She burst into tears.

She didn't know where Peter was either.

After the fire went out, James sat in the largest chair near the fire and wrote out a note explaining what had happened to Peter, and telling him to go over to the Lupin house.

He was about to Floo over there when Peter came in the door, arms laden down with grocery sacks. "I heard," he said, his voice thick. "I got an owl as I was walking up."

James nodded a little. "You ready to go?"

"Let me set some of this down," he said, and carried the bags over to the counter. James joined him and helped him put things away.

"I talked to your mum a bit ago. She knows. She wants you to let her know how you're doing when you get some time."

Peter nodded, putting the milk jug into the refrigerator. "All right," he said. "Let's go."

They Flooed over.

There were dozens of people in the front room of the Lupin's house, and when James stepped out, he recognized someone- and he knew the situation was even worse than he feared. Not only were their Aurors and Interviewers, but people from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures were there, as well as the dour faced man who led the Werewolf Registry and the woman in charge of the Werewolf Support Services.

James immediately began worrying even more about Remus. Sirius's letter had been vague- he'd just said that the Ministry had been questioning Remus, not that they'd called in for all the departments to get involved.

With a half-nod to some of the men and women that he knew, he followed the trail of people towards the kitchen, flinching when he saw the blood-stained hallway, but not stopping until he could see Remus seated at the kitchen table.

Sirius stood stiffly beside him, his face twisted into a scowl as two Ministry officials that James recognized from Hogwarts demanded answers of Remus.

Remus looked pale and exhausted, and his voice was very flat as he answered the pointless questions civilly.

"Potter," someone said in greeting, and Remus and Sirius both looked up to nod their greetings.

James nodded back, his eyes lingering worriedly on Remus, who looked down at the table and didn't say anything.

Feeling even more worried now, he looked at the two who were interviewing Remus. "McArnold and Pierce?"

They nodded, suddenly suspicious of him. James shrugged. "Someone was looking for you out in the other room- short man. Dark suit."

The two immediately exchanged sharp looks and murmured their thanks and hurried out of the kitchen.

That would keep them out of the kitchen for a while.

James and Peter went over to Remus, and they sat in the chairs around the table, Sirius doing the same.

The other people who had been witnesses to the interview stepped out after Sirius glared at them, giving them privacy.

"What happened?" James asked.

Remus met his eyes. "I was out picking up a few things for Christmas. Came home, the Dark Mark was above the house, there were Ministry guys all over. Once they found out what I am, even more of them showed up."

"Moody's here," Sirius said. "He called me in. He said they were probably attacked about an hour before Remus got here. Aurors have been here since the neighbor across the street called in the Mark."

James nodded slightly and glanced back in the other room. "They won't let you stay here tonight," he said, looking back at Remus. "You shouldn't anyway."

"Your place?" Sirius asked, and James nodded.

Remus just closed his eyes and rested his head on the table.

*..:..*..:..*..:..*..:..*..:..*

The Potter Manor was suspiciously quiet when the four appeared before it almost three hours later.

Night had come, and was creeping over the trees across the street, the nearly full moon lighting up the world around them.

Remus had been very quiet all night long. They all had.

Unlocking the house, James stepped inside, not looking down the hall that lead to the kitchen.

But a shadow caught his eye and he glanced that way, certain he had seen a stuffed bear on the floor.

It was his imagination. Swallowing a little, he stepped inside, allowing the others to come in behind him.

The lights slowly came on as they stepped further into the house, going into the sitting room that the Potters had always used to receive guests- and their extended family.

Remus collapsed in a chair near the fire, staring into it with a somewhat glossy look in his eyes.

Peter tentatively sat on a chair near him, looking even more nervous than usual.

Sirius dropped his bag near the door and walked over to the bar, looking through the bottles until he found an unlabelled decanter. He sent four glasses over to the table near Remus and then sat on the couch nearest the door to pour them all very generous drinks.

James looked over them for a moment, then went to the window, looking out.

It was quiet. It had been when his parents had died, and before that, when Sirius's parents had been killed.

No one knew what to say, and after this much practice, they knew that it wasn't going to help any to hear them bumbling about for words.

How long ago was it, James wondered, detached, that they had first heard about Mr. Pettigrew dying? What about Sirius's parents being murdered? Had it really only been a few months since his own parents had been killed? And now Remus would find out how it felt firsthand to have your parents- worse than your best friends parents even- snatched from you with no warning.

The Lupins. Two of the nicest people in the world- He stopped himself. That was what everyone said when people died. The nicest...

He rested his head against the window. And suddenly remembered doing the same thing the night his parents had been killed.

He turned from the window and looked back at the group. Remus was staring straight ahead, unmoving. Sirius was massaging his head as though he had an awful headache. Peter was twitching nervously, looking anywhere but at Remus.

And here he was, standing at the window, feeling... guilty?

A little voice inside his head was at it again, whispering... Blaming him for not being out there, not helping the Light side. He'd quit and gone to teach at a school. A school that was probably the safest place in all of Europe, so long as Albus Dumbledore was there.

His stomach twisting, he processed the thought, wondering if there was any truth to it.

Everyone said it took only one to make a difference.

What if he was the one, and he had just lost his chance to make a difference?

He tried to brush the thought aside, but couldn't. He couldn't have done anything to save the Lupins any more than he could have saved his parents.

But the other part of him was insisting that he was wrong, that he should have done something, that sitting at the school, flirting with the Muggle Studies teacher wasn't going to do him or any one else any good.

Not while monsters like Voldemort was.

The sad part was that he liked teaching so much. He liked being there at Hogwarts and showing them the way to break a curse, or to put one on something.

But while he was off having fun, Sirius and Moody and Frank Longbottom were in the thick of things, actually doing something...

And people were out there, getting killed. People who didn't deserve death.

He walked out of the room quickly, ignoring the looks Sirius and Peter shot him, and went down the hall towards the kitchen, towards the basement.

Lights flickered on in the kitchen as he walked, but he could have seen without them. He opened the trap door in the floor that led into the basement and went down the stairs.

He stopped there, looking around the room. He could still see the way his family had been when he'd found them. His dad lying where he stood, his mum and sisters a little further over, and his brother and his brother's family lying dead a few meters further back.

Why had they been murdered? Why had the Blacks been murdered before them? And the Lupins?

James knew the answer, and had known it since the first day life had turned Dark- back when the Blacks had been killed. Because Voldemort was evil, and his ultimatum was death. Which was why he had to stop.

James sank down to the ground, sitting on the bottom step and closing his eyes.

He wanted to distract himself by having a philosophical debate in his head.

Instead he found himself looking over the room and missing his family, and grieving for Remus.

And wanting to do something about it.

*..:..*..:..*..:..*..:..*..:..*

The funerals were going to be terrible, James knew, staring somewhat dumbly into his closet and trying to concentrate on finding the appropriate clothing.

They were to take place two days after Christmas- Christmas, which had been a somber day, no gifts exchanged, just the four of them and Mrs. Pettigrew there, trying to console Remus and knowing there was nothing that could be done.

And now it was just another day of the year, and he had to get clothing for the funerals which would be held on the morrow.

Funerals which Remus had been discouraged from attending by the Ministry officials whom had dared to place him on the suspected Death Eater list.

They actually thought that Remus, quiet, kind, shy Remus who would have done anything for his mum and dad, could have killed them in cold blood.

James pulled his robes out of the closet and went to hang them on the door that separated the Dark Arts room from his private chambers.

Lily was downstairs, standing in the doorway of the classroom, looking up at him, her eyes filled with emotions for him.

Looking down at her, he leaned on the balcony. His heart began beating strangely, and he wondered why it was that she could do this to him, even on a horrible, awful day like this day had been, and with a day tomorrow was going to be looming over his head.

She broke the silence, stepping a little further in, crossing her arms in front of her, perhaps because she was cold, perhaps because she was nervous. "Hey."

He loosened his grip on the railing but leaned a little heavier on it. "Hey."

For a long moment they just looked at each other, and James wondered what she was thinking- why she was there.

And he decided that it didn't really matter, and he started down the stairs. At the same time, she started across the room, and they met somewhere in the middle and embraced. She slipped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight for a moment, and he slipped his arm around her to hold her there when she started to pull away, wondering the whole time at the way it felt to have a woman touching him like this- in a purely non sexual way, but in a way that made him feel so very different. Her touch seemed to take some of the hurt that he'd been fighting away.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her breath tickling his neck.

He nodded a little, and swallowed, and they pulled back ever so slightly, still close enough that they were touching. Her eyes were teary as she looked up at him. But then, so were his. "How's Remus?" she asked.

They parted ways a little further, but he still held her hand, unwilling to relinquish all contact, and their eyes still met. "As well as can be expected. But there were... complications. He's all right, just hurting and tired."

He didn't want to explain the complications just yet, though at the same time, he knew that he eventually would. She didn't ask about it, just nodded and ran her thumb across the top of his hand. "And you? And Sirius and Peter?"

"We're getting used to feeling like this," he murmured.

She touched the side of his face, her touch soft and gentle, tentative. He looked down at her again, and then sat on the edge of one of the desks. Now she was a bit taller than he was, and looked down at him with concern in her eyes. She leaned in again and hugged him. "It'll be okay," she assured him softly, sitting on the edge of the desk next to him and letting him rest against her.

It felt very natural to do it. He couldn't bring himself to question why.

So he closed his eyes and was comforted by her.

*..:..*..:..*..:..*..:..*..:..*

On a Friday morning, with bagpipes playing in the background, the Lupins were buried in the Lupin section of the cemetary. It was tiny compared to the Potter and Black plots, but had a lot of history nonetheless. One of Remus's ancestors had been a war hero during one of the many wizarding wars, and another had been a highly ranked assistant to the Minister of Magic back in the early 1800s.

James looked over the graves for a moment, but the history wasn't all that impressive to him at the moment. He was more concerned about Remus, who was very pale and had spoken barely two words all day.

Afterwards, there was a luncheon at Potter Manor, which James had quietly suggested. The House Elves provided a banquet for the small group of funeral goers, and the two day ceremonies were concluded by three in the afternoon.

Remus retired to his room almost immediately after.

Peter went home with his mother.

Sirius went to work.

James went out to the Quidditch pitch and did something he hadn't done since a few months after Hogwarts let out- he flew.

Life always seemed simpler when he could fly, he mused, wandering aimlessly up the rows of trees.

There wasn't a need to worry about anything but falling off, and he hadn't fallen off since the one time during third year when he'd been nailed with a Bludger, directly to the back of his head.

Unfortunately, times had changed, and while flying did help him feel a little better, there were still a lot of problems on his mind when he returned.

Surprisingly, the actual deaths were not what bothered him the most at the moment. They did, of course, rate high upon the list of woes he carried.

But what was worse was what was going to happen to Remus.

As a werewolf, Remus was required to follow certain laws that regular witches and wizards did not.

They had all already known he could not inherit directly from his parents. His parents had worked around it, routing their money and property to go to Dumbledore on their deaths. He was supposed to pass it on to Remus.

But they had missed something in the contract that had been put together years ago, and for legal reasons none of them could understand, all of the property and money was denied to Dumbledore- and sent to the Ministry.

Even after James talked about it with his solicitors, searching for a way out, there was no solution for it.

The pain of his parents' deaths was far too close for Remus to become enraged over this, but James (and Sirius and Peter, when they were informed) acted on his behalf, contacting everyone at the Ministry who might be able to change it.

Nothing worked.

Remus was too proud to accept charity of any kind, and even when James offered him a loan "until things get properly fixed", the werewolf turned it down.

He stayed at the Potter manor for a week, and he, James, Sirius and Peter moved as much as they could out of the Lupin house before it was taken over by the Ministry. That was all placed in storage- at least Remus accepted a shed to store his things in from James, though not very happily.

James had been in the fire grate since he'd first heard about it, but Remus told him point blank that it didn't matter, and that he shouldn't worry about it.

James did worry about it though- especially when he saw the tiny, dirty apartment that Remus was forced to move into when the Ministry kicked him out of his house two days before the New Year began.

The New Year began with Remus in a new house, and the full moon welcoming Moony back from his month long absence. All four Marauders were united for the first time in a year and a half, Padfoot and Prongs to control Moony, and Wormtail to entertain them.

Despite their best attempts, Remus managed to injure himself badly enough that they took him to a discreet doctor the morning after.

Moony had carried over his anguish into the night.

James was able to stay with him for one more night before he had to return to the school for the resuming of classes.

They bid farewell to each other, all suspecting that it would be a while before they met again.

James just hoped it would be under better circumstances.

And he wondered what kind of relationship he and Lily would have at that point.

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REVIEWERS: Lavender- As always, thank you so much for reviewing. You absolutely and totally and completely rock. (Now write more FG!) TTFN.
Amelia- Glad you enjoyed both stories, and glad the prologue made you cry. :o) I mention a bit about Sirius's parents in this chapter, does that help at all? Don't worry, L/J action is coming! Really! I swear!!
Got Harry- I *LOVE* the idea of Bubble Whiskey. I don't know if I'll include that in this story, but I'm *totally* going to include it in at least one of my other ones. That is an AWESOME idea! :o) Also, glad you're okay if it's not exactly like the book. Later on, I'll explain more of why I'm doing what I"m doing, but right now, there's too much that has to happen, and I don't want to spoil you all.
everblue3- And you totally rock. You are completely awesome. I love you and your reviews. By any chance, are you an 18-22 yr old male with an interest in hockey, LotRs, writing, having lots of kids, and located near Detroit? 'Cuz your reviews rock so much that I'd marry you. (If you fit most of those qualifications, of course. :o) Anyway. When I get around to revising the drinking chapter, I'll have to include some of the drinks you suggested. And I'm totally going to fit a couple Muggle drinks in future chapters. Hopefully. :o) I did include the foursome drinking from a decanter, but I didn't mention what they were drinking. :o) I figure that if you're taking the time to write such fabulous reviews, I should at least write a nice response to you. If I were really into this, I'd have to e-mail you a reply, but I don't think I'd ever get around to replying to everything via e-mail.
Again, anyway: I think Sybil's safe from alcoholic tendencies. Thought that might have made for an interesting aftermath. :o) Super glad you liked the grave scene, especially since I stressed about it so much. As to the rich Potters, I figured they had some money before hand, but it does eventually run out, and I wanted them to have a good explanation for how Harry gets so much. As to a wizarding or Muggle stock market? *grin* I took a WAG and decided wizards would have their own. I don't know what he invested in for sure, but hot dog, did it do well! :o)
lol- and feel free to go "deep". I can always use the insight. It "reinforced the faith [you] have in [my] abilities as a writer"? Very glad to hear that, and hope it wasn't decimated in this chapter. Very glad you liked the bits in the house- I put myself in his shoes and figured I would have put it off for as long as possible. Er... the bowling didn't quite work out. And I'm *EXTREMELY* glad to hear you appreciated Peter being included. I've always felt he was an important character, and it drives me *nuts* when people *don't* include him, especially when he plays *such* an important part. *grin* Glad you like my use of Sybil. But you don't think she'd have an interest in Sirius? If you're up to it, explain why not, as I'm curious about people's perceptions of Sybil.
Glad you're appreciating the humor- I've always pictured Remus as a rather quiet guy, and I don't think he goes blabbing about his love interests to his mother much- if ever- so I figured he'd be a good target for teasing. The Hogwarts dinner with Albus? Yeah, well, that's kind of what inspired this chapter- I couldn't get it to work out properly, so I got frustrated and wrote a scene that would successfully get rid of it. Poor Remus had to get hurt in the process, but he's strong, he'll survive. Maybe. :o) Thank you for your *FANTASTIC* review! (And sorry my response keeps getting longer!)
Aileron- Glad you think all is moving nicely, and that James's grief is believable and all that jazz. :o) lol- and YOU ROCK AND YOUR STORY KICKS ASS TOO!! *grin* Thanks for everything!!
miss wings, blueskywillow55, mooncancer, Jemi Fal, Twisted Rose- Thanks to all of you for reviewing! I'm working as fast as I can on the next chapter, don't worry! Thanks to those who put me on their faves list!
RECOMMENDED READING: On the advice of everblue3 (who totally rocks) I am advertising my prequel to this, Two Minutes of Consideration, storyid=1279429. You can access it by clicking on my name at the very top of this page, scrolling down a bit, then clicking on the link.
I would feel *REALLY* awful if I didn't recommend that you go check out the stories on my favorites list. They're all there for a VERY good reason. 21 fantastic L/J stories; 4 superb MWPP stories; one Lily/Snape fic that is really, really surprisingly good- I know it sounds weird, but if you can handle it, READ IT!; one Petunia fic; 2 James and/or Lily return to life fics; and two LotR fics. They're all AWESOME!!! READ THEM!! And review too, of course. Especially check out everblue3 and Aileron's and Lavender's stuff- they're awesome!
QUESTIONS and COMMENTS:
1.) Should Sybil get a love interest? Who? Why? If not, why not? (Interested in all responses, humorous and serious.)
2.) Any comments about Peter and his inclusion in the story thus far? (Please?)
3.) Any comments on poor Remus, specifically in regards the the murders of his parents and the treatment he got afterwards?
4.) Is there anything you would like to see in future chapters? (No guarantees, I'm just interested in your thoughts and suggestions.)
5.) Guess what! Lily and James action is going to get more serious pretty quickly! Yay! (At last, the parts I've been looking forward to since Day 1!!)
6.) You know you're too into HP when you gasp with horror when someone says "mudblood". I reached over and covered my cousin's ears when Malfoy called Hermione that in CoS. :o)
NEXT UP... Settling down to Hogwarts once again, Dumbledore meets with our hero (and possibly our heroine? I haven't decided.), and Taura falls madly in love with James and they have a mad affair, while Lily and Sybil make up and start snogging because they've discovered a hidden desire for each other. Um... Just kidding! (Does anyone read this anyway?)