A/N) It's been so long since I last updated! I'm so sorry! This chapter isn't even completed yet, so I decided to post what I had so not to leave you hanging! My life has really got busy lately. I've been back at school for only a few weeks and I am finding it really difficult to catch up. I have lots of homework, about 30 odd questions for English as well as an Essay, plus I am still catching up on all the work I missed. I am also finding it really difficult to write this story at the moment as I came across a massive writer's block, though I have got more ideas now, I am slowly working on the continuation of this chapter. I will probably post when I have written a good deal of pages and this chapter 'Facing the Darkness' is part one in a long series of parts that make up a good deal of Harry's sixth year.

Thank you to Lady Taliesin for helping me with the ideas of which this chapter has come to be. For that, this chapter is dedicated to you.

I hope you enjoy this chapter! Or the first part…

The Bond

Chapter 7 - Facing the Darkness Part One

When Hedwig landed on his desk, ruffling the papers that were scattered all over, James cursed rather loudly as he struggled to keep a grasp on the piles of paper that had been sitting there. He had spent the whole morning filing reports on various Auror jobs, and he had been just finishing when Hedwig had arrived, landing on the top of the pile, causing it to tip, and a few pieces falling to the floor.

For doing that James had purposefully ignored his son's owl while he reassembled the papers. Once he had finished his task he turned to the owl and held out his hand, who obediently stuck out its leg. James untied the parchment, unrolled it and began to read.

It was from Harry.

Dear Dad,

You will not believe what has happened. Snape is teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts.

James' eyes widened. Who in their right mind would allow Snape to teach Defence? Dumbledore knew he was obsessed with it. The amount of knowledge he knew was a danger. Sirius will not like this. Maybe I should speak to Dumbledore…He forced himself to continue reading the letter.

There is one good thing about Snape being Defence teacher. He no longer teaches Potions! That means I can take the subject so I can work towards being an Auror. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to, but the new Professor takes students who received an 'E' at O.W.L level whereas Snape only took people who got an 'O'.

Hogwarts isn't as much fun without you and Sirius here. At least I knew that you were there when I needed you. I suppose I'm a bit - very annoyed - about what happened on the train with Malfoy. I know it was a silly thing to do but how can I stay still when I know he is up to something?

I don't know whether I should say this…but…Malfoy, in the past week since being back at Hogwarts, has been disappearing off the Marauders Map. I can't locate him anywhere. If that isn't suspicious behaviour then what is? I just can't help but think that Malfoy is planning something.

I look forward to coming back to the Burrow for Christmas. Ron and Hermione send their love.

Love Harry

James sighed. He had received a letter from Tonks explaining that she had found Harry stuck under his invisibility cloak. Harry had been silly enough to sneak into Malfoy's compartment on the train and listen in on his conversation. That had resulted in him being stamped on and left. No one had known what had happened. Thankfully Tonks had been on duty and she had not seen Harry leave the train with Ron and Hermione; nor with anyone else for that matter, and had decided to have a look on the train before it left the station. Miraculously she had found Harry by a whim and then escorted him to Hogwarts school.

James had been furious when he had heard what had happened. Harry's impulsiveness and recklessness had come to disaster. His obsession with Malfoy could eventually end in a way that no one could foresee. Even James had to agree that Voldemort would never allow a sixteen year old into his fold.

But what if Harry was right? James thought. Even so he could not bring himself to believe that. It seemed too unbelievable.

Two weeks passed. Harry settled well back into school life. He was constantly trying to watch Malfoy, attempting to discover where he went but could find no clues as to where he was going and what he was up to. Hermione and Ron tried to dissuade him from it but failed to do so. He had made up his mind and nothing could change it.

He had sent a letter to his father a week after term had started, updating James on the situation. Until today he had not received a reply, but at breakfast Hedwig had returned with a letter tied to her leg. He had not expected sympathy of any sort but he had not expected his father to disagree with him about Malfoy.

Dear Harry,

I would certainly agree with you about allowing Snape to be Defence Professor. Whoever suggested it should have their mental numbers checked. But there is one good thing about Snape teaching you defence - he certainly knows his stuff, so please Harry pay attention and listen well. What you learn from him will be valuable.

Another thing I must impress upon you. Please give up on Malfoy. It is highly unlikely that he is involved with Voldemort, due to the present state in which his father is in. He may be disappearing frequently but have you thought he may be sneaking into Hogsmeade or may have found the passage to the Shrieking Shack? Please Harry, for the sake of everything, please just give up and have a year without being troubled by anything.

I know you'll find it hard to do so but Hogwarts is meant to be a place full of fun. Allow us Aurors to sort out the problems of this world. If you can't accept that, fine, but if you try for my sake, then it will make me a very happy father.

Good luck in all your subjects this year,

Love Dad

P.S) Padfoot and Moony send their gratitude. They also wish Snape one hell of a time trying to get the students to listen to him!

Harry had felt insulted and he had openly cursed his father. He hated the fact that no one believed him. It was fifth year all over again, but his own father not believing? How could he think such things? Wasn't it obvious that Malfoy was up to something? How could they not see it?

Maybe it's because Dad never saw Malfoy's actions or what he said on the train. Harry mused. Yet something still nagged. He was missing something. He was sure whatever it was, something bad would happen, and Malfoy would be at the centre of it. The trouble was, all he had to do was wait for it all to blow.

He strolled through the halls of Hogwarts; Sirius at his side, their robes of authority billowing around their ankles. Both men casually glanced round, nodding at the various students that paused in their wake to stare at them. James had received a note from Dumbledore that morning asking him to attend a meeting with Sirius that afternoon. The parchment had had the official seal of the Order of the Phoenix on it, so whatever the headmaster wanted it was important.

They took their time walking to the office; James remembering happier times at the castle, his mind being sent back to when he was eleven years old and he had first stepped through the doors and witnessed the absolute beauty of his new home…

"Whoa, look at this place!" James whispered to no one in particular. His gaze wandered upwards as he took in the magical ceiling that portrayed a bright moon, with small curtains of cloud rolling across. Around him the students watched, as him and the other first years made their way to the front of the hall where Professor McGonagall stood.

James glanced around, his excitement rising. He already knew he would love this place. Hogwarts was a mystery just waiting to be explored. "I will find out every secret I can about this castle, and everyone will know my name." he vowed.

"And they did." James said aloud, causing Sirius to stop and raise his eyebrows in his friends direction.

"What do you mean by that?" he asked, slightly amused.

"Oh you know," James waved his hand, dismissing it.

"I don't know." answered Sirius. "Come on tell me."

James grinned. "I was just remembering the first time I walked into the Great Hall. The excitement, the absolute thrill of being there. And I was thinking about the promise I made."

"Promise?"

James laughed. "Yes, I decided to become famous and my name to be remembered throughout the halls and that happened."

"Wow, I'm impressed…you actually achieved one of your self-proclaimed goals." Sirius joked, but James punched him on the shoulder, stopping his laughter. Looking hurt, Sirius continued down the hallway, James following, before he burst out in laughter and gave his friend a friendly hug.

"You are so weird Sirius Black," James muttered.

Sirius gave him a lopsided grin. "Hey, it's the inner child in me Prongs!"

"You want us to what?" James was flabbergasted.

Dumbledore sat at his desk, arms folded, his eyes twinkling as he looked at the amused expressions on James and Sirius' faces. Both were giving him a look that clearly showed they thought him mad.

"I know what you are thinking, and I am not mad," he stated the obvious, trying to settle the wary silence. "I need two able people to be insiders, and I have chosen you."

James shook his head, brushing his hand through his hair, "I don't know…you're asking us to put our life on the line…our actual life. You want us to infiltrate Voldemort's inner circle, spy on them from a distance somehow. Find out what he is planning. We don't even know where he is!"

"I believe the Dark Lord is hiding at the Riddle House. Strange sounds have been coming from the house for a while now. I need two able Aurors - that's you - to sneak into the house and discover whether that is where Voldemort is operating from."

"And you expect us not to be caught?" Sirius leaned into his chair.

"I expect you to hide under an invisibility cloak. It is a mission that must be attempted. I know that if you two are caught you will not give up without a fight. Voldemort would not kill you either, not when you are so closely related to Harry. He will do anything in his power to get your son, James, and that will save your life. If Voldemort sees a value in keeping his prisoners alive it will be you two. That is why you are being sent on this mission." Dumbledore explained. "Now, do you accept this assignment?"

James hesitated, his mind whirring. I want a challenge but do I dare risk my life like this?

Before he could answer, Sirius spoke the dreaded words. "I'll do it, even if James doesn't agree. If it helps the war effort then count me in."

"Thank you, Sirius."

Closing his eyes, James took a deep breath. "I'll come too. Though I think it is a bad idea, I do know how to defend myself against Voldemort. And I'm a good Auror."

Inclining his head, Dumbledore dismissed them, informing them that he needed them to leave that night. It was essential that they located Lord Voldemort.

"All set?" Sirius asked, as he shuffled his feet impatiently, as James walked into the room, checking his wand. They didn't have to leave for another five hours, when the sun would be down, and their shadows would be concealed by night, however Sirius (who was being responsible for once) had determined to be ready early so that they would not mess this mission up.

"Yes." James replied, "I still think this is a bad idea."

"Even if it is we can't go back on our word. It would be unmoral of us." explained Sirius.

"And I don't like turning my back on my friends." James answered.

Then Remus suddenly apparated into the room, holding a brief case in one hand and his wand in the other. "Dumbledore's told me what he's sent you on…you two had better be god-damn careful. I don't want to lose any of you." he turned beseeching eyes on James. "I lost a great friend when you died…and I was all alone. I can't possibly live through that again."

"Remus, we're not going to die." Sirius said, barking out loud in laughter. "We promise to be careful and not to anger the Dark Lord."

"Hey, we've got an Invisibility Cloak!" input James.

"That's not the point. You could still be discovered. Now, I don't know what's going through Dumbledore's head, sending you two off like this, but if he thinks you two are the best for the job, then so be it. Whatever he wants you to do, I'm sure you can do it, just please don't go off in anger if you see Voldemort. I know, James, you have issues you want to settle with him, but please…"

He was cut off by James. "Look, I promise to be a good boy and not exact revenge. Is that better?"

"Yes," Remus sighed. "Thank you."

Sirius stifled a laugh.

"And that means you too, Padfoot." Remus said, turning his piercing gaze to the other.

Scowling Sirius shook his head. "Can't you trust us to not get in trouble?"

Remus raised an eyebrow. "Of course I trust you; I just want to ensure your safety. It is a way of security for me as well as you."

"Fine. I promise." Sirius gritted.

"Then, good luck." Remus said, and then watched as the two walked out the door.

James turned back and tossed his friend a grin. "We'll be fine."

"I know." Remus replied, a grin spreading. He could trust them to look after themselves. He had just wanted them to promise to be careful.

"You shouldn't be going on this mission, Prongs." Sirius raised his hands, placing them on his friend's shoulders.

James gave him an incredulous stare as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Why not? I'm perfectly capable of going!"

"Look, I'm thinking of Harry. If we are discovered - and there is a possibility if we are discovered - Harry could lose both of us at once. I don't want to put him through that." Sirius sighed. "I know you volunteered James, but I think there is a better way we can do this mission, without endangering you."

He looked curiously at Sirius, wondering what clocks were ticking inside his brain. "I was at Grimmauld Place just now,"

"So that's where you disappeared to!" James exclaimed. "I wondered where you had slipped off to!" For he had not been able to find his friend, after Sirius had made sure that they had everything ready.

Sirius shrugged, choosing to ignore James' comment. "Anyway I was searching Regulus' old room, and I found a very old and dirty hair brush tucked away inside his old cupboard. On the brush itself were little bits of hair, about twenty of them." He lifted up a clear bag which contained the short strings of black hair. "They belonged to Regulus."

"And this is going to help us, how?" James asked.

"Polyjuice Potion." Sirius stated simply. "I propose that we create Polyjuice Potion and I drink a cupful of it with Regulus' hair. I will then transform into his appearance, and I can slip into Riddle House and meet with Voldemort himself."

"Uh, I think you're forgetting one thing." James added.

"What?"

"Regulus is dead. I don't think Voldemort will fall for that."

"Ah, that's where you are wrong. Voldemort did not kill Regulus himself, he commissioned another Death Eater to it. That Death Eater is now dead. All I need to do is make up a story explaining how I escaped. Easy and simple, and a first rate way of getting into the Riddle House." Sirius said, a grin spreading.

James sighed. "I really don't like that idea…" he stroked his chin, "but it could work and it has merit. Have you told Dumbledore?"

"Not yet," Sirius shuffled his feet, "but I can go now, if you wish."

"If you think this is the best course then do so Padfoot. Much as I don't want you putting your life on the line, it is a pretty good idea, and one that could work."

Sirius seemed to consider James' words. He understood his friends concern. James didn't want to lose anyone else close to him, and if he undertook this dangerous idea of his, it could lead to his death, especially if he was discovered by Voldemort. It was a risk he had to take, especially if it lead to making it easier for Harry to defeat Voldemort. He had to take to risks, if only in the interests of Harry.

"I'm only suggesting it because I want to make things easier for Harry and the Order." explained Sirius. "I'm afraid of doing this but I'm willing to go through it. We need to find out what his plans are."

"Let's see what Dumbledore says before you do anything. We should be leaving for the Riddle House shortly, so if you want to do this, we'd better go to Dumbledore now." suggested James.

TBC

Well there you go. I will try my best to update soon but I really can't promise anything. I hope you will stick with me as the story will have lots of action coming up in the next few chapters. Thank you for all the reviews so far! They've really kept me going even though I've been so slow!

Unfortunately I've got lots of hospital appointments coming up in the next few weeks so my writing time will be limited as well as school and doing school work. I hope to update again before Christmas. If not I will try and get a chapter done by new year.

If not, then Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone reading!

Bye, until next time,

MissBlackPotter