Chapter 44
James winced slightly and rubbed his eyes, as he slowly woke up. Last night had been fun. It had been nice to relax for a night, and not really think about searching for Horcruxes or hunting for Voldemort. After their conversation with the landlord about the Riddle story, they thought it best not to continue a sensitive conversation in such a public place. So, they kicked back, enjoyed a few more pints, and had a laugh before staggering back to the tent. Which was why he felt slightly hungover.
"Sirius?" he said, looking around, seeing the bed next to him empty. "Sirius?"
"Over here mate," Sirius replied quietly. "Where do you think I would be? Off Voldemort hunting by myself?!"
"Actually, yes."
"James?"
"Not because you think you are better than me, or anything. But I think you would sacrifice yourself, well more than you alright are," James started carefully. He licked his dry lips. "I think you are doing everything you can do to save me."
"God James, yes. Yes, I would, but I am too goddamn hungover to do anything like thinking right now," Sirius replied quietly, as he handed his friend a mug of steaming black coffee. "Was it really a good idea to get drunk last night?"
"Probably not," James replied, taking the coffee gratefully. "But after the last eight months, well ten for you. Shit, the last fuck knows how many years we, especially you have been dealing with. I thought, we need to blow off steam. What if we cracked and when it finally came down to it, we couldn't do it? I know, shit, I don't know, but I know I felt under so much pressure I felt as though I was going to crack. I honestly have no idea how you are dealing with it."
"I'm not."
"You are doing a bloody good job at hiding it."
"Well, you know me. I hid the fact my parents were psycho freaks," Sirius replied quietly, with an uneasy smile.
"Yeah, I guess. Well, I feel like crap, but last night was fun and we know where Voldemort probably is," James replied, as he took a careful sip of the scolding liquid.
"Yeah, and being all responsible and doing all of this adulting business was beginning to unnerve me," Sirius added, clapping his friend on the back.
James massaged his temples for a moment. "Do you want to have a look at the Riddle house before we head to the shack?"
Sirius sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. "Mate, I don't know. Everything makes sense. The name. The fact they were muggles. The unexplained murders. You and I know it has the killing curse's fingerprints all over it. It's just." He stopped for a moment and rubbed his face. "I dunno mate, I am so tired, I just can't think straight anymore."
James nodded sympathetically "It makes too much sense? Is it too risky? Especially before we destroy the third last horcrux?"
"Yeah," Sirius replied tiredly.
"You think Voldemort is there, don't you?"
"Don't you?" Sirius replied, turning to his friend. "It makes sense. It's secure. He thinks no one knows about his connection to the Riddle's. I doubt his followers know he's a half blood."
James laughed. "God, I would love to see their reactions. Their fearless, powerful leader, who wants to kill all muggle borns and half-bloods is actually one of them."
"Mate, I didn't say it made any sense."
"I know you didn't. He's Voldemort, he is one twisted, fucked up individual."
"Thanks for stating the obvious Sherlock Holmes," Sirius replied with a raised eyebrow. "I guess we could pass it. I just don't want to get too close, just in case, well you know."
"Do you think he knows the horcruxes are being destroyed?"
"I don't know," Sirius replied, sighing slightly. He rubbed his face, as he reluctantly thought about the visions and his possible connection to Voldemort. "I don't think so. I would assume we would have heard something about him changing tactics. Either getting more violent, or disappearing, but we have heard neither."
"Mate, you know when we get that ring you have to try and close that connection."
"I know, it's just bloody hard."
"I can only imagine. Up to now we think he hasn't noticed, but as more of his soul is destroyed, it's only a matter of time."
"I know James, I know," Sirius replied, in a small, slightly desperate voice. "I'm just so fucking tired, it's becoming harder and harder to block the visions."
James nodded. "What can I do?"
Sirius leant back against the bed and closed his eyes for a moment. "Just continue to do what you are doing. James, if I haven't said it before, but I'll say it again. Thank you. I know what you have sacrificed to be out here with me. I would have never made it as far as I have done without you. I've taken you away from your family. I've put you in danger. I'm sorry I never told you how horcruxes affect me. But when the time comes-"
"No, I'm going to stop you right there!" James started, cutting his friend off. You didn't force me to do anything. The only apologise I am going to accept is you not telling horcruxes affect you. That was bloody dangerous!"
"Sorry mate, it's just. Well, I guess I was a little embarrassed," Sirius replied quietly.
"Sirius, look," James started, and then stopped again. "What have I sacrificed? That's nothing compared to you. I've just followed you around the country for a few months. You were my secret keeper for fourteen years. Because of you, my family has been safe for all these years. Being with you has only slightly bumped me up Voldemort's hit list. Remember that sadist bastard counts my sixteen year old son as his equal. All because some seer, who has never predicted any before made a prophecy and that git overheard and scurried off to tell his master. Because of that bullshit, my son is a target. As long as Voldemort is alive Harry and Lily will be in danger."
"James-"
"No, you listen Sirius. I am going with you to the end. To the very end. I know I might die, and I accept that. If we manage to destroy all the horcruxes, then we have to face Voldemort himself. How's that going to happen if our outside chance, our wing on a prayer chance, the potion doesn't work? I doubt I am powerful enough to bring down Voldemort by myself. If you die, someone has to alert the Aurors. Someone has to get the information out of there. And that isn't going to happen if I'm safely tucked up in bed, is it?!" James replied fiercely, eyeballing his best friend.
"James-"
"Sirius, this is not something we discuss. We are going to find the ring. We are going to destroy it together. Then, once you have rested up. We are going to find Voldemort. We are going to kill his snake. Together. And then." James stopped for a moment, his throat suddenly becoming very tight. "And then, you take that potion. Voldemort destroys the final horcrux. You come around and we kill Voldemort. If the potion doesn't work and you die. I will take your body and disapparate. I will inform the Aurors."
"James," Sirius tried again.
"No Sirius, we are not discussing this. Yes, I might die."
"For fuck's sake James," Sirius exclaimed, his eyes flashing with anger. "If we both die, then what happens? No one knows what we are doing."
"Yes, they do. Okay, they don't know the finer details, but they know about the horcruxes, and they know we are destroying them!"
"But they won't know he's finally moral!"
"Nor will I if I'm not there. How will I know your horcrux has been destroyed if I'm not there!? How will I know Voldemort isn't keeping your alive as his little torture playmate?"
Sirius sighed, knowing James was right. "I don't think he will. I think he will want to make it quick. I think he doesn't want me alive for as long as he can help it."
"That probably is the case, but we don't know for sure," James replied quietly. He raked his hands through his dishevelled hair. "I will send Lily a letter explaining it all."
"A letter?"
"Not via owl, but the muggle way. If we are successful, then we can retrieve it."
"I figured that, but it's quite a lot to put in a letter," Sirius replied with concern.
"I know, but do you have a better idea? I guess it also gives me a chance to say goodbye," James replied sadly. He scratched his shaggy beard.
"No, I guess not," Sirius replied simply. He sighed, taking the final gulp of his now cold coffee. "So, should we head off?"
James nodded. "To Voldemort's dad's house or his mum's."
Sirius shot James a look and raised an eyebrow. "Aww poor Voldy with daddy issues," he smirked. "Seriously, and no really?!" He added watching James laugh. "For fuck's sake, how old are you? Anyway, have a quick look at the Riddle Manor from a distance, before heading to the shack?"
James nodded in agreement. "Sounds like a plan."
Half an hour or so later Sirius found himself wandering down a dusty track towards Little Hangleton. He felt himself involuntary shiver and his pace slow as he caught his first look of the large manor house. It stood high, on a hill, overlooking the village below. In a position that seemed to reflect its former owners' arrogance. Back in its glory days it was perhaps quite grand, but now, with decades worth of neglect it was a shadow of its former self. Windows boarded, tiles missing and ivy seeming to swallow up the rest of the building.
"Sirius?"
"What?"
"You okay mate?" James asked, watching his still friend carefully.
"Yeah, sure. Why?"
"You just stopped that's all."
"You know that feeling, when you think you've been somewhere before but can't place it?" Sirius replied hesitantly.
"You think you've been here before?"
"I don't know, I'm just getting this feeling."
"A Voldemort vision feeling, or something else?" James questioned, his hand gasping his wand.
"Something else."
"Can you think when? When you were a kid? As an Auror? When you were held hostage? In the last few years?" James pushed, his eyes flicking between the old Manor house and his friend.
"Dunno, but I'm thinking recently. I don't recall being moved when I was held hostage but then again, my memory is shot from that time, you never know," Sirius replied, his attention returning to his friend and the task in hand.
"Do you want to go closer?"
"Maybe a little, but I don't think we should go into the grounds. I just have this feeling Voldemort is in there."
James nodded. "Well with his family connection, it's out of the way, no muggles want to visit it and it just looks dark and creepy, it would make sense," James mused.
"Mate, I'm not in the mood for, well."
James nodded. "That's okay Sirius, we play it your way."
Sirius frowned for a moment. "Prongs what's up?" he questioned, his hand still on his wand, stance still stiff but still
"We used to joke before a take down," James replied distantly.
"I," Sirius started, before looking down and away. "It's a-"
"Very different set of circumstances," James finished.
Sirius continued to look away. "God, I wish for those days. Together, well we were, we were fucking good."
"Mate, we still are. You didn't lose your magic because you were held hostage. I didn't become useless just because I wasn't duelling every day. We are still alive. We haven't been caught. We have destroyed four horcruxes. We are pretty sure of the location of the final three. We could be days away from ending this war!" James replied passionately.
"I know," Sirius replied quietly, as he looked down. Days away from ending the war. Days away from ending his life. It was a strange emotion. The feeling of happiness, fear and sadness all rolled into one.
James stopped and said nothing. Feeling no words could fill that void. In order for his family to be free his brother had to die. "Sirius, it could all work out you know," he said quietly.
"Maybe " Sirius replied with a tight smile.
"What do you want to do?"
"Explore a little?" Sirius suggested, as he looked distantly at the Manor. "But not much closer," he quickly added.
"Okay," James replied, nodding. He looked around at the gloomy setting. There was something so eerie around. Something so foreboding, he didn't want to stay here for long. As they turned into a dark, overgrown graveyard, he watched his friend stop and take several steps back. "Sirius?"
"It was here," Sirius said in a quiet voice, almost in a whisper.
"What was?" James asked, his concern growing as quickly as his friend's pale complexion.
"Voldemort was resurrected."
James nodded slowly and patted his friend's shoulder. "Do you want to get any closer?"
"Not particularly," Sirius replied, shaking his head.
"Let's head to the Gaunt shack," James suggested.
"Thanks James," Sirius replied, as he turned on his heel and headed down the dusty track towards the forest.
"Not a problem mate," James replied, as he followed his friend down the dusty track. "Can you remember where the ring was hidden?"
"I think," Sirius started, as he rubbed his face. "I think it was under the floorboards in the main room."
"How many rooms were there?"
"Three? The main room with the kitchen, then a toilet and one bedroom."
"Sirius"
"Yeah?"
"I think we should use my blood this time."
"No," Sirius said forcefully.
"Why?"
"Because we know my blood works. Why should we use your blood?"
"Because this is already taking a lot out of you, I don't want it to take anything else out of you."
"Mate, I'm not exactly cutting an artery and losing several litres of blood. I'm just using a couple of drops."
"It's still another wound to heal," James countered.
"It's barely a wound," Sirius bit back. "Look mate, I appreciate the concern but I'm fine. It doesn't affect me. Destroying the bloody horcrux does, but a tiny flesh wound doesn't. We know my blood works. Now I don't know whether that's because of my family's blood status being members of the Sacred Twenty Eight, or because of the horcrux or, I don't know, another fucked up Voldemort reason. But I don't think it's wise to suddenly start using your blood so late in the game. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before Voldemort realises, we are destroying the horcruxes. I'm not sure he'll know who, or how but if there's some weird connection, I don't want it to lead to you as well," Sirius replied, as stopped and looked his friend in the eye. "We both have our jobs to do. I don't want-"
"I am already on Voldemort's hit list-"
"I am well aware of that," Sirius replied fiercely. "But we need to limit his awareness. I know he's targeting you. But I'm not sure how these visions work. If he can see into them. I'm not sure if the horcruxes are connected."
"Okay, okay," James replied, holding up his hands. "We'll use your blood, but I am destroying the horcrux."
Sirius closed his eyes for a moment and nodded. "Sorry mate," he replied quietly.
"Mate, we've known each other since we were eleven. I know you. You've always had a fiery temper. Remember when Snape laughed at your hair and you punched him," James said in a light tone.
"That doesn't prove anything, he's a git. He had it coming to him."
"Fair enough," James replied with a grin. "I guess that's a poor example. I mean even Peter punched Snape at one point…" He trailed off, and his expression turned dark when he thought of their former friend.
"Yeah," Sirius started and stopped. He set his face in a tight grin. "Yeah, before the world became all fucked up."
"Sorry mate, I'm trying to keep your mind off things and I'm doing the exact opposite."
Sirius took a moment to look at his friend and found a broad smile. "Nah mate, you're doing a great job. Surprising really, considering it's you," he said with a laugh.
"Piss off," James laughed, lightly slapping the back of his friend's head.
Sirius ducked and laughed. "Shall we go and find a bit of Voldemort's soul and destroy it?"
James nodded. "Sure."
"Right," Sirius said slowly, as he started down the dusty path into the woods.
A while later the two old friends found a decaying shank in the woods. The roof had long since fallen in, a tree snaked up through the roof. The bricks were cracked, and ivy seemed to wrap itself around the whole, small building.
"I think we've found the right place," James stated, pointing at the snake skeleton nailed to the door. He watched Sirius shutter and look away. "What mate, you don't like snakes?"
"Remember my whole family is Slytherins. I had a bloody carved snake above my bed."
"That's fucked up mate."
"You have heard about my family, right?" Sirius replied with raised eyebrows. "Fucked up is the polite way to describe them. Right, shall we get this over with and find the horcrux?"
"Sure," James replied, as he pulled his wand out and slowly pushed the door open. "God, when was the last time someone cleaned in here," he exclaimed, as he wrinkled up his nose as a foul smell hit him. "It's as though someone died in here or something."
"I don't think Voldemort is the domestic type," Sirius replied, as he carefully scanned the small, unkempt room. "Maybe we get lucky and the thing that died here is Voldemort."
"You never know," James replied hopefully.
"No such luck," Sirius replied, as he nudged a dead rat with his foot.
"Damn," James exclaimed lightly. "I was just hoping we would find the bastard dead."
"He's immortal Prongs," Sirius replied, rolling his eyes. He scanned the floor for signs of loose floorboard, or something similar to his visions.
"Have you seen anything?"
"I don't know," Sirius replied quietly, as he crouched down and poked a floorboard with his wand.
"Sirius?" James said, as he crouched down next to his friend.
"Watch my back," Sirius replied simply. "I think it's here, and you know what they are like."
"Of course," James replied, as he patted Sirius on the back and stood up. "Are you ready?"
"I'm just about to pull up the floorboard," Sirius replied, as he carefully reached forward and pried the floorboard open. "Lumos," he whispered. He slowly waved his wand around the small hollow area. Just as he was about to give up, something caught on the wandlight. Hesitantly he reached forward, and then stopped. "Mate, I think I've found it."
"Okay, do you want me to handle it?" James replied, his attention not leaving the door.
"I think it's best if you did," Sirius replied, as he looked up. "You know my reaction with these things, and I think they are only going to get worse. Plus, with Voldemort so close, I don't want to risk anything."
James nodded. "Let's swap positions," he said, as he crouched down next to his friend, his eyes still not leaving the door.
Sirius stood up and placed a hand on James' shoulder. "I've got the door. It's in the far right hand corner. Be careful mate."
"I will," James replied simply. "Lumos," he said, as reached forward into the space. Seeing the ring, he cautiously reached for it. "I've got it," he said as his fist closed around the ring.
"Let's get out of here."
"You don't want to destroy it here?"
"No," Sirius said, shaking his head. "Not with Voldemort so close by. I'm not sure if they are connected, but I don't want to risk it."
"Okay, where do you want to go?"
"Foula?"
James nodded. "Right, let's go there now and destroy it." He swung an arm around his friend. "Shall we?"
"The weather is a bit better than last time," Sirius commented, as they landed lightly on the clifftop.
"It was mid-winter last time. It's now June, so it bloody should be."
"Scotland mate, the weather is always wacky, remember," Sirius replied with a slight smile.
"It wasn't that bad."
"It snowed in May!"
"Okay, it was a bit wacky. So, shall we destroy this thing?" James said, as he dug his hand into his pocket, his fist wrapping around the ring.
Sirius nodded. "Put it down over there," he said pointing to the rock. "Remember mate, whatever happens get out of here as soon as you destroy it."
"I know. Are you ready?"
"Yeah," Sirius said, as he pulled a knife from his pocket. Walking over to the rock, he raised the knife to his arm and cut into it. He waited for a moment, letting the blood run down his arm. He looked over at his friend. "Ready?" He watched James nod. He let his blood slowly drop on the ring and waited. He closed his eyes and forced himself to clear his mind. He couldn't let Voldemort in. Not now. Not when they were so close to the end. "I can feel it opening. We're not going to have long. I am trying to block it, but it will try and possess me."
"I'm ready," James replied tensely, as he joined Sirius behind the rock.
"Okay, on the count of three. One. Two. Three," Sirius yelled, as he threw the ring into a long, high arcing throw, as he could and ducked low behind the rock.
"Avada kedavra," James yelled, before ducking low next to Sirius behind the rocks. There was a blinding red flash of light, then everything became silent. He quickly glanced at his unresponsive friend. Sliding a shaking fingers against Sirius' neck, he let out the breath he didn't realise he was holding. "Sirius mate, God this really fucking freaks me out, you know!" He looked around for the ring, seeing a few metres away, he quickly summoned it. "Right mate, let's get you out of here." Without a further word, he wrapped a hand around Sirius' wrist and disapparited.
