Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of J.K. Rowling's characters etc.

A/N- Thank you to everyone who sent me a review! (Important Note: The last few paragraphs of this chapter are taken directly from HBP. I do not take credit for writing it myself. I just felt it was necessary to add it in.)

Jennypoo: -shakes fist at Jen-. By the way, you were right. I did call Hermione 'him' at one point ;P (I fixed it)

Zedude: Harry would have died as a baby if his mom didn't enchant him. When Voldemort tried to kill him, he lost his powers because of the enchantment.

dancegirlem24: It wasn't too hard to come up with it. I just made up the idea for my story that you can't be killed if you're already dying. In the actual Harry Potter story, you would probably still be killed by Avada Kedavra even if you were already dying from something else.

fenderbender505: You'll just have to keep reading to find out ;)

----

Chapter 6

Farewell

----

"You want to do what!"

Hermione sighed and tried to explain for the fourth time. James had been interrupting her since she first told him that they should have Lily poisoned.

"James, please! She can be cured. You just have to give her the antidote in the last 6 hours. She has 24 hours to live after you give the poison to her."

"But what if the Avada Kedavra curse still works?" He asked.

Harry was leaning against the wall of the dormitory. "There's a chance that the curse will still work." He shot a look at Hermione.

"Look, you lot, this is the best chance we've got. Unless you both want to spend another month looking for a different solution, then I suggest that we use it." Hermione glared at the two Gryffindor teens.

"No. I'm not going to have my girlfriend poisoned." James stated simply.

Harry looked back at Hermione. "Told you he wouldn't go for it."

"Would you rather have her die?"

The room fell silent. The setting sun shot rays of gold and pink into Gryffindor tower. Many of the students would just be heading down to the Great Hall for dinner.

James was nearly inaudable when he spoke again. "There has to be another way." He bowed his head in thought. "I think I'm going to need some time to think about this. Why don't you two go get something to eat?"

----

"Hey Harry," said Ron as Harry and Hermione sat across from him at the long wooden table. "You two alright?" He asked as he looked up from his meal.

"Hermione found a way to possibly save my mum. We just told James." explained Harry.

Ron's eyebrows raised slightly. "Well that's a good thing, isn't it?"

"Well, it might end up killing her anyways-"

Hermione cut him off. "But it's the best chance we've got."

Ron looked at the two of them and shrugged. "Well, it's up to James then, I suppose."

----

The trio finished their dinner later than usual. They wanted to give James more time to decide whether or not to use the poison. They climbed the marble staircase in silence. It was now dark outside and silver wisps of mist passed outside of the tall windows.

When Harry, Ron, and Hermione entered the boys' dormitory, they found James staring out the window. His bed was gone. He turned around to look at them when the door closed.

"The time turner's working again," he informed them. "I should be going," he said sullenly.

"Have you decided whether or not to use the Hanging Man?" asked Harry.

James nodded reluctantly. "I think I'd better do it. I don't see any other option," He turned to Hermione. "Did you write it down?" He asked her.

Hermione pulled a folded piece of parchment out of her pocket and handed it to James. "I'm sorry that you have to do it."

"It's for the best," said Harry.

"It's been great getting to know all of you," James smiled. "Can't wait to see you all again someday."

"Well come on then," said Hermione. "We'd better get you down to the broom closet."

James put on Harry's invisibility cloak and followed him and Hermione down the many staircases to the broom closet. Once he was inside with the dusty broomsticks, he took off the cloak and turned to the two.

"Send us an owl when it works," Harry instructed him.

James laughed. "I'm not sure if I'll remember that in 10 or 15 years. Actually, I'm sure I'll forget it as soon as I get back."

"Just make sure that you don't lose that parchment" Hermione giggled.

"And it would be best not to tell Mum about any of this. That could ruin everything."

"Right then," James grinned. "I'll see you in a bit!" He winked. Hermione put an enchantment on the turner to go backwards in time by several years. James said one last goodbye and spun the hourglass.

----

James opened the closet door a bit and a sliver of golden sunlight shone through. He was back. He made sure that the coast was clear and exited the castle to join the rest of the students going to Hogsmeade. Thankfully, he was able to slip past Professor McGonagall without being noticed. After all, he was supposed to be polishing trophies at that moment. He quickly found Lily and joined her in the large crowd.

"There you are, James! I haven't seen you all morning." She gave him a kiss on the cheek which he returned.

"Yes, I know. I feel like I haven't seen you for months." He replied. Lily smiled up at him and he grinned down at her with only 2 words on his mind. Lily Potter.

----

Harry stared into the empty closet. "Do you think it worked?" He asked Hermione. He turned around and stared expectantly at the closest window.

Hermione and Harry walked back towards the staircase. "I'll bet that James forgot all about sending an owl," she laughed, but Harry wasn't reassured. Everything felt the same as it did before James left. Wouldn't something be different now if the plan had worked? What if both of his parents were still dead? He decided to wait until the mail delivery the next morning before he started to lose hope.

The couple bumped into the head of Gryffindor on the way back to the common room. "Mr. Potter," McGonagall began. "Professor Dumbledore wishes to see you."

"Thank you, Professor," Harry replied as she walked away. "I'll see you later then, Hermione," he kissed her on the cheek. "Thanks for all your help today."

"Isn't it great to have such a brilliant girlfriend?" She grinned and continued towards the common room.

"Only when she's not making me study for exams," Harry called after her.

----

Harry stood outside Dumbledore's office. I wonder what Dumbledore wants me here for? He usually gives me a letter when I have a lesson with him. Perhaps he's found one of the horcruxes he was telling me about? He knocked on the door. Whatever it is, it must be important.

"Come in, Harry"

He entered and saw the Headmaster standing by his desk.

"Is everything alright, Professor?"

"Yes Harry. Everything is quite well." Dumbledore looked at him seriously for a moment. "Harry, do you remember the horcruxes we learned about a few months ago?"

"Yes. Voldemort made six horcruxes. In each horcrux is a part of his soul and he can't die until all of them are destroyed."

"Exactly. Now remember I've already destroyed one of them, so there's only 5 more."

Harry suddenly became very curious. He already knew about all of this, so why was Dumbledore procrastinating like this? "Headmaster...Did you find another horcrux?"

"I did, Harry. Now, if you wish to come with me to obtain it, then you must promise me to do exactly as I say."

"I will, Professor."

"Good. I'd like you to bring your invisibility cloak as well." Harry nodded.

----

Harry and Dumbledore left the castle and walked to Hogsmeade. It was very chilly outside and there were no stars in the sky. Dumbledore took Harry to the Hog's Head.

"It will not be necessary for us to enter," muttered Dumbledore, glancing around. "As long as nobody sees us go... now place your hand upon my arm, Harry. On the count of three. One - two - three ..."

Harry turned. At once, there was that horrible sensation that he was being squeezed through a thick rubber tube; he could not draw breath, every part of him was being compressed almost past endurance and then, just when he thought he must suffocate, the invisible bands seemed to burst open, and he was standing in cool darkness, breathing in lungfuls of fresh, salty air.

----

A/N- Send a review, or I'll kill Lily, James, and Sirius! >:D -maniacal laughter-

By the way, I'm not joking.