This chapter took a little bit longer. Microsoft Word decided to bugger itself up so I've had to try and load all my files onto another less able program. Stupid really. I think there is two more chapters after this or I might tie everything up in Chapter 20. What do you all think?

Chapter 19: Of Truths and Gems

They landed together, the five time-travellers holding their wands. A grin was spreading over James Potter's face. "I bet you didn't think of that, did you, Voldemort?" he said carelessly.

The Dark Lord's face was one of pure evil. His red eyes glinted savegly. He raised his wand, and cast the killing curse towards James but he moved aside; the curse hitting the wall behind him.

"I will kill you, Potter." Voldemort hissed.

James just grinned. "I don't think so." It was probably the rashiest thing he had ever said but the head-boy did not seem to care.

"You are brave, just like a true Gryffindor."

Once again James smiled. "I should be...because I am the heir of Gryffindor."

There was a general mumbling around the hall. Harry sat stunned hardly daring to breathe. "No..."

Voldemort smirked. He had heard Harry's breatheless whisper. "Didn't Dumbledore tell you Harry Potter? You are the heir of Gryffindor? Did he keep that piece of information from you? Did you ever wonder why I chose to kill you in 1981?"

Harry was numb. "You wanted to kill me because of a prophecy!" If he could've done he would've attacked Voldemort.

"Maybe, boy, but you fit that category perfectly. I have already killed the heirs of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, why not go after the heir of Gryffindor? It made sense then. I made a mistake in doing so, but it won't matter because your parents will die tonight, before they ever marry."

Harry's anger was abating now. His chest heaving. "My parents wouldn't have died if their friends had betrayed them to you."

"Yes, I can still remember that bumbling idiot that thought he was the perfect spy and death eater. One of Potter's dear friends." Voldemort looked again at James, and his eyes swivelled to Peter, "and they are in this hall!"

"Who?" James croaked suddenly. "Who betrays me?"

"I do." Peter said suddenly. "I see it in his eyes."

"You wouldn't do that, Peter. We're brothers."

Lily put a hand on James' shoulder. "It's true. Harry told me. Peter betrays us."

"Oh god," James felt his knees go weak.

"What does it feel like to know that one of your best friends grows up to betray you?" Voldemort asked, "Someone who does a lot more then you think."

James raised his wand again. "I can't believe it! Why would Peter betray me?"

"Because I was scared." This voice was not from Peter beside James but from across the hall at the entrance stood the older Peter Pettigrew.

"You're meant to be dead!" Voldemort screeched. "Greenhelm was meant to kill you!"

Wormtail shook his head. "No, I killed him myself."

"No matter, you will just watch as James Potter and Lily Evans die and the hope for the Wizarding World vanishes from time."

"You won't succeed." Wormtail said, and he looked at Lily.

Lily exclaimed: "The Gem!"

"What?" Remus asked speaking for the first time.

"I have it! He gave it to me!"

"Games up," James said again, "Looks like we get to go home."

"Not yet," Voldemort replied, "Get them now!"

Curses began shooting by them, but the Marauders and Lily delved to the side, being missed by inches. Peter stayed by James, keeping an eye on his older self. He couldn't believe he would betray James but seeing himself now, he realised he had made a terrible mistake. He only hoped he had a chance to right it when they got back to 1977.

Remus and Sirius and Lily had paired off to circle Voldemort, while James and Peter were ducking in between spells hoping to catch the Dark Lord unawares.

"Lily!" Sirius' voice came across.

James watched as his beloveded fell to the ground, knocked unconscious. The Gem was dangling out of her pocket.

Voldemort raised his wand. "Accio, Gem!"

The Gem came out of Lily's pocket and sailed towards Voldemort's outstretched hand.

James shouted: "No!"

But then Sirius and Remus raised their wands together and shouted the same spell: the Gem changed direction and headed straight to them. Voldemort screeched. "Stun them!"

The Death-Eaters (who had been concetrating on getting James and Lily) now turned their wands to Sirius and Remus.

"I think Moony, we've angered him."

"Definately." Remus replied. "New tactics. Operation Animagus, I think."

Sirius nodded.

As stunning spells shot towards them, Remus dived out of the way, while Sirius transformed.

Over the spells, Remus heard one of the Death Eater's shout: "Black's a bloody Animagus!"

"So's Potter and Pettigrew!" another shouted, for both James and Peter had transformed as well, leaving Lupin as the only human.

"I should've known," Voldemort hissed. He raised his wand and pointed it at the galloping stag. The curse missed it by mere inches.

Harry's heart almost stopped. That had been so close.

"I didn't know they were Animagus'" said Dean.

"No one did," Harry muttered, his eyes scanning for what Voldemort would do next.

"Why isn't Dumbledore helping?" Neville asked.

"Because he can't." Hermione answered. "This is there fight. Only they can finish it."

Remus now held the Gem and with Padfoot and Prongs protecting him. He was frantically trying to work it. He didn't know how to.

Then it hit him. All of them had to touch it for it to work. How could they do that while this was going on?

He shouted over the deafening dim. "We all have to be together to work it!"

The stag made a noise for its frustration.

"Well done, Lupin! You worked it out!" Voldemort laughed.

Prongs and Padfoot transformed, regaining their human forms, wands at the ready. Then Peter reappeared dragging Lily with him.

"Enervate!" Peter whispered waking Lily.

Everything was silent. No one moved. Voldemort was waiting...and after a few seconds he raised his wand and pointed it at James' heart. James narrowed his eyes.

"Die." Voldemort said and cast the killing curse.

As the curse shot towards James, someone appeared in its way. That someone was Wormtail. He had turned to his rat form and waited for the opportune moment. His transformation caused the spell to be blocked. The killing curse hit him, sending him back onto the floor unmoving.

In that time, James, Sirius, Remus, Peter, and Lily had all grabbed hold of the Gem, and looking at Voldemort and lastly Harry giving them knowing smiles, they all shouted: "Gryffindor Tower, Saturday 25th May 1977!"

Voldemort cursed throwing another killing curse at James: it hit him but it didn't kill him, he was already moving backward in time, preventing the curse from working properly.

They were gone: gone back to their rightful time.

Voldemort was screeching madly.

Dumbledore now reacted. He pointed his wand at Voldemort. "Leave, now, Tom."

"This is not the end! One day Hogwarts will be mine!"

And he and the his Death Eaters were gone. They had not apparated but used dark magic to help them escape. No spell had anyone heard.

Dumbledore looked around the hall at the frightened students that had just witnessed it. His eyes wondered over to where Wormtail's body lay. His death had made it possible for his younger self and his friends to escape. Sacrificing yourself took great courage.

Finally Dumbledore took the shields down that was protecting the students and told them to go to the house dormitories. Everything would be explained at a later stage.

TBC

More to come...

Do James and Lily remember it or not? And what of Harry? Can he explain it all to the other students?