The Legacy of Two Generations

by LadyoftheLake

Lily and James started dating in their last year at Hogwarts, but that is only the beginning. Now, what will happen to their notorious son? Rated PG13 for some language. Harry's 6th year has begun & new adventures. PreHBP. Please r&r :ON HOLD! For the

12. Chapter 10

A/N: Hello! I'm back again with more. I know I left all wondering about James, so I decided to post this chapter as well that deals with James' little problem. Hope you all enjoy it.

Disclaimer: HP characters and related words are not mine, so don't sue me! Only the plot and secondary characters are mine.

Chapter 10 ~ The Signet Ring

Lily was pacing the common room. Why isn't anybody coming? She thought. I've been waiting here for ever. The buzz had become stronger and had now become a shrill ringing. It didn't bother her much anymore, she had become accustomed to it. She stopped when she noticed the portrait hole opening and allowing Professor McGonagall to enter the Tower.

"How are you doing Miss Evans?"

"A bit worried Professor, is James better?"

"I'm sorry to say that his state has not changed. His parents have been owled."

Lily nodded and followed Professor to the stairs.

"I see that the charm has not totally kept the noise away." Said the professor.

"I tried reinforcing it but it didn't work."

"Here." Professor McGonagall waved her wand in front of a vase full of flowers standing in the landing that branched the staircase in two, one leading to the boys' dorms and the other to the girls'. The Flowers instantly transfigured into a pair of earmuffs, with flowers as the ear covers and floral stems linking them. "Put this on, they will protect us from the noise." She then waved her wand once more and the vase turned into a small box, it looked like an ordinary box. "We will use this to store the item that is causing this noise."

They continued up the stairs, then turned to a corridor until they arrived to the boys' dorm.

"Are you ready Miss Evans?" Lily could hear her, but not the noise.

"Yes Professor."

"We'll look for this item and put it promptly into this box. Then we'll take it to Dumbledore and examined it, Mr. Potter cannot be helped without it. I want the Tower to remain empty until everything has been examined, to make sure that nothing was damaged and that others will not go through the same thing."

Lily quickly nodded and together they entered the room.

"Good Lord, these boys need to learn some organizational skills." Exclaimed Professor McGonagall.

"Where should we look Professor?"

"Where did you find him, Miss Evans?"

"Here, by his trunk."

"What is this?" Professor McGonagall saw the pulsing light coming from James signet ring. She quickly picked it up and examined it. She nodded and put the ring inside the box.

"Do you think that it is the item that has caused all this, Professor?"

"Most likely. We'll take it away and if it isn't, we'll return and look further."

They quickly left the room and took off the earmuffs, the noise was gone and peace had been restored to the Gryffindor Tower.

"The noise is gone, it must be the ring then." Said Lily. She had forgotten how quiet the Tower could be.

"Let's take this to Dumbledore, we need to get Mr. Potter on his feet once more."

Both quickly left the Tower, and walked toward the hospital wing.

The owlry was silent, most of the owls were sleeping and the few that were not were peering closely at the three boys, huddled by a window and talking in whispers.

"Do you think this is fine, we don't want to make too personal, but too devoid of feeling either." Said Peter looking at the parchment in Sirius' hand.

"We don't want to make it too desperate either, we don't want to scare them into thinking that he is dying." Snapped Sirius.

"As far as we know, he might be. The thing is that we don't know. We don't know if he's just unconscious, if damage has been done, or anything." Said Remus.

"You're in a cheery mood." Sirius said sarcastically.

"It's just that. this couldn't happen at the worst time." Sighed Remus.

"What do you mean? There is no best time for this." Said Sirius, looking at Remus with a confused expression.

"Sirius, think. What happens tonight?" Asked Remus, looking closely at Sirius.

"Nothing." Sirius said.

Remus rolled his eyes in an exasperated motion.

"Remus, there is nothing especial going on, the only thing is that there is a full moo.oh!" Said Peter, his eyes widening and a sense of foreboding entering his body.

"Exactly." Exclaimed Remus, Sirius swore and ran his fingers through his hair.

"What are we going to do, we cannot control you without James, one of us is not enough, and let's face it, Peter cannot be much help in his animagus form." Exclaimed Sirius.

'That's why I said that this was the worst time for him to get sick." Said Remus through gritted teeth.

"Well, we have to think of something, we cannot leave you alone, and we can't leave him alone." Was Sirius urgent reply.

"We might as well stay with Remus, we're not allowed into the infirmary and once James' parents are here we'll have less opportunity to see him." Commented Peter.

"You're right, and he's not going anywhere. And the girls will keep us informed of anything if we miss some news." Said Sirius.

"As long as we stay in the shack everything will be fine. We cannot risk going out into the woods until James can join us." Said Remus.

"There is nothing else to be done." Peter said biting his lip as he thought things over.

"We could send Snape to keep an eye on him, he knows about it now." Smiled Sirius.

"That was stupid Sirius, he could've been hurt, I'm just glad that James got there soon." Snapped Remus as he glared at Sirius.

"I didn't tell the stupid git to go. How was I supposed to know that the nosey idiot would actually believe me and go to the shack. Well, that should keep him out from our business." Said Sirius.

"Honestly Sirius, I don't know what kept Dumbledore from expelling you then." Said Peter, shaking his head.

"It was my charming self that made him change his mind." Said Sirius, the others snorted and chuckled at him.

"James most likely made up an excuse for you. God knows why we care for you." Responded Remus rolling his eyes.

"Well, let's get this over with, James' parents need to know what is happening now, not what happened a year ago." Quickly said Sirius. He really didn't want to think of what could've happened to Severus Snape if James hadn't been there, and the consequences that could've emerged from it.

"You are just trying to change the subject, but you are right." Said Remus as Peter went to get an owl.

"Get Hermes, Mrs. Potter will recognize it and think it's from James." Yelled Sirius, waking up the sleeping owls and pandemonium breaking out.

"See what you did, you idiot." Said Remus as he slapped Sirius on his head.

"Ouch! Didn't mean to do it, just happened." Wailed Sirius in a feigned innocent voice.

Remus chuckled and Peter laughed as he took hold of Hermes, James' owl. Hermes, a snowy white owl, stood in a dignified manner as Sirius tied the note to it's leg. Hermes had always delivered in record time, since he was a chick he had been fast and reliable, that was the reason why James had named him Hermes, after the Greek god, the messenger of Olympus.

"Take this to Mrs. Potter Hermes. James is sick, please get there fast." Said Sirius to Hermes as he stroke it's head.

Hermes nipped Sirius' finger and with a silent hoot flew out the window. The boys kept sight of Hermes until all that was visible was a small speck in the sky.

The Potters London house was situated in the magical section of the city. It was called Rowe Square, after Nathaniel Rowe, a wizard designer and engineer who constructed the square. It was formed by a park, named after its creator, surrounded an all sides by stately mansions and buildings.

To the muggle eye, the Park looked like any other. Lush gardens graced the south end of the park, in the north end could be found all the public recreation areas, and in the middle, a small lake surrounded by gentle slopes and resting areas.

It was small compared to other more popular parks, but it's gardens and calm atmosphere that was sensed in the place had made it popular for romantic rendezvous. It was common to see couples walking hand in hand among the gardens, or having an impromptu picnic near the lake.

But during the night, Rowe Park became a magical place. Magic-lighted lanterns floated above the gardens and pathways of the park. And small fairies could be seen skipping above the flowers looking for a place to play.

The buildings surrounding the park were very common looking to the muggle eye. An office building stood on one side to the park, it's glass windows reflecting the sunlight. The other three sides of the park were surrounded by middle class houses, each built next to the other without any space between them, black iron fences separating the meager pieces of land in front of the houses, each family adorning it with small bushes and plants. But to the magical world, this was the place to be.

The small office building was a place of bustle and overflowing with the most important wizards of the age. The Ministry of Magic housed the offices of the governing body of the magical world. The top-most floor housed the offices of the Minister of Magic, his cabinet and advisors. The floor below this one was full of meeting rooms, were the committees of the Departments met to discuss recent cases, at the end of the floor stood the Mess Hall, or the cafeteria, were officials and guests ate; small private rooms were available for important lunch meetings, the Minister always had a private room. The lower floors were assigned to the Departments of the Ministry.

The houses looked dignified and elegant to the magical eye. Decorative plants graced the entrance to each of the houses, classic columns stood upon the stairs, wide, wooden doors waited to be knocked. Each house had a golden knocker on the door, with the family coat of arms engraved upon it.

Inside one of these houses, a tall, brown haired, middle-aged woman sat at the dining room table. The walls were adorned with paintings of fruits and flowers. The table was round made out of wood, sustained by a clawed shaped foot. The matching chairs had a throne like back with cushioned seats.

A small house elf entered the room, following a human servant. The rigid looking man gave a small coughed and spoke to the lady.

"Madam."

"Yes Roberts." She said, looking up from the piece of parchment she had been reading.

"Lotty has received an owl for you."

"Thank you Roberts, you may leave now." Roberts, the Potter's human butler, left the room. The small elf approached the lady and extended a silver tray toward her.

"Mistress Susan Potter, ma'am, Hermes has arrived with a letter." The elf squeaked.

Mrs. Susan Potter was a dignified woman, dedicated to keep her husband's social standing among the magical upper society. She was also a lioness when it came to the safety of her family, especially her children. Her oldest daughter, Elizabeth, had married a foreign Count, and wrote constantly to her mother about her two twin daughters. James was her baby and she doted on her son, but she didn't want him to know about it, thus her nagging about marriage, she knew he didn't like it when she tried her matchmaking schemes on him.

Mrs. Potter eagerly reached for the letter, she loved getting owls from her children, and the elf quickly left the room. Before she opened the missive, a tall man entered the room. He had messy black hair, wore glasses over his dark eyes and possessed a stately figure. Mrs. Potter expression lighted up the moment she saw her husband.

"Hello dear, I hope you don't mind if I join you for luncheon today." Aliaster Potter said as he leaned to kiss his wife's cheek.

"Of course I don't mind. I have been urging you to come and eat luncheon here more often, the food at the Ministry's Mess Hall leaves a lot to be desired." Mrs. Potter responded smiling up at him.

"You are right, but it is much easier to continue our meetings over lunch instead of taking a break and then having to start all over again." He said as he sat in the chair next to his wife's.

Roberts entered the room, followed by two human servants carrying covered trays. Roberts lifted the covers, one by one, and served Mr. Potter from each. Marinated sauced chicken, green leaf salad with dressing, lobster patties, and finger sized ham sandwiches. He then poured pumpkin juice into Mr. Potter's goblet. Roberts then turned to Mrs. Potter to enquire if the lady wanted some more.

"That's all Roberts, thank you." She responded with a wave of her hand.

Roberts bowed to the couple and led the footmen, the servants, out of the dining room.

"Any news my dear?" Asked Mr. Potter as he cut his chicken. Chicken had always been his favorite food, and his wife had always made sure that a variation of it was served at each meal since they first married.

"I just finished reading Elizabeth's letter. It seems that our granddaughters are becoming a handful." Chuckled Mrs. Potter.

"What else did she expect, that's her punishment for making us grandparents so early in life. I hope James will take his time, he is almost done with his training and I'm hoping that he will consider taking my place in running our property, he likes it better than I do."

"Oh, I'm sure he will, he is not very interested in politics. I'm hoping he chooses the right girl for his wife."

"I don't know why you keep trying to matchmaking Susan, you don't want him to get married either, and how do you expect him to like any of those silly girls I'll never know."

"It's because I don't want him to marry that I keep parading those bird- witted girls. You don't know how worried I get when I introduce them to him that he will like one of them and follow my advise."

"It will serve you right if he did."

"That's true, but I would prefer it if he married the right girl. Rose's and Edward's daughter sounds right for him."

"Oh don't start Susan, you don't even know if they even like each other. After all the pranks he has done over the years I would be surprised if a decent girl liked him."

"Of course they like him, my son is perfect. And speaking of James, Hermes just arrived with a letter. I was about to open it when you came in." Said Mrs. Potter looking around for the unopened letter.

"Well, read it. I want to know what this son of ours is up to. I'm surprised we haven't received an owl from Dumbledore about pranks."

"He took after you dear, you were just like him at that age." Laughed Mrs. Potter as she spotted the note and reached for it.

"If not worse." Chuckled Mr. Potter. "I was lucky Minerva wasn't a professor then. Having Albus as the head of Gryffindor wasn't too bad. What did James write?"

At that moment Mrs. Potter gasped and a small shriek escaped her. Mr. Potter quickly looked up and noticed her pale face and trembling hands.

"What is it dear? Is something wrong with James?" Mr. Potter quickly left his seat and kneeled before his wife. He took the note from her and read it as Mrs. Potter leaned her head on his shoulder and cried.

Aliaster Potter swore as he finished reading the note. It wasn't written by Dumbledore, or Minerva, as he had expected, but by his son's friends under Dumbledore's request. James was unconscious for unknown reasons.

"There, there, my dear." He said as he patted her back. "We have to be strong for our son. We'll apparate to Hogsmeade and go to Hogwarts. I'm sure that once we are there, things might look better. I wager it's not as bad as it sounds." Said Mr. Potter as he dried his wife's tears.

"Oh yes, let's go! My poor James, my poor baby!" Lamented Mrs. Potter as she quickly left her seat and exited the room. Mr. Potter could hear her voice giving orders to Roberts who had been keeping guard in the Hall.

Roberts entered the dining room followed by the footmen, they quickly emptied the table and cleaned it with their wands. Mr. Potter scribbled a note and turned to Roberts as he was about to leave the room.

"Roberts, make sure that the Minister gets this message. My wife and I will be gone for an undetermined amount of time. I need our personal elf to get our things packed as soon as possible."

"Yes sir." Roberts took the note, bowed and quickly left the room.

It took the Potters an hour to be ready to leave. With Lottyi, their personal elf, they apparated to Hogsmeade where a carriage awaited them in front of the Three Broomsticks. They promptly climbed into the carriage and soon after, the vehicle followed the path to Hogwarts.

McGonagall and Lily had quickly made their way toward the infirmary, as they did so, Professor McGonagall dispatched Lily to organized the moving of Gryffindor to its temporary new quarters.

Inside the infirmary, Albus Dumbledore waited patiently at James' bedside. He was very worried. The longer James stayed under the curse's influence, the harder it would be to pull him out of it with the countercurse. He also knew that the moment the Potters received word of James' illness, they would immediately apparate to Hogsmeade and come up to Hogwarts. He had requested Minnie to make sure everything was ready for their arrival. To choose living quarters with private rooms and to make sure a carriage awaited their arrival at the Three Broomsticks. James' elf needed to be busy, the other elves had started to complain about her moping.

Dumbledore smiled as he thought of it, he knew how protective personal elves could be, after all, his own personal elf, Maya, would not rest while Dumbledore was sick, if he got just a common cold Maya would get him in his bed and go to the kitchen to prepare potions and soups for him.

He heard the door open and close and then footsteps coming toward him, but he didn't turn, he just continued to watch over James' unconscious body.

"Did you find it Minerva? Did you get the cursed item?" He asked without turning.

"Yes Albus, I have it in this box, we must place a silencing charm on it before it can be examined." She said as Dumbledore finally turned to her and extended his hand for the box.

"Are you sure this is the item." He asked looking down to the box as if he could see past the cover and see the item within.

"There was nothing else that showed otherwise." She responded.

"Very well, take this to Flitwick and find a way to silence it. The Potters should be here soon, show them here when they arrive." McGonagall nodded, took the box and quickly left the room.

Dumbledore turned back to look at James. His brow frowned in thought. "Why is this happening James? Who would need to curse you in this way?"

The room was silent.

Lily had quickly found the new dorms for Gryffindor. House elves were bustling about as they transported all the personal belongings from the original tower. The entrance was being guarded by the portrait of a handsome young man, who kept trying to flirt with Lily before he finally asked: "Password?"

"Butterfly fields." Lily responded.

The portrait promptly opened and Lily swiftly entered the temporary common room. The whole place looked exactly like the original Gryffindor Tower. The pictures were the same, furniture was arranged in the same manner, the fireplace surrounded by chairs and couches, the staircase that branched into two separating the girls from the boys, even the dorms were arranged in the same way and in some, Lily noticed the elves had left it as disordered as the inhabitants had left their original rooms. The elves did a good job on this! She thought as she walked around the new tower checking on the elves progress.

She saw a small elf entering the room, and go towards the boys' dorms, she thought nothing of it until she saw the same elf going out with several items in his arms.

"Where are you going with those?" Asked Lily walking toward the elf. When the elf turned she recognized it as Minnie, and the items she carried belonged to James.

"Hello Miss Lily, Minnie is taking Master James' things to somewhere else, Miss Lily."

"Oh? Where are you taking them?"

"To private rooms, Miss Lily. Master Alaister and Mistress Susan are coming Miss Lily, and Master James will be taken to rooms near them Miss Lily."

"James' parents are coming here?"

"Yes Miss Lily."

"When are they arriving?"

"Anytime soon, Miss Lily. Minnie is arranging their rooms, Miss Lily."

"Oh dear." Moaned Lily, she really didn't want to meet James' parents, she didn't know why she just knew she didn't.

"Minnie must finish Miss Lily." Minnie said and quickly left the room.

Classes were about to end for the day, the elves were almost done, and the prefects were checking the old tower to make sure nothing personal was left behind. The furniture and pictures had been transfigured into replicas of the original ones housed in the original tower.

Lily made sure the elves where gone and that everything was set for students and left the common room walking toward the Great Hall. Gryffindor students had been told to meet there after classes and that Lily would take them to their temporary rooms. Nobody knew the reason for all these changes, and speculation ran rampant through out the whole afternoon, they were too busy guessing the reason behind it all that they didn't notice the small group that had been quiet the whole time.

The signal was given to end the classes, students ran to all parts of the castle to leave their bags and enjoy some free time before dinner time. Gryffindor met at their table, waiting for Lily.

Lily was feeling very apprehensive, Professor McGonagall had just told her that Professor Dumbledore wanted the students to know about the situation. And that Hogsmeade had sent word that the Potters where on their way to the castle.

Lily entered the Great Hall and walked toward the Gryffindor table, people were whispering and chatting that most had not noticed that she was approaching them.

"Attention please!" Yelled Lily; clapping her hands. The table turned silent and looked toward her. "I'll take you to Gryffindor's temporary rooms, once we are all there I will explain to you the situation. If you will follow me please."

The group stood up and followed Lily toward the South Tower and stopped in front of the portrait of the Young Man, he looked the group over, winked to the girls and sneered at the boys, the girls giggled and the boys grunted.

"Pass word." He asked.

"Butterflies fields." Responded Lily.

The girls giggled some more while several snickers were heard from the boys. The portrait opened and the group looked around to see if they saw any difference, they saw none.

"As you can see, everything is the same as the original tower, you will find that your personal belongings have also been transported and they have stayed in the same manner as you left them this morning. Now if you will all take a seat, I will tell you about our circumstances." Said Lily trying to not show her nervousness and worry.

'This morning we found James unconscious in his room." Several gasps were heard and people started to ask questions.

"Is he all right?"

"How did it happened?"

"Do you know what caused it?"

"Please, be quiet, there will be time for questions, please let me continue." The group subdued once more and paid close attention to what she was about to say. "He is in the infirmary now, he is still unconscious. According to the latest examinations it seems that James has been a victim of a Dark Curse, it's not known how it was inflicted and why, but the Staff is making inquiries and is working on finding the countercurse. Mr. and Mrs. Potter are on their way, and will join us very soon. Do you have any questions?"

"Is there a theory of what happened?" Tobias Wood, Gryffindor's keeper, asked.

"The only thing we are sure of is that a ring might have been used to curse James, we don't know exactly how but a piercing noise filled the room when we found him and it got stronger as time went on."

"Was that the reason why we were kept from the Tower?" A shy third year asked.

"Yes it was."

"Who found him?" A fourth year asked.

"A house elf and I did. We heard the noise and went to investigate, but it was too late and he was already unconscious."

"Is there any suspect yet, a theory of who might have done it?" Sirius wanted to know. He was very angry that someone had tried to harm his best friend.

"Not yet, we are hoping that once the item has been examined and the curse broken some of our questions might be answered."

"Has Madam Pomfrey said how soon the countercurse might be available?" Katie asked, tears were filling her eyes.

"No, Professors are working on it, but it's feared that the longer it takes to be performed the longer it will take James to recover."

"Have guards been assigned to James?" Queried Remus, he wanted to make sure that there was somebody protecting James, especially since they wouldn't be able to do so during the next three days.

"Dubledore is looking into that."

"Will he be allowed to have visitors?" Sobbed Emma.

"Not any time soon." Said Lily shaking her head. This was much harder than she had thought. She was fighting very hard to keep her eyes from filling with tears.

"We can send get well gifts, can't we?" Asked Peter.

"I'm sure that it would be acceptable."

"Why was the Tower closed, if the cursed item has been retrieved?" Asked a Seventh year.

"Professor Dumbledore wants to make sure that there was no damage and that the curse only stayed within the ring and didn't affect anything else."

"How long are we staying here?" Asked a first year.

"Just during the time when the Tower is searched, once it has been cleared by Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick we will be allowed back."

The room was silent once more, The Marauders and the Sirens were sitting in their customary place, holding each other's hands and heads bowed. There were some girls that were sobbing, most just had an expression of surprise or sorrow.

"If you have no more questions, then that will be all. I will let you know of any new developments as soon as I'm told. Remember that his parents will be here soon, we might not see them often around the school but if you do chance to meet them, please don't barrage them with questions. We want to make sure that they feel welcome and that we are all hoping for James' quick recovery."

Everybody nodded and as soon as Lily sat with her friends, the room exploded into chatter and questions. The group decided to go to the boys' room, they didn't want to be inundated with questions and looks of pity.

Dumbledore was sitting next to James, and Madam Pomfrey was busy with trays of cool water and pieces of linen. The situation had gotten worse, James had broken into a fever and they were trying to bring it down, they were doing it the muggle way because the charms and potions had not worked.

"Oh dear! If this doesn't work Headmaster, I don't know what else can be done." Worried Madam Pomfrey.

"Don't worry Poppy, we will find a way. Maybe we should call Miss Evans and see if she knows of different muggle ways to lower a fever." Commented Dumbledore as he reached for a piece of linen, soaked it in the water and put it on James' forehead.

Madam Pomfrey used the rest of the linen to bathe James. His chest had been exposed and Madam Pomfrey put cool linen on it and his arms. James was sweating and moaning, Dumbledore was having a hard time trying to keep him still.

"Maybe you should use a restraining charm Poppy, I'm not as young as I used to be." Chuckled Dumbledore as he nearly missed James' flailing arm.

"Perhaps, you are right Headmaster, he is beginning to be a handful." Said Madam Pomfrey. She put the last piece of linen on James' chest and started to search her robes for her wand.

At that precise moment, a commotion was heard at the entrance of the infirmary, Madam Pomfrey and Dumbledore turned to look toward the door as it snapped open. Professor McGonagall stood there with a thunderous expression and behind her they could see Mr. and Mrs. Potter. Dumbledore could well imagine why Professor McGonagall had such a threatening expression; he knew how protective the Potters were of their children, especially James, who would inherit all of his family's properties and responsibilities. He imagined that the way here was too long for their tastes and had taken all their frustration on Minerva, and knowing her, she was not very happy about it, even if she understood why.

"Aliaster, Susan, come on in, you're in time to help us with your son, he's not keeping still." Smiled Dumbledore as he saw them coming toward them at a quick pace.

"What is wrong with him? Oh dear!" Said Mrs. Potter as they finally reached James' bedside.

"He developed a fever earlier, potions and charms do not work; we are trying the muggle way now, hopefully it will bring it down." Replied Madam Pomfrey as she started to take the now warm linens from James' body and soaking them once more in cool water before putting them on again.

"Aliaster, maybe you can help me keeping him still." Said Dumbledore as James started to move much harder.

Mr. Potter quickly got hold of his son's arms and held him steady as Madam Pomfrey reached for her wand.

"What are you doing?" Asked Mrs. Potter as she saw the nurse point her wand at James.

"I'm putting a restraining charm on him, it won't hurt Mrs. Potter, but if I don't he will hurt himself and others." Said Madam Pomfrey glancing sideways at Mrs. Potter. When she saw her nod, she pointed the wand once more and said "Immobilitus".

A glowing light surrounded James and then it disappeared, James stayed quiet and immobile. The group surrounding the bed gave a sigh of relief, and Madam Pomfrey continued changing the pieces of linen.

"Aliaster, Susan, I know you want to be here with James, but I have to explain what we know so far and I don't think this is the best place to do so. If you will follow me, we'll go to my office and leave Madam Pomfrey with her work." Said Dumbledore looking at Mr. and Mrs. Potter.

"Very well, we have questions also." Replied Mr. Potter as he looked at his son on the bed.

Dumbledore and the Potters exited the room, leaving Madam Pomfrey behind to work on James. Professor McGonagall had stayed behind during the whole ordeal, but as the others left she approached Madam Pomfrey.

"Poppy, I will take care of Mr. Lupin tonight." She said.

"Oh dear, I had forgotten all about him. Do you think you can handle him?"

"I'm sure that I can, if he transforms in my presence I will transfigure into my animagus. Albus has decided to put guards on the door, they should arrive once the students are in bed."

"Of course, I will take care of them. I just hope that Mr. Black and Pettigrew will not try to sneak in here."

"I'm sure that the guards will make sure that they don't."

"Oh, I hope so, I don't think I can handle them now."

"Let's hope that their common sense will prevail and they keep away until James gets better."

"Wishful thinking, that is." Madam Pomfrey snorted.

"Perhaps you are right. It's almost time for the students to be abed, I'll go and get Mr. Lupin." Professor McGonagall quickly left the room.

Mr. and Mrs. Potter were sitting in front of Dumbledore at his desk, a pot of tea and cups were set in front of them.

"And do we know what this item was?" Asked Mr. Potter. He was infuriated, he couldn't imagine who would want to hurt James.

"Yes, it was a ring, Minerva retrieved it from the room. I have not examined it yet, Minerva and Flitwick are working on silencing it, we cannot examine it until they are done." Answered Dumbledore.

"You will let us know when they are done, won't you?" Queried Mrs. Potter.

"Of course. Do you have any idea of who could've done this?" Asked Dumbledore.

"I can't think of anybody. He is popular among his set and those who don't think so do not have access to Gryffindor's rooms." Said Mr. Potter.

"We thought of that, we are assuming that it was given to him before he came to Hogwarts." Responded Dumbledore.

"But who did? He knows better than to accept something from a stranger, he's seventeen for Pete's sake!" Exclaimed Mrs. Potter putting down her empty cup.

"Unless it was somebody he knew, somebody he trusts." Said Mr. Potter.

"That would also include the whole school." Replied Mrs. Potter.

"Not necessarily, students from other houses have no access to Gryffindor and none of the students are very advanced in the Dark Arts, this was obviously very skilled in them, this curse is nothing like I've ever seen before." Replied Dumbledore.

"Then it was given to him during the summer. I cannot think that anybody in our estate would do so. They are all loyal to our family and have been so for generations." Replied Mr. Potter.

"What about members of the Ministry?" Said Mrs. Potter. "Your policies have not made you popular with some members of the Ministry."

"It's possible that it has something to do with the work you do. Not many wizards agree with you on the subject of Muggle relations."

"Relations between the Magical World and the Muggle World have always been a subject of debate, but with all the latest events, we cannot turn a deaf ear to these concerns. You have heard of course that this group of Death Eaters as they have started to call themselves, are attacking muggles now?"

"Yes, I've read the latest Ministry reports. And I agree with you, these times we have to work together is the only way this group will be stopped." Nodded Dumbledore with a serious expression.

"I had written to James this morning, asking him to set up a meeting with you. We have had received warnings that our plans are being intercepted, I thought it would be safer to talk to you through James." Said Mr. Potter. When Mrs. Potter gasped, Dumbledore and her husband turned to look questioningly at her.

"Do you suppose that it was the notes that brought all of this? Isn't it a bit of a coincidence that he was attacked today, when he had received our notes?"

"That would mean that he is being watched, or that our notes were intercepted and they acted accordingly." Said Mr. Potter, it was clear that he hadn't thought of it.

"That would also suggest that the item was charmed to be controlled, we had thought that it was timed, but this gives us a new perspective." Said Dumbledore.

"And a new theory, and the more I think of it the more I believe that it could be the answer." Commented Mr. Potter.

"I agree with you, makes sense for the attack. James had not come to me yet about your notes, so we must assume that the curse was done to stop him from coming to me." Said Dumbledore as he settled back on his chair.

"But that still doesn't make sense, they would know that we would come to Hogwarts the moment we received word of James illness. Thus, giving Aliaster the perfect opportunity to talk to you." Said Mrs. Potter.

"You are right." Said Mr. Potter running his fingers through his hair with exasperation.

"We must keep our options open, we will know more after the ring has been examined. I recommend you go to your appointed rooms. Madam Pomrey will let you know if there are new developments," Dumbledore quickly added as he noticed Mrs. Potter ready to argue. "She needs to bring his fever down first. I have posted guards on the entrance to the infirmary, the Ministry sent some highly qualified men to do so."

"You are right." Mr. Potter said before turning to his wife. "We need to rest first dear, in order to take care of James. We cannot be of help if we are too exhausted to help him."

"Very well." Grudgingly said Mrs. Potter, it was very clear that she didn't agree with them but that she was willing to wait.

"Minnie has been waiting outside and she will take you to your quarters." Dumbledore said.

"Oh poor Minnie! I had forgotten all about her. How has she taken this?" Exclaimed Mrs. Potter.

"She was very distraught, I had to put her in charge of your quarters to give her something to do, my elves had started to complain." Chuckled Dumbledore.

"They can be a handful when their masters are sick." Smiled Mr. Potter.

"Yes they can. Now go on and rest, we will talk in the morning." The Potters left the room. Dumbledore heard their footsteps getting muffled by the distance. He looked toward the fire in fireplace, a frown in his brow. The situation was getting more complicated by the minute and he wasn't sure if they would ever find the answers to all their questions.

McGonagall had arrived to the Gryffindor common room but didn't see the person she was looking for, she then decided to go up to the boys' dorm where she assumed he might be waiting. As she entered the room assigned to the seventh year boys, she noticed that they were not alone, three girls were there as well. Her eyebrow lifted as she saw who the three girls were.

"Really Miss Evans, I had expected better from you." Snapped McGonagall, making the group jump and turn to look at her with guilty faces.

"I'm sorry Professor." Said Lily turning to look at her with a tearstained face. The sight of sorrow and worry that graced each of their faces made McGonagall more sympathetic.

"I understand, but please stay in the common room this is not very proper." She said.

"Yes Professor." Answered the group in unison.

McGonagall nodded her satisfaction at their answer and turned to Remus. "Mr. Lupin if you will come with me please." She then turned to leave the room but thought of something and turned back. "I suggest that the rest of you go to bed soon." And she left the room followed by Remus.

"Where is he going?" Asked Katie.

"He is feeling sick." Quickly said Sirius.

"He is not being affected by what happened to James?" Gasped Emma.

"No, this is different." Said Peter.

"Is it because it's a full moon tonight?" Asked Lily looking up from her hands to peer closely at the two boys sitting in front of her.

The boys looked at her with wide eyes, she could see their questions and thoughts through their eyes, and could've sworn that she could hear the wheels turning in their heads.

"It's not very difficult to guess." Said Katie. Giggling at their stunned faces

"He disappears every month when the moon is full." Said Lily.

"And then he looks so weak and sickly that it's obvious he has gone through an ordeal." Said Emma.

"How long have you known?" Asked Sirius with an askance glance.

"For years now. As I've said before, it was not very difficult to guess." Said Katie.

"Why didn't you say anything before?" Asked Peter.

"There was no need. Why say something when it was obviously a secret?" Emma commented.

"It would only had served to make him uncomfortable." Said Lily with a shrug of her shoulders.

"Hmph!" Grunted Sirius.

"I think we better leave, we have a lot to do tomorrow. Not to mention that I want to see Professor Dumbledore first thing in the morning to see if there were any changes in James' condition." Said Lily rising from the bed in which the girls were sitting.

"All right. See you boys in the morning." Said Katie rising as well.

"Now you boys won't go sneaking off and try to get to James are you?" Said Emma with a suspicious look.

"No we won't." Said Sirius with a feigned look of innocence.

"You better not, there are guards around the infirmary and an invisibility cloak won't help you at all." Warned Lily.

"We won't go to see James, we told Remus we wouldn't." Quickly said Peter.

"Good, see that you keep your promise." Said Lily and led the other two girls out of the room and then turning to their dorm.

"That was close." Exclaimed Sirius.

"Do you think they know about us being animagi?" Asked a worried Peter.

"I don't think so, they would've said something." Responded Sirius; keeping an eye on the open door.

Peter released a sigh of relief. "I'm glad, I don't know if I could've handled that kind of pressure."

"Peter, you don't know how to handle any kind of pressure. It will get you on trouble one of these days. Come, we have to meet Remus, he should be in the Shack by now." Said Sirius. He looked through James' trunk for the invisibility cloak and their magic map of Hogwarts. It took them years to perfect it, and they were very proud of it. They had decided to title it The Marauders' Map and hoped to bequeath it to their sons when it was their time to come to Hogwarts. It would be a shame if the sons of the famous Maraudres didn't follow in their fathers' footsteps.

"Are you ready?" He said turning to look at Peter once he had the items in his hands.

Peter nodded, in silence they put the cloak around them, and stealthy left the Tower and made their way toward the Whopping Willow, a magical tree with flailing branches that kept everybody away from it. In the darkness of the night two shapes suddenly appeared near the tree. The smaller of the two neared the trunk and the branches stopped moving. The larger shape, which looked like a dog, swiftly disappeared beneath the trunk following its small companion.

The following morning arrived, and the entrance to the hospital wing was packed with people waiting by the door. Madam Pomfrey had given up telling students to go back to breakfast. The whole school now knew that James was sick, and the only ones who seemed not to care were the Slytherins, this made them very unpopular at the moment and even suspects.

"I see no reason to be concerned. I'll wager he will be in our hairs soon enough." Complained Severus Snape at the Slytherin table that morning.

"It would be too soon for me. He can stay in the infirmary as long as he wishes." Sneered Lucius Malfoy, sitting beside Severus. "He can die for all I care, I don't see what is the big deal. Nobody gets that worried when any of us get sick, they don't go and set a vigil for us."

"You're being heartless." Said Narcissa without any emotion showing in her face. "I like that." She smiled turning to look at Lucius. He smiled and Severus rolled his eyes.

"We should go and see how he does though, I don't think it would look on us if the rest see how little we care." Said Maureen

"They already suspect us, it won't change a thing." Snapped Severus.

"You're being quiet Jezebel, don't tell me you are worried." Leered Narcissa, she liked making Jezebel uncomfortable.

"No, just thinking." Jezebel said with a twinkle in her eye, Narcissa and Maureen knew that it meant she was planning something.

"What are you planning Jezy?" Whispered Maureen, she didn't want the boys to hear.

"You'll see." Jezebel smiled.

In the infirmary, Dumbledore stood with Madam Pomfrey as Mrs. Potter stood by James' bedside and held his hand.

"You are going to get better James, I promise, I won't let them get away with this. We will find whoever did this to you." She whispered as she run her fingers through his hair.

"Don't worry Susan, our son is strong and he will get through this." Mr. Potter said, putting his arms around her waist.

"I know he will Aliaster, I won't let him give up." She answered.

"What can you tell me Poppy, how is he doing?" Asked Dumbledore to Madam Pomfrey as they watched the Potters whispering by their son's bed.

"His fever broke a couple of hours ago, he was uncomfortable until then. I have not released him yet, I want to make sure the fever is completely done. But we must find the countercurse Headmaster, he will not survive if we don't perform it soon." She urged.

"I was hoping you wouldn't say that." Dumbledore said with a sad smile.

"I'm sorry, but I'm starting to get worried. We are in uncharted territory here, I don't know what to expect next." She urgently said.

"I know Poppy, and we are trying to break through the curse but it's like a hydra, when we thought we have gone passed it starts once more with more power. We are at our wits end, we don't know what else to try." Worried Dombledore.

"Oh dear! What can we do? I've never lost a patient in my care, and I don't like the thought that I can't help him. I don't like feeling helpless, Albus."

"I know the feeling Poppy, I don't like it either."

Madam Pomfrey sighed and looked around for her instruments, she wanted to make sure she had everything necessary if she would need it. She then seemed to remember something and turned back to Dumbledore.

"What are we going to do about the students outside, they won't listen to me and go back to their common room or the Great Hall?" She asked.

"I'll take care of that." Dumbledore said and walked toward the door.

The group standing outside the door was silent, noise had not been something that Madam Pomfrey needed to complain about, but the number of people present had grown as the hours passed. It was a weekend, therefore, they didn't need to go to classes, and any kind of diversion seem pointless as nobody seemed to be able to concentrate.

As the door opened everybody turned with expectation and hope in their countenance. They all wished for any news, preferable if they were good.

"I see that you all hope to wish good health for Mr. Potter." Said Dumbledore looking proudly at the congregated group. "He has been fighting a fever the whole night, but I'm happy to report that he is much better now." The group cheered and some sobbed in relief. "However, he is still unconscious." Faces fell once more. "We are looking for the cure, do not worry. But I must urge you to go back to your normal activities, there is nothing you can do at this moment and we must give his parents privacy. I will report any change during the meals, now on you go." And Dumbledore shooed them out of the hospital wing.

The atmosphere in the castle was morose, people seemed to have a hard time going through their normal activities with a heavy heart. Quidditch training continued during the morning but the only team that put any heart on it was the Slytherin, the others didn't get any joy from it, especially Gryffindors. The lack of their captain and chaser was deeply felt by all, and although they always complained the maniac quality of their training due to James, they missed it now, it was not right without him.

But the ones that felt his absence the most was the small group sitting around the fireplace in Gryffindor's temporary common room.

"How long do you think it will take them to find a cure?" Asked Katie, her usual exuberance missing.

"I suppose it must be a really advance magic if they haven't been able to break through." Sighed Lily.

"I hate feeling like this, as if nothing can be done." Said Sirius hitting the arm of the chair with his fist.

"We all feel like that Sirius, but what can we do? If the professors, who are the best in what they do, cannot help him, how are 6 seventeen year old witches and wizards help?" Snapped Emma. It seemed that her nerves were starting to fray.

"And Remus is too weak, he can't help much either." Said Peter as he looked worriedly at his friend.

"This is the worst time for all this, but I guess the saying is true, misery likes company." Said Remus with a sad smile.

"It's not your fault Remus, you cannot control the phases of the moon." Said Emma leaning her head on his shoulder. Remus still couldn't believe that the girls had known about his problem and didn't run away but had continued as if it was an ordinary thing. He was very lucky that he had such good friends.

"And nobody could've predicted that this would happen." Said Katie.

"Who do you think did this to him?" Suddenly asked Lily.

"I don't know but whoever did it will pay dearly for it." Exclaimed Sirius.

"Sirius, calm down. You are not helping James with this hostility." Said Katie, Sirius anger was starting to scare her.

"I'm sorry, but I can't help it. What did James ever do to deserve this? Nothing, that's what, and the person responsible for it has a mean streak in him." Said Sirius in a moderate tone, at least he tried to make it a moderate tone.

"When do you think we will move back to the Tower Lily, do you think they found something there that could help James?" Asked Peter.

"I don't know, I haven't been told of any new developments yet. But I'm starting to get worried, I had never seen the Professors in this state before." Said Lily in a worried tone.

"Neither have I, but we have never experienced anything like this either." Said Emma.

"Do you think it has something to do with what is going on out there?" Said Katie with an expression of fright.

"Of course not, how could you even think of it?" Exclaimed Remus.

The others shivered in fear at the mere thought of it. The magical world have been going through some dark times in the last five years. People were starting to lose faith in the Ministry for not being able to find out the name of the person responsible for this terror. The only thing everybody knew was the name the group called themselves, Death Eaters.

It started with a few disappearances here and there, but a few months later the disappearances turned to murders. There were only a few during the first year, but the numbers had increased the following year, and the next, and so on. Then something more worrisome started to occur. Muggles were disappearing and being murdered as well, the muggle law enforcement didn't know what caused these deaths and had been filed as unexplained. But the magical world knew what had caused it.

But this year, something new had been included in the attacks. A mark. People had started calling it the Dark Mark, for the darkness it brought to people's lives. It had become the calling card of the Death Eaters, and allowed the Ministry to keep a record to all the deaths committed by this group.

The Ministry was in disarray, warnings and clues had been collected and spies were thought to be inside of that illustrious building. Who could it be and how could they be found? Was the question that kept the Minister and his officials up at all hours, but the problem was, could they trust each other? Mistrust and a feeling of helplessness had inundated the members of the Ministry. Nobody knew whom to trust and as a result long standing friendships had been lost and only a few had survived the strained situation.

It was for this reason that Mr. Potter found himself with Dumbledore in his office.

"Everything is in chaos Dumbledore. How can we concentrate in fighting this evil if everyone is concerned in the trustfulness of all those around them? I tell you it's pulling us apart." Mr. Potter pacing around the office.

"Sit Aliaster, you'll wear a path on my rug." Said Dumbledore with an amused smile.

"I'm sorry Albus, but this situation is maddening." Sighed Mr. Potter sitting in one of the chairs in front of the desk.

"Tell me, what did you wanted to discuss with me?" Dumbledore asked serving a cup of tea and handing it to his guest.

"A couple of weeks ago we gathered some new information, and a name kept appearing everywhere we looked, we thought maybe you knew who this person is, we suspect he attended Hogwarts about 30 years ago if not more."

"Who is this person?" Cautiously asked Dumbledore.

"Lord Voldemort."

"Ah! That's a name I haven't heard for some time." Said Dumbledore with a reminiscent look.

"You know who he is then." Excitedly asked Mr. Potter.

"I know him. You know him too."

"I do?" Mr. Potter's countenance turned questioning.

"Yes, do you remember the events of your first year here in Hogwarts?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes, some students were attacked until a girl was killed in one of the bathrooms. Some said that the legendary Chamber of Secrets left behind by Salazar Slytherin had been opened and the beast within had been unleashed to rid Hogwarts of those of mixed blood. But then they stopped and the beast defeated and the person responsible expelled."

Dumbledore nodded and asked: "What else do you remember? Do you remember names?"

"Hagrid was blamed. It was absurd, who would ever think that Hagrid was responsible for all that horror, he's incapable of doing something like that, Riddle must have made a mistake, he probably did it to gain something, he certainly received a shiny medal for his trouble." Scoffed Mr. Potter.

"Ah, now we get to the name I want to discuss, Tom Riddle." Said Dumbledore with a satisfied smile.

"Are you saying that Riddle is Voldemort?" Exclaimed Mr. Potter with a tone of surprise.

"It shouldn't surprise you Aliaster, you knew that the person behind all of this terror had to be somebody with a great deal of talent, and that's one description that could always be attached to Riddle."

"He was talented all right, Head Boy and he graduated with the highest amount of N.E.W.T.s in the history of Hogwarts."

"He was also very ambitious, and power hungry. I have followed his career after he left Hogwarts. He worked for the Ministry for almost 10 years, Department of Experimental Charms, he would've been made Head of the Department if he had continued, but it was too slow for him, he needed something else, something more. He left England and toured the Continent for some years, learning all that was made available to him, but he emerged himself more into the Dark Arts. He continued to learn and continued to get more powerful. I sent a letter at that time to the Ministry, a warning, urging them to keep an eye on him, if left alone he could become someone very dangerous, I wrote, but it fell on deaf ears. I lost track of him at that time, haven't heard of him until you came into my office today."

"But how can you be sure that Riddle is Voldemort?"

"Lord Voldemort was a name that he was already using while he was here in Hogwarts, I heard him being called so many times, I don't know what it means and why he chose it, but I know that he never liked his name, the name given to him after his father, his muggle father. He's very hateful of mixed blooded and muggles, I think that in his subconscious mind he sees his father in them."

"What happened to his father?"

"He died about the same time the attacks occurred. A mysterious death, no lethal wounds, just petrified, no life force in them, his grandparents and father were found together."

"Do you think he did it?"

"I'm certain."

"It will be difficult to apprehend him, especially with no proof of his identity."

"Don't worry, he will show himself soon, he wants power and in order to acquire it he will need to create fear, fear of his name, his presence. He will show himself, I just don't know what is keeping him, he must have plans to complete before he does."

"Do you think he is behind this illness of James? But what would he gain from it?"

"I'm not sure, but if he is responsible, he must see James as an obstacle, maybe not in the present time but in the near future." Said Dumbledore with a thoughtful tone.

"How are we going to defeat him Dumbledore, the Ministry will not be able to do so in its present state, and the longer we take the powerful he will become."

"Make a list of the most trustful members of the Ministry, but be very careful in who you choose, we don't need ambitious, power hungry members, we need honest, hard working people that are willing to die if necessary."

Aliaster Potter nodded and quickly left the office.

Dumbledore took a basin from a cabinet near his desk. Inside it held a glowing liquid, with his wand he turned it and an image formed.

A boy of about sixteen years of age appeared, jet black hair, a prefect badge on his chest.

"What are you doing, wandering about this late Tom?" Dumbledore asked.

"I had to see the Headmaster, Sir." The boy responded.

"Well hurry off to bed." Urged Dumbledore with a penetrating look. "Best not roam the corridors these days. Not since."[1]

The image faded and Dumbledore sat back on his chair. "You could've done a great deal Tom Riddle, done so well in the Ministry. It seemed that you found what you needed. But at what prize?" He said.

Later that evening, Mrs. Potter was sitting at James' bedside. She had not left the infirmary since that morning and nobody could persuade her to do so. She was silently reading a book, looking up to James periodically, when the door opened with a sudden snap.

She saw Minerva McGonagall go into Madam Pomfrey's office, heard excited chatter between the two women and then McGonagall left at a quick pace. Madam Pomfrey came running into the room, collecting instruments and putting things in order.

"What is happening Poppey? Is something wrong?" Asked Mrs. Potter in a worried tone.

"Oh no! It's good news!" Said Madam Pomfrey in excitement. "They have broken through the protective charms around the ring, we will begin in the countercurse immediately."

"Oh, those are certainly good news, I was beginning to think that those charms were unbreakable." Said Mrs. Potter with a sigh of relief.

"I was beginning to think so as well, let me tell you Susan that I had never been so worried for a patient of mine as I have been for the last days." Said Madam Pomfrey with a sunny smile.

"When will you start with the countercurse?" Mrs. Potter wanted to know as she tried to tame her son's hair.

"They'll bring the ring in a moment, we'll start as soon as they get here." Said Madam Pomfrey as she started to select the instruments she would need and put them aside in a tray.

"Do you think it would be fine if I stay while you work on it?" Asked Mrs. Potter with a hopeful expression.

"I'm sorry Susan, it would not be advisable." Said Madam Pomfrey turning to Mrs. Potter with an understanding look.

"That's all right Poppy, I'll just wait outside until it's done. You will tell me immediately when he is out of danger wont you?"

"Of course I will Susan."

"Thank you Poppy."

The two women stayed in silence looking at the pale young man lying so still on the bed.

The temporary Gryffindor common room was full, but more subdued than it usually was. There were no spurts of laughter, just quiet chatter, and a sense of uneasiness filled the air. People kept turning to look toward the entrance hole, they knew that Lily had been called by Professor McGonagall and that she would be updating Lily on James' progress. But one group seemed to prefer to be alone. After Sirius screamed at a group of first years that had approached them to ask about James, the whole room left them alone.

"I can't stand all this suspense, I want to go to the infirmary." Grumbled Sirius.

"We can't, we promised Professor Dumbledore remember? Last night, at dinner, we promised to stay away from the infirmary, to give the Potters some privacy." Reminded Katie as she took his hand in hers and held tightly to it.

"I know, we were fools to do so." Said Sirius as he pressed Katie's hand lightly.

"Don't worry Sirius, Lily will come back soon. Let's just hope she brings good news." Said Peter as he sat in front of the fireplace with his History of Magic assignment.

"Let's hope so, I hate feeling so helpless. I want to see how he's doing, and I hate the thought of waiting for news." Responded Remus as he lay on the couch, his head resting on Emma's lap.

"All this worrying is complicating your illness Remus, that's why you are so weak. And I've noticed you are not eating as you ought to." Emma chided as she smoothed his hair.

"Don't worry mother, I promise to eat all my food." Said Remus with a weak smile.

"She is right Moony, you are too pale. I don't want two friends in the infirmary, so you better start resting more." Said Sirius with a tone of finality that clearly said that he expected to be obeyed.

"Sirius. I'm old enough to make my own decisions, you cannot tell me what I have to do." Remus snapped back.

"Please boys, our nerves are frayed, we might say things that we will regret later on. Calm down, James wouldn't like it if he hears about this." Cut in Katie trying to avoid a fight.

"I'm sorry." Quickly said Sirius with a chastised tone.

"So am I. I guess I'm too tired to think correctly." Apologized Remus.

"Maybe you should go to your room and rest. We will wake you the moment we hear something." Urged Emma.

"No, I prefer to be here when Lily returns." Said Remus.

"Then close your eyes for a while, we'll wake you when she returns." Said Peter.

The group stayed in silence, Remus rested and the others watched the flames dance in the fireplace.

For several minutes the sense of suspense permeated the room. Assignments were left undone on the tables, conversations were strained and short, and games were left unfinished. Suddenly, the portrait hole opened, everybody turned to look who it was and waited holding their breath. Lily came into the room to be met by an absorbed audience. When she smiled, everybody started to breath once more.

"They finally broke through the curse, they are performing the countercurse right now." The room exploded into applause and cheer. Some cried silent tears of relief and happiness, while others stood and danced around the room. "One more thing." Lily yelled above the noise, people calmed down and the room was quiet once more. "The Gryffindor Tower has been cleared, we will returning to our original quarters tonight. Make sure that you put all your things together before going to luncheon, the elves will be transporting them while we eat. Dumbledore will give further news on James' recovery during dinner."

The room quickly turned into a busy intersection, people running to different parts of the tower collecting their belongings and making sure nothing was forgotten.

The morning passed in this activity until the signal was given for lunchtime. Lily stayed behind to give some orders to the elves that promptly appeared in the common room as soon as the tower was left empty.

The Great Hall was full of excited chatter, the news that James might soon recover had traveled through gossip and everyone now knew the good tidings. Gryffindor was now the loudest and happiest, after being so quiet and depressed, the usual good cheer that set Gryffindor apart from the rest of the school had returned once more.

The teachers looked on with amused smiles and expressions of relief. They understood the buoyant emotion that students were now feeling. McGonagall whispered to Dumbledore who gave a quick nod, as soon as he did so, Professor McGonagall swiftly left the room. After a few moments, Dumbledore tapped his glass and waited for the room to turn quiet.

"I assume that you have now heard the good news and know that our Head Boy has been released from the Dark curse he had fallen under and is now on his way to recovery." The room cheered and yelled at this announcement and eventually fell silent as most students noticed that Dumbledore still stood and seemed to have more to say. "He has still to regain consciousness, but Madam Pomfrey tells me that his body needs to recover before he does so. I hope you all understand that James will require rest and peace while he recuperates from this ordeal, therefore, he will not be allowed any visitors unless he specifically asks. If he does so, visitors will only be allowed for a few minutes only. After he has been released from the infirmary, he will share living quarters with his parents in a private part of the castle. Now, there are some persons who wish to have a word with you." Dumbledore sat as the door at one side of the Hall opened.

Professor McGonagall led a couple up to the staff table. By the countenance and similarity of the man to James, it was very clear that they were James' parents. Proffesor McGonagall quickly sat beside Dumbledore, leaving the couple to stand alone before the students.

"Thank You Headmaster." Said Mr. Potter with a respectful nod toward Dumbledore who nodded back. "I asked permission to address you today to thank you all for your great support. Your prayers and good wishes have given us hope and I'm sure that our son will recuperate soon with the knowledge that his friends and classmates are behind him. As Professor Dumbledore has just announced, James has not gained consciousness yet, but his body functions have returned to normal and we are sure that he will soon be among us once more. We thank you all." Mr. Potter gave a respectful bow to the students, who exploded into cheering and applause.

The staff stood up and shook hands with the Potters as they walked down the table thanking the teachers. Dumbledore then made room for them to sit beside him and partake lunch with them.

Lily had arrived in time to hear Dumbledore's announcement, and even though she was aware of the news, she cheered and clapped with the rest of the table. The usual good will that surrounded their tight-knit group had returned, and the thought of having James among them soon brought back the appetite that they had lost.

"I am so glad James will recover, I was starting to think that it would take them a long time to break through that curse." Said Peter as he reached for his drink.

"Took then long enough." Complained Sirius.

"The wizard that performed that curse must be very knowledgeable in the Dark Arts, the teachers here in Hogwarts are the best in their area and there is nothing that can get pass by them. But this was really advance magic and let's face it, none of the teachers here would practice that kind of magic." Responded Remus, who seemed to be getting his color back to his pale face as he ate more than he had done during the last days.

"Who do you reckon it was?" Asked Sirius.

"We might never know, this could all be some kind of political revenge against his father, I can't think of anything else, James is too young to have enemies expert in the Dark Arts." Said Lily.

"What about Snape, he has always been interested in the Dark Arts, and he knew more about hexes than any seventh year during our first year." Said Katie in a whisper.

"I don't think it was him. He might know more about the Dark Arts than anybody in the school but even his knowledge is not enough to have done this." Responded Emma.

"We also know that whoever did this had access to James, it might be somebody that he trusted enough to have accepted something from him." Said Remus with a thoughtful expression.

"What if this person used an innocent intermediary. He could've switch a gift meant for James when the giver wasn't looking, and the giver gave his gift to James without knowing what the item was meant to do." Said Peter. The group looked at him with surprise. "What?" He asked as he noticed them looking at him.

"We never thought about that, I guess you do have a brain Peter." Said Sirius.

"Thank you, I guess." Responded Peter with a wary look.

"You know, I think Peter got the right idea. The more I think about it the most likely it seems. This person is most likely to have done it that way, keep himself at a distance as it were. And he would be kept out of suspicion." Exclaimed Remus.

"You are right, but we still might never know." Said Lily.

The Great Hall eventually started to get empty, until only the six friends were left behind. They were about to leave when Professor McGonagall approached them.

"Miss Evans, would you stay behind for a moment please?"

"Of course Professor." McGonagall gave her a curt nod and walked back to the staff table where only Dumbledore and the Potters were left.

"What do you think they want?" Conjectured Emma.

"No idea, but if it's about James you will let us know, will you not?" Queried Remus.

"Of course I will, I would never leave you out when it comes to James." Quickly replied Lily.

The group nodded in agreement and slowly left the Hall. Lily watched them leave; after they disappeared from sight, she quickly joined the group still sitting at the staff table.

"Ah, Miss Evans, glad you could join us." Dumbledore greeted her. "Let me introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Potter. Susan, Aliaster, this is Lily Evans, this year's Head Girl. She has been seeing too much of James lately, I suppose this could be termed as a bit of respite for her before James returns to his usual self." Smiled Dumbledore; with an amused twinkle in his eyes.

"Please to make your acquaintance." Responded Lily; with a respectful nod toward the Potters.

"I am very pleased to finally meet you Miss Evans, I've heard quite a lot about you. I hope my son has not been a handful for you, I know how unconventional he is at times." Replied Mrs. Potter as she closely looked over the young lady before her, she smiled and was pleased at what she had seen so far, she was hoping to know more of this young person before James was back on his feet and they left Hogwarts.

"Oh no Mrs. Potter, James and I get along quite well, it is a pleasure to work with him." Quickly responded Lily. She had noticed that Mrs. Potter had looked her over and wondered what had caused her to do so and who had talked about her. She supposed James could've had, but didn't understand why he would do so.

"Oh you don't have to sugarcoat it for us Miss Evans, we know how childish James is, I'm just quite surprised we have not received any complaints about him this year." Laughed Mr. Potter. Lily couldn't help but smile, she liked his laughter, it was just like James, warm and full of happiness. He seemed like a charming man, and Lily supposed that it was from him that James had inherited his charming and easy manners.

"He certainly has been behaving himself, we are all pleased with his progress this year, he seemed to have grown up during the summer." Responded Dumbledore with a smile.

"Yes, he seemed to have become more responsible after I turned over some of the estate's responsibilities to him. He has found a great joy in managing the lands, I am glad it worked quite well, I was not expecting that." Responded Mr. Potter.

"He enjoys working with people, and the tenants in our lands like him, they have seen him grow up and is hard for some to remember he is not the child who played tricks on them but that he has grown up and is almost ready to leave school and take over the management of the estate." Said Mrs. Potter with a smile and pride in her tone.

"That must frustrate him, I have noticed that he doesn't like to be thought as a young boy any more." Smiled Dumbledore.

"He had his hands full, but he overcame and the tenants are quite willing to follow him, I don't know how, but I'm proud that he did." Replied Mr. Potter.

"We will be sad to see him go of course, but I'm sure he will make a great manager, he has certainly showed how good he is at it when he worked with Miss Evans for the past week, the Festival was a hit and they both deserve to be applauded for their effort." Said Professor McGonagall who seemed to be quite pleased with the two Gryffindors.

"We want to ask you a favor Miss Evans, you can decline to do so of course." Said Mrs. Potter.

"I would be pleased to do what I can Mrs. Potter." Replied Lily. She had been silently listening about the part of James that she had not been acquainted with, and she found it fascinating that Quidditch and pranks were not the only things he enjoyed.

"We want to give James the best as he recuperates from his ordeal, Madam Pomfrey has told us that he will not return to classes after he regains consciousness for quite a while, and we were wondering if you would consider tutoring him during that time? We will pay you for your services of course." Said Mr. Potter.

"Oh, that would not be necessary, I would be please to help James in anything I can of course." Quickly responded Lily.

"Oh, we insist, it wouldn't be fair to do otherwise. Perhaps you could join us in the infirmary later this evening, I'm sure you would like to visit James for a moment." Said Mrs. Potter.

"I would definitely like that, I will see you later then. Professors." And with a respectful bow to the adults she quietly left the Hall.

"She seems like a nice young lady." Said Mr. Potter as soon as the adults had been left alone.

"We are quite proud of her, she has become quite popular with the students and an asset to all her teachers." Responded Dumbledore.

"We have met her parents you know. I met them at the station at the beginning of term and have invited them into our home several times since. I see that she is just as Rose, her mother, described her. We have been invited into their home as well and we can see that her training has been as it ought to be. Her parents are quite proud of her, especially since she is the only one with magical blood in the family." Said Mrs. Potter.

"We have not been privileged to meet her family, but they must be an outstanding couple to have accepted their daughter's talent so readily." Replied Dumbledore.

"Especially since she has become one of the most talented witches that has been my pleasure to encounter. I quite expect great things for her future." Responded McGonagall.

"I have a feeling that this year's graduating class will give us a lot of talented witches and wizards, I expect we will hear about some of them in the future." Said Dumbledore. The others agreed with him wholeheartedly.

Lily waited eagerly for the evening to arrive, much to the envy of the group.

"I don't see why you get to see him while the three of us, who are his bests friends have to wait." Grumbled Sirius as the group sat in front of the fireplace in the Gryffindor common room.

"I'm sure you will be allowed to see him soon, maybe they just want to talk to me further about his lessons." Said Lily.

"Or maybe his mum just wants to be a matchmaker once more." Whispered Remus to Sirius.

"Hmmm.that's probably it, poor James. He can't even defend himself." Chuckled Sirius.

"What are you boys whispering about? You are not planning on sneaking in there are you?" Asked Lily with a wary look at them.

"No, but there's an idea." Exclaimed Sirius.

"Sirius, you have to give them some time. James is not conscious yet, wait until you are allowed to visit." Urged Emma.

"You boys will get in trouble if you try to get in, you know that there are guards around the hospital wing." Reminded Katie.

"Perhaps you're right, but we want to know how he is doing." Sirius responded.

"I'll let you know, I'll ask Mr. and Mrs. Potter to allow you to see him." Said Lily.

"Promise?" Peter asked.

"I promise."

At the appointed hour, Lily left the Gryffindor Tower and made her way to the hospital wing, where she was met by Professor McGonagall.

"He is still unconscious but Madam Pomfrey is sure that he will wake up at any moment." Professor McGonagall said the moment Lily joined her. They quickly entered the infirmary and walked toward the Potters standing at James bedside.

"Hello dear, I'm glad you could make it. I'm sure that James would like to have one of his friends here with him." Mrs. Potter said with a smile.

"I'm sure that he would prefer either Sirius or Remus here with him, I know that they would prefer it to be so." Lily smiled.

Mr. Potter chuckled and said, "I'm sure that they do, but we prefer them to see him until he has regained his strength, I know James wouldn't like to have his friends see him at his most vulnerable."

"Men are very vain about their reputations." Responded Mrs. Potter with a fond smile.

"I suppose they are." Responded Lily with an amused smile.

"Miss Evans, we will leave you for a moment, we must meet Dumbledore. You wouldn't mind keeping an eye on James for us?" Asked Mr. Potter.

"Of course not." Said Lily with a nod.

"Thank you dear, we will return soon." The Potters left behind McGonagall.

Lily got a chair and placed it at James bedside, she wished she would have brought a book to pass the time, the thought of just sitting there with nothing to do but look at James sounded bring to her. She started looking around the room. She noticed the pristine bed sheets piled at the end of each bed, the curtains ready to surround each bed to give some privacy to the occupants and the large paintings gracing the white walls. There was nobody else in the infirmary, she wondered where Madam Pomfrey had gone, she had never known of Madam Pomfrey to leave any of her patients unattended.

She turned her eyes back to James, he was lying so still but he seemed relaxed and his color was normal. He looked as if he was sleeping. Then Lily noticed something different, his arm seemed to have moved, she shook her head and closed her eyes for a moment. Maybe she just imagined it, she thought as she opened her eyes again. Nothing had changed. Lily took a deep breath and settled down in her chair once more. Perhaps I need more rest. She thought, and kept her eyes on James. She didn't know how long she stayed like that but slowly she started to nod off and her eyes started to close, she was starting to feel so sleepy. She then abruptly woke up and shook her head. I must stay awake, come on Lily, this is no time to fall asleep. She thought as she passed her hands over her eyes, trying to keep sleep away.

She turned back to look at James and a pair of deep blue eyes were looking at her.

"I must be in heaven to wake up to such celestial sight." James whispered. Lily blushed furiously and didn't know how to respond at this.

"What flummery, I wager you would charm your way into heaven with your honeyed words." Lily said. James smiled.

"Of course I would, angels like you make me want to be charming."

"I suppose this means that you are a lot better than we thought, only you would think to charm your way into life." Laughed Lily. James continued to smile but with a more serious expression.

"What happened, why am I here?" James looked over the room.

"We found you unconscious in your chamber. It has been almost two days, you were under a Dark curse."

"But how? I don't remember." James frowned and closed his eyes in concentration.

"Don't worry, you will remember eventually, your parents will be here soon."

James quickly opened his eyes at the mention of his parents. "My parents are coming?" He quickly asked.

"Your parents are here James, they came immediately after the incident."

James swore and tried to get up from the bed.

"No you mustn't, you're not strong enough yet. You're mother will have my hide if I let you get up from that bed." Exclaimed Lily as she tried to urge James back into bed.

"But I don't want them here, mother treats me like a baby when I'm sick, is enough to drive a grown man crazy." Moaned James.

"She gets worried, but don't worry, I'm sure you will get better soon now that you are awake. The rest will be so happy to hear that, Sirius has been complaining loudly, but with Remus sick they can't sneak in here to see you."

James swore once more. "I had forgotten about that, he is in his second night now." He quickly quieted as he remembered that nobody was supposed to know about Remus, he hoped that Lily didn't notice his weird statement.

"Don't worry James, we know about Remus, and yes, this will be his second night." Lily said with a slight smile at seeing James shocked expression.

"How?" Was the only thing that James could say.

"It was very easy to guess, we've known for years now. Don't worry, they know that we know." She said in a soothing voice.

"What else do you know?" He asked with a wary look.

"Is there something else we should know?" Asked Lily in surprise.

"Obviously nothing." Quickly replied James.

"Hmmm.you boys are keeping something from us." She said with a questioning look.

"No we're not, at least nothing that you should know about, we have our secrets just like you lot have yours."

"Fair enough I suppose." Grudgingly said Lily.

"Where is everybody else? Mum usually never leaves me alone when I'm sick."

"They are with Professor Dumbledore, they been trying to figure out what happened."

"Hmmm.it's all right I suppose." Pouted James.

Lily laughed. "You complain about your mother being so protective of you and you pout because she left you all alone."

"I'm pouting because she would have brought me something to eat by now, I'm hungry."

"I should've guessed." Laughed Lily as James smiled slightly.

"If I order something for you to eat, will you promise to stay in bed as long as Madam Pomfrey wants you to?"

"I suppose."

"Very well, Minnie has been staying out the door all this while waiting for you to get better."

James moaned at the mention of Minnie. "She is worst than my mother, she can come in I guess."

Lily walked up to the door of the infirmary and talked quietly to somebody outside, then she opened the door wide and a small figure quickly passed through making her way up to James' bedside.

"Master James! Master James!" She squealed her face lighted up the moment she saw James sitting up on the bed. "Minnie is glad to see Master James!" Minnie's eyes had started to fill with tears. "Minnie was so worried, we thought you were dying Master James." She said as she hugged James tightly.

"I'm all right Minnie, tell the rest that I will get better soon." Soothed James.

"Minnie is glad, Master James. Does Master James need something, food, more pillows, more blankets? Minnie will get it Master James." Said Minnie as she fluffed the pillow beneath James head and straightened the sheets on his bed.

"I just want food Minnie, I'm fine."

"Minnie will get Master James some food. Minnie will be right back." And Minnie quickly disappeared from the room.

"She exhausts me sometimes." He complained.

"She is very exuberant, but she loves you James."

"I suppose, how long will you stay?"

"I'll leave when your parents return, I'm sure that the rest will want to know that you're better."

"I'm going to hate it in here. I don't like being so confined."

"Don't worry, I promised your mother that I would come every day to help you with your lessons, and I'm sure the others will want to visit you as soon as you want them to come."

"That will be fine then."

Minnie quickly returned with a tray full of James favorite foods, chicken, steak, vegetables and candy.

'Minnie, this is not good for someone who has been sick." Exclaimed Lily, Minnie's happy face fell at this.

'But it is the food that I need. Give it here Minnie." Minnie's happy expression quickly returned and levitated the tray onto James' lap.

As James started to empty the tray that Minnie had brought, Lily whispered quietly to Minnie who quietly left the room after Lily finished giving her directions. Lily returned to sit by James' bed and shook her head as James steadily ate his food.

The Potters, Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall sat around the desk with a small box opened in the middle.

"I don't understand how he got it. It looks like our signet ring, but as you can see ours has a ruby in the middle not an emerald, the only one who had an emerald instead of a ruby was my grandfather and he was buried with it." Said Mr. Potter studying the signet ring very closely.

"I remembered as much, you have not given James his signet ring then?" Asked Dumbledore.

"No, I meant to give it to him before he started his seventh year as it is our custom but I was away for the Ministry Conference in Vienna and didn't want to owl it, and by the time I was back he had left for school. I decided to wait until Christmas break when he would be returning home." Responded Mr. Potter putting the ring back into the box.

"Somebody knew that you would not be giving James his ring and made sure that he got one, but who did and why?" Said Dumbledore, keeping his eyes on the mysterious ring.

"I don't understand it either, and why did it attack him now and not before?" Asked Mrs. Potter with a frown.

"We might never find out, especially if it was given to him in your name Aliaster, James might only remember that he received a ring from his father." Replied Professor Dumbledore.

"I wonder why he didn't notice that the wrong kind of stone had been used?" Said Professor McGonagall.

"He has seen my grandfather's portrait with his signet ring regularly, it is hanging in the Portrait Corridor at Gryffindor Mannor, he grew up knowing the history of our ancestors, he knows about the signet ring. He must have thought that I had decided to give him one just like grandfather's."

"This is getting too complicated, instead of having our questions answered we are getting more questions to solve instead." Sighed Mrs. Potter.

"Let's hope that James will not have any lasting injuries." Replied Mr. Potter, silently pressing his wife's hand.

"Oh he's a stubborn boy, healthy and life loving, he will recuperate from this ordeal, you'll see." Soothed Professor McGonagall.

"Minerva is right, he will be on his feet in no time, turning the hair of his teachers gray." The group laughed and chuckled, when they heard a knock on the door.

"I wonder who that could be." Said Professor Dumbledore as Professor McGonagall turned to open the door.

As the door opened, a small figure walked into the room and bowed respectfully at them.

"Minnie is something wrong? Has James gotten worse?" Quickly asked Mrs. Potter.

"Miss Lily sent Minnie to you Mistress Susan, Master James is awake."

"Oh, he is awake Aliaster, my baby will be all right." And Mrs. Potter ran out of the door.

"I better join her before she gives James a headache." Chuckled Mr. Potter walking after his wife.

"Thank you Minnie." Dumbledore dismissed the elf and with Professor McGonagall left the room, ready to welcome the Head Boy into their mists.



[2] Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, JK Rowling, Chapter 13. Scholastic Inc. 1999 (Quoted conversation only.)

A/N: As the footnote says the conversation Dumbledore sees in the Pensive was taken from the CoS Book, I'm sure you may have noticed. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I will try to have the next chapter ready soon. Don't forget to review. : ) -----------------------