Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters you recognize. They are all products of J K. Rowling.

Ch.12: THE TRUTH

Ben entered the common room quickly. Lily could tell he was angry. She knew she shouldn't have changed her name to Angela but she panicked. As they entered the marauders along with Emily and Alicia stood up quickly.

Ben entered the room and turned to Lily, who was coming out of the door not realizing that everyone was watching behind him.

"Wha, Wh. What the hell were you thinking?" Ben yelled in a deep tone now glowering at Lily.

"I'm sorry I panicked, I . . . forgot my name." Lily said calmly with a little quiver on her words.

"Forgot? You forgot?" Ben exclaimed.

"Lily, God!" Ben now yelled and turned away from her now realizing the others was standing there. He didn't care if he heard them he was too angry.

"You don't, huh; you can't change your name. What do you think would have happened if they knew you were muggle born huh!"

"Don't yell at me Ben, what about you, you called me lily when you found me!"

"Yes I did but I said it quickly and I mumbled it I didn't say for all to hear." Ben walked swiftly to lily and put his hands on her shoulders.

"Lily you can not lie like that to a death eater. If they knew you were a mud blood, huh I mean muggle born they would have killed you. I would never forgive myself if anything bad happened to you, you know that and you know how dangerous our work is."

Lily lowered her head.

"I'm sorry, but I found out some information on the defendant." Lily said wrinkling her nose which meant that she had found information about Monroe.

"Good, Lily I don't mean to yell but you should have told me you were in a tight situation I could have come sooner."

"I'm sorry" Lily said.

"I have to go I'll see you tomorrow."

"But we are off tomorrow." Lily said sounding confused.

"I know but I'm coming here tomorrow to talk to a friend of mine, I'll drop by to see you but I'll mostly be with him."

"Him, who's him?" Lily asked

"Oh, Severus Snape."

"What. Why are you seeing him?"

"I'm afraid that's between me and him. I'll see you later. Oh and remember get that info off to Space man (Damian) he will give it to the defendant's lawyer." Ben said as he turned and entered the portal. He was gone.

Lily turned to face the rest of the group.

"Why are all of you up?" Lily asked now annoyed that James disobeyed her request of him not waiting for her.

"We were worried about you" Alicia said.

"We thought the dance would have been over hours ago." Lily looked down.

"I might as well tell them" she thought to herself.

"I didn't go to a dance."

"What? You lied to us." Alicia asked sounding surprised. Alicia, Emily and Lily were best friends they never lied to each other.

"Yes, but don't think I wanted to. Alicia I would never lie to you, but the truth is, is that I have a job in the muggle world with a law firm. I have been going to my job since fifth year. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but, I thought I'd sound like a fool, saying I have to have a job in order to be here." Lily lied.

"I don't, we don't think you're a fool. Why didn't you just tell us we would have supported you with your job? You know that."

"I know but my job takes up most of my night time. You wouldn't believe how much trouble I have had to keep it a secret from you all. So you don't hate me for not telling the truth?"

"Of course not. Just tell us when you are going. This world is getting more and more dangerous everyday. We just worry and care about you." Alicia said now with prickles of tears forming in her eyes. Alicia walked over to lily and gave her a hug.

"So I'm guessing there was no dance tonight?" Alicia asked now pulling away from lily.

"No, well sort of I had to go to a party but it wasn't all that great."

"What was Ben saying about death eaters?" Sirius asked concernedly

"I'm sorry I can't say anything about the party it's self."

"Were you hurt, in trouble?" Remus asked.

"No, I'm a bit tired I think I'll go to bed. I'll see you all I the morning."

Lily went off to bed while Alicia and Emily did the same. The boys stayed to talk a bit more.

"I think she's hiding something pad foot" James said with his hands holding his head.

"Yeah I know, she wouldn't say anything about the death eaters."

"You don't think she was attacked by do you?"

"NO she would have looked like that or acted like that if she was." Sirius assured James.

"Well I'll talk to her tomorrow. It's late and I need sleep." James said.

Remus and Sirius were too tired to go back to their rooms so they magic'ed up two cots to sleep on while James headed to his room. In Lily's room she was undressing. She hung up her dress and put on her tank top and soft shorts. She set the safety on her gun and hid it away in her bottom dresser drawer. Lily crawled into bed and thought of what she had heard.

"I need to warn James and watch out for Bellatrix." Lily said to herself. She soon fell to sleep.

The next day Lily woke up and got dressed quickly the events from the night before flooded into her head. She had decided to go and talk to Dumbledore and tell James of what she heard if Dumbledore said it was okay. Lily grabbed her bag and headed downstairs.

"Good morning." James said as lily came down the stair case.

"Good morning, how are you?" Lily asked.

"Fine and how are you?"

"Good a bit tired but I'm sure with a little food and coffee I'll wake up." Lily said with a smile. James smiled back.

"I actually meant how you are, you know from your fight with Ben?" Lily looked up at James.

"Fine, just a bit annoyed that's all. He is a bit protective of me. We have been friends since we were nine, but it'll pass."

"Oh well that's good. I think everyone is already down at the great hall do you want to go?"

"Sure." Lily and James made their way to the great hall and met up with the rest of the group. They all began to eat and chat. Professor Dumbledore stood from his seat and cleared his throat to gain everyone's attention.

"Good Morning students please forgive me for interrupting your breakfasts but I have a couple of announcements. Firstly, I would like to say that the talent show will be held on February 20, which is a Friday. All those participating should have their talents prepared. The house with the most points wins 200 house points plus a private trip to Hogsmeade. Now I know I said you can inter mix with houses, which you can, but the points will be divided between each house. For example, if I was in Hufflepuff, Professor McGonagald in Gryffindor, and Professor Slughorn in Slytherin and we were in a group the number of point we would receive would be divided between the three of us. If we had a total of 1500 points each of us would receive 500 points to our houses. Do you all understand?"

The great hall filed with a loud "Yes".

"Secondly, it has been tradition for the Head Boy and Head Girl to do a talent of some sort together. So I hope that they will continue this tradition." Dumbledore said encouragingly. Lily and James looked at each other with surprised and worried looks.

"And lastly, I am sorry to have to say this but the next visit to Hogsmead has been canceled."

The great hall filled with moans and anger.

"Why?" Sirius exclaimed.

"I'll tell you why Mr. Black, the reason is that the ministry has decided to have a search take place in Hogsmead that day and the ministry has ordered that the Hogsmead tri to be canceled, but do not worry it will only be this one time."

"Oh!" The students groaned.

"Oh and lastly I would like to see the Head Boy in my office after breakfast. Thank you." Dumbledore sat back down and began to eat.

"Wonder what he wants?" James asked aloud.

"Perhaps it about that trick you pulled on Snape last night." Sirius said laughing.

"You did what?" Lily said surprised. James hit Sirius over the head.

"It wasn't anything trust me." Lily glared at him.

The group finished their meals and James headed to Dumbledore's office. He came to the two gargoyles and said the pass word, "Chocolate frog". He knocked on the door and Dumbledore said to come in. he entered. James stopped as soon as he saw two people he recognized a man and a woman. The man had brown hair and the woman had black hair and red rimmed glasses.

"Mum, Dad?" James said with question and surprise. Both of his parents turned around to see him.

"Hello sweetheart." His mother said sweetly.

"Please James take a seat." Dumbledore said as he swished his wand and another chair settled down in between the two Potters out of thin air.

"Okay" James said.

"Crap, what did I do? It was a harmless prank I only hexed him." James thought to himself

James sat down slowly and looked at both of his parents he could see that his mother had been crying.

"Is there something wrong?" James asked worriedly looking at both of his parents and at Dumbledore.

"Um . . . James don't worry you are not in trouble." Mr. Potter said reassuringly

"James, there is something your father and I have to tell you." Amelia began. James gave her a questioning look.

"What is it?" James asked now getting nervous.

Amelia looked at Robert then to Dumbledore.

"James, you see the truth is, is that . . ." Amelia's eyes began to prickle with tears.

"Your father and I are not your real parents." James's eyes widened. He looked to Dumbledore to see if this was serious. James then turned around to his dad and saw that he himself was teary eyed.

"What, no, no really what did you want to tell me?" James asked not believing a word his mother had said.

"James it's true your mother and I adopted you when you were a year old." Robert said

"But . . .?" James was lost for words he couldn't believe what he was hearing. His parents lied to him. His whole life had been a lie. James was becoming overwhelmed with feelings of anger and sadness he couldn't control himself. He turned away from his father and looked at Dumbledore. Dumbledore was sitting there, but you could tell he felt sorry.

"Did you know!" James exclaimed.

"James . . ." His mother said

"NO! Did you?" James yelled.

Dumbledore looked up at James. He could see the hurt and anger in his eyes.

"Yes I did."

James got up form his seat.

"James, please let us explain."

"No, everything you have said to me has been a lie!"

"No! James our love for you is not a lie. We adopted you when you were a year old."

"Who were they?"

"Who . . .?"

"Who are my parents, dad? Who were they?"

"Your father was my brother James, I' am your aunt." Amelia said now looking at James.

"His name was James Riddle. My maiden name is Riddle."

"Riddle, I hope you don't mean Riddle as in Thomas Riddle?" James replied angrily.

Amelia looked away.

"James, your father was the son of Thomas Riddle and your mother the daughter."

"NO!" James exclaimed now backing away from his parents.

"I can't believe you! And you!" James said pointing to Dumbledore now with tears in his eyes.

"I can't believe you kept this from me."

"James, please." Amelia begged.

"No. I can't even look at you lot." With that James left the office and ran down the hall. He didn't know where he was going; all he knew was that he couldn't go to class. He let his feet guide the way. He ran himself to his dorm room. He sat on the couch and ran his fingers through his hair messing it up even more.

"Albus what are we to do? He won't talk to us."

"We should have told him sooner Amelia." Robert said quietly.

"And risk Thomas finding him, hell no." she exclaimed.

"He is already looking for us and James we should have warned him."

"Amelia Robert is right" Albus finally said.

"Give him time to collect his thoughts; he is too angry right now to tell him about your situation."

"Albus, we don't have that much time. We go into hiding tonight!"

"Yes I know that, and I think you both should tell him, now for he might not want to see you later."

"He doesn't even want to see us now."

"Amelia we need to tell him before it's too late." Robert said now pulling Amelia into a hug.

"C'mon well go see him. Thank you Albus" Dumbledore nodded and watched as the Potters left his office.

The Bell rang and James was sitting on the couch thinking.

"Why didn't they tell me?" he thought

"They could have told me years ago, why wait?"

Suddenly the portrait door opened and the marauders and the three girls entered. James wiped his eyes to get rid of his tears and ran upstairs unfortunately they all saw him doge up the stairs.

"James?" Sirius called

"Wonder what's wrong?" Lily asked concernedly

"I'll go see." Sirius said and ran up the stair and knocked on James's door.

"James what wrong you flew up the stairs like a broom?"

"Nothing" James said.
"Can I come in?"

"No."

"NO? Why not?" Sirius said offended.

Suddenly a huge crash was heard from down stairs Sirius ran to the banister.

"Damn it Robert! Don't bulldoze the bloody door like that!" Amelia shouted.

"Sorry." Robert looked down at the mess he made and swished his wand at it. The door re-hung itself and the paint re applied. Robert turned around and saw all of the students.

"Remus where is James?"

"In his room" Remus replied quickly

With that Robert ran up the stairs and ran into Sirius not realizing he was standing on the ledge. Remus turned to see Mrs. Potter with tears in her eyes.

"Mrs. Potter what's wrong?" Remus asked concernedly.

"Nothing" Amelia followed her husband up the stairs.

"Sorry Sirius, is James in there?"

"Yeah he's in there"

Robert banged on the door hard. James staggered back from the door and pulled out his wand.

"Bolciendo," James said. The door magically locked itself, not even an opening charm could open it.

"Alohamora," Robert said. The door didn't open.

"James, open the door."

"No!" James exclaimed."

Amelia made her way to the door.

"James, please let us explain, sweet heart we couldn't tell you, Voldemort was still on the rise at the time we adopted you and he was looking for you." She said.

"Adopted?" all of the others said simultaneously.

"James, please open the door."

James muttered the counter curse and the door was unlocked. He opened the door to see both of his parents standing in front of him.

"You should have told me anyway." He said with a stern but calm tone.

"So what about my mum, who was she?"

"Perhaps we should sit down." Robert said.

Robert, Amelia, and James went down stairs and sat on the couches.

"We should leave them be and go to the library." Remus whispered to Lily and the others. They agreed. They all left the common room leaving James with his parents.

"James your mother and I are sorry that we didn't tell you we just didn't want to put you in any more danger. Your mother's name was Elizabeth Porter."

"What happened to them?"

"My father killed them. You were with me at the time. Your parents went into hiding and they left me to take care of you." Amelia said.

"Is he after me then, Voldemort that is?"

"Yes and as well as us. James we came here today to tell you about your parents, which we have and that your mother and I are going in to hiding for a little while. We have made Morgan our secret Keeper."

"We want you to stay here for the holiday with Sirius."

"All right, where will you be?"

"In the northern part of Ireland, we have a house, we will stay there."

"If you need to reach us use the telephone."

"Are you leaving now?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so." Amelia said as she lifted herself from her seat. She hugged James tightly.

"I love you" she kissed him and moved aside to let Robert say his good bye.

"Love you to" James said.

"Good bye James, we will write to you, but they will be sent to Dumbledore. I love you; be cautious and watch your back. Say good bye to Sirius for us as well."

"Love you to and I will." With that the Potters left and James stood there in silence for several moments.

The Bell rang which meant it was lunch time. James didn't feel like eating. He went upstairs and changed out of his uniform and into muggle clothes: a pair of jeans, a white t-shirt, a pair of black chuck tailors and a brown jacket, with the words "Fighting Irish" and a Quidditch emblem on the back. The Marauders along with the girls came into the dorm and saw that the Potters were gone. James could hear them putting their things on the floor and them talking.

"I hope he's alright." lily said.

"I'm sure he is." Remus and Sirius said simultaneously.

"I didn't know he was adopted." Alicia said aloud.

"Me neither," Sirius mumbled. Suddenly they all heard foot steps. They all looked up to see James coming down the stairs.

"Hey mate, how are you?" Sirius said calmly.

James came down the stairs and walked towards them. He sat down on the chair across from Sirius.

"Fine, um Sirius there is something I have to tell you."

"You are adopted?" Sirius asked before James could finish.

"Well I figured you knew from earlier but yeah and well you can't come to my place for the holiday. My parents, well yeah my parents are in hiding."

"Hiding, when did they find out they were a target?"

"Since my mum and dad died." James replied. Lily looked away.

"Mate I'm sorry. Did they tell you who they were?"

"Huh yeah you could say that. They told me who my dad was. He apparently is or was the son of Voldemort."

Everyone gasped. Lily looked away. She felt horrible, she wanted to tell him what she had found herself but it was too late and if she told him now that she knew about his parents he would hate her for not telling him.

"No!" Sirius exclaimed with shock.

"Yes and now he is after my god damn family. My mum is actually my aunt who was the sister of my dad. Voldemort killed them when I was only a year old. And my aunt adopted me a month later so Voldemort couldn't get to me."

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault, don't be. I just wish they had told me sooner."

The bell rang, lunch was over. The rest of the group went to their last class of the day while Sirius stayed with James.

"James, are you going into hiding as well?"

"No probably not as long as I'm here at Hogwarts I'll be fine, I hope."

"Good."

"I can't believe they lied to him lie that." Alicia said as they were doing their class work.

"I know, but they were trying to protect him." Remus pointed out.

"True. Per haps there is something we can do to cheer him up." Lily said.

"I think pad foot is already thinking about that."

"Yeah but I meant something that won't get him wasted."

"Perhaps there is something, what about the talent show, you and James can do something, something fun that will get this off his mind.."

"I guess, although I don't know what we could do."

"What about singing? James is a good singer." Remus suggested.

"He can sing?" Emily asked surprised.

"Yeah, he is actually very good he doesn't like to sing to others but he sings in the shower and when he is alone. Do you sing Lily?"

"Yeah but I'm not that great."

"What are you talking about Lily you have taken voice lessons for last four years, your great?" Emily shouted.

"Miss. Templeton, Please be quiet this is quiet reading not social hour!" Professor Matheson said.

"Sorry" she replied rolling her eyes.

"You both should sing it would be great."

"I'll talk to him later."

The class ended and they all headed back to the common room. On their way unfortunately they were approached by the Slytherins.

"Hello mud blood." Bellatrix sneered.

"Will you get out of my way black?" Lily exclaimed. She wasn't in the mood to talk to them.

"No sorry. Actually I wanted to have a word with you alone."

"Step off Black she doesn't want to talk with you." Remus said

"Shut up Lupin I wasn't talking to you." Black said. Just then remembrance of the night before flooded lily's memory.

"She probably wants to know about James" she thought to herself.

"What for?" Lily asked

"Just girl stuff," Bellatrix said.

Lily looked at Bellatrix and the others.

"Fine"

"Lily?"

"Take my stuff back to the common room for me Alicia." Lily said handing her, her things.

"This wont be long." Lily turned back to Bellatrix.

"Let's go to the library and talk."

"Fine, Severus take my things as well" Bellatrix handed over her bag and book to Severus and She and Lily headed off to the Library. They made their way to the restricted area where they would have some privacy. Lily pretended to scratch her arm, but pushed a recording button on her watch.

"What do you want?" Lily asked calmly.

"I want to know what happened to Potter."

"Why do you care?"

"Because Dumbledore told him something and I want to know." Bellatrix said quickly.

"Look Black it is none of your business what Dumbledore said to him." Lily said and she began to walk away.

"I know you were with Croft last night in Germany!" Bellatrix hissed. Lily stopped dead in her tracks. She turned around. She put on a fake confused look on her face.

"What are you talking about?" she asked confusedly.

"He's a death eater and he is plotting against you."

"Is he? Well thank you for sharing that with me." Lily once again began to walk away.

"The Dark Lord will find you mud blood!" Bellatrix shouted behind her.

"Oh I'm scared, you know what you are Black, you are just a stupid death eater recruit who doesn't know shit about Croft or anyone for that matter."

"Oh really, I bet you didn't know that Croft is arriving here in a half an hour to talk to Severus did you?"

"Actually I did he did tell me that he was visiting today to see a friend." With that lily stormed off. She headed back to the dorm room.

She entered and found everyone sitting around.

"What did she say to you?" James asked quickly getting up from his seat and walking towards Lily.

"Nothing, she wanted to know where you were this morning and that Ben is coming to talk to Snape which I already sort of knew."

"Oh, why Snape?" James inquired.

"Not sure, I think they are friends."

"Really?" Sirius asked

"Yeah, but I wouldn't take too much into it he doesn't much care for Slytherins. I don't think."

"Oh."

Note: Sorry I had to cut it, it was really long I'm posting other part of it after this one. Don't worry. Please review