A/N) I have some very BAD news about the continuation of this story. Please read this at the end of the chapter.

The Bond

Chapter 3 - The First Horcrux

"Come in!" came Albus Dumbledore's voice when James knocked on his door.

Turning the handle and stepping over the threshold James made his way into the Headmaster's Office. All around him were strange objects - mainly muggle possessions - that had fascinated Dumbledore throughout the years and he had collected them. The old wizard was sitting behind his desk, back straight, hands together, his eyes watching James, as his old pupil slid into the room.

Settling himself down in the chair provided, James waited.

"First, let me say congratulations on gaining a place in the Auror Devision. They could not turn you away James."

James grinned. "Thanks Professor."

"And do pass these congratulations onto Mr Black."

"I will sir."

Ruffling through some sheets on his desk Dumbledore picked up a piece of parchment and levitated it across to James. "This is your mission debriefing for the Order of the Phoenix. You can read it later, right now we have more important things to discuss."

"In your letter you expressed that you had found a way to defeat Voldemort. Is this true?" James asked, weary at the thought, for no one had ever been able to kill him, though his own son had of course set him back by a few years.

"Indeed I believe I have," answered Dumbledore, smiling with his eyes. "I first began to suspect this when Harry destroyed Riddle's diary in the Chamber of Secrets. The Diary was a Horcrux."

Eyes widened, James gaped. "A Horcrux? Surely not! He…" he found it hard to swallow and continue, "he…split his soul in two?"

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes. How did you know that? Horcruxes are not widely known by Wizards."

"Lily," he answered, "after Harry was born she spent most of her time at home, but she began to read up on magic. The history of it and how it evolved. She used to come to Hogwarts to the Library every so often, but she spent most of her time going out on little trips with Harry to known dark places to see if there was any information on old magic. One day she came back and confided in me about a word she had read about in Latin in a certain place in France that she visited when we went on holiday to the South. I spent the day with Harry at the beach. She told me she'd read it in an old manuscript in a Muggle museum, I think, and that's where Lily learnt about the Horcruxes. I don't believe she knows more then that though as the subject was never touched upon again."

"I'm impressed." Dumbledore congratulated. "Lily was an extraordinary witch. She was one step ahead of us it seems."

"Yeah, she never ceased to amaze me." James reminisced.

"But, back to our story," the headmaster continued, "in order for us to understand Voldemort we must look into his past. I have spent years following up leads to people who once knew Tom Marvolo Riddle and using their memories of him to discover what he has done to himself. I will not show you these memories, but I plan to show Harry in the coming year so that he can understand his enemy. With you I can explain it rather then show the memories."

"I understand."

"It is a long story, so please get yourself comfortable." instructed the older man.

James shifted himself until finally he felt he was in a suitable position so that he wouldn't disrupt Dumbledore if he needed to move.

"Tom Marvolo Riddle is the last descendent of Salazer Slytherin. His mother was the direct descendent through her own father. She fell in love with a Muggle who lived near her. From what I know his mother possibly placed a love spell on the Muggle to make him fall in love with her as she guessed that he probably wouldn't want anything to do with her since her father and brother disliked all Muggles and taunted them whenever they could get the chance. His mother ran away, married the Muggle and stayed with him for a few years before getting pregnant. However she lifted the love spell and released the Muggle. Tricked by her, he felt betrayed and returned to his family. Heart-broken Voldemort's mother fled, and on new years eve she turned up at an orphanage and gave birth to her son, the future Lord Voldemort."

"Did his mother die?" James asked, as his brain took in the new information.

"Yes. She had no desire to live after losing the love of her life, even if she had ensnared him in her grip. She told the orphanage to name him Tom Marvolo Riddle which they complied with, and within the hour of her son's birth, she was dead. Tom grew up knowing that he was special in some way but not fully realising why he was. When he was eleven years old I travelled to the Orphanage to inform him of his magical heritage - of course at the time I had no idea he was the heir of Slytherin - and I told him everything about the magical world. Tom was ecstatic at the prospect of using magic, accepting the place at Hogwarts. I have to admit I was surprised that he was sorted into Slytherin. Throughout his years at Hogwarts I watched him carefully, I was afraid that he would use his extraordinary gifts to harm people. Sometime during his school years he discovered that he was last descendent of Salazer Slytherin on his mother's side and he sought out his remaining relatives. He found his mother's brother. His grandfather had died some years previously. He was sixteen years old at the time. Tom spoke to the brother and on that day he went to the Riddle House and murdered his father and grandparents, with his brother's wand so that he would not be caught. He then took the family heirloom, Slytherin's ring, keeping it for himself as he believed it was rightfully his. He implanted a false memory into his Uncle's mind and left him. It was just after that, that Voldemort began his research into the use of a Horcrux. He asked a dear friend of mine for his assistance, who in his way helped Riddle. He learnt enough to help him create a Horcrux, splitting his soul in two and guarding himself from death. However I believe that he has made more Horcruxes then just the diary because of something he said to the Death Eaters the night he returned."

Swallowing, James leaned forward, his interest in this subject mounting. It was highly interesting stuff. "What did he say?"

"I, who have gone further than anybody along the path that leads to immortality. Further then anybody."

"How many Horcruxes has he got?"

"I do not know. That will be Harry's job to find out. My dear friend, Horace Slughorn, holds the memory to finding the information however he will not give it to me. I am going to send Harry during the school year to get it for us. If he can, I should be able to know how many Horcruxes Voldemort has."

James nodded. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I want you to be involved with the hunt for the Horcruxes. I know I am close to finding one and when I do I would like your assistance in acquiring it."

"I will help you, Professor. If I can help Harry defeat this monster then I will happy."

"I knew you would accept James." Dumbledore smiled and dismissed his friend from the office.

Sirius leaned back in the chair, arms behind his head, and legs up on the furniture in Remus' living room. He kept grinning as James told him all about Horcruxes and what Dumbledore had predicted. It seemed insane at first but as he came to understand the consequences he found that it didn't seem that impossible.

"So you're telling me that Voldemort has cut himself in two?"

James nodded. "Yeah, sounds strange doesn't it, but until we can find out how many Horcruxes he has got, we won't be able to kill him. He'll just keep coming back."

"And Dumbledore wants Harry to do this."

"Unfortunately, yes, but Harry doesn't know as of yet. Dumbledore hopes to tell Harry during next year. He says by the end of the year we should know what objects he has used as a Horcux."

"Voldemort could've destroyed half the Wizarding World by then!" exclaimed Sirius.

Sadly, James nodded. "I know but Dumbledore says that in one of his colleagues memories is a crucial bit of information that will tell us how many Horcrux's Voldemort has made, however he cannot get it."

Sirius folded his arms, grimacing. "Let me guess, he's gonna ask Harry."

"Apparently he feels Harry will have a remarkable impact on this person with the memory."

"He should do," Sirius answered, "Harry made an impression on me when I first saw him after twelve years. He reminded me so much of you. I thought it was you, but then I saw the Lily in him. Harry is so much like you, James, but there is so much of him that is Lily but you wouldn't be able to see unless you looked deep inside. He may have your good looks and determination but he has Lily's eyes, bravery and strengths that shine most profoundly. He was not afraid of me when he met me. I know he'd been led to believe I was going to kill him, but instead of being afraid he attacked me. He had the strength to fight up, fight for the people he cared about, just like you. He made me remember you even more which is why I got quite angry when we found Peter that first time."

"Harry is remarkable, I'm sure that whatever Professor Dumbledore asks him to do he will pass well." James supplied.

He was summoned to Dumbledore's office later on that week.

"I have discovered a Horcrux and I would like you to come with me."

"What Horcrux have you found?" James asked, his excitement rising in his chest.

"You'll shall see." Dumbledore replied.

"Where are we going?"

"To the Gaunt House. I believe that is where one of the Horcruxes may be hidden. I do not know if it will be there, but if it is, we will be on our way to victory."

James nodded. "Is it just us going?"

"Yes." Dumbledore said, "Now come. The sooner we leave the sooner we can return."

They apparated to the outskirts of the Gaunt House, that was now crumbling. It had been abandoned years ago. No one had lived there for years. James swept his gaze across the landscape, lingering upon the Riddle House that stood high up on the high, a dark ominous feeling reached out from it, engulfing James.

"Voldemort's there." James shuddered. "He knows I'm here."

Turning his eyes to James, Dumbledore raised his wand. "We must be careful. If Voldemort knows we are here, he may have guessed our purpose. However if my theory is correct and he has more then one Horcrux he may leave us alone. If he attacks it means he has only one. He would not want to lose his only source of eternal life."

Carefully the two of them made their way towards the house, keeping their wands close. Dumbledore continued sending out scanning spells, searching for any traps that Voldemort may have put on the dwelling. Reaching the door, the headmaster pushed open the front, stepping quickly over the threshold.

"Careful James." he instructed, watching his friend while he searched the room.

James stepped in. The first thing he saw was that the walls were crumbling, the paper peeling and the floor boards were crawling with bugs. Frowning he stepped up beside the headmaster, a quizzical look on his face. "There's nothing here." he stated, hazel eyes sweeping the room in case he had missed something.

"Are you so sure?" Dumbledore questioned, eyebrows raised.

"Yeah."

Dumbledore walked forward, keeping his wand raised, muttering a spell. James didn't even hear what he said but he saw the effect as he saw a shield erupt in front of him as the piece of magic hit whatever was there.

"Shielded." assessed Dumbledore.

"How do we break it?"

"We don't." Dumbledore replied, "Walk forward with me."

"Are you sure?" James was apprehensive of this tact.

"Positive. You should not come to no harm." the other assured.

Should not come to any harm?

Swallowing and feeling nervous James continued forward, stepping into line with the headmaster. Dumbledore seemed unafraid. On the contrary he seemed quite calm, as if he knew what he was doing. He felt that the headmaster already knew what was going to happen. But it still continued to worry him.

Apprehensive James kept a look on Dumbledore, ensuring that he could react quickly if anything went wrong. Suddenly he felt something press up against his chest, as a hard, invisible surface impacted at his front. Then the pressure was gone, and whatever he had passed through, had been defeated. Reaching back with his left hand he felt the barrier that he had gone through, confusion entering his mind. He thought the barrier had been destroyed, but it seemed that with a strong will they had only passed through.

It's rock solid. James thought. "Professor, I don't think we can get back through."

"No, James, we can't, not until we have got what we came for. The presence of that barrier informs me that something of vital importance to Voldemort is being held here,"

"But there's nothing here." stated James.

Dumbledore winked, raising a finger. "Ah, but you see, that is what we have been made to think."

The ageing wizard stepped forward, reaching his hand out, pressing it against the far wall. James watched, and then gasped as his friend's hand slipped through the surface. Dumbledore seemed to falter and he jerked.

"Must not pull hand away….James…help me." he stuttered, his strength beginning to fail.

Bounding forward James grabbed the headmaster by the shoulders hoisting him upwards and holding him firm. "What's happening?"

"My hand," he wheezed in return, his face white, "something is happening to it, I feel it."

"Take your hand out!" James ordered, moving his own hand to the tip of Dumbledore's wrist to force him to comply.

"No, I can't. I must get the Horcrux. It's there, I know it is…" he trailed off as his face became paler.

Finally when James was about to pull the hand out of the wall, Dumbledore lurched back out, tumbling to the floor, brining James down with him as well. They lay there for a few minutes, James not daring to look at Dumbledore's hand, fearing the worst.

"Did you get it?" James asked eventually, unable to stand the silence any longer.

"Yes, I did. The Ring of Salazer Slytherin." He pulled his hand forward and James gasped, eyes widening in horror.

"Your hand…" he swallowed.

Dumbledore looked sadly at it. "It was a price I had to pay in order to get this." His hand, once so proud and strong, was now blackened and shrivelled, having been burned away by whatever curse Voldemort had placed on his treasure. "Before we leave we must destroy the evil within this, or otherwise Voldemort could use it against us if he ever knew we had stolen it."

James lifted his wand. "And how exactly are we going to do that?"

"Simple." And Dumbledore slipped the Ring onto his finger and collapsed.

"PROFESSOR!" yelled James, falling to his knees, grabbing the headmaster and trying to pull the ring off, but it came to no use. "GOD DAMN IT!"

Dumbledore began to twitch and writhe and for a few minutes all James could do was watch and then he stopped laying perfectly still as if he had been like that for years. Then he blinked. "James?"

"Yes, Professor?" James asked attentively unsure whether this was the real Albus Dumbledore.

"I went to war with the evil of this Ring. It is gone. A part of Voldemort's soul has been distinguished. We are safe and should be able to leave. Try it for me will you? If you can get to the other side of the front door we will be home free."

James did as he was told, walking confidently across the room. When he reached the point where the barrier was located he was not stopped, instead he kept on walking. Victory. By this time Dumbledore was on his feet,. He crossed the same space without hindrance, stepping out of the old house to stand beside James, who was standing a little ways off, his black hair floating gently in the breeze.

"Well, James, we did it. We achieved out goal: gaining a Horcrux."

"And if you're right there's only five more to find." James muttered, looking out into the horizon.

"What's up?" Dumbledore seemed to notice that James had a glazed look in his eyes.

"Nothing…" he hesitated, "…it's Lily. She would know what to do in this instance, but she's not here. Things would be much simpler if she could be aiding Harry. She would give him the right advice, I don't think I can manage to."

"You can James. Give yourself a chance."

"I've given myself a year but I don't feel connected to Harry that well. He may be my son but I think he still sees me as a stranger, but he doesn't say it."

"You are the first person to return to life. Harry has had to live all alone for the past fifteen years. He's pleased and glad that you have returned, but he's going to feel uneasy at times because he hasn't had a chance to properly get to know you. Once you get a home together that will rapidly change, but until that day comes, you are going to have to live with it."

James sighed. "I know. It's just hard."

"I believe you can prevail James. You always have done."

"Thanks Professor." James grinned, a little happier now.

"Come, we must get back to Hogwarts and take a look at this delightful item!"

TBC

Well, there you go!

Now onto the BAD NEWS…

I will no longer be updating this story regularly, as my life has taken a drastic turn. I do not want to reveal why as it is a very painful subject for me, but what I have found out has affected my future. What I can say is this: that it involves a lot of treatment and I will most likely be in and out of hospital. It has come to a great shock to me, and I have lost my interest in writing fan fiction, however I do intend to finish this story at some point in my life. So, continue looking for updates but they will be less frequent. I am sorry to say this but for all those out there who know what its like to realise that you may die if you don't get medical treatment, then hopefully you can understand why, for that is what is sort of happening to me. I hope you understand, and I wish all of you the best of luck.

Thanks for all the reviews so far, and I hope to see all of you when I next update, whenever that will be!

MissBlackPotter