Chapter 45

James looked sadly at his unconscious friend. After everything he had endured during his childhood. How he had survived the years of captivity and now this? In order to destroy the wizard who had tortured him, he couldn't survive. In order to bring down the wizard intent committing mass genocide his friend had to die. Why was life so unfair? Why was so much pressure, so much hanging over his friend's shoulders? He knew Sirius' shoulders were broad, but how much weight could they continue to take? He did as much as he could to lighten the load, but there was only so much he could do. The final chest pieces were moving into place and only Sirius could checkmate Voldemort. He walked over to his friend again, checking on him. He had no idea how long Sirius would be out for this time. Last time, when they had destroyed two Horcruxes, Sirius had been unconscious for over twelve hours. Would it be longer? As they destroyed more and more of Voldemort's soul would it affect Sirius more? He sighed and ran a tired hand through his dishevelled hair. There was nothing he could do for Sirius for now, he might as well try and rest. But he knew that would be fruitless. He was utterly exhausted but at the same time totally wired. As soon as he had destroyed the horcrux he had grabbed Sirius' unconscious form and apparited to somewhere he knew they would be safe for a couple of days. Which was why he was standing in the living room of one his greatest friend's house. He knew Remus wouldn't mind. He knew Remus would have insisted on it.

He sighed again and began to pace. Voldemort. Sirius. Two names through some form of twisted fate had become intertwined. Two people who would have always met but their fate became interlinked because of him. Because he couldn't keep his family safe. He wondered if Snape had known whom the prophecy was referring to when he had relayed the information to Voldemort. Had he relayed the information to please his master? Or had he done it to spite him? He would have hoped it was the former, not the latter. But there was nothing he could do now other than to support his friend. To keep his friend alive so he could be slaughtered by the same man who hunted his son. He looked over his shoulder at his friend and tried to find a small smile but found nothing.

"Sirius?" he said, as a groan from the far side of the room pulled him out of his dark thoughts. "Mate?"

"James?"

"Yeah mate. How are you?" James asked rather pointlessly.

"Like I went drinking with Hagrid, and then got into a fight with him," Sirius croaked, as he screwed his eyes tightly shut.

"That good?" James replied with a tight smile.

"Yeah, that good. Did you destroy it?"

"Yes," James replied, holding the burnt ring up to Sirius' eye level.

"Good," Sirius replied, nodding. "How long was I out for?" he asked, slowly sitting up.

"A few hours. Less than last time."

Sirius nodded, as he massaged his temples. "Fuck, I hate this."

"I know," James said sympathetically. He sat there for a moment, not knowing what else to say. 'But soon it will be over', seemed rather heartless.

"Just two to go then," Sirius said, his eyes closed.

"Yeah, the snake and…" James trailed off, and looked at the floor.

"It's okay, you can say it. The snake and me."

"I know, but I don't want to think about it," James replied in a tight voice.

Sirius nodded. "Mate it will be alright."

"It's-"

"It's shit, I know. But James, I need you to promise me something."

"Sure, whatever you want," James replied quickly.

"You don't know what I'm about to say," Sirius replied with a raised eyebrow.

"Okay, not anything," James replied with a laugh.

"Promise me you will do what I say when we meet Voldemort. It's not that I think I am a better dueller than I am, quite the opposite in fact. But don't do anything, I don't know. I know you want to bring my body back for mum and dad, but you can't. If you can't bring Voldemort in, or you can't kill him. Mate, please, promise me you will get yourself out of there. Both of us don't need to die." Sirius stopped and watched his friend carefully.

"Padfoot-"

"Prongs, promise me you won't do anything stupid. Promise me you will get yourself out of there as soon as I've been killed, and the snake is dead."

"Sirius, we don't know if that potion will work or not. If it does, you are not going to be up to fighting Voldemort straight away and then what? The bastard kills you all over again, and this time for real!" James snapped back.

"James, we need someone to tell the Aurors the git is mortal," Sirius replied through gritted teeth.

"We will. We both will. Lily will get that letter remember," James growled. "I'm not leaving you there with that bastard. Alive or dead! I know you have accepted your death, but I bloody haven't."

"James, I-" Sirius stopped, and let his head fall into his hands for a moment. "Mate, I can't imagine how hard it is for you."

"How hard it is for me?!" James exclaimed. "What about you?!"

"I'll cope," Sirius replied tiredly.

"But you're not and why should you?" James replied in a soft voice. "Why bloody should you? It's stupid. It's unfair. It's, I don't know. Why you?!"

"Because, I don't know mate. He's a sick, twisted bastard. Why did he pick Harry as his equal? I can't explain things, I don't think you can either. But what is done, is done. This whole thing has so many moving pieces. It's chest. It's a game that was set in motion years before we met. I'm just a chest piece," Sirius replied, looking down. "I'm just a pawn."

"Piss off, you're not a pawn. I'd say you're the king, but the way you act sometimes mate, I think you're more a queen," James replied, with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.

Sirius grinned back. "If I act like a queen, what the hell do you act like?!"

"A brave knight?" James replied, grinning, as he stood up standing proud.

Sirius laughed. "Really mate? I think you act more like a drama queen. Remember the time when McAdams knocked you off your broom. Anyone would have thought you had been hit by multiple unforgivables."

"It hurt!"

"Sure, but really, that much?" Sirius replied, with a raised eyebrow.

"Mate," James started in a quiet voice.

"James, it's the only way. You think I like having a bit of the bastard's soul in me? You think I want to die? I like my life and I would have liked to have more of it, but I can't. Voldemort is only going to grow in strength, and I don't fancy our chances against him. He will continue his murderous tirade. He will hunt you and Lily down. He will murder Harry. And what makes you think he will stop in the UK, or indeed the wizarding world? It's not brave, it's the right, no, the only thing to do." Sirius stopped and looked at his friend for a moment. "Don't give me that look. If our places were exchanged, you would do the same thing. So would Lilly. So would Remus. So would, shit so would bloody Snape."

James closed his eyes for a moment, and patted Sirius' shoulder. "Yeah, I know. I just don't like it. It's bloody unfair with everything that has happened to you."

"Yes, a lot of crap happened to me but there was a lot of good as well. I went to Hogwarts. I had three great friends. The stuff we got up to. The adventures we had were, well, they were some of the happiest moments of my life. Your parents adopted me. Even when we left Hogwarts and we were at war we had fun. Can you remember when we were being chased by those Death Eaters and that police car turned up?"

James laughed. "I loved that bike of yours. Do remember hiding it from mum?"

"Yeah, she wasn't best pleased when she found it." Sirius ran a hand over his face. "After I escaped Voldemort, sure it was tough at times, but I've had a good life, James. Sure, I would have wanted it to be longer, but it can't. I was never supposed to escape. I was never supposed to have these years, so I'm lucky."

"I guess," James replied quietly. He bit his lip and looked away for a moment. "Do you feel up to food?" he asked, trying to change the subject.

Sirius licked his lips. "Yeah, I reckon so. What do we have?"

"I dunno, I'll see what Moony has."

"Moony?"

"We're in his house," James explained, as he stood up and walked into the kitchen.

"Oh," Sirius replied, looking around the room for the first time.

"After we had destroyed the horcrux I needed somewhere secure and safe. Seeing as Moony sometimes goes here for transformations, I thought it would be secure. Well, it's secure enough to keep the wolf in and people out."

Sirius nodded. "It was a good idea mate," he said, as he stood and walked around the small room. It was small and impersonal, but he guessed his friend never liked spending much time here. He guessed it reminded him of the wolf. "Do you know if Moony has another house?"

"I don't know to be honest, but I doubt it. He doesn't, well you know. He was never as fortunate as you and me financially."

"Mate, he earns more than the both of us."

"What?" James said, pausing and looking around.

"He's a professor at Hogwarts and he consults for the Ministry," Sirius explained.

"Really?!"

"Yeah," Sirius replied, joining his friend in the kitchen. "It was stupid, wasting his mind like that."

"Yeah, I'm just embarrassed I didn't think about it."

Sirius shrugged. "I mean it's no problem, I just would have liked to think he would have somewhere nice. I get why he doesn't want to personalise this place, but I would like to think he has somewhere nice to live."

"I'll make sure he does."

"Thanks," Sirius said simply. "I've got a will. I've divided my assets and money between you, Lily, Harry, Moony, Tonks, Andy, Mum and Dad."

"Sirius, please," James replied, looking away. "I really don't want to think about this."

"I know but you need to know."

"Sure. So, Moony doesn't have a lot in his cupboards. Will Baked Beans do?"

"It's fine, thanks James."

"Padfoot, look I'm sorry. I just don't want to lose you. You're my best friend. You're my brother. I've already lost you once, I don't want to lose you again, but I know I have to. So, all this talk about wills and well you know, it's hard okay."

"I know Prongs, I'm sorry."

"Don't be," James replied, turning to face his friend for the first time. "You need closure. You need to know all your affairs are in order. I'm the selfish one. Let me sort food, and then we will go over everything. The will. Anything you want me to do or say. How we are going to face Voldemort. Everything."

Sirius looked down for a moment, before replying. "Thanks Prongs," he said tightly. He took a breath and closed his eyes for a moment, before crossing the small kitchen and sinking down on the wooden chair. "Did you ever think it would end like this?"

"No," James replied, shaking his head.

"Do you ever think of how we met and how it could have been different if I had sat with my cousins on the train?" Sirius asked.

"No," James replied, frowning. "But we would have met a bit later anyway. That hat knew something. You are a Gryffindor through and through. Perhaps even more than myself."

"Really?" Sirius laughed. "I'm more of a Gryffindor, than the great James Potter."

"Yeah," James replied without emotion. "You have more Gryffindor traits than I do."

"Okay," Sirius replied, looking down for a moment. "So, how are the Baked Beans doing?"

"Umm," James said quickly, as he tried to pull himself out of his deep thoughts. "Almost done," he finished, as he absentmindedly stirred the pan.

"Thanks," Sirius said, a moment later when he took the plate of beans on toast off his friend.

"So, what do you want to tell me?"

"My will is with my lawyer, Ian Milsom."

"At Abbot and Milsom?"

"Yeah."

"Okay," James replied, nodding. "And he's the executor?"

"Yeah. I've also left letters with him. There's one for each person in the will. Nothing much, just, well goodbye and thank you."

"Okay, I will make sure everyone gets them."

"Thanks Prongs, I know this is really hard for you."

"It is, but I'm not the one who has to sacrifice themselves. This is nothing compared to that."

"Just tell them thank you for everything they did for me and that I love them." Sirius suddenly felt his throat become very tight, and his eyes sting.

"I will," James replied thickly, not trusting himself to say anymore.

"Thanks mate. Really thank you."

"It's nothing."

"Still thank you."

"So, Voldemort," James started.

"Yeah, that bastard."

"We need to wait a couple of days," James started.

"No, we don't," Sirius cut in.

"Mate, you are not going to be up to it for a couple of days."

"Prongs, this is going to sound harsh but all I need to do is stand in front of the bastard and let him kill me," Sirius replied dryly.

"But-"

"Mate, we think the little shit is in his dad's place, but we don't know how much longer he'll be there. In fact, we're not even sure he's still there. But if he's cottoned onto the fact, we are destroying horcruxes, he'll go to ground," Sirius replied.

"I guess, it's just-"

"I know," Sirius replied tightly. "I don't like it either but what else can we do?"

James felt a single tear slip down his face. He nodded. "So, when do we go?"

"Tonight."

James bit his lip. "The snake and then you?"

"No, me and then the snake."

"Okay, okay," James replied in a shaky voice. "I'll use my blood then."

"No, let's not change the strategy now. I'll give you a vial of my blood."

James nodded. "Thanks," he said, not knowing what else to say.

"Prongs, umm," Sirius started, and stopped. "Mate, I."

"I know," James replied, a thousand unspoken words passed between them.

"Fuck, I'm so scared. I don't want to do this. I don't want to die, but what choice do I have?"

James nodded and wrapped an arm around his friend's shoulders. "I know mate, I know. I'll always remember you. I will never forget you. I'll never forget your sacrifice," he said with a tight voice.

"Thank you but don't-"

"I know, but I do. People need to know the price of their freedom. They need to know who gave them freedom and they need to remember it."

"Prongs, I'm not that person."

"You are," James replied fiercely.

"Okay, we'll just have to disagree."

The two old friends sat in silence for a while. No words were needed. It had been like that since they had met on the Hogwarts Express all those years ago.

"I guess we should get going," Sirius finally said, looking out the window.

"I guess so," James replied quietly. He slowly stood up and with a heavy heart, offered his hand to his oldest friend, helping him to his feet.

"Thanks," Sirius replied, his voice barely more than a whisper. With a slightly unsteady hand, he pulled his wand and drew a small vital of his blood, handing it to James. "For the snake."

James nodded. "You and then the snake."

"Yeah."

"Okay, shall we-" James trailed off. It seemed so final. But it was. They were clutching at straws with the potion. He knew Sirius was going to die. He knew these were the final moments with his best friend.

Sirius nodded and looked down. Unable to say anything. He found a tight smile. "Thanks James, thanks for everything."

"Good luck"

"Thank you"

Without another word they apparited.

They landed just outside the Riddle Manor. "Right, I better get going," Sirius replied quietly.

"Goodbye," James replied, pulling his friend into a hug, as he tried to hide the tears.

"Okay, yeah," Sirius stumbled out. "Well, I better go. I don't want to keep his lordship waiting."

"Okay, okay," James said between tears. "Just remember to take the potion and then we'll celebrate down the pub once we have finished the bastard off."

"I'll take it in a moment, once we know he's there. He's going to make it quick. He sees me as a threat, he doesn't want to keep me alive," Sirius replied calmly, as he nervously fingered the small vial in his pocket.

"Okay, see you on the other side," James replied, with a forced smile.

Sirius found a small nod and a tight smile for his friend, before turning on his heel and slowly headed into the Manor and to his fate. The inside of the Riddle Manor was as neglected as the exterior. Sirius wrinkled his nose as the damp, musty smell invaded his senses. He stopped for a moment, allowing his senses to focus. He could sense Voldemort, he could feel he was here. He looked up and down the corridor, to the door at the end. He didn't know why, but he just knew Voldemort was there. He took a shaky breath and closed his eyes for a moment as he tried to prepare himself. But in reality, how did you prepare yourself to be willing murdered? The sooner he did it the sooner it would be over. The sooner the bastard would be mortal and sooner they could end this war. He bit his lip and strode front. Screw the bastard. This ended now. The git was going to be mortal, and he was either going to be killed or brought to justice. His hand hovered over the door for a moment. He fingered the vial in his pocket, twisting it gently in between his fingers. He took a calming breath and pulled the vial from his pocket, placing it to his lips, he drained it one. He grimaced, it tasted foul, but if it enabled him to survive then what did he care. He paused and lowered his head. This was it. He had faced him. He had to die. Without a further thought he pushed the door open and stepped into the room.

"Voldemort," Sirius said, addressing the man at the far side of the room. "It's been too long."

Voldemort turned around, looking startled. "Sirius Black, we meet again."

"Yeah, we do. I hadn't seen you in a while and I was worried I'd been left off the Christmas card list," Sirius managed, despite the fear that threatened to overwhelm him. Come on you bastard, just kill me, he thought. I don't know how long this potion will last. He could feel himself becoming lightheaded as the potion slowed his heart rate. "So, what are you doing on this beautiful June evening?"

"What are you doing here?" Voldemort replied, his wand held lazily in his hand.

"Well, I thought I would kill you," Sirius replied, forcing himself to try and breathe as naturally as possible. He could feel his breathing becoming more and more laboured as the potion took effect. He pulled out his wand and levelled it at Voldemort. He felt a shiver down his spine as he started down at his tormentor.

"You cannot kill me," Voldemort replied arrogantly. He raised his wand. "Avada Kedavra."

Sirius watched as a blinding green light shot towards him. This was it. Find that snake James. He felt as if he had been hit by Hagrid and then there was nothing. He knew no more.

Voldemort stepped front and kicked Sirius' still body. "Well, it appears you weren't as tough as you thought you were Sirius Black. Nagini, my darling, I have some fresh meat for you," he called out lovingly.

James bit back a choked sob, as he watched the door frame light up with a green light and heard a thud. So that was it. Sirius was dead. He leant against the wall for a moment as he tried to process what had just happened. He had never accepted Sirius had died back in 1981. Now he was hoping for a miracle that the potion had worked. That the curse would become confused and attack the horcrux not his friend. But who was he kidding? He pushed his glasses over his head and wiped the tears from his eyes. But now was not a time for his grief. Now was a time for action. He had to find the snake and kill it. He needed to do it for the wizarding world. But he also needed to do it for Sirius, so his death wasn't pointless. So, his sacrifice wasn't worthless. His senses heightened as he heard something heavy slither towards him. This was it. He pulled the small knife from his pocket and clasped it tightly in his hand. He wasn't going to allow Voldemort to let his snake feast on his friend. Standing in the shadows, he allowed the snake to slither towards him. He took a breath, as he tried to steady himself. Come on James, he thought to himself. Sirius has done so much, he couldn't fail his late friend. He quickly bent down and seized the snake behind the head. It thrashed violently as he struggled to hold it. In one single action he stabbed the snake and poured the vial of blood into the wound. Throwing the snake high in the air he pulled out his wand. He thought of Sirius. He thought of Voldemort and what he had done. He allowed the anger to build.

"Avada Kedavra," he yelled, pointing his wand at the snake. There was a blinding green light and the snake fell with a large thud, motionless to the ground. He took a cautious step forward. There was a dark green smoke gently rising from the snake. He found a small smile, he had done it. The bastard was mortal.

"Nagini," Voldemort called out lovingly, as he stepped out into the corridor. "Where are you, my darling? I have a lovely meal for you." He stopped and looked down at the floor, and then up at James and let out a terrible scream.

Shit, James thought, I need to get out of here. Voldemort was at the top of his list of wizards he didn't want to cross and now he had killed his precious snake. He knew he couldn't apparite within the manor. He had to get to the door, but it seemed as though it was a million miles away.

"Avada Kedavra," Voldemort screamed, slashing his wand violently.

James dove behind a battered sofa. "Expelliarmus," he yelled, pointing his wand in Voldemort's general direction.

"Crucio," Voldemort yelled, almost hysterical.

James eyed the door, but there was no way he could get to it. He needed a distraction. He needed a miracle. "Confringo," he yelled, pointing at the ancient glass lamp, causing it to explode, causing glass to shatter across the room. But nothing seemed to stop Voldemort.

"Avada Kedavra." Another green bolt of light filled the room.

Crap, I'm going to die here. I'm not going to fulfil my end of the task. At least Lily will get the letter and pass the information on. He regretted not being as organised as Sirius and preparing letters for his loved ones. But he guessed Sirius knew he was going to die, while he thought he only might die. He may have had a chance against Voldemort with Sirius by his side, but now. Now there was no chance.

"Avada Kedavra," he yelled, pointing in the general direction.

"Avada Kedavra." Another curse from Voldemort, James felt his hair move as the curse blew past him. He could feel his world slow down. He felt his life flash before his eyes. But it wasn't over yet. He wasn't going down without a fight. He was going to fight until the very end. He was going to fight to the end for Lily, and Harry. For Remus. For the fate of the wizarding world. But most of all he would fight for Sirius. His best friend who made the ultimate sacrifice.

"Avada Kedavra," James yelled, rolling out from behind the sofa. He swore as he watched Voldemort dodge his curse.

Voldemort held up his wand. His red eyes glowing. "Goodbye James. Your son will be dead soon as well." A wicked smile played upon his thin lips. He raised his wand.

"Oi, Tom." A familiar yet, at the same time very different voice filled the room.