Author's Note: *Obligatory denial of Ownership.* I'm gonna be honest, I don't feel as though this chapter is some of my better work. I feel as though I started strong and wrote myself into a corner, which is why this chapter is rather short compared to what I've been attempting to put out. But, the bright side is that I'm already handwriting the next chapter and I feel much more confident about it. Hopefully it'll be posted much sooner. I hope you enjoy it and please hang in there, I promise it'll get better after this one. Also, quick admission, I borrowed/copied maybe a paragraph or two in part from the book at the very beginning of this chapter. The rest is all mine.

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Needing A New Day

Harry had been dreaming rather peacefully about his parents cheering for him at a Quidditch game when his dream suddenly changed.

His body felt different, smooth, powerful, flexible. He was gliding between shining metal bars, across dark, cold stone… he was flat against the floor, sliding along on his belly… It was dark, yet he could see the objects around him shimmering in strange, vibrant colors. He was turning his head… at first glance, the corridor was empty… but no… There were two men, their outlines gleaming in the dark as they stood together.

Harry put out his tongue, tasting their scents in the air. They were similar, but Harry could tell that one was older than the other. And the younger… smelled decidedly more appetizing. He reared high from the floor and lunged, disappointed to find that his fangs plunged deeply into the older of the two men, who'd leaped between them at the last moment. No matter, he could still enjoy the feel of the man's ribs splintering beneath his jaws, the warm gushing of sweet blood…

But again, he was left unsatisfied as magic-laced bars that burned to touch sprang up around him, a cage he could not escape from, closing itself around him… the burning… the burning…

His forehead was in wretched agony, aching fit to burst as a voice cried out, "Harry! Wake up, Harry! Please!" Even through the violent explosion of blinding pain, Harry knew that voice, and though it did nothing to ease his suffering, his girlfriend was a perfect anchor, and with a great deal of effort, Harry opened his eyes. He was still blinded by the relentless pounding in his head, but he at least knew he was himself again. His trembling body was slick with sweat, his hands clasped to his searing forehead, the feeling akin to a hot poker straight into his scar.

He lurched on instinct, vomiting over the side of his bed, his trembling worsening. "Attacked…" Harry choked out. "Been attacked…"

"Winky!" Hermione called out and the elf appeared instantly. "Please get Harry's parents. It's an emergency." Hermione brushed her fingers through Harry's hair softly as Winky disapparated again. "It'll be okay, Harry, I promise. I'm right here, and we're both safe."

Harry still couldn't quell his trembling. "I know," he said. "But Ron's dad isn't."

Winky reappeared with Lily and James, snapping her fingers to clear the mess beside Harry's bed. "Harry, what happened?" Lily asked softly, taking a seat on the bed beside him.

"Mr. Weasley has been attacked," Harry stated, his voice quivering. "By a massive snake," he added. "I think Bill was with him, but it was dark."

James nodded. "How did you see this, Harry? Were you a third party, witnessing the attack?" He asked, his grim expression unreadable.

What does that matter? Harry thought to himself, but didn't argue the question, trusting that his father had a reason. "No," he admitted, and shuddered anew. "No… it was… I was… It felt like I was the snake…" He confessed.

The admission was a physical blow to James. He knew what this meant… but he would not admit it here and now. No, he wanted confirmation, and a fail-safe first. "Was Arthur the only one injured, or was Bill attacked too?"

"Mr. Weasley was the only one injured. Bill successfully caged the snake if the pain is anything to go by," Harry explained.

Lily's eyes widened and she took hold of Harry's hands. "Are you still in pain, Harry?" She asked softly.

Harry shook his head, irritated that they were missing the point. "It doesn't matter! Mr. Weasley needs help! He's losing blood, he may be dying!"

"He also has his oldest son with him, the threat has been neutralized, and they planned ahead in case something like this happened," James stated forcefully. "On the other hand, you're our son, you've clearly suffered from the vision you experienced, and we are going to take care of you until we have news."

Harry's jaw dropped. "What kind of plan?" He asked.

Lily squeezed Harry's hands. "We shouldn't be telling you this, but to put your mind at ease, I'll explain what's safe for you to know," she told him slowly. "Arthur was on a mission for the Order tonight. Bill stepped up to go with Arthur so he'd have back up, and they set up different jobs for other people as well to make sure if anything went wrong, they'd be alright. Charlie is waiting up for news, and likely has already received it, and sent off a message to Remus and Tonks. She's an Auror and can cover for them at a ministry level, and if the snake is still alive, Remus will likely be watching over it until it can be disposed of," she explained. "We should have news very soon, I promise."

Harry narrowed his eyes. "You won't tell me anything else, will you?" he asked.

"No," James cut in. "For now, that's all you need to know. The rest is order business, and your contributions to the war effort have already been plotted out. Leave it." The detachment in James's eyes made it clear he wouldn't be answering anymore of Harry's questions. "If it'll put your mind at ease, I'll go check on the situation myself and confirm that everything is stable."

Harry nodded. "I think it would."

James gave Harry an encouraging smile. "Then promise while I'm out, you'll let Hermione and your mother take care of you."

Harry nodded reluctantly and James left the room. He apparated first to Tonks' flat, where he did indeed find the werewolf watching over the caged snake. Remus was startled by James' sudden arrival, but was calmed by the simple fact that he wasn't a threat. "What are you doing here?" Remus asked.

James sneered at the caged serpent. "Helping you dispose of the vermin. How well will the cage hold while being apparated?" James asked.

Remus's eyes widened. "Th-that's how it was brought here," he explained. "Bill's rune work is incredible. The snake can't escape."

James nodded. "Good," he said softly. "Let's go kill ourselves a snake," he said and hooked his arm through Remus' as he laid his hand on the cage, apparating the three of them to an old, abandoned Quidditch field. "You remember the reversal for FiendFyre right?" James asked.

Remus gaped and gripped James' arm. "James, what is going on? This isn't like you."

James' eyes met Remus' and the werewolf balked at the gleaming of unshed tears in James' eyes. "Remus, please trust me, I'll explain once the snake is dead," he promised.

Remus nodded and readied himself. "Let's get this done then," he said, his tone encouraging.

James took a deep breath and slashed his wand through the air. A lion of pure flame erupted from James' wand and pounced on the snake, incinerating the serpent and melting the magical cage. In less than a minute there was nothing left but ashes, and both wizards drew the cursed fire back into their wands. The effort to control and eliminate the fire drained both wizards thoroughly, leaving them hunched over and panting as though they'd run a marathon.

When James could finally breathe straight again, he asked Remus how Arthur was. "You promised me an explanation, James," Remus reminded him.

"And I'll be giving you that explanation soon, but it's a bit of a long story and I have another promise to keep first," James answered. "Now will you please tell me how Arthur is doing?"

Remus sighed. "I'm not sure yet. I got a patronus from Tonks about a minute before you showed up, explaining that he'd been successfully brought to St. Mungos and they've begun treating his wounds. There aren't any guarantees but the Healers seem confident that he'll survive."

James nodded. "How confident?" He asked, wanting to be sure before he sent off his own patronus.

"The snake only managed to bite him once, and Arthur is being seen almost immediately after the attack," Remus mentioned. "His chances of survival are exceedingly high. It would be a shock to receive a letter bearing contradictory news." James accepted Remus' answer and sent off his message, relaying everything Remus had told him. "Now tell me what's going on."

James took a look around and sighed. "Can we go somewhere we're less likely to be overheard? It's dangerous information."

Remus nodded and set his hand over James' hand. They apparated again, and this time they appeared just outside the wrecked cottage James used to live in with Lily. "Why here?" Remus asked softly.

James sighed and walked forward. "I don't know… I just… I need it I suppose," he assumed and Remus followed him into the house, shuddering at the various reminders of the attack all those years ago. They ended up walking all the way into the nursery. Remus hung back in the doorway as James held onto the railing of Harry's old crib. He took a shaky breath and finally began to explain. "The snake was a horcrux. That's why I had to use FiendFyre. Nothing else would have killed it." He grumbled. "Well, I didn't have anything on me that I could use instead."

Remus cocked his head in confusion. "How did you know the snake was a horcrux?" Remus wasn't sure what was wrong with his question, but James did not respond well to it. His grip on the railing tightened enough for James' knuckles to turn white, and his entire body began to tremble. Remus had thought whatever had tipped James off about the snake's true nature would be good, possibly even useful in locating the rest. But James' answer set him straight in the worst of ways.

"The same way I knew Arthur had been attacked," James began and each shuddering word tore its way through him. "Harry saw it happen. Experienced the attack through the snake's eyes."

The realization thundered through Remus and his hand rose to his throat, fearing he may be sick. "Harry is-"

"Yes," James confirmed. "But I don't think Voldemort is aware of it, otherwise he wouldn't be trying to destroy his own horcrux. So it gives me time to try and save my son."

"How?" Remus asked. "Destroying them alone is nearly impossible. Destroying a Horcrux while saving its shell? No witch or wizard has ever found a way to do that."

"Nor has any witch or wizard had a desperate need to save the shell of a horcrux," James mentioned. "Normally the shell is acceptable collateral damage, a necessary sacrifice for the greater good. My Son is far more than just a shell, and I will not allow him to be sacrificed for the greater good."

"Are you going to tell him?" Remus asked.

"Yes," James said. "But not yet. I need time. I want to find an answer that doesn't result in his death. And I know where to start looking," he admitted. "It's a slim chance, but a theory anyway."

"You'll be needing me to keep this to myself then, won't you?" Remus asked, and was answered with a simple nod from James. "Okay," Remus sighed. "Do you want help with your theory?"

"No," James answered softly. "No, I can handle it from here. For now, anyway."

James had yet to move, and Remus walked up to him, placing a hand on James' shoulder. "Is there anything I can do?" He asked.

James shook his head, but he released the railing and turned to embrace Remus. "You've done plenty, Moony, and I'm grateful. Go back to Tonks, I can take the next steps myself, I promise."

Remus sighed, reluctantly releasing James and apparating back to the flat they'd left together, by himself. James took a deep breath, took in the sight of his son's crib, and shook his head, running out of the house, shifting into Prongs the moment he hit the trees. He needed this, He needed to run, he needed the freedom to let go. Leaping over roots, releasing his rage as his hooves pounded against the dirt beneath him.

This was his second chance. No, he didn't need to fight Harry's battles for him. What James was meant to do was be the shield against death. He'd find another solution. He'd find a way to save his son. He would free him from what seemed to be a predetermined fate. This was his new calling, and he would not shy from it.

The Sun rose overhead and James, time blind during his run, reverted back to the man. "Please, let it truly be a new day," he whispered, not sure who he was pleading with, and not caring. He disapparated without further hesitation. James had a goblin to visit.