Thanks for the reviews so far guys- I love them. Here's Chapter 3 - enjoy! and please review!

Disclaimer: JKR's characters, places, and ideas.


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

Afternoon Tea: Chapter 3

James closed his eyes and took a deep breath, pushing his fear back. He gently let go of Lily and stood up in front of where she lay, facing Voldemort defiantly. The fact that the Order was on its way gave him new confidence.

"Let's just get this over with. What the hell do you want, Tom?"

Voldemort glared at him for using his real name.

"I want information from you Potter -"

James cut him off, "And peoplein Azkaban want happiness."he said in a sarcastic tone.He continued more seriously,"I won't tell you anything."

Voldemort narrowed his eyes, "You dare to interrupt me, Potter? And with a smart remark too? Clearly, the time has come for me to teach you toshowrespect toLord Voldemort. Crucio!"

James dodged the curse and threw one back in turn, which Voldemort deflected.

James and Voldemort stopped and stood defiantly, glaring at each other, wands out, calculating their next moves. The death eaters looked on, having previous orders to do nothing unless told otherwise. Suddenly Voldemort pulled back his wand.

"Serpensortia!" A huge snake shot out of his wand, landing right in front of James. Immediately it reared up in the striking position. James began to say a spell to vanish the snake, but he wasn't quick enough. The serpent struck full force and sank its fangs into James's right leg. James let out a cry, then forcefully flicked his wand at the snake yelling, "Evanesco!"

As soon as the snake was gone, James collapsed on the ground in pain. He tried to get up but found that he was now unable to support his leg. He lifted his head to look up at Voldemort and waited for him to mutter the curse that would end it all. Instead Voldemort curled his lips into an evil smile and took a step closer to James.

"Hurts, doesn't it, Potter? The snake was venomous; you will be dead within the hour. Now, since you have no chance at all of coming out of this, I will tell you what I want to know. You will oblige and give me any information I request of you." He paused here to let his words sink in before continuing.

"As I am sure you suspect, for quite some time now I have wanted control of Hogwarts. However, every single entrance is guarded. I know from very reliable sources that you have knowledge of several secret passageways leading to the school that Dumbledore himself doesn't know about. I need those passageways, Potter. You will tell me where and how to find them."

James glared at Voldemort, showing more hatred than he had ever shown or even felt before. Then he spoke, slowly.

"First of all, Tom, I would never divulge any information to you whatsoever. Second, even if I did tell you, there are other enchantments that have been put on the school to guard against you. I have no clue what they are; let alone how to get past them. So you see, my information would be pointless even if I did give it to you."

"Nevertheless Potter, you will give me that information."

"Over my dead body." James said deliberately, putting emphasis on each of his words.

"I assure you, that will be arranged. But first, a little fun. CRUCIO!"

James had never felt anything so horrendously painful in his life. It felt as if millions of hot knives were piercing every millimeter of his skin. All he could think about was that he wanted it to end; he didn't care how. It was so painful he wasn't even aware that the screams he heard were coming from him. Neither he nor Voldemort noticed the red sparks overhead.

Frank Longbottom was flying low over the tree tops when he heard someone let out a scream filled with agony. 'James!' he thought. He sped towards the scream, and looking frantically though the branches, spotted James writhing on the ground with a dark figure standing over him. Frank immediately sent up red sparks.

Sirius saw a flash of red out of the corner of his eye. He quickly looked up and spotting the sparks, flew towards them. Hecaught upwithFrank, and heard the others flying over as well.

"Alright, everyone. This is it. On the count of three, send down a stunning spell. Land ready to fight straight away." Sirius said.

"Do not worry about hitting James; I'll place a shielding charm on him when you all send down the stunning curse." Dumbledore said.

Everyone nodded.

Moody started counting,

"One…. two . . . three!"

"STUPEFY!"

The night was lit up by a mass of red lights streaming down into the trees, stunning all but a handful of death eaters and Voldemort. The members of the Order then flew down into the forest, sending curses to the remaining Death Eaters as they went. Voldemort took the Cruciatus curse off of James when he spotted Dumbledore.

"Dumbledore. Come to save your favorite students?"

"Indeed. It is not wise to linger any longer, Tom. You are quite outnumbered now."

"Even so . . ." Voldemort sent a curse at Dumbledore who reflected it with ease.

"Come now, Tom. Even you can see that you will not win tonight."

"Oh but I have. Evans is almost certainly dead by now, and Potter not soon after."

Dumbledore's eyes flashed dangerously.

"Leave, Tom. You can not get what you came here for tonight."

By this time, the other members of the Order had taken down any remaining Death Eaters. Voldemort noticed he was completely alone.

"This is not the end, Dumbledore. You will see."

With that, he turned his cloak about him and disappeared.

Dumbledore turned around.

"Where is Lil -"

He stopped in mid sentence. Lily was lying on the ground completely white. Someone had obviously taken off the disillusionment charm. James had her head gently cradled in his lap. Tears were falling unchecked down his cheeks. He looked up at Dumbledore.

"She – she's so cold." whispered James.

"She has a pulse; we need to get her to St. Mungo's, Dumbledore. James too, he said he was bit by a Serpensortia snake." Remus said.

Dumbledore spoke quickly and sharply, "Sirius, take her on your broom. James is too weak to support both himself and Lily while flying. I'll take James. Only Remus is to follow. No one else visit unless told to do so by me, Sirius, or Remus. Too suspicious if we all show up."

Everyone nodded weakly. Sirius gently picked up Lily in his arms, mounted his broom, and sped off into the night. Remus closely followed. Dumbledore walked over to James and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You're coming on my broom. Let's go." James nodded numbly and Dumbledore helped him onto his feet. With his former headmaster's aid, James limped to Dumbledore's broom and mounted it, completely physically and emotionally exhausted.


So, there it is. A little shorter than the other chapters, hopefully it was still good though. Next chapter coming in about 2 or 3 days hopefully. Please please please press that little button down there and review!

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