a/n: LazyLacy:Hmm…that's a tough question. I suppose…no, the information does not apply. This is kind of an AU – I do use elements from the actual stories, but I throw in more and build on it. Like, Voldemort getting into James's dreams could be the equivalent to Legilimency. Hope that didn't confuse you. Thanks for reviewing. And thank you to Schnebz! Happy New Year to you, too! :)

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Chapter 39 – Emotions Rising

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"James!" Lily squealed. James was sitting up in his bed, looking pale and – more importantly – alive. Lily threw her arms around him and kissed his forehead. "We were so worried!" She rained kisses down all over his face.

Sirius, Maria, Noel, and Remus followed slowly, smiling shyly.

"Jamie, we're so glad…" Sirius said softly.

James smiled at his friends. "It's alright…Maria, I released you…did you know?"

Maria smiled softly. "I woke up, didn't I?" Then, her face grew serious. "Jamie, you were bleeding from your nose and ears. What happened?"

Lily, Sirius, Noel, and Remus gasped. Maria hadn't told them this.

James's smile faded. "I don't know…" he said vaguely.

Maria frowned. "What were you dreaming about?"

"I…" James hesitated. One look at Maria's face was all it took for him to know that she knew, too. She was testing him to see whether he'd tell the rest of their friends. If he did, she would go along with it and act like she didn't know. If he didn't, she would corner him later to discuss it. "…I don't remember. It was too…fuzzy." He shot a quick look at Sirius.

Maria looked down her nose at him, gauging him. "…oh. Well, I'm glad you're better." She looked at Sirius, too.

After Noel and Remus had said their pleasantries, they, Maria, and Sirius left James with Lily and headed back to the common room. Maria couldn't clear her head from all the thoughts buzzing around it. And she wasn't even sure they were all hers…

'Sirius…James…he wants Sirius, and he tried to get James to hand him over…' She looked sideways at Sirius. 'Sirius…he was all that was keeping me sane while I was asleep…I had Jamie's arms around me, but I kept wishing it was Sirius…what is wrong with me? This isn't like me…this isn't me at all…' She shook her head, trying to clear it again.

"Maria, what's wrong?" Noel asked. Maria looked at her. She had her arm looped through Remus's, and was looking at her, concerned.

"I'm fine…Noel…"

"Stay steady, Maria."

"Okay. You look a little pale." Noel smiled at her.

'She's worried. I hate to worry her. I'm worried. What if I never see her again? Sirius…I need to talk to Sirius!' "Uuuumm, Remus, Noel, you guys go on to the common room, okay? I – I need to talk to Sirius for a minute."

"Okay, Mia. We'll be waiting." Remus smiled at her, and Noel led him off.

Sirius turned to face her. "Okay, Maria, what's up?"

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"James, I'm just so…so glad!" Lily exclaimed. "You have no idea how worried we were…"

James smiled, pulling Lily to his chest. "I know, Lils. I…I know."

"James, what did you see there?" Lily asked seriously. "Tell me. Please."

James sighed. He wanted to tell her. He could feel Maria's heartbeat, pulsing steadily faster. 'Stay steady, Maria.' "I – I don't want to endanger you…"

"James…! We're all already in danger!" Lily shook him gently. "We know Voldemort's after us. Keeping information from your friends at a time like this is unacceptable. What if that piece of info is the critical piece!? What if it means the difference between living and dying?"

"That's just it…it does."

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Maria stared at Sirius for a minute. "Come in here," she whispered heatedly, opening the door to a broom closet.

Sirius didn't hesitate. He stepped inside. Maria followed. As soon as the door shut, she jumped on his, pressing her lips to his. Sirius's eyes widened, then fell shut as his hands tangled in her hair.

"Sirius," Maria whispered between kisses, "I just can't lose you." She moved her lips to his neck, biting the soft skin there. "I can't live without you…I'm so worried. What if someone dies? What if he kills one of us?" She pushed his robes off, trying to get at his collarbones. "I couldn't live with myself, knowing that I am one who can stop him…"

Sirius didn't answer. He brought her lips back to his, kissing her roughly. "It won't happen." He declared, his hands moving down her body. "I'll protect you, Maria. I'll protect you and Jamie, and Lily, Noel, and Remus. I won't let him have you. I won't let him…"

She pulled away, looking him in the eye. "You won't let him take you."

He didn't blink. "I won't let him take me."

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Remus and Noel sat on their favorite couch in the common room. Once again, they had misses class.

"It's really not our fault. Professor Dumbledore told us to go see James." Noel said. "Besides, that was the last class."

"I'm sure they excuse students who are on Voldemort's hit list anyway." Remus muttered. Noel looked shocked. "I'm sorry, Noel…I'm just so worried. I'm sure we all are. The time is getting closer…we're all feeling it. I'm just glad Lily is Muggleborn."

"But that may put her in more danger…" Noel said softly.

"We'll all protect her." Remus sat down. Noel wandered over.

"Remus…hold me," she commanded.

Remus smiled. "So pushy you are since you became a wolf."

"Now I see where you and Maria get it." Noel smiled. "The wolf wants. The wolf demands." She folded herself into Remus's embrace. "And the wolf shall have…"

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"James, what are you saying?" Lily demanded. "Life and death?"

James bit his lip. "It's Sirius. He wants Sirius, Lily. And he wanted me to hand him over." He leaned forward. "Don't you see? He'll stop at nothing to get Sirius on his side, and he'll pry into our minds and try to twist us to give Sirius to him! I've got it figured out…and I know Maria does, too. Sirius must also. They have pendants. They know!"

Lily crawled forward on her hands and knees. "They know what, James?"

"Who he'll go after." James pushed up his glasses. "Voldemort tried me, his best friend. Since he failed there, he'll go for Maria, Sirius's girlfriend. But he won't try to persuade her. He'll torture her relentlessly, hoping that Sirius will give himself up in return for Maria's safety and health. If that doesn't work, he'll go for Remus, hoping that he can force Maria into giving up Sirius for the sake of her brother. Either way, he'll get one of our pendants in the process, therefore killing the owner."

"What about Noel and I? Are we safe?"

James laughed humorlessly. "Safe? No. Lily, you're Muggleborn, and Noel is my sister. And you're both important to me, Sirius, Maria, and Remus. We don't know where you two will work into the plan, but rest assured, you're there."

"James, what can we do?" Lily whimpered, resting her head on James's chest.

"I don't know, Lily…I don't know…" He stroked her hair, thinking. Maria's heart was going fast again. He wondered if she was okay.

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"Maria," Sirius breathed, "what spurred this sudden broom closet whim?"

"Are you complaining?"

"No…"

Maria pulled away slightly. "Sirius…I just don't want to lose you."

He grinned teasingly. "So you plan to have me in a broom closet first?"

"What!? Sirius, nobody's 'having' anybody! I just – "

"Relax, I was just teasing!"

Maria barely had time to blink before she was pulled under again.

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a/n: …I'm not too good at romance.