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Speak out- I agree with you. I find that outright flaming rude. I appreciate your comments and am glad you are enjoying my story. I love writing it. I will continue writing it until it's done no matter how many people hate it. I am doing that on the original fiction press site. I wrote a story killer regrets and no one has reviewed but hey I love writing it so who cares.

Sirius-black-sfan- Thanks for the review. Hope you like this part.

A/N: I am in a very good mood I made NHS (national honors society) at me school so I am writing and updating. Yeah hope you like it.

Chapter 24

Two days had passed since the interview had been published. James, Sirius, and Lupin had scarcely left the office. They had spent most of their time trying to find the Death Eaters and figure out who their new leader was. So far they had found nothing.

"We are going nowhere fast," James announced the next afternoon at a meeting "We need to send someone out or find something out soon. The people don't totally understand the situation yet, but it won't take them long to figure out and panic."

"But what can we do? We've been searching that area for two days. There is nothing there. We have no leads." replied on of their field researchers.

"I know that, but we have to do something," said James in a pleading tone. HE looked at Sirius and Lupin, they had to know something.

"I think," Sirius paused "I think we need to back off and let them come out and do something. It seems like they are hiding from us. We won't find them yet, because they don't want to be found. I say wait."

"So you're saying to put our people in harms way, just so we don't' have to put in a tremendous amount of work t find them?" James shouted, now he was angry. They wanted to give up, something they just couldn't do, not yet.

"Sirius is right, we have nowhere to go. Putting all out efforts into this won't help. You are going to tire out our forces and then when we really need them we won't have them." Lily said walking into the room. Her arms were crossed and she looked dead serious. "You have to figure this out soon. But it's impossible to do anything without leads. The kids are angry but they'll get over it. We need to figure this out, but with as minimal injury as possible." Harry, Ron. Hermione and Malfoy had been giving the adults the cold shoulder. They weren't going to give in to not going to school easily. Lily didn't think it was a good time to go back until they were safe. She wanted them to talk to her again though.

"Alright it seems the best idea is to back off and let things happen. All I have to say is be prepared for a call at any time. As soon as I get something, we're going to attack."

"Alright, alright," said Sirius, he stood up and followed James out the door. Lupin followed them. Lily decided to leave them alone and go home and try to persuade the kids to talk to her again.

James, Lupin, and Sirius waked down the hall, not saying a word. Sirius was the one who finally broke the silence.

"So you have a plan?"

"No, but I had to make it sound like I did or else we're going to lose all out support."

"Well if something doesn't happen soon we are going to lose support. Everyone is getting sketchy. They think whatever happened to Severus was just a fluke, nothing else. If something doesn't happen soon, they're going to be after us." Lupin said as they entered James's office.

"Well, what would you have me do? We have hit a dead end here." James was exassaperated. It had been a long two days.

"I have an idea." Sirius said, sitting across from James, staring straight into James's eyes. His tone was dead serious. "I go in, undercover, find out what I can, then we plan a strategy to bring them down."

Lupin and James were staring at Sirius like he just announced his death. They were completely silence for about a minute which seemed to last an hour. Then James seemed to find his voice "No, you can't."

"Why not?"

"Because it's dangerous. You aren't a Death Eater they'll know. It's suicide."

"No it's not, it doesn't matter, and they don't all know each other. All I need is the mark."

"And how do we get you one of those? Induct you in and then take you out? You can't do that Sirius. You are going to get killed." Lupin finished furiously. Sirius was being stupid, he just wanted to show off. Well they weren't losing him because of his ignorance.

"I don't have to join! I just paint it on, no big deal. I don't care what you two think is going to happen. I'm doing this with or without you help, but with it, would make me a lot more comfortable." Sirius said, getting to his feet. His voice was powerful and full of confidence. Only Lupin and James could tell by his face that he was scared and pleading for their support.

"But Siri…"

"No James, I'm going so save your breath and don't try talking me out of it. I have to do this."

"Why?"

"Because, I hardly do anything. You are the minister, the leader, Moony here is the brain, and me I'm the screw up. I am the funny guy but I don't do anything else. This is my choice to do something for everyone. For you two, I owe it to you." He was dead serious, the mischievous glint that was always present was gone. James knew he had no choice he had to let his friend go.

"Alright, I get it. But don't get killed. Please." James pleaded, he was scared. What if he lost his best friend? "When do you want to start this?"

"I'll leave soon."

"Alright, well I'll have Lily cook a big dinner. Can't let you go off hungry now can we?" he laughed, it was a forced laugh, a laugh that didn't belong.

"No, I can't tell anyone else. You can't either, there's just too much danger involved. I think I'll leave tonight, yeah I will," his voice was subdued. He was scared.

"Okay I guess."

"Paddy, please be careful," Lupin replied drawing his friend into a light embrace. "Be careful" They separated and a tear was in his eye. " I love you, remember that."

"I always will. I love you too."

Sirius turned to James, "Well I'll see you later," James stopped and gave Sirius a humongous hug. He refused to break away, Sirius finally stepped back and wiped his eyes. James had silent tears streaming down his face, " Please be careful and come back. I love you Padfoot."

Sirius gave them one last look and said "Love you guys. Be back soon, I hope," and apparated.

James and Lupin stood there silently crying, finally wiped their eyes and head for the door. As James grabbed the knob he said "If he gets himself killed I'll kill him," and they headed out.

A/N: I liked that chapter. Hope you do too. Well review me and let me know what you think.