Chapter Three:
The Hogsmeade Attack
"Er-Prof-Harry, I'm not sure I understand the assignment. I mean, I agree with you. You brought up some real good points, and my dad's been saying the same thing, and that I should—"James said.
Harry cut him off, "Just write, 'I agree with you. I will be saying the name Voldemort now. I thank-you for your valuable insight.' I didn't say how long it had to be, actually, I can't wait to read some super long ones, then rip them up in front of the class. It's going to be fun." James just stared at the teacher. "Anyway, now that you think I'm a total nutter, I want to know if you're ready to talk about your sister's death, if not to me, then to someone else."
"Yeah, Sirius and Remus have helped."
"Very good, I'm glad for you. But, if you do need someone who's more experienced, I want you to know you can talk to me. Just let me know. You can write and hand in that essay right now, if you want. Just think, the famous James Potter, completing an assignment, before the day it's due."
"But, then, my reputation, it would be demolished!"
"But, you might get 'the girl'. You know, Lily."
"Er-Harry, I don't think you're allowed to meddle in things like that, as a teacher."
"Ah, but as a friend, I am."
"Okay, I'll do it then." Harry handed him a piece of parchment and a quill, and James scribbled down a couple lines. "Done!"
"Good," Harry said, as he read it, "So, is that all you needed?"
"Well, I was wondering, well-er-what's wrong with your eyes?" James blurted out.
To his surprise, Harry chuckled, grimly, "Well, in a duel last November, I was hit by a particularily strong Conjunctivus Curse, and it completely ruined my eyes. I think the Healers said that part of them was burnt out. Anyway, I got the idea from an old friend, and made myself a new pair of eyes. And they are enchanted. They can show me people's emotions, show if they are on my side or not, see through disillusionment charms and invisibility cloaks."
"Weird, but, cool."
"And handy. Now, I believe you need to head off to lunch, we've been here fifteen minutes, and we both have a class right after lunch."
"Very well. See you then, and thanks!"
"No problem James, not a problem at all."
The first Hogsmeade trip for Harry had arrived, and he was enjoying it, even though he had to supervise. He had wanted to see the items Zonkos had in this age, as well as Honeydukes.
However, his first stop was The Three Broomsticks, as that's where most of the students went first. He leaned back at his table that was hidden in the corner. A younger Madame Rosmerta approached him and asked, "Are you the replacement for poor Noelle Noir?"
"Yes, terrible thing that happened, isn't it?"
"Of course, she was a sweet girl. I'm Rosmerta, I own the place."
"Harry Patterson. It's very cozy, but, I figured that most of the students would come here first, to warm up from the walk. Where are they?"
"Madame Puddifoot's." Rosmerta's voice was filled with disgust. "A complete sap. The place just opened up in the summer. It's all frilly and pink, and most of the kids snog there. I'm not surprised they're there today though. Seeing that it's Valentine's Day."
"I see. You wouldn't recommend it for me then?"
"No, stay here."
"I think I will."
"There come that group of hags who rented a room. Sorry I have to leave you, but, business calls! I'll be back though."
He watched the hags enter, and walk up to the counter where Rosmerta was. He heard a loud 'bang!' and saw James in the doorway. "Harry!" He panted, "Death Eaters! They're here! With You-Kn-Voldemort!"
Harry jumped up and whipped out his wand, while running outside.
James, as the Head Boy, took charge of the students. "Hogwarts students!" He yelled. Everyone was too busy talking to each other, they didn't hear him. "SHUT UP!" Everyone grew silent. James looked amazed that everyone listened to him. "Okay, sixth and seventh years, if you think you are able, come out and fight. Those remaining, join the fifth years in getting any third and fourth years here, from other shops. I want you all to make sure that everyone from your dormitory is here. If you know they didn't come, or are fighting, then don't look for everyone else. Madame Rosmerta, can you get lots of space here?" She nodded. "Okay, thanks." He dashed outside, and began dueling with the nearest death eater.
Harry ran straight through the crowd, stunning as many death eaters as he could along the way. He knew Voldemort would be at the farthest end of the crowd, and Harry wanted to reach him, before Voldemort reached a student.
It was too late. Voldemot was clinging onto Lily's wrist. "Let her go," Harry said, in a menacing voice, "Take me instead."
"Look mudblood, the little teacher is going to save you," Voldemort said, in his high, cruel voice, "Let me think about your offer…I don't think so. Now, what should I do to the filthy mudblood? Why not Crucio!"
"No!" Harry cried, as Lily's screams filled the whole of Hogsmeade.
Voldemort lifted the curse and smirked at Harry. "That wasn't any fun! She's already unconscious!" He whined, "Why don't you try? Crucio!"
Harry fell to the ground, withering in pain, but forcing himself not to scream. After two minutes or so, the curse was lifted, rather reluctantly, and disapparated, seeing that half of his death eaters had fallen. The remaining death eaters followed suit. Harry stood up, brushed the dirt off his robes, and magnified his voice to be ten times louder.
"Good job everyone! Casualties, please follow me up to the castle. We'll leave shortly. Any students in shops, please come out. You'll be coming with us a well. I need some of the stronger people to bind the death eaters to trees and keep watch. Stun anyone who tries to escape. Professor Dumbledore and the Aurors will be here soon. Villagers, if you have any missing persons, please contact Professor McGonagall up at the school. James Potter, the Head Boy, will be in charge, prefects second. Listen to them, or you deal with them. Let's go!"
He lead the third to fifth years, some of the sixth and seventh years, and the casualties who live in the village, up to the school. He had to conjure twenty stretchers for those who couldn't walk on their own.
Once they reached the castle, Harry found Dumbledore immeadiantly, and told him to go to Hogsmeade. He then found the nurse, Madame Anderson, and lead her and the casualties to the Room of Requirement.
"If you need anything at all, just think about it, and it will appear nearby," He told her, "I'm going back to Hogsmeade. Good luck."
"Thank-you so much! But, Harry, you need to stay! You need medical attention as well," She cried.
"Not as much as some of these ones," Harry said, motioning to the students, "Take care of them Dorothy, and I'll be back later. I'm needed in Hogsmeade now."
Some of the death eaters had escaped, but most were still unconscious, being taken to the Ministry of Magic by the time Harry had arrived back in the village. "Sorry Albus," He panted when he reached the headmaster, "I would have been here earlier, but I had to take Dorothy and her patients to a bigger room."
"You did more than needed today, Harry," Dumbledore said, "I'm proud of you. But, from what I've heard, you should be there too. Under the Crutiartus Curse for over ninety seconds!"
"True, but it's nothing new. I just took a potion I invented to take away the after-effects, in a short time."
"Interesting. Invented it yourself? Have you published it?"
"Yes, with the help of Professor Snape. And, yes, I have published it. In my time, so I can't give it out now, or they'll think I stole it from someone in this time. I'm very sorry, truly."
"I understand. But, did you say that it's nothing new to you? How many time have you been put under the curse?"
"Yeah. My first time was in my fourth year, three times in my fifth year, and too many times to count in the past six months. Voldemort and his little henchmen had a real liking for me."
The Aurors had finished rounding up the death eaters, and one came up to Dumbledore and said, "Albus, we need you at the ministry."
"I'll be right there, William. Harry, can you take charge?" Dumbledore asked as the Auror apparated away.
"Of course sir."
After a subdued Dumbledore-less meal, Harry caught up to the Marauders as they were climbing into a secret passageway to Gryffendor Tower.
"Boys, can I have a word?" He called.
"Yes Harry?" James asked nervously.
"You know the professors don't like you calling them by their first names, James," Remus scolded.
"Oh, I don't care, Remus," Harry said, "Out of class, I am Harry."
"Okay, ss-Harry."
"Good job. You'll get used to it. Anyway, I want to tell you not to go back to Hogsmeade. I don't care if you didn't get to get your 'supplies' from Zonkos. I didn't even get to visit anything and it was my first time. Knowing Voldemort's tactics as I do, he'll come back if he hears of students going there unsupervised. So don't go. I couldn't live if one of you died," 'Literally,' He thought, "And, as a precaution, Accio invisibility cloak!" James' silvery cloak flew into Harry's hands, and Harry caught it, smirking.
"How-how did you know about it?" James stuttered.
"Don't you remember my eyes?" Harry said and began to walk away. Half-way down the corridor, he turned around and said, "I know you have other ways to enter Hogsmeade, and I have ways to tell if you are leaving. Good night boys."
"Don't worry Prongsie," Sirius said, once Harry had disappeared, "We'll get ole' Marcia back in no time."
"Marcia?" Peter asked.
"That's what I just named Jamesie's cloak. Let's go."
The Marauders left, but Remus was the one who stayed out of the conversation. He was too busy thinking about ho much Harry looked like someone he know when he smirked. And, although he couldn't place them together, that someone was James.
