A/N: writing...too fast...must slow...down....lol. I'll shut up now. I know I put some people through torture during the summer. Maybe I'll make up for it now...

–x–x–

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE: A DEBT REPAID

Sirius was trying to keep his voice steady as he yelled for Wormtail, who he was sure could hear him. He was trying to keep himself from crying his eyes out or running forward to slam his fist right into the rat's face–or both–as he saw him. The little disgusting rat who had murdered his best friend was standing there, alone and calm, as Sirius walked toward him.

Sirius struggled to hold his voice steady as he asked, "You okay?"(you slimy rat, I'm going to kill you–) and Wormtail just nodded, a slight smile in his eyes.

–x–x–

They were looking for Harry. They hadn't spoken for the last twenty minutes at least, as neither of them were in a good mood anymore. Speaking to each other–even now after their "truce"–was still a bit of a struggle when the want to be kind came along.

As they walked, their footsteps reverberating off the walls ominously, James contemplated over why he liked Lily. His first and foremost thought was, of course, that she was beautiful. He felt bad over that, but he had to be truthful. To say that he didn't look at her and feel his stomach roll over just watching her hair bounce and her eyes narrow (at him) would be a lie. James didn't only like her looks. He would be thoroughly disgusted with himself if he did. He did like her personality. The way that she always snapped at him was hilarious–something that never failed to heighten his spirits–because even a scrap of recognition from Lily Evans was enough for him. Sometimes she would show a very rare kindness to him and it was just as lovely as anything else. It was common knowledge to anyone who wanted to know that Lily hated James. Apparently she was going to change her mind, but for now it was the plain truth.

She was in front of him as they walked. As usual, her hair bounced as she walked. James smiled to himself, knowing that he was never going to tell Lily how often he watched her hair bounce like that...

She stopped abruptly and James ran right into her backside (not as if he was mad or anything). She turned around and pushed him away from her before looking back at the reason why she'd stopped.

In front of them was a silver mirror. Snakes curved around the frame intricately. Here and there little round emerald gems were set into the silver metal. It looked to be extremely old, not that they could see it well in the dim light.

Their reflections were almost as interesting as the mirror. James almost cringed at how dirty he looked. There was a smudge on his nose. He reached up and tried to ruffle his rather greasy and dirty hair, but it stayed flat. His Quidditch robes–which he still had–were getting frayed. Lily was just as bad. Her hair was in a better state than his, but her robes were also ripped in certain places. Her face was dirty.

Something about them had changed. Searching his own face, James couldn't find anything, but he knew that his reflection now was different than the one he'd seen a week ago.

"We're old, James." Lily said quietly.

And she was right.

"This is depressing." James muttered.

Lily smiled and did something that she'd never done before. She leaned on James. He felt as old as Dumbledore.

Feeling uncomfortable, James looked back in the mirror. Shadows were deceiving. Maybe it was just the mirror, but he thought he saw something–or somethings-- moving behind them. His heart jumped. James looked behind him. No one was there.

Lily was looking down at the floor. He watched a tear fall from her closed eyelids, catching on her eyelashes before falling to the floor.

He looked back at the mirror and let his reflexes take over immediately.

He ducked, pulling Lily with him, just as the spell was cast. It went over their heads and shattered the mirror.

James stood up, shaking, pulling Lily with him, and turned around.

Before he could even comprehend that the most infamous wizard of all time stood in front of him, bearing a wand, James's arms were pulled out from behind him. The wand that he'd been pulling from his pocket clattered to the stone floor as someone laughed behind him, holding his arms in such a manner that it pained him to move an inch. He barely noticed though. He gaped. Voldemort's eyes were narrowed down on James. Standing, he posed everything that James could even dream of fearing. At over six feet, skeletally thing, and deadly, Voldemort was fear itself.

He sent a spell at Lily. His wand and his mouth moved so quickly that James couldn't have stopped it even if it were sent at him. Lily only barely moved out of the way, but even before she was completely done with her own maneuver, Voldemort sent another spell that she couldn't dodge. She screamed as it hit her upper arm, ripping her sleeve as it ripped through her flesh. James almost screamed with her, as frightened as he was, and found strength enough to pull himself up and kick backwards at an area where, if the Death Eater was male (which he most likely was), would be very painful.

The Death Eater gave a startled cry and his arms slackened on James enough for him to wriggle out. James spared a glance at Lily and saw that she was clutching her arm, which was twitching strangely, staring at Voldemort with wide eyes. The Death Eater had his grit back, obviously, as he pulled at James's robes.

James spotted his wand and pointed it at the Death Eater as he fell over with a crash, "Stupefy!" He yelled.

He turned back toward Lily, dreading what he would surely see, only to find Voldemort lying there, Lily partly held under his unconscious weight, and another Death Eater...

The Death Eater just stood there, looking down at his (the shoulders were too broad to be a woman, even if he was short enough) master. James could barely make out a face underneath the mask.

But now wasn't the time to be contemplating about meaningless pawns. Suddenly feeling very tired, James pulled himself to his knees and crawling toward Lily, careful of the glass that still resided all over the floor. He made a face as he forced himself to pick up the unconscious form of Voldemort off of Lily and set it aside. The man shifted. James held his breath. Voldemort settled again and James breathed.

Lily looked crumpled, like a piece of paper that had recently been thrown in the trash. Her face was pale enough, that was for sure. James feared for her life. He put his hand to her mouth, feeling her warm breath ease over his skin. He smiled sadly and looked at Lily's arm. It was rather disgusting. There was a large bloody gash there, that was surrounded by welts. The blood was smeared all over the place. James made a face and found his wand again. Bandages appeared on her arm. It would have to do. James wasn't the one for healing charms. He slipped an arm under Lily's head. There was a goose egg on her head where she'd fallen.

She was too heavy for him to lift in this position. James tried shifting her six times before he heard a noise and looked around frantically. Was someone going to–oh. The Death Eater was still there. James wondered how he'd forgotten about him. He smiled crookedly up at the man. "Could you help me?" James asked, relieved.

"No."

James's face fell. He eased Lily down again. He'd like to stand up and match the man, but he was too tired to nurse his ego now. Looking up, James said, "So what are you still doing here...?" He looked at Voldemort.

"He won't wake up for another ten minutes at least. You'll have time to get away."

"Ten minutes! But--"

"But you're dealing with Voldemort, James, he can deal with stunning spells quite easily."

James blanched. "How do you know my name?...and...why...why did you....?"

The man's shoulders drooped a bit. He was silent for a minute. Presently, he pulled his head up and muttered to James, "Get out of here soon. And...and tell Ha–your son–that my debt is paid."

"What debt?!" James said loudly.

The man hesitated. "...he saved my life--" He seemed to change his mind. The man shook his head and turned away, walking briskly down the corridor.

–x–x–

Wanted to write 't write more...I'll have to wait for another time before I go ahead and spoil everything. ::winks::

–x–x–

REVIEW RESPONSES

Sariah Greenleaf: Don't worry, in the end it will all be explained in full (I hope). Regular mail, by the way, sounds ominous .

chibisuke: lol, indeed. A twist...I hate drama...too bad I'm doomed to fall into it forever...

Reader: Don't know if you'll ever read this, but whatever. Interesting review anyway, so I had to respond. I have noticed lately that I've turned this into something of an action packed story. Not enough attention to detail. Aggh...too bad. About the characterization. I did all that I could what with the lacking of depth that Rowling has displayed. I don't think there are hints about past things, but there are tons of foreshadowings that I can assure you will be explained later on.

Ness Lupin: Who's being mean? ::looks around::

CrazyMissSarah21: . . .I am so confused. What ships do I worship? I don't know! ::looks around suspiciously:: Anyway, ty for reviewing. You'll find out where Snapie is very soon, don't worry! Lol

A/N: As always, ty to everyone else who reviewed as well! Come back soon!