Hey guys - here's chapter 2! Hopefully it's a little better than the first chapter, I realize that it really had some weak points. Please enjoy!

Disclaimer: Not mine! JKR's!


Afternoon Tea:

Chapter 2


Sirius put his mirror into his front robe pocket, muttering a sticking charm to make sure he didn't lose it, as James and Lily's lives may be dependent on it. He sprinted out of his cubical and ran down the hallway, knocking into people as he went.

"What the hell, Black!" yelled an offended witch whom he had just run into.

"Sorry!" yelled Sirius over his shoulder as he kept running past cubicles. As he ran past, people's heads popped up to see what all the noise was about. After dodging witches, wizards, and the occasional owl, he finally reached the large oak door at the end of the room. He pounded on it so hard the wall shook.

"MOODY!"

Sirius heard a clanking noise and then quick footsteps before the door flung open.

"What is going on Black?" Mad-eye exclaimed, looking slightly ruffled.

"It's James and Lily; they went out to tea at a muggle place on the corner. Chair was a portkey. They're in some forest with a bunch of death eaters and Voldemort."

"I'll call the Order. You get to the headquarters and wait."

Sirius nodded and immediately traveled to headquarters.

"POTTER! It will not take long for me to find you; it will be easier for you if you show yourself now!"

James slowly stood up, keeping the Disillusionment charm on him.

"STUPEFY!" he screamed at Voldemort, who ducked out of the way just in time.

Voldemort sneered.

"I knew you were still here Potter. Oh, but where's that mudblood girlfriend of yours?"

"You're not going anywhere near her. I won't let you," came a voice about 50 feet from directly in front of Voldemort.

"Didn't stop me last time, did you? Not very good husband material, are you? If there was any possibility of her living past tonight, I must say she would have broken off the engagement."

Voldemort was trying to place guilt on James, trying to make him weaker. James, who knew that Voldemort often used such tactics against 'fools who love,' knew what he was trying to do, and it made him furious.

James screamed a curse that hit its target, causing Voldemort to be thrown up in the air with a powerful force. He landed against a tree and a sickening crack echoed through the forest. He seemed to be knocked out, but James didn't know for how long. The death eaters were at a loss as to what to do without their master there. This wasn't part of the plan.

James quickly grabbed Lily and cradling her in his arms ran as fast as he could.

At headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, Sirius was filling everyone in on what little information James had told him. Every member of the Order that could be there was present. They were assembled in a circle on some chairs. Closest to the door was Frank Longbottom, followed by Alice Longbottom. Next to her were Fabian and Gideon Prewett, in that order. Following Gideon was Remus Lupin, Albus Dumbledore, Alastor Moody, and finally, Sirius Black. A fire crackled in the grate, casting moving shadows on the wall. The light from the fire reflected in Sirius's eyes as he determinately tried to come up with a way to save his friends.

"But how are we supposed to help him if we don't know where he is, Sirius?" Remus said exasperatedly.

"I have an idea…"

Everyone looked at Sirius.

"Well, James said that Voldemort is using Lily so James will do what he wants him to do. He said that they were located deep in a forest. It's been known that Voldemort has wanted to take control of Hogwarts. Isn't it possible that they are far in the Forbidden Forest?"

Someone made a sound of disbelief.

"No, listen. James knows how to get around that school better than almost anyone. You all know the crap we pulled while we were at Hogwarts. There's not enough time to explain everything, but we found several secret passageways inside and outside of the castle. My guess is that one of the death eaters who is close to James have divulged that he knows ways to get in and out of the castle undetected."

"That could be it, Sirius." Dumbledore said.

"It certainly does make sense" Frank Longbottom spoke up.

"Yes, well that's all fine and dandy, but have you been to the Forbidden Forest lately, Sirius? It spans for miles. How are we supposed to locate them?" Gideon Prewitt asked.

"For starters, they aren't in Hogwarts grounds. They don't show up on the map."

"Map?" questioned Alice.

Remus answered instead of Sirius, "James, Sirius, Peter and I made up a map while at school covering the entire grounds of Hogwarts. It gives the location of everyone in the grounds."

Dumbledore's eyes, despite the situation, twinkled merrily, "I supposed you four had some way to sneak about undetected besides James's invisibility cloak."

Remus and Sirius smiled briefly before Dumbledore continued.

"Yes, well, we must get underway; I understand that Lily's losing a lot of blood. We know they aren't on Hogwarts grounds, so we start by looking otherwise. I recommend we break into groups and sweep over the tops of the trees on broomsticks. Disillusionment charms on each of us, of course."

"Red sparks if you find them, or the death eaters. Don't stay in the same spot once you have sent up the red sparks. Stay in the general area, but keep moving. Less of a chance of you getting hit by a curse if the wrong people spot the sparks." Moody spoke up this time.

"It's settled then. Let's go." Sirius said with a very serious and determined look on his face.

James pulled out his mirror as he ran through the thick forest, dodging branches and ducking through bushes. He quickly glanced over his shoulder and seeing no one following him, threw himself and Lily behind a tree. Now was a brief chance to contact Sirius again.

"Padfoot! Padfoot!"

"James, is Lily ok?"

"Still unconscious. Got away from them so far. Running north. I think I'm in the forbidden forest."

"That's what we think too. We're sweeping the forest; you're not on Hogwarts grounds. Keep your eye out for red sparks, then stay in that general area. That's the signal that we've found you."

"Right. Meanwhile I keep running." James looked a little guilty.

Sirius knew what was going through his best friends mind.

"You stay alive." He said firmly. "You can't take that many of them, James. You're not a coward."

"Right. See you Sirius."

"Soon, Prongs."

James stuffed his mirror back into his pocket and breathed deeply. He took off the Disillusionment charm on himself so he could be spotted by members of the Order.

"He's got to be here somewhere! He has the mudblood; he can't travel magically with her!"

'SHIT!' James tucked Lily's head further into his chest and took off running again. He felt her stir.

"… J-James? What's going on?"

"Shhh... they're right behind us Lily. It'll be fine."

"I'm so tired, James." Lily was too weak from blood loss to completely register what James was saying. All she knew was that she was tired and she wanted to sleep for ages, maybe even forever. . .

"I know baby, just hold on." James whispered gently.

"Let's rest a minute, please?"

"We can't Lily. Keep your eyes open, don't fall asleep again." He knew that if she fell asleep once more, she would probably never wake up.

"But I'm so tired. Just a nap. . ."

"Lily you have to stay awake. Just stay awake love, keep talking to me."

James murmured another Muffliato spell so the death eaters wouldn't hear Lily if they got near enough.

James glanced at the sky, looking for any sign of red sparks. He furrowed his brow, then turned his attention back to his fiancé in his arms. She was deathly pale and had long lost the ability to think clearly. Suddenly James tripped on a protruding tree root.

"Shit!"

His foot was stuck in the root.

"Diffindo!"

The root cut in half, but not in time.

"Well, well, well, Potter. Tried to get away? How foolish of you, I must say."