When the Harrys Attack

-3-

A/N: Thanks once again for the reviews. Though, I'd have to admit that threatening to curse me into oblivion if I don't finish a story is a bit extreme…and sadistic. Which means, of course, that I like the way you think. ;) Anyway, all, read on! This is your fanfiction authoress reminding you that none of these charries are mine and that JKR receives full credit for the Harry Potter series and all of its marvelous concepts. Enjoy!

There were not many things that had the ability to reduce Sirius Black into a quivering mass of fear. But, apparently something had. Remus looked over to the opposite side of the room and gasped. It was horrible…it was fearsome…it was…Harry? Remus couldn't help it. He laughed. Sirius pulled himself together enough to conjure up a self-righteous glare.

"After all of those times I saved your hide and watched your back, Moony…" Sirius said, "For shame."

"Sorry. I just couldn't help it," Remus said, managing to muffle the last of his laughter as he scooped a gurgling Harry into his arms, "He's just a baby, Padfoot."

"Just a—" Sirius gaped, moving his mouth soundlessly for a moment, his face the picture of outrage, "Just a baby?"

Remus didn't reply, though he did roll his eyes as he shifted young Harry from hand to hand, smiling down at him. Harry had become like a son to him…and he knew that Sirius and Peter felt the same way about him. The dark-haired child was as much a part of their lives now as James was. Lily swept back into the room, now garbed in plain robes. Her stride was urgent.

"I leave for a second and you two just joke around?" She hissed. Remus wasn't as taken aback as Sirius seemed—he understood that Lily was merely acting angry because she was truly worried. The moment that she had recoiled in his arms, he knew that something was truly wrong. They had Apparated back to the Potter's flat first and now the three of them stood there in the living room, a baby at hand.

"It's James," Lily sighed all of the sudden, her green gaze finding Sirius, "There's something wrong."

Sirius's blue eyes promptly widened, a flinch rippling the muscles in his shoulders, "Well, then what in the bloody heck are we doing sitting around here!" He demanded, his eyes darting from Lily to Remus.

"I'll stay with Harry." Remus said. Neither of his friends argued with him. The moon was waxing, and so he wouldn't be up to his full strength as a wizard. If something was wrong with James, then Lily and Sirius—the two people in the world closest to James—were the logical choices to go on a rescue mission. He watched Sirius leave through the door without a backward glance. Lily, however, paused.

"We'll be back soon." She said, turning to meet his gaze briefly, "Don't worry." With an empathizing expression, she, too, departed.

……………………….

Voldemort Apparated in the midst of the Death Eaters, his presence billowing like the great black cape that was draped over his bony shoulders. The silence was impenetrable, all of the followers awaiting to hear their master's voice.

"Hatred." He said, finally. Rosier looked in the direction of Malfoy with a confused expression over his features. He didn't seem to realize that there was a mask covering his face as well. His attention returned to the Dark Lord soon enough, as Voldemort was drawing closer to him all the time.

"I feel a hatred so strong that I can almost taste it." Voldemort continued, stepping still closer to Rosier. The wizard trembled at his approach…and was relieved that his master sidestepped him and moved past him.

"From my loyal followers, I think not." The high, cruel voice was almost amused now.

From behind the azalea bush, James knew what was coming. He had always had trouble with Occlumency and hiding particularly strong emotions. He was far too animated, far too vibrant to store himself away. He stood as Voldemort approached, knowing now that it was useless to hide. He heard Moody cussing fluently behind him, hearing his name uttered as a part of many of the curses. But he was on his feet too, nevertheless.

"You've got spunk, kid, but if it gets us all killed, I won't like ya much," drawled Dung from nearby. James wasn't paying attention. His wand was drawn, aware that Voldemort was still advancing on him.

"Insolent boy," Voldemort whispered, "You actually think that you can stand against me?"

"Protego!" James called just a flash of light erupted from the Dark Lord's wand. The curse rebounded harmlessly.

"There may come a time when I don't find you amusing to play with. What would you do then?"

"Protego," James said, and then mentally uttered another curse. He dove out of the way as the curse came right back at him. He was beginning to get angry. Again he tried, and this time, it hit. Not Voldemort, but a masked supporter just to his left. The man fell over, his limbs splayed out around him, his eyes open in frozen shock.

"Hey, Voldy!" came a very familiar voice. The dark wizard didn't turn to address the salutation, however disrespectful as it was. Sirius Black joined his best mate from the right, and Lily appeared to the left.

"What're you lot—" James began heatedly, but not before Sirius froze a curse headed their way in midair.

"James, I was worried." Lily admitted.

"As touching as this is," Sirius remarked sarcastically, "I could use a little help." Rosier and Bellatrix had converged upon him; Voldemort's attention was now on Moody, who was having difficulty. A flash of light was directed at Sirius as he spoke, but James interfered in time.

"The great Sirius Black?" James replied with an uplifted eyebrow.

"The great Sirius Black doesn't want to get killed."

"James!" James looked over and saw that Lily was rushing to aid Moody, but it seemed too late. Voldemort and all of his supporters were vanishing all around them.

James swore, echoed fervently by Sirius and headed over, where the Order members were gathering.

"Disastrous!" Moody barked, "Disastrous!" He turned on James and growled, "You've got a head full of fluff, you know that, boy? You could have had all of us killed!" Sirius and Lily looked on in confusion as James's jaw tightened at the reprimand. "We all hate him, but you can't control that hate. And you're endangering not only yourself, but all of the other Order members! Get your head fixed on right, Potter."

"Ruddy one-eyed git," Sirius muttered under his breath.

"I heard that, Black! Incidentally, there was a reason you weren't chosen for this mission tonight," and with that low growl, Moody disappeared with a small pop.

"James," Lily said softly, placing a hand on his arm. James shook her light touch off, and stalked away into the night, grabbing handfuls of his hair in anxiety. Lily started to go after him, but Sirius shook his head.

"It won't do any good." Sirius said, "Just let it blow over."

Lily stared into the darkness, watching James's figure disappear into the night. Finally, she nodded, her green eyes containing worry.

"Come on. Let's go."

"You go ahead." She said softly. It was perhaps the softest tone she had ever used with him, "I'm going to stay with him."

Sirius nodded, and Disapparated. Lily sighed, the noise of it barely reaching her ears. She trudged forward through the tall grass of the field. It was difficult to walk in her high-heeled shoes and long dress robes, but she made it to James nevertheless. She stood just behind him and watched him in silence.

He was facing away from her, looking at something in the distance, one of his hands buried in his thick black hair. There had been a time when Lily had despised his wild hair, and had wanted to cut it all off in his sleep but…now, she knew it was a part of him. And even now that they were married and had a child, she still loved every part of him. She reached out and put a hand on his shoulder. Lily drew James close to herself until his head was resting on her shoulder, and she held him, feeling his disappointment, and his frustration.

"I just-"

"I know," she said, nuzzling him softly, "I know."

They stood there like that for a long while, until James wrapped an arm around her waist like he had so many times before, and peered down into her porcelain features. He used a thumb, rough from hard work, to trace her high cheekbones until reached where premature worry lines had appeared at the corner of her eyes.

"I love you, Lily Potter," he whispered.

"And I love you, James Potter," she replied, standing on her tiptoes to kiss his mouth. He leaned down and wrapped the other arm around her waist possessively, his lips grazing hers at first gently…but then firmly. He kissed his wife until he realized that she was shaking, and withdrew, lifting her chin with a hand. Her green eyes were tear-filled.

"W-what if you had died?" She murmured breathily, "It was so close…like the last time…and that feeling I had at the ball, I just couldn't…" She shuddered.

James held her close, stroking her hair lovingly, "I'm not dead, and I don't plan on dying anytime soon."

Lily pulled away slightly and glared at him, "Good, because if you did, I'd kill you." And then she burst into tears.

He hugged her tightly, moving back and forth until her sobs quieted, and she said, "This is just so hard on me, James. I can't stand the thought of losing you…or Harry, and it becomes more and more likely every day."

"I know," he said quietly, "but you're being so strong."

And Lily laughed at him, with tears still glistening in her eyes, and running down her face. Her features were silver in the moonlight, tear stained. He pushed her hair off of her forehead and grinned down at her, "But not as strong as me!" And he picked her up easily, and spun her around, causing Lily to cry out.

"Put me down, you thick-necked git!" She screamed, "Put me down!"

"Not if your life depended on it!"

And by the time they appeared at home, all tears and disappointments were forgotten.