A/N: Don't worry about Lily, you know she will be better soon. Poor James
will have to suffer a bit though and you will find out how in this chapter.
Disclaimer: You've read it before.
Chapter 16 ~ Dark Times
James didn't sleep at all that night. He spent the night walking in front of the infirmary door. Sirius and the others sat on the benches lined up by the wall, snuggled against each other with worried expressions. Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall had been woken up the minute James could send someone to wake them up.
After Sirius had left the common room to get Madam Pomfrey; James had been soon joined by inmates of Gryffindor Tower who had been curious about the commotion they had heard. Needless to say, the Tower was soon filled with worry and shock.
Lily had been taken to the infirmary among tears and gasps. Dumbledore charmed most of the students present in the common room with a strong sleeping spell in order to bring calm to the tower. Only the Marauders and the rest of the Sirens were allowed to accompany the Professors to the hospital wing.
Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey were inside the infirmary with Lily at the moment. Her friends were expectantly waiting for news.
"I cannot believe this is happening!" Exclaimed Emma as she silently sobbed against Remus' chest.
"Don't worry, Lily is young and strong, she will get through this." Remus kissed Emma's head and tried to soothe her fears.
"What is taking them so long? They should have been out by now!" Exclaimed James as he ran his fingers through his hair.
"What do you care, it's all your fault she is in there anyways." Hissed Katie.
"What do you mean by that? I care for her and if you don't know that then you're a bloody idiot."
"Don't you dare talk to her like that." Sirius quickly stood up to stand right in front of James.
"Will you please keep it down? We are in a hospital for Pete's sake." Exclaimed Peter.
"I believe you better take Mr. Pettigrew's advice and do as he asks." A voice said from the door.
The group turned to look at Professor Dumbledore as he stood on the threshold looking at the group with a sad expression.
"It saddens me to see you like this, and it won't help Miss Evans to have her friends at each other's throats when she has the greatest need for them."
"Sorry Professor." They replied.
"Is Lily all right?" Emma asked.
"I'm sorry I can't have any good news for you. Miss Evans is still unconscious at the moment, and until she regains her senses we won't be able to know how hurt she might be. Madam Pomfrey has taken care of her injuries and for the moment all we can do is wait."
"Can we see her?" Asked James.
"I'm sorry James, but it would be better to leave her on her own for now. You better return to your dormitories, we will let you know if her condition changes."
"Very well." James said and the others nodded.
The group silently made its way to the Gryffindor Tower but sleep never came to them.
The next few days were very hard for the Gryffindors. Classes had started once more and the seventh years returned to being piled with loads of class work. But they really didn't care. They had lost one of their own and didn't know how long she would be away from them.
The Quidditch Season was almost over and for once in a long time, Gryffindor wasn't expected to win. Their training sessions left something to be desired and the captain was often seen scanning the faces among the crowd than keeping an eye on the quaffle. Gryffindor House along with Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff understood their abstracted performance but Slytherin couldn't be any happier. For the first time in six years they had become serious contenders for the Quidditch Cup.
Spring had now spread throughout the land, the flowers were blossoming and the weather had become warm and sunny.
On this bright day when most students took advantage of a great spring day, six Gryffindors were sitting indoors by the door to the infirmary as they had done for the last five days.
They were silent and downcast. No more fights had broken among them after that first day. They knew they needed to stay together and lean on each other to get through this rough time.
"Do you think she will be better soon? It has been five days." Exclaimed Emma as she looked around the group with the sad expression that had become a fixture among them.
"I hope so, I thought she would had regained consciousness by now." Said James with panic in his tone.
"I'm sure we will have good news soon, James recovered quite nicely when he got sick, I'm sure Lily is just as strong." Said Remus in his soothing voice. He had become the one with the soothing remark and the rock on which the other leaned on during this dark times.
The group stayed silent trying to hear what was going on in the adjacent room. As on the previous days, Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall had been closeted behind doors with Madam Pomfrey as they waited for Lily to recover from her accident.
Professor Dumbledore had spoken to James about the events of that fateful day. He was saddened by the misconceptions that had lead to such a sad misfortune and hoped that Lily would soon recover without the bitterness and coldness that such an event could lead to. He felt really sorry for James. That young man had been through a lot and had finally found happiness with such a brilliant girl only to lose it in such a way.
The room had been silent the whole day, which wasn't unusual as the room had been silent from the moment she had been brought in. But this time the silence was uncanny and a feeling of expectancy permeated the air. The young group didn't know why it felt so but they knew a momentous event would occur soon.
That same night at dinner, the Gryffindor Table ate in silence as it had become accustomed to since the day Lily had left their ranks. But something happened at the end of dinner that was unusual.
"Will Misters Potter, Black, Lupin and Pettigrew stay behind along with Misses Holmes and Bennett please?" Said Dumbledore as the students had started to file out of the Great Hall.
The aforementioned group looked at each other in consternation and surprise. What had happened?
The students started to file out of the Great Hall, some looking back at the group waiting in the Gryffindor Table. As the last student left the room, Dumbledore slowly stepped down from the Teacher's table and approached the six friends. Their expressions showed fear and consternation, and he smiled in understanding.
"I have news for you. Miss Evans regained consciousness a few moments ago." He said and smiled when the group broke in cheer and laughter. They were hugging each other and the girls started to swipe tears from their eyes. "I was sure you would want to know. I will let you go now to the infirmary."
The group quickly scrambled from their chairs and ran to the door. When they had reached it they heard Dumbledore's voice once more. "Mister Potter, please stay behind."
The group stopped in their tracks, and turned to look back. James was surprised and mystified, what did Dumbledore have to say to him that the others couldn't hear? He nodded to the others and they slowly made their way out of the room.
"I'm sorry James but I have to talk to you about Lily."
"What is it Professor is something wrong?"
"There was a complication."
"Is she all right?"
"Technically she is, but in her accident she damaged part of her spine, Madam Pomfrey cannot repair it. James, Lily will not be able to walk."
"What?"
"It might be only temporary, or it might be permanent, we are not sure. Magic is not working, but muggle technology is advancing and can do things that up to now could only be done with magic. We are sending word to her parents maybe there is something in muggle medicine that can help her. All we can do for now is wait."
"I have to go and see her!"
"There is one more thing James."
James looked very impatient, what more could there be?
"Lily was very emotional and confused when she woke up, we calmed her down but she became very agitated when your name was mentioned, I'm going to have to ask you to keep away from the infirmary while she stays there. We need her to stay calm, we don't want further damage to be done. I know this is hard for you to accept James, but we can't risk it. If she asks for you then you might see her, but not until then. Do I have your promise that you will not go to the infirmary while she recovers?"
"Yes." James grudgingly replied. He couldn't believe this. The most important person in his life was in the hospital and he wouldn't be allowed to see her.
James waited in the common room for the others. His spirits were low as he watched the glowing logs in the fireplace. He was stretched on one of the couches, his arms behind his head. He was now wearing his pajamas. He had gone to change the moment he came into the tower. He didn't want to be questioned by the other inhabitants of the tower who had been nosily waiting in the common room when he had first come in.
Thoughts of his times together with Lily kept running constantly thought his mind. He missed her, and couldn't handle the knowledge that things would never be the same again.
The sound of the portrait opening snapped him out of his thoughts. He saw his friends file in, and go straight to him the moments they saw him.
"What happened James, why didn't you join us?" Said Remus with a look full of confusion.
"Does Lily really mean that little to you? How could you not be there?" Said Katie angrily.
"Do you think I didn't want to be there? I'm not allowed to get near her, how do you think that makes me feel." He screamed back.
"What do you mean you are not allowed to see her?" Asked Sirius.
"Dumbledore said that she had become agitated when my name was mentioned after she woke up. They want her to stay calm during her recovery especially in her condition, they don't want to risk further damage." James sarcastically replied.
"Oh no." Said Emma giving him a hug.
"I want to see her." He whispered in her ear.
"I know you do."
"I'm sorry James, I should've known that you would be there if you could." Said Katie with a commiserating smile.
James smiled at her sadly.
"Come Prongs old boy, you need to rest, you are going to make yourself sick." Said Sirius taking James by the arm and trying to lead him up the stairs.
"No I want to stay here for a moment." James said shrugging Sirius off. "I want to be alone for a while."
The others looked concerned but decided to give him some space. They nodded and slowly made their way to their respective rooms.
James saw them go up the stairs and waited for a while to make sure that everything was quiet. When he thought everybody was in bed and asleep he quietly went to the couch where he had been resting. He lifted the pillows and unearthed a fluid looking cloak. He put the cloak around him. As his body disappeared from sight he walked to the portrait and opened it.
"Who is there?" Asked a sleepy Fat Lady without bothering to open her eyes.
James quietly made his way through the dark corridors and hidden passages of the castle. When he reached the wing that he wanted to go to, he walked straight to the last door of the corridor he was in.
He opened the door and walked into a whitewashed room, beds lining the walls, and white curtains surrounding some of the beds. James walked to one of these beds and stood beside it.
He sighed at the sight of the red headed girl lying on it.
"I miss you. I'm sorry Lily, I really love you. What am I going to do without you?" He whispered. He sat on the bed and lay beside her. He gathered her in his arms and stayed there happy to have her near him once more. After some time he fell asleep.
It was getting light when James opened his eyes. He looked around the room and saw that dawn was near and it would soon be time for breakfast. He scrambled from the bed and quickly covered himself with his cloak, just in time to see Madam Pomfrey enter the room carrying a tray of medicine. Lily slowly opened her eyes from the noise the nurse made while she put the medication in its cabinet.
"Oh I see you are awake, do you want something to eat?" James heard madam Pomfrey say to Lily. James slowly walked toward the door, he had to wait until the right time to open the door and make his escape.
"Yes please, I find myself feeling a little hungry." James saw Lily smile. He felt his stomach sink, how long would it be for him to see Lily smile at him like that?
"Very well, I'll be back soon." Madam Pomfrey slowly walked to the door, James closely behind her. He took advantage of the fact that she left the door wide open and swiftly made his escape.
He silently made his way up to Gryffindor Tower. When he opened the portrait and entered the common room, he wasn't very surprised that it was still empty. Gryffindors were well known to sleep late. He made his way up to the dorms. He noticed that the others were still asleep. He shoved his cloak into his trunk and started getting his things ready to change.
"Whaz zat?" Asked a drowsy Sirius from his curtained bed.
"I'm just getting ready." James responded.
"What time is it?" Asked Remus as he peeked from the corner of his curtains.
"Almost 6:30."
"James, is still early!" Whined Peter.
"Breakfast begins at 7:00 please hurry up."
"Aaargh!" The group moaned.
James was very quiet that morning, but his friends thought it was only natural for him to be subdued especially after what happened the day before. When he stayed silent for the rest of the day, they thought it was the shock of what had happened. But when after three days he continued to act in the same manner they started to get worried.
They didn't know that James had been spending the night in the infirmary for the last three nights. Nor that these nightly visits were giving him a sense of peace and redemption.
On the fourth day, breakfast was a quiet affair. A sense of dread filled the air. Students were eating and talking quietly when the hall was filled with the sound of fluttering wings. Hundreds of owls swooped from the open windows near the ceiling. Students held their breath and waited for their own owl to deliver their mail.
James didn't pay any attention. He kept looking at his plate and eating quietly. He didn't even notice when his own owl Hermes stood in front of him with a letter tied to its leg. Hermes looked at James, hooted and waited to be noticed. It wasn't until Sirius tapped on his shoulder that James noticed Hermes waiting in front of him.
"Oh, sorry Hermes." He stroked the feathers of its chest before taking the letter. He slowly opened the enveloped and opened to look the familiar scrawl of his mother.
He started reading the letter, and his friends saw his face pale and his hands starting to shake. Before they got a chance to ask him what was wrong, Professor McGonagall was standing behind him.
"James, come with me, Dumbledore wants to speak to you."
James stood up in silence, the letter clutched in his hand.
The others turned to look at each other in consternation.
"What do you reckon happened?" Sirius asked. The others shrugged and watched James disappear into the room beside the teacher's table.
James entered the room to find Professor Dumbledore waiting for him. Professor McGonagall closed the door behind her and joined the Headmaster who was sitting in a chair in the center of the room.
"I see that you received a letter." Said Dumbledore looking at the young men in front of him with sadness and pity.
James slowly nodded.
"I'm sorry James. Your father was a great man."
"Why him, why my sister, they didn't do anything to Voldemort." Yelled James.
"I know James, but we don't know what Voldemort wants. Your father might have found something that could be used against him and Voldemort decided to take him out before he did any damage, your sister and her husband just happened to be there."
"They didn't deserve to die."
"No they didn't. But you have to be strong, you are the head of your family now and your mother will depend on you, not to mention your young nieces, you are their guardian now and they will look up to you. Professor McGonagall will take you to the Tower. Pack your things, we will take you to the station as soon as you are ready. Take your time, you will need it to put your father's estate in order. When you are ready let us know and we will bring you back. We will owl you all your assignments and the teachers will send you transcripts of their lessons. If necessary, one of us will visit you to give you your N.W.E.T.s."
"Thank you."
"Take care of yourself James."
James nodded and followed Professor McGonagall out of the room. Dumbledore sighed and sorrow filled his countenance.
"I had prayed that the signs were wrong Aliaster. But you gave James a great example, he will do fine, you will see, he will do fine." He whispered.
James packed his trunk in silence. His invisibility robe, a gift from his father's when he got into Hogwarts. His signet ring his father had given him at Christmas. Family pictures, holidays, his sister's wedding, his nieces' birth. James was really going to miss them.
"I should've been there." He whispered as he saw a picture of his family. His parents were waving as his sister sat beside her husband smiling at each other and then turning to smile at the others. James stood beside his sister with two bundles in his arms. Tiny fists peeking through the blankets.
"Oh master James. This is a sad day Master James." Wailed Minnie as she helped with the packing.
"I know Minnie." James returned the pictures into the trunk and waited for Minnie to finish with the rest of the packing.
James waited in silence, watching Minnie running from one side of the room to another gathering all his things and getting them ready to pack.
Half an hour later, Professor McGonagall knocked on the door.
"Are you ready James?" She asked opening the door wide enough to slid her head in and look for James.
"I'm ready." He said.
"Very well. Let's go."
James took Minnie's hand and slowly the trio made their way down the corridors of the castle. As they stepped out of the front door, James saw a horseless carriage waiting for him.
The short ride to the train was silent.
James' things were taken into the train. Professor McGonagall took a deep breath and looked into James' eyes.
"Take care of yourself James. You are one of the best students I've had the pleasure to teach. Please don't forget what you have learned here." She hugged him tight. Tears slowly ran down her cheek.
"Bye Professor, I will see you soon." James said.
A lone figure stood in the platform watching Hogwarts Express as it slowly disappeared out of sight.
A/N: I had forgotten how sad this chapter was, I couldn't help but cry a bit as I was rereading and editing this chapter. : (
Disclaimer: You've read it before.
Chapter 16 ~ Dark Times
James didn't sleep at all that night. He spent the night walking in front of the infirmary door. Sirius and the others sat on the benches lined up by the wall, snuggled against each other with worried expressions. Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall had been woken up the minute James could send someone to wake them up.
After Sirius had left the common room to get Madam Pomfrey; James had been soon joined by inmates of Gryffindor Tower who had been curious about the commotion they had heard. Needless to say, the Tower was soon filled with worry and shock.
Lily had been taken to the infirmary among tears and gasps. Dumbledore charmed most of the students present in the common room with a strong sleeping spell in order to bring calm to the tower. Only the Marauders and the rest of the Sirens were allowed to accompany the Professors to the hospital wing.
Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey were inside the infirmary with Lily at the moment. Her friends were expectantly waiting for news.
"I cannot believe this is happening!" Exclaimed Emma as she silently sobbed against Remus' chest.
"Don't worry, Lily is young and strong, she will get through this." Remus kissed Emma's head and tried to soothe her fears.
"What is taking them so long? They should have been out by now!" Exclaimed James as he ran his fingers through his hair.
"What do you care, it's all your fault she is in there anyways." Hissed Katie.
"What do you mean by that? I care for her and if you don't know that then you're a bloody idiot."
"Don't you dare talk to her like that." Sirius quickly stood up to stand right in front of James.
"Will you please keep it down? We are in a hospital for Pete's sake." Exclaimed Peter.
"I believe you better take Mr. Pettigrew's advice and do as he asks." A voice said from the door.
The group turned to look at Professor Dumbledore as he stood on the threshold looking at the group with a sad expression.
"It saddens me to see you like this, and it won't help Miss Evans to have her friends at each other's throats when she has the greatest need for them."
"Sorry Professor." They replied.
"Is Lily all right?" Emma asked.
"I'm sorry I can't have any good news for you. Miss Evans is still unconscious at the moment, and until she regains her senses we won't be able to know how hurt she might be. Madam Pomfrey has taken care of her injuries and for the moment all we can do is wait."
"Can we see her?" Asked James.
"I'm sorry James, but it would be better to leave her on her own for now. You better return to your dormitories, we will let you know if her condition changes."
"Very well." James said and the others nodded.
The group silently made its way to the Gryffindor Tower but sleep never came to them.
The next few days were very hard for the Gryffindors. Classes had started once more and the seventh years returned to being piled with loads of class work. But they really didn't care. They had lost one of their own and didn't know how long she would be away from them.
The Quidditch Season was almost over and for once in a long time, Gryffindor wasn't expected to win. Their training sessions left something to be desired and the captain was often seen scanning the faces among the crowd than keeping an eye on the quaffle. Gryffindor House along with Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff understood their abstracted performance but Slytherin couldn't be any happier. For the first time in six years they had become serious contenders for the Quidditch Cup.
Spring had now spread throughout the land, the flowers were blossoming and the weather had become warm and sunny.
On this bright day when most students took advantage of a great spring day, six Gryffindors were sitting indoors by the door to the infirmary as they had done for the last five days.
They were silent and downcast. No more fights had broken among them after that first day. They knew they needed to stay together and lean on each other to get through this rough time.
"Do you think she will be better soon? It has been five days." Exclaimed Emma as she looked around the group with the sad expression that had become a fixture among them.
"I hope so, I thought she would had regained consciousness by now." Said James with panic in his tone.
"I'm sure we will have good news soon, James recovered quite nicely when he got sick, I'm sure Lily is just as strong." Said Remus in his soothing voice. He had become the one with the soothing remark and the rock on which the other leaned on during this dark times.
The group stayed silent trying to hear what was going on in the adjacent room. As on the previous days, Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall had been closeted behind doors with Madam Pomfrey as they waited for Lily to recover from her accident.
Professor Dumbledore had spoken to James about the events of that fateful day. He was saddened by the misconceptions that had lead to such a sad misfortune and hoped that Lily would soon recover without the bitterness and coldness that such an event could lead to. He felt really sorry for James. That young man had been through a lot and had finally found happiness with such a brilliant girl only to lose it in such a way.
The room had been silent the whole day, which wasn't unusual as the room had been silent from the moment she had been brought in. But this time the silence was uncanny and a feeling of expectancy permeated the air. The young group didn't know why it felt so but they knew a momentous event would occur soon.
That same night at dinner, the Gryffindor Table ate in silence as it had become accustomed to since the day Lily had left their ranks. But something happened at the end of dinner that was unusual.
"Will Misters Potter, Black, Lupin and Pettigrew stay behind along with Misses Holmes and Bennett please?" Said Dumbledore as the students had started to file out of the Great Hall.
The aforementioned group looked at each other in consternation and surprise. What had happened?
The students started to file out of the Great Hall, some looking back at the group waiting in the Gryffindor Table. As the last student left the room, Dumbledore slowly stepped down from the Teacher's table and approached the six friends. Their expressions showed fear and consternation, and he smiled in understanding.
"I have news for you. Miss Evans regained consciousness a few moments ago." He said and smiled when the group broke in cheer and laughter. They were hugging each other and the girls started to swipe tears from their eyes. "I was sure you would want to know. I will let you go now to the infirmary."
The group quickly scrambled from their chairs and ran to the door. When they had reached it they heard Dumbledore's voice once more. "Mister Potter, please stay behind."
The group stopped in their tracks, and turned to look back. James was surprised and mystified, what did Dumbledore have to say to him that the others couldn't hear? He nodded to the others and they slowly made their way out of the room.
"I'm sorry James but I have to talk to you about Lily."
"What is it Professor is something wrong?"
"There was a complication."
"Is she all right?"
"Technically she is, but in her accident she damaged part of her spine, Madam Pomfrey cannot repair it. James, Lily will not be able to walk."
"What?"
"It might be only temporary, or it might be permanent, we are not sure. Magic is not working, but muggle technology is advancing and can do things that up to now could only be done with magic. We are sending word to her parents maybe there is something in muggle medicine that can help her. All we can do for now is wait."
"I have to go and see her!"
"There is one more thing James."
James looked very impatient, what more could there be?
"Lily was very emotional and confused when she woke up, we calmed her down but she became very agitated when your name was mentioned, I'm going to have to ask you to keep away from the infirmary while she stays there. We need her to stay calm, we don't want further damage to be done. I know this is hard for you to accept James, but we can't risk it. If she asks for you then you might see her, but not until then. Do I have your promise that you will not go to the infirmary while she recovers?"
"Yes." James grudgingly replied. He couldn't believe this. The most important person in his life was in the hospital and he wouldn't be allowed to see her.
James waited in the common room for the others. His spirits were low as he watched the glowing logs in the fireplace. He was stretched on one of the couches, his arms behind his head. He was now wearing his pajamas. He had gone to change the moment he came into the tower. He didn't want to be questioned by the other inhabitants of the tower who had been nosily waiting in the common room when he had first come in.
Thoughts of his times together with Lily kept running constantly thought his mind. He missed her, and couldn't handle the knowledge that things would never be the same again.
The sound of the portrait opening snapped him out of his thoughts. He saw his friends file in, and go straight to him the moments they saw him.
"What happened James, why didn't you join us?" Said Remus with a look full of confusion.
"Does Lily really mean that little to you? How could you not be there?" Said Katie angrily.
"Do you think I didn't want to be there? I'm not allowed to get near her, how do you think that makes me feel." He screamed back.
"What do you mean you are not allowed to see her?" Asked Sirius.
"Dumbledore said that she had become agitated when my name was mentioned after she woke up. They want her to stay calm during her recovery especially in her condition, they don't want to risk further damage." James sarcastically replied.
"Oh no." Said Emma giving him a hug.
"I want to see her." He whispered in her ear.
"I know you do."
"I'm sorry James, I should've known that you would be there if you could." Said Katie with a commiserating smile.
James smiled at her sadly.
"Come Prongs old boy, you need to rest, you are going to make yourself sick." Said Sirius taking James by the arm and trying to lead him up the stairs.
"No I want to stay here for a moment." James said shrugging Sirius off. "I want to be alone for a while."
The others looked concerned but decided to give him some space. They nodded and slowly made their way to their respective rooms.
James saw them go up the stairs and waited for a while to make sure that everything was quiet. When he thought everybody was in bed and asleep he quietly went to the couch where he had been resting. He lifted the pillows and unearthed a fluid looking cloak. He put the cloak around him. As his body disappeared from sight he walked to the portrait and opened it.
"Who is there?" Asked a sleepy Fat Lady without bothering to open her eyes.
James quietly made his way through the dark corridors and hidden passages of the castle. When he reached the wing that he wanted to go to, he walked straight to the last door of the corridor he was in.
He opened the door and walked into a whitewashed room, beds lining the walls, and white curtains surrounding some of the beds. James walked to one of these beds and stood beside it.
He sighed at the sight of the red headed girl lying on it.
"I miss you. I'm sorry Lily, I really love you. What am I going to do without you?" He whispered. He sat on the bed and lay beside her. He gathered her in his arms and stayed there happy to have her near him once more. After some time he fell asleep.
It was getting light when James opened his eyes. He looked around the room and saw that dawn was near and it would soon be time for breakfast. He scrambled from the bed and quickly covered himself with his cloak, just in time to see Madam Pomfrey enter the room carrying a tray of medicine. Lily slowly opened her eyes from the noise the nurse made while she put the medication in its cabinet.
"Oh I see you are awake, do you want something to eat?" James heard madam Pomfrey say to Lily. James slowly walked toward the door, he had to wait until the right time to open the door and make his escape.
"Yes please, I find myself feeling a little hungry." James saw Lily smile. He felt his stomach sink, how long would it be for him to see Lily smile at him like that?
"Very well, I'll be back soon." Madam Pomfrey slowly walked to the door, James closely behind her. He took advantage of the fact that she left the door wide open and swiftly made his escape.
He silently made his way up to Gryffindor Tower. When he opened the portrait and entered the common room, he wasn't very surprised that it was still empty. Gryffindors were well known to sleep late. He made his way up to the dorms. He noticed that the others were still asleep. He shoved his cloak into his trunk and started getting his things ready to change.
"Whaz zat?" Asked a drowsy Sirius from his curtained bed.
"I'm just getting ready." James responded.
"What time is it?" Asked Remus as he peeked from the corner of his curtains.
"Almost 6:30."
"James, is still early!" Whined Peter.
"Breakfast begins at 7:00 please hurry up."
"Aaargh!" The group moaned.
James was very quiet that morning, but his friends thought it was only natural for him to be subdued especially after what happened the day before. When he stayed silent for the rest of the day, they thought it was the shock of what had happened. But when after three days he continued to act in the same manner they started to get worried.
They didn't know that James had been spending the night in the infirmary for the last three nights. Nor that these nightly visits were giving him a sense of peace and redemption.
On the fourth day, breakfast was a quiet affair. A sense of dread filled the air. Students were eating and talking quietly when the hall was filled with the sound of fluttering wings. Hundreds of owls swooped from the open windows near the ceiling. Students held their breath and waited for their own owl to deliver their mail.
James didn't pay any attention. He kept looking at his plate and eating quietly. He didn't even notice when his own owl Hermes stood in front of him with a letter tied to its leg. Hermes looked at James, hooted and waited to be noticed. It wasn't until Sirius tapped on his shoulder that James noticed Hermes waiting in front of him.
"Oh, sorry Hermes." He stroked the feathers of its chest before taking the letter. He slowly opened the enveloped and opened to look the familiar scrawl of his mother.
He started reading the letter, and his friends saw his face pale and his hands starting to shake. Before they got a chance to ask him what was wrong, Professor McGonagall was standing behind him.
"James, come with me, Dumbledore wants to speak to you."
James stood up in silence, the letter clutched in his hand.
The others turned to look at each other in consternation.
"What do you reckon happened?" Sirius asked. The others shrugged and watched James disappear into the room beside the teacher's table.
James entered the room to find Professor Dumbledore waiting for him. Professor McGonagall closed the door behind her and joined the Headmaster who was sitting in a chair in the center of the room.
"I see that you received a letter." Said Dumbledore looking at the young men in front of him with sadness and pity.
James slowly nodded.
"I'm sorry James. Your father was a great man."
"Why him, why my sister, they didn't do anything to Voldemort." Yelled James.
"I know James, but we don't know what Voldemort wants. Your father might have found something that could be used against him and Voldemort decided to take him out before he did any damage, your sister and her husband just happened to be there."
"They didn't deserve to die."
"No they didn't. But you have to be strong, you are the head of your family now and your mother will depend on you, not to mention your young nieces, you are their guardian now and they will look up to you. Professor McGonagall will take you to the Tower. Pack your things, we will take you to the station as soon as you are ready. Take your time, you will need it to put your father's estate in order. When you are ready let us know and we will bring you back. We will owl you all your assignments and the teachers will send you transcripts of their lessons. If necessary, one of us will visit you to give you your N.W.E.T.s."
"Thank you."
"Take care of yourself James."
James nodded and followed Professor McGonagall out of the room. Dumbledore sighed and sorrow filled his countenance.
"I had prayed that the signs were wrong Aliaster. But you gave James a great example, he will do fine, you will see, he will do fine." He whispered.
James packed his trunk in silence. His invisibility robe, a gift from his father's when he got into Hogwarts. His signet ring his father had given him at Christmas. Family pictures, holidays, his sister's wedding, his nieces' birth. James was really going to miss them.
"I should've been there." He whispered as he saw a picture of his family. His parents were waving as his sister sat beside her husband smiling at each other and then turning to smile at the others. James stood beside his sister with two bundles in his arms. Tiny fists peeking through the blankets.
"Oh master James. This is a sad day Master James." Wailed Minnie as she helped with the packing.
"I know Minnie." James returned the pictures into the trunk and waited for Minnie to finish with the rest of the packing.
James waited in silence, watching Minnie running from one side of the room to another gathering all his things and getting them ready to pack.
Half an hour later, Professor McGonagall knocked on the door.
"Are you ready James?" She asked opening the door wide enough to slid her head in and look for James.
"I'm ready." He said.
"Very well. Let's go."
James took Minnie's hand and slowly the trio made their way down the corridors of the castle. As they stepped out of the front door, James saw a horseless carriage waiting for him.
The short ride to the train was silent.
James' things were taken into the train. Professor McGonagall took a deep breath and looked into James' eyes.
"Take care of yourself James. You are one of the best students I've had the pleasure to teach. Please don't forget what you have learned here." She hugged him tight. Tears slowly ran down her cheek.
"Bye Professor, I will see you soon." James said.
A lone figure stood in the platform watching Hogwarts Express as it slowly disappeared out of sight.
A/N: I had forgotten how sad this chapter was, I couldn't help but cry a bit as I was rereading and editing this chapter. : (