For Lisa

The message

Dumbledore stood over the two unconscious girls looking gravely at their faces. Rhia looked as though she was still in pain while Emma was covered in hundreds of blankets and hot water bottles, which still hadn't quenched her shivering. April was sitting by Rhia's bed while Lily flitted to and fro around the ward.

"What happened?" Dumbledore asked, turning to Hermione, who sat silently on a bed opposite. She'd been summoned to the hospital wing.

"I don't really know." Hermione said. "I was sitting with Harry and Ron. We were doing some revision in the common room when Kaylee and Jessie Black told me that Emma was trying to kill Rhia." Hermione said uncertainly. "As soon as I got there I noticed a change in Emma's eyes and she blew Lavender and myself out of the bathroom she was in with Rhia and locked the door. When we managed to get in they were both unconscious."

"What was Lavender Brown doing with you, Hermione?" Dumbledore asked seriously.

"She overheard and came to help me, seeing as the boys couldn't."

"It makes sense." Dumbledore said.

"You mentioned something about Emma's eyes." Lily said tiredly.

"Um, yeah, they were a really dark red, like blood, sort of." Hermione said. She looked at Emma uncertainly. Dumbledore remained silent. He stood for a few minutes thinking.

"What do we do?" asked McGonagall, who stood close to the door.

"Wait until they wake up. There is nothing we can do until then." Dumbledore said. "Minerva, please ensure that the staff are informed of the extra need to secure the castle. No students are allowed out of their dormitories without a member of staff to guide them. They will only be allowed to go to lessons and their meals. Prefects are to keep order within the dormitories and to ensure every student is asleep by ten." Dumbledore said. McGonagall looked at him uncertainly.

"Isn't that a little extreme?" April asked.

"No." Dumbledore said firmly. "Minerva, please go and take miss Granger back to the Gryffindor tower on the way." McGonagall left the hospital wing with Hermione in tow. Hermione glanced nervously back at Emma and Rhia. Dumbledore gave a long tired sigh.

"I will have Hagrid guard the hospital wing. You should get some rest, particularly you Lily." Dumbledore said.

"No, I can't." Lily said, "Not with Emma in this condition." Dumbledore nodded understandably.

"I think I should inform you that Peter Pettigrew escaped from Azkaban prison last night. I only just heard from James." Dumbledore said. April sat up alertly.

"Excuse me." She said seriously. Lily's face visibly paled.

"James has already organised a search for him. There is also some strange death Eater activity. I advise that neither one of you leave the castle. I can't afford either one of you to go missing for obvious reasons." Dumbledore said. "Lily, I strongly recommend you get some rest. April, take her to your room and if need be stun her." April looked at Dumbledore surprised.

"Won't that-"

"It won't harm the child. Now Lily please." Dumbledore said. Lily got up and kissed Emma's cold forehead.

"I'll be back in the morning." She whispered. She followed April out of the hospital wing. Dumbledore looked at the two girls.

"Voldemort, you are going too far now." He whispered to himself.

James watched as Sirius paced around the living room at the Black house in Godric's Hollow.

"Calm down." James said. "My daughter is in trouble too." Sirius began chewing a nail.

"Calm down! I discover that firstly she's broken up with Harry, THEN wormtail escapes and then your possessed daughter tries to kill her and you're asking me to calm down!" Sirius asked. James decided to let Sirius fume and worry. James got up and went to the kitchen. Kingsley was standing in the kitchen looking rather serious.

"What's wrong?" James asked.

"Death Eater attack on Hogsmeade. We've got all the people out there we can but for some reason Aurors are being ordered to stay at the headquarters. Of course not everyone is listening to Dwight's orders. There are also Aurors moving around Hogwarts. We really need to get some people there but with Dwight's orders, the Aurors are pretty much stuck in the ministry. We need you to go and knock some sense into Dwight. This is a full mass attack." Kingsley told James. James looked at him rather alarmed.

"Hogsmeade?" James asked. Kingsley nodded. "Alright, I'll be at the office in a few minutes, meet me in the Auror headquarters." Kingsley nodded and disapparated. James went into the hall to pick up his cloak. He went to Sirius and got his attention.

"What is it?" Sirius grumbled.

"You feel like kicking some Death eater ass?" James asked. Sirius looked slightly curiously at James.

"What's happening?" Sirius asked him

"Death Eater attack on Hogsmeade. Go there and assess the situation. I need to have a talk with my head Auror." James said. Sirius nodded and disapparated while James went to the ministry. James bound up to the Auror Headquarters furious with Dwight. His patience for the man was wearing thin.

"DWIGHT!" James roared when he got there. Kingsley ran off to get the Head Auror for James. James looked at the aurors around him. "What are you doing, all of you get to Hogsmeade!" Aurors disappeared as before James could take another breath. Dwight came out of his office and looked at James.

"What are you doing?" Dwight asked. "This is my department."

"But it's my ministry. Hogsmeade and Hogwarts are in danger and you just leave them on their own!" James said, the volume of his voice was rising slowly.

"Fine. Kinglsey, Tonks take some men and get to Hogsmeade immediately. Lowry, you take some men and scout the area around Hogwarts." Dwight said. He turned to James. James looked at him sceptically, something was very wrong with Dwight but James couldn't quite figure out what. James apparated out and found himself next to Sirius in Hogsmeade.

"How is it?" James asked.

"Really bad, there are Death Eaters everywhere and guess who's leading the attack?" Sirius asked.

"Who?" James asked as he watched a group of Death Eaters walking down the street laughing.

"My dearest cousin." Sirius growled.

"Lets get going then." James said. He stepped out from their hiding place. Sirius followed a step or two behind.

"POTTER!" Someone shouted. James looked at Sirius with a smirk as they both got their wands out.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Bring it on!" Sirius said. They began firing spells in every direction, aiming carefully and usually getting their targets.

Bo looked up from his book as the Fat Lady swung open. Lily Potter walked into the common room followed by Professor Dumbledore, Rhia and Emma. Bo stood up when he saw Emma.

"Remember, I want to talk to you two tomorrow." Dumbledore said sternly. The two girls nodded and Lily put a hand on Emma's shoulder to stop her from falling over. Emma looked knackered, pale and ill. Rhia looked just as usual, though she had a slightly worried look on her face. Bo wasn't the only one to go straight to them. Rhia was immediately gripped in a tight hug with Kaylee, who didn't seem to want to let go of her older sister. Harry went to Emma and talked to her softly. Their conversation ended with a brotherly hug.

"You two need to get to sleep." Lily said tiredly.

"But we've just been asleep for a day!" Emma protested with a yawn. Harry laughed softly at his sister's contradicting action. He turned to Rhia and managed to pull Kaylee of her.

"My sister!" Kaylee said.

"Can I talk to her?" Harry asked. Kaylee looked at him suspiciously and was about to say something when Jessie dragged her off. Harry looked at Rhia.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

"Tired." Rhia said, "Lily is an amazing healer." Rhia said, looking at Lily. Lily gave her a smile.

"Get to bed soon. Harry I'm leaving you in charge of these two." Lily said. She put a hand to her mouth as if she were about to throw up. "I'll see you two tomorrow." Lily said leaving the common room. Emma gave Bo a small smile. Bo smiled back and pulled her into a hug.

"Do you mind if I steal Emma for a while to talk to her?" Bo asked Harry. Harry shook his head and offered his hand to Rhia. Rhia looked at him with surprise then smiled. She took it and followed Harry to the sofa that Ron and Hermione were bickering on. Bo led Emma up the stairs of the boy's dormitories. Emma looked a bit too dazed to see where she was going. It wasn't until they were in Bo's room she realised where she was.

"What are we doing here?" Emma asked with a frown.

"Um, I wanted to talk to you about something." Bo said.

"What about?" Emma asked. "Hang on, where's Katie?"

"She's gone to bed. It is way past midnight." Bo said. Emma nodded and sat on Bo's bed. She lay down and smiled slightly. "What is it?" Bo asked as he watched Emma.

"The bed smells like you, that's all." Emma said. Bo raised an eyebrow and was about to sit next to her when a flash outside caught his attention. Bo went to the window and looked out over in the direction of Hogsmeade. His eyes went wide as he saw a huge glowing skull in the sky.

"Oh my god." He muttered. He opened the window and across the grounds of Hogwarts came a loud piercing scream. Emma jumped up in alarm.

"What's that!" She asked.

"Something's happening in Hogsmeade." Emma asked. Bo felt strangely relaxed as she put a hand on his arm. Bo looked at her and felt his emotions struggling inside him. He had forced himself to get over Emma when it became clear that she wouldn't go out with him but now his emotions were getting out of control. Emma had told him she loved him and since then Bo had felt the package of hidden away emotions strike him like a wave. Bo pulled Emma to him and placed a kiss on her lips. Emma was surprised at first but then wrapped her arms around Bo's neck and returned the kiss. After the kiss Emma looked at Bo with a frown.

"What about Katie?" She asked.

"I'll sort that out." Bo said. He kissed Emma's forehead and let Emma hold him with her head on his chest. Bo was suddenly acutely aware of how much smaller Emma was. Her forehead only just reached his chin. He started laughing.

"What is it?" Emma asked. Bo let go of Emma and put a hand on top of her head.

"You're so small." Bo said. Emma rolled her eyes and hit Bo gently at the back of his head. Emma looked out of the window and sighed.

"Do you think my dad's out there?" Emma asked

"What?"

"In Hogsmeade. I know he has a knack for joining fights, and it looks like a rather big fight out there." Emma said with a frown.

"Don't worry. Our side will win." Bo said with a smile. "You should get some sleep." He said, brushing some of Emma's read hair away from her face. Emma smiled and pulled Bo towards his bed. She got in and motioned for Bo to join her. Hesitantly Bo removed his shirt and got in. He hated sleeping with his shirt on but even as he did what he usually did, he felt slightly awkward about doing it. Emma wasn't even fifteen yet! Emma gave him a smile and leant against him once he was in the bed. Bo waved his wand and the hangings closed. Bo gently stroked Emma's hair and felt the skin of her face on his chest. Emma raised her head and pushed herself higher up in the bed. She gave Bo a soft kiss. Bo smiled after and gently kissed Emma back.

"I love you." He whispered. He felt Emma's lips grow into a grin against his lips.

"I love you too." Emma whispered. "I'm just really sorry it took me so long to admit it." She said.

"It's ok." Bo said. He pulled Emma closer for a longer prolonged kiss. Bo had to admit that that one kiss was the best kiss he'd ever received. Bo shifted slightly so that he was a little on top of Emma. Emma put her arms around Bo's body and tentatively touched his skin. Bo felt a jolt running through his body for every time she touched him. When the kiss came to an end both of them were rather breathless.

"Wow." Emma said breathlessly. Both were breathing heavily. Emma grinned and gave Bo a peck on the lips.

"You should sleep." Bo said. He could feel Emma's want to go further. Bo saw a flicker of disappointment in Emma's green eyes but she accepted it.

"Only if you promise to kiss me like that everyday." Emma said. Bo gave her an amused smile. "I'm being serious." Emma said.

"I'll try my best." Bo said. Emma nodded contently and nestled herself against Bo under his duvets, listening to his heartbeat calming down in his chest. She smiled secretively to herself and kissed his chest.

"Good night Bo." She muttered.

"Night." Bo said, stroking her hair again, knowing how James used to send her to sleep instantly by playing with Emma's hair. Strangely, the same thing seemed to happen to Lily, or so James had once confided in Bo.

James fell over as he got hit in the back by a curse.

"Prongs!" Sirius shouted in alarm. Sirius gave up with his wand and simply smacked the Death Eater in the nose with his fist. Sirius ran to James and slid to a stop. He crouched by James and shook him.

"Prongs!" Sirius said urgently. "Prongs, wake up. Lily will kill me if you're dead!" Sirius looked around, he couldn't see the Death Eater responsible. "Prongs!" Tonks joined Sirius and looked at him slightly confused.

"What happened?" She asked.

"He got hit. Cover me, I'm going to get James to safety." Sirius said.

"What?" She asked.

"Just cover me!" Sirius shouted at her. Tonks nodded and stood up. Sirius turned into a dog and lifted James awkwardly on top of him. With the front of James' robes in his mouth he ran through Hogsmeade, jumping over unconscious bodies. Padfoot stopped for a moment as someone fell in front of him. Padfoot looked at the person. Kingsley! Padfoot looked up to see Bellatrix smirking at him. She had her wand pointed at him. Padfoot jumped over Kingsley, he didn't have time to check if he was alive. He bolted through the streets and out into the countryside. He made his way to the dark shadow of Hogwarts in the distance. A few lights were on. It was far away but Sirius couldn't get James to St. Mungos. Hogwarts was much closer.

"Get that dog!" Someone shouted. Padfoot ran even faster. He forced himself to run like the wind but James was too heavy. Padfoot closed his eyes and just ran. All he thought about was running towards Hogwarts. Padfoot wasn't looking where he was going when he collided with some legs. He heard a woman shout in surprise. Padfoot opened his eyes and stood up from the tangle on the floor. He found himself lying across April's chest. There wasn't enough time for him to greet her. He looked out across the grass. There were Death Eaters coming up. April stood up and stood next to Dumbledore. Padfoot watched as the Death Eaters faltered slightly.

"Get out of my grounds!" Dumbledore said. His voice seemed to boom over the grounds to the terrified Death Eaters. Padfoot watched as the Death Eaters ran for their lives.

"I'll get them." April said walking calmly out into the grounds. Dumbledore frowned slightly then turned to look down at Padfoot and James.

"I'll go and get Mrs. Potter." Dumbledore said. Padfoot nodded and looked to James. He lay sprawled on the steps of Hogwarts. Padfoot licked his face and nudged him with his nose. James merely moved with the movement but didn't respond. Padfoot whined and lay down next to him. He nudged James again then started barking at him.

"Oh be quiet Sirius! You're scaring off the Death Eaters!" April said emerging from the dark. She went to James and calmly put her fingers to his neck to test for his pulse. She frowned slightly and looked to Padfoot. Padfoot whined again and lay on the floor with his head on James' chest. April licked her lips uncertainly.

"Which curse did he get hit by?" April asked. Padfoot turned back into Sirius and he shrugged.

"I have no idea. I just saw him fall. Why? Is it bad?" Sirius asked.

"Don't let Lily know how serious it is. She may specialise in reversing dark curses but I don't think she'll have come across this one." April said.

"Which one is it?" Sirius asked.

"It's an ancient curse, thought to be forgotten…well no that's a lie. Very few people know it. It's just a thing that's spread around the Auror headquarters from time to time. The person who gets hit by it dies slowly and painfully. We don't know what the cure is for it. All we know is that it can be transferred from person if someone is willing to take it and die instead." April said in a hushed voice. She began to sound nervous. "Definitely don't tell Lily. You know she'd be willing to die if it meant that James could live. We can't let her die."

"But we can let James?" Sirius hissed at his wife.

"We'll find a cure for him. We just can't let Lily try and take the curse off him."

"Why not?" Sirius asked. "James is like my brother! He is my brother!"

"And Lily's my sister but the slight difference is that Lily is Pregnant!" April said. Sirius's mouth fell open.

"You're joking." He said. April shook his head. Sirius was about to say more when Dumbledore came down the main staircase with Lily behind him. Lily seemed to fly down the stairs to James' side.

"James!" She cried in alarm. "James!" Sirius started to get alarmed when Lily appeared to be going into a panic attack.

"April, take Lily!" Sirius said. April took Lily by her shoulders and led the struggling wife away from James.

"Sirius, if you be so kind as to help me." Dumbledore said as he got out his wand. Sirius looked at him confused then let go of James. James rose into the air and past April and Lily. Dumbledore floated him to the Hospital wing. Lily was obviously far stronger then Sirius thought as she managed to break April's grip on her and follow James to the Hospital wing. April had gone pale and looked at Sirius. She went to him and he put his arms around her.

"Oh Merlin." She muttered.

"James will be alright, trust me." Sirius said.

"I'm not worried about James." April whispered. "It's Lily I'm worried about." Sirius kissed April softly then made his way towards the Hospital wing. April loitered in the entrance hall for a while. She looked out through the open doors. She licked her lips uncertainly and waved her wand. The doors closed shut with a slam. Filch appeared out of nowhere and looked at April uncertainly.

"What are you doing?" He asked her suspiciously.

"How do you lock the doors?" April asked. She was still rather scared of the old man. Filch turned and then looked at April.

"I'll lock up. You go and do whatever Dumbledore has you doing." April nodded and ran off up the stairs. She decided to go and check on each of the houses before making her way towards the Hospital wing.

Harry looked up at the wave of owls that came in the great hall. There seemed to be teachers everywhere. Any owl carrying a Daily prophet was paid off and sent back by a teacher. Harry looked at Hermione and Ron curiously.

"What's happening?" Hermione asked. Bo came and sat down next to them.

"Something was happening in Hogsmeade last night. I guess they don't want us to know what it is." Bo said. Harry glanced at him.

"I don't know. It seems to be more then that." Harry said. His scar had been tingling all morning. He had thought he'd gotten over this stage but apparently Voldemort was getting stronger. Harry didn't consider this a problem, he was getting equally as strong. As the Daily Prophets got confiscated there came an air of nervousness and seriousness that settled among the students. Even the Slytherins were silent and not saying anything. Once Harry had finished his breakfast he felt someone tap his shoulder. April was standing behind him with Sirius.

"Dad!" Orion said with happiness. Sirius nodded in Orion's direction but looked deadly serious.

"Harry, you and Emma should come with us. Do you know where Emma is?" April asked seriously.

"She's in the common room with Rhia" Bo told Emma. April looked at Sirius, who left them. April put a hand on Harry's arm and led him from the Great Hall.

"What's happened?" Harry asked. He studied April's face with some concern. April's eyes were rather watery, like she was about to cry. It also looked as though April had put some make up on as if to mask her crying. It must be serious, Harry thought. He didn't ask any more questions until Emma and Sirius joined Harry and April in his mum's living area.

"Emma, Harry, sit down." Sirius said, "Dumbledore wants to talk to you." Emma and Harry looked at each other. Both had expressions of confusion and fear. Emma sat in a rather large comfy chair. Harry perched on the arm of this chair and looked at his godparents.

"I'll go and check on Lily." April said quietly to Sirius. Sirius nodded and watched April go into Lily's bedroom.

"What's wrong!" Emma asked standing up.

"Emma, sit down." Came Dumbledore's voice from Lily's room. Emma turned to Dumbledore. Harry looked at his headmaster's grave expression.

"What's happened!" Emma asked. "What's wrong with mum?"

"It's not your mum. It's your dad."

"What's wrong with him." Harry asked. His voice shook in fear. Dumbledore looked at Sirius. Sirius left the room and went through the door that Dumbledore had come from. Dumbledore sat down opposite the two Potter children.

"Professor." Emma pleaded. Dumbledore gave a deep sad sigh.

"I'm afraid to tell you that-" Dumbledore halted for a moment. Emma had, at some point taken hold of Harry's arm. She began squeezing it so hard that Harry winced slightly. "Your dad is dying." He said slowly.

"WHAT!" Harry and Emma both said at the same time.

"He was hit with a very serious curse. We don't know how to alleviate it. We're trying to find the counter curse." Dumbledore said.

"How can…" Emma sank into the chair.

"Is that why the teachers were taking the newspapers?" Harry asked hoarsely.

"It is in the papers, yes. Hogwarts is under siege and you are our only hope now Harry." Dumbledore said. "Voldemort is winning but he hasn't won yet." Harry felt Emma put her arms around him for comfort. Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. His world seemed to be crumbling. His dad was dying, his mum was obviously in no state to talk. If she became so stressed over this, Harry was very slightly aware that she could lose his new younger brother or sister. Harry felt tears at his eyes. He wiped them away angrily. Dumbledore reached across and touched his arm.

"Harry, I think it is time that you stopped schooling." He said, "Just for the time being."

"But what if Voldemort can't be defeated?" Harry asked suddenly standing up. Emma started in surprise. "I don't think I can defeat him! He's destroying everything. We're stuck in the school and my dad is dying! I don't know if I can do it professor. I've tried but every time I've faced Voldemort I've only just barely escaped with my life! I don't know how to defeat him. How do I do it professor!" Harry said. He pleaded to his headmaster for an answer. Dumbledore always knew the answer. Dumbledore looked at Harry then stood up. He held Harry's shoulders and looked into Harry's eyes.

"The weapon behind that locked door, Harry, in the department of Mysteries is Love. Harry. You already have so much of it. It flows in your veins but it's not enough to defeat Voldemort. Voldemort isn't human. He removed any traces of his muggle heritage, that included his mother, who fell in Love with a Muggle. The worst possible thing in Voldemort's eyes. With the death of his mother, the only person who ever truly loved him died. His followers don't follow him out of love, no, they follow him out of fear, but you Harry. You have people all around the world who love you, who support you, who put their hopes in you. You Harry, have a much more powerful weapon then anything that Voldemort can possess. But only you can learn how to wield it. I can't teach you that Harry. Everything that we've tried to teach you, me, Professor Snape, April, all that we've been doing is to teach you to protect yourself, but ultimately, no one can tell you how to defeat Voldemort, that's just up to you Harry." Dumbledore said. Harry looked at the old man in front of him. His mind was buzzing. The man he admired most couldn't tell him how to defeat the man he hated most. Harry's green emerald eyes kept hold of Dumbledore's blue eyes for a few minutes longer.

"What can I do though?" Harry asked.

"All I can say is to cultivate what love you have. The stronger your love for the people you love, the stronger you will be. You are only as strong as those who love you." Dumbledore said. Harry looked to his sister. Emma had tears rolling down her face but she looked as determined as Harry.

"I know you can do it Harry." Emma said. Harry went to Emma and held her in his arms. It was strange holding his sister but he knew that both of them needed each other. Harry didn't know what he could do. Dumbledore walked towards them.

"I think you can go and see your dad if your mum lets you." Dumbledore said. Harry led Emma to Lily's bedroom door and knocked

A/N:-Sorry i didn't update earlier, the thingy wouldn't let me upload it properly. Anyway it's up now. It's getting more intense me feels. I've realised i got 2 more months till the show down -sigh- anyway, I WILL get this done before JKR releases HBP. OMG STAR WARS COMES OUT TODAY! I'm seeing it tomorrow. I feel gutted about not being able to go to the premiere (was gonna go but had to go to Devon..grr), nvm, still seen the HP cast :P hm...anything else i want to say...um...nothing except, hope you liked this chapter :)