Once the news of Voldemort's run-in with the Order had spread, nearly all the establishments of Diagon and Knockturn Alley decided to close up early for the night, including the Leaky Cauldron. But the Marauders, who were feeling very much in need of a drink, decided to break into the pub with a little help from a cracked-open window and Peter's rat form to pour themselves some butterbeers. Lily, though disapproving, was needled into joining them after a talk with Remus.
The five of them sat together at a corner table with their illegally-acquired butterbeers, Sirius in particular downing his drink as if he were dying of thirst. "I think I need something stronger," he murmured, setting down his nearly-empty mug. "They don't have firewhiskey here, do they?"
"Don't think so, mate," James said. He reached his arm around the back of Lily's chair, loving the warmth of her neck and the feeling of her hair brushing against his skin. "Think they've got some good meads here, though."
"I might have to go looking for one of those." Sirius rose to his feet, then immediately froze up and fell back into his seat again. James followed his gaze to find a cloaked man walking silently across the pub towards them; he had no idea how he possibly could have gotten in—wizards couldn't Apparate into establishments like the Leaky Cauldron—though the fact that the cloaked man happened to be the most powerful Dark wizard alive certainly helped to explain it.
James drew his wand, as did the others; Voldemort responded by raising his hands in a placating gesture. "I am not here to hurt you," he said.
"You'll forgive us for not taking you at your word," James replied, his arm tightening around Lily.
Voldemort stepped closer. "I've come with an offer for all of you," he told them. "An offer leave Dumbledore and his Order and join me instead."
James was so surprised he nearly dropped his wand. "Join you?" Lily echoed.
"I have heard quite a bit about the five of you from my Death Eaters." Voldemort took the empty seat at the head of the table; no one else moved a muscle. James had the very uncomfortable sense that the Dark Lord could stop their hearts with the snap of his fingers. He didn't have his wand out, but that certainly didn't make him any less dangerous. "Top of your class at Hogwarts, never cared much for following the rules. You would never have to worry about rules again if you joined me." He tapped his long, thin fingers against the wood of the table. "Your showing today in Knockturn Alley was impressive, but there is so much more that I could teach you." He looked directly at Lily, then at Peter. "And of course, the Muggle-borns among you would be safe from any harm they may be fearing."
"Fearing from you," Lily retorted through her teeth. "You think Peter and I are cowardly enough to turn against our friends for your protection? We'd rather die." Peter gulped.
Voldemort raised his chin at her. "Brave words," he said. "But foolish ones, too."
"I don't give a rat's bloody arse if they're foolish," Lily growled. "Your Death Eaters murdered my best friend."
"They took my brother from me, too, you shit." Sirius had climbed up onto the table, brandishing his wand at Voldemort. "Avada Kadavra!" he yelled. Nothing happened.
Voldemort's face twisted into a cruel, lifeless laugh. "You have to mean it, boy. And even if you did, you must know I'm harder to kill than that. But your message is clear: you'd rather die with the Order than join me and live."
"Gladly," said James.
"Very well." Voldemort rose and stepped back, his voice thin as melting ice. "I promise you, one day you will come to regret your decision tonight."
"I don't think we will, actually," said Remus quietly.
James looked to Remus, just for a moment, and when he turned back the Dark Lord was gone, almost as if he'd never been there at all.
