A/N: This is a rather long author's note… so Review Responses for Chapter 11 will be posted at the end of the chapter instead. If you don't want to read this portion, please skip down to the start of the chapter after the break.

So, my news… James and I have just found out that we are expecting a baby! This is much sooner than we anticipated and we're still a bit in shock, especially as we've only been married seven weeks – which is also, apparently, about how pregnant I am. We are absolutely thrilled at the prospect of becoming parents (James perhaps more so than me, at the moment, because he's not had to sick up virtually everything he's eaten in the past three weeks… morning sickness is horrendous and also, as it turns out, not limited to the morning hours).

You aren't really supposed to tell anyone before you are twelve weeks or so along… but I'm telling all my readers (because FanFiction is anonymous and I just can't not tell someone)! My mum would be exceedingly jealous. ;) It will be some time before we find out if baby is a boy or a girl… but I'll take name suggestions all around – I've nothing so far. Also, I do apologise in advance, because already this pregnancy has messed with my anticipated timing for updating this series. I have no intention of giving it up or delaying too long, but it might be difficult to accurately predict posting capabilities (at least as long as this morning sickness lasts).

So on that note… I hope you all enjoy Chapter 12! If you left a question in your last review, responses are below.

P.S.: The title of this chapter is a quote from Salomé, by Oscar Wilde: 'Le Mystère de l'Amour est plus Grand que le Mystère de la Mort' (English : the mystery of love is greater than the mystery of death).

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DISCLAIMER: Any and all familiar characters and story lines are the property of the wonderful Joanne Rowling, in whose world I am honoured and privileged to have an opportunity to play for a while.

Chapter 12: Le Mystère de l'Amour est plus Grand que le Mystère de la Mort

'I hope the adjustment to today's timetable is not too confusing for you,' Albus said graciously, as he ushered Harry into the circular study ahead of him after breakfast on Thursday. 'Severus had an errand to run this morning.'

'Not at all, sir,' Harry assured him, taking the cue to sit on the longest sofa. 'I'm always knackered after his lessons anyway – it's nice to have a reversal once in a while.'

'Indeed,' Albus agreed, eyes twinkling. 'And how has the wandless instruction been going?'

Harry shrugged. 'Alright, I think,' he said tentatively. 'We worked on shield charms last week, obviously, and Tuesday he mostly lectured. I don't know what he's got planned for this afternoon.'

He looked rather apprehensive at the thought. Albus smiled. 'No doubt whatever it is, you will perform it admirably,' he said encouragingly.

Harry blushed. 'I hope so, sir.'

'Albus,' the professor corrected.

'Albus.'

'So, on to a different subject,' the headmaster said brightly. He clapped his hands, and a full tea service appeared before them, complete with several choices of delicious-looking crumpets. Albus spread raspberry jam over his selection, nodding to Harry to help himself.

'I know we have just had breakfast,' he acknowledged. 'But I do find that conversations which impart an excessive dose of wisdom are best enjoyed over additional sustenance. It stimulates the mental faculties, you understand.'

Harry looked faintly amused as he buttered his own crumpet.

'So, Harry,' Albus continued, brushing excess jam onto a serviette, 'As I explained to you before, it is my intention to delve into several areas of deepest magic with you in these – for lack of a better descriptor – "lessons."'

Harry nodded, looking excited. Between the confusion of the previous week and Albus' commitments to the Ministry on the Sirius Black situation, they had not yet had a chance to meet for one of these sessions – outside their late-night discussion of Nimue's story.

'You have been learning a great deal about the patronus from Remus this summer,' he observed. I wonder if you can tell me – what type of magic would you say the Patronus Charm can be classified as?'

'Defence Against the Dark Arts,' said Harry at once.

Albus smiled. 'Yes,' he agreed. 'But it is more than that. What was Nimue's patronus to Arthur, according to legend?'

Harry wrinkled his forehead in thought. 'It was… his guardian. His protector, I guess.'

'Precisely,' the headmaster agreed, nodding. 'The patronus can be used as a specific defence, of course, but it is also one of the oldest known of the protective enchantments still in use today. Like all protective charms, the patronus is strongly associated with Love. The most powerful patronuses are cast when motivated by – or as protection for – those people that we love the most. You have a great affinity for protective magic. This is exemplified in your superb abilities with the shield charm. One day, you will cast a formidable patronus.'

He smiled again as Harry blushed. 'There are many different kinds of protective enchantments – some that protect people, others that guard buildings, locations or information. Protective magic that focuses on shielding an individual is usually classified within Defence Against the Dark Arts. Other protective spells are differently labelled. Wards, for instance, come in many varied forms. Some are taught at the most advanced level in Charms here at Hogwarts, others are rooted in Ancient Runes or even Arithmancy.'

'Are you going to teach me how to ward?' Harry asked, looking mightily impressed.

'Not today,' Albus clarified. 'But I am sure I shall, one day, when you are a little older. Today, I wanted to speak to you about a very old and advanced charm, which can be used to guard a Secret. It is called the Fidelius Charm.'

He paused a moment, carefully considering how best to proceed. He wanted to lay these pieces very cautiously; did not want to overload Harry with a thousand truths at once. He wasn't ready to tell him everything about that night… but perhaps, if he imparted this one bit of background knowledge, he could slowly build both of them to a place where they were ready.

As long as nobody else told him first.

'How does the Fidelius Charm work, sir?' Harry asked, breaking into the headmaster's thoughts.

'It is a complex enchantment that involves at least two people,' he explained. 'The person who wishes to "pass" the secret, so to speak, and the person who receives the information – the "Secret-Keeper." There can be multiples in either role, so long as there is at least one of each, and as long as the person who passes the information has a true and honest claim over the secret. The "passer" of the information or the Secret-Keeper can perform the charm, or else a third party may do so, if the persons involved are not capable of casting the enchantment. The fidelius charm is used exclusively to protect a fixed, physical location. Once performed, the location of whatever place is being protected – the "Secret" – is forever sealed inside the very soul of the person who fulfils the role of Secret-Keeper, unless that person chooses to divulge the information.'

'But, what if the Secret-Keeper can't talk at all?' Harry asked, confused. 'Or, what if they get tortured or something, or they go mad, and they start revealing it to everyone? What if they die?'

'The Secret-Keeper must enter into the charm voluntarily, and must be capable of revealing the secret – by speech or by any other form of communication – in order for the charm to take hold. It cannot be cast where the Secret-Keeper is not in possession of his or her mental capacities. The revealing of the secret can also only succeed if the revelation is voluntary; thus, it is impossible to torture, coerce, or charm the Secret-Keeper into breaking the vow, or even force the secret out of the Secret-Keeper by means of a powerful truth potion. Of course, if the information is written down by the Secret-Keeper, it is much harder to control revelations. People who receive the secret from the Secret-Keeper cannot reveal it themselves to further people. If a Secret-Keeper dies, anyone who has received the secret from that person becomes a Secret-Keeper in turn, and may then reveal the secret. The charm can also be reversed by the caster if, of course, the caster was not also the Secret-Keeper, or by the "passer" or that passer's heir, who maintains the claim to the protected location. And if the Secret-Keeper reveals the hidden location to any party who they know the information was intended to be kept from, the charm is broken. The charm derives its name from the Latin fidelis, which translates to "trustworthy and faithful." If the Secret-Keeper does not uphold this quality, the power of the charm is broken; for that trust – the Love that forms the central tenet of the charm's power – no longer exists.'

'It sounds… confusing,' Harry admitted.

Albus chuckled. 'It is,' he allowed. 'But, if performed correctly, the fidelius charm provides a powerful magical barrier – far more powerful than even the most advanced of wards. The secret is quite literally impossible to find – even if you were to be standing on the very threshold of the hidden property.'

'As long as the Secret-Keeper doesn't tell,' Harry pointed out.

'Yes,' Albus agreed, looking very seriously at the child. 'Like so many other protective enchantments, it is a magic that rests on the fickle nature of human emotion. And humans have a tendency to folly. Performing a fidelius charm requires that you put your faith, your trust, in the goodness of another's soul… in the strength of their love. Not everyone is capable of such a feat, on either side.'

'You keep talking about love,' Harry said, 'But I don't see it. It's about trust, really, isn't it?'

'They are two sides of the same coin,' Albus disagreed. 'Or, perhaps, trust is an extension of love… depending on how you look at it.'

'Trust can't be a part of love,' Harry disagreed. 'I don't love everyone I trust.'

'Do you trust everyone you love?' Albus asked, very intent now.

Harry hesitated.

'It is not an easy answer, is it?' Albus observed. 'Love… trust… even hate. They are strong and complex emotions; strong and complex magics. Most people cannot honestly describe, even to themselves, whom it is they love, or trust, or hate. And often, we feel some measure of all three for the same person. They are not feelings easily come by, and even less simple once they are present. Grappling with these emotions is a lifelong struggle, and I am afraid there are no shortcuts that I know of. But they yield powerful protections.'

'Like my mum?' Harry asked seriously. 'Like when she died, to protect me? You said that created a powerful protection – that was why you said I had to go back to… to Privet Drive.'

'Yes,' Albus said simply. 'The most powerful of all protections – sacrificial magic. Love magic. She tied her very blood to yours.'

'Love magic,' Harry repeated, looking contemplative. 'It's just so… I don't know. Hard to understand.'

'Love is the most mysterious, the greatest, and the most terrible of all magics,' Albus said quietly. 'Nothing can protect us more thoroughly; and nothing can destroy us more utterly.'

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The night was bitterly cold; frigid New Year air cutting their cheeks as they crept through the high banks of snow, huddled together beneath the cloak as much for warmth as for concealment. The two men did not talk as they advanced toward the house, but they didn't need to verbalise in order to remain in sync – they had passed that stage years ago. Sirius knew the man beside him better than he knew his own mind; was tuned to his very pulse.

As they crept along, Sirius wordlessly vanished their tracks in the deep snow. He knew their fogged breath could give them up just as easily, but the regular sweep of his wand every few feet gave his tension some measure of release.

There was a low-burning candle in the sitting room window; otherwise, the little house was in shadow.

'Muffliato,' James muttered, pulling at Sirius' wrist to bring him to a halt as they reached the edge of the garden.

Sirius looked sideways at his friend, surprised at the charm. It was hard to read James' expression in the darkness.

'Not thinking of starting without me, are we boys?' came a low voice in his ear.

Sirius jumped so violently, he nearly tore the cloak from around their shoulders. James started to shake with silent laughter, his fist pressed against his mouth.

'McKinnon!' he growled, pushing James slightly to shut him up. 'You sodding prick! You might have blown the whole scheme!'

'Ease up, Padfoot,' James said, finally recovering himself and straightening from his bout of hilarity. 'He got you good, mate.'

'Piss off,' Sirius muttered, aiming a half-hearted punch at James' stomach. He dodged the blow, mirth still dancing in his eyes.

'Where'd you get the cloak, then?' Sirius asked, as Sean McKinnon pulled the hood back a bit to wink roguishly at him.

'Nicked it from Mad-Eye,' he said shamelessly, shrugging out of the invisibility fabric. 'Weren't strictly necessary, mind – it's dark as Merlin's tomb out here… but it were too good an opportunity to pass up. That's for those doxy eggs you slipped in my soup last week.'

'You put a permanent sticking charm on my pants!' Sirius retorted, nettled. 'I had to beg Lily to get them off to have a wee… James standing there laughing his head off while I was basically starkers. I should've put dragon dung in your soup instead!'

'Well, you were snogging my sister, weren't you?' Sean pointed out, wagging an admonitory finger. 'Can't have that now, can we?'

Sirius ran a careless hand through his hair, pushing it out of his eyes. 'Couldn't help that, mate,' he said, with a wink. 'Marley… she's really grown since Hogwarts, you know? And I mean in all the right –'

He dodged quickly as Sean aimed for his nose. He didn't anticipate James' simultaneous stinging hex, and yelped a bit as it caught him straight in the bum.

'I wouldn't chance the sticky toffee pudding Marlene's fixing for tonight, Prongs,' Sirius muttered darkly, rubbing at the sting. 'And nicked my arse – no way you pulled one over on Moody, McKinnon. He lent it to you for the night?'

Sean shrugged, folding the fabric over one arm. 'Same thing really. And it was Dumbledore's idea. He thought there might be trouble. I told him there'd definitely be trouble if he was sending me to meet you up, but –'

'Enough,' said James, cutting into the conversation with an anxious glance back at the darkened house. 'Put the cloak back on, mate,' he said to Sean.

'No point, is there?' Sean disagreed. 'There's not but Culus here anyway, by the looks of it. Don't know why Dumbledore thought it'd be a four-man job to take him out.'

'Dumbledore said to capture him,' James reminded, pulling the cloak off himself and Sirius as well, and tucking it carefully into the folds of his winter cloak. 'We're not to kill him. His information could be useful. He's the best Potioneer they've got.'

'Marcus Culus would be most useful six feet under,' Sirius countered. 'Just stating the facts, Prongs!' he added with his hands up, as James turned a glare on him.

'Sirius and I will take the front entrance,' James said in a whisper. 'Who's supposed to be partnering you, Sean?'

'Peter,' Sean replied, with an anxious glance down at his watch. 'And he's late, again. I don't know where he's –'

But McKinnon was cut off as the front door of the house burst open with a blast that pulled it from its hinges. James yanked Sirius roughly out of the way as the oak panels shot directly at their heads, and Sean gave a howl of rage and pain as one trailing bit of metal cut sharply into his upper arm.

'Missing a friend?' a taunting female voice asked from the gaping hole.

Sirius regained his feet, heart thumping in panic, as the three men whirled to face the house with their wands drawn.

Bellatrix Lestrange stood framed in the tattered entryway, her wild black curls blowing about in the vicious January wind. Her beautiful face was twisted into a gleeful smirk that highlighted her manic zeal as, from behind her, hooded figures began to creep into the garden, wands out and faces hidden behind glinting golden masks. Sirius registered the danger in a foreign part of his brain – felt his heart accelerate again as they grew more and more outnumbered with the emergence of each cloaked Death Eater. But he could not embrace the panic. For, crouched at her feet, Bellatrix held a snivelling wizard by a tuft of mousy brown hair, her wand pressing an indentation into his Adam's Apple as he whimpered in terror.

'Wormtail!' James hissed, his jaw set as he stared at their captured friend.

'Yes, so nice of him to pop round this evening,' Bellatrix said, stroking the red-nailed hand that had been gripping Peter's hair along his forehead like she was soothing a fussing infant. 'Someone needs to pay a bit more attention to Mr Twycross, don't they?' she mocked. 'Destination, determination, deliberation, little Peter. Shall I show you how it's done?'

Bellatrix whipped out a silver dagger from the folds of her robes. Sirius recognised it at once – it had been a wedding gift from his own father when Bellatrix had married Rodolphus Lestrange, the year Sirius turned twelve. Bella, though only eight years his senior, had already been in service to Lord Voldemort.

She ran the flat of the blade down Peter's face. Sirius could see beads of perspiration rolling onto the silver as Wormtail's whimpering increased. At his jawline, the merest hint of red blossomed.

'Don't touch him!' Sirius growled furiously, raising his wand and pointing it directly at his cousin.

Around him, ten other wands rose immediately to fix on him. James turned his body so they were nearly back to back, while Sean began to back slowly toward them as well. Sirius thought he heard James mutter a spell as their shoulders touched, but the wall of looming wands was too much of a distraction to follow up.

'No,' Bellatrix commanded, raising the hand with the dagger to halt her companions' challenge. 'Not yet.'

She crouched low over Peter again from behind, running her hands provocatively over his chest and letting her dark hair whip his face. Her eyes never left Sirius' as she smirked evilly at him over Wormtail's shoulder, her hands now running across his waist. She bent as if to whisper in his ear, and caught the lobe between her teeth. Peter gave a muffled yelp as she bit down.

'Tastes of half-blood and fear,' Bellatrix crooned, her dark eyes still focused on her cousin as she nuzzled the side of Peter's face with her forehead. 'Shall we see if your grubby little friend can be taught how to apparate properly, my dear cousin?'

Before Sirius could do more than blink, Bellatrix had abandoned her torturous siren's song, flinging the silver dagger across the garden. In the next instant, she vanished both herself and Peter in the swirl of her cloak, reappearing almost soundlessly in the path of the spinning dagger, her eyes closed and both arms around Peter's chest.

'Wormtail!' James cried in horror, pulling back his arm to cast a defence. But the word had not even cleared his throat before the dagger whizzed past the pair, missing the edge of Peter's nose by millimetres and lodging in the wood of the garden fence.

'You see?' said Bellatrix in that same condescending whisper as she carded Peter's hair. 'You need convictions, little boy. Or you will never survive the dance of Death.'

James nudged Sirius in the side, his eyes fixed not on Bellatrix, but on the house behind her. His wand hand twitched a fraction higher. Sirius gave the tiniest of nods, his eyes still boring into Peter's terror-stricken ones… trying to convey some measure of comfort.

Bella was too busy continuing to toy with her prey to note the sudden attack; too comfortable in her superior numbers and too focused on her own vindictive games.

'Confringo!' James shouted, pointing his mahogany wand at the empty house.

The hex was powerful. It shot straight through the gaping hole of an entryway, into the heart of the house. The building exploded with a blast like cannon-fire, shooting bricks, glass and bits of wood in all directions as everyone threw themselves out of the way. Sirius, who'd been expecting the explosion, dove for Bellatrix just as the spell made contact, taking advantage of her fleeting distraction to snatch Peter from her side.

'No!' she shrieked, clawing at him. He blocked her with a spell and dragged Peter behind him.

Bellatrix gave a snarl of rage, slashing her wand through the air. He parried the cutting hex at the last moment, and a black-robed figure to his left was felled instead, his intestines coiling nauseatingly upon the ground as he keeled over.

'As usual, Bella, you duel better with words than with spells,' he taunted, spinning to avoid another hex and retaliating with his own.

'We shall see, blood traitor,' she spat back at him. 'Crucio!'

Sirius was forced to dive this time to avoid the unforgivable. Bella laughed, turning into the darkness and appearing behind him. Sirius only just managed to apparate himself and Peter farther back and out of the way.

'Lovely night for it!' Sean offered brightly, as Sirius and Wormtail appeared by his side.

He was duelling three at once, his wand slashing so quickly through the air it looked a blur. Below them, in the garden, Sirius saw James take down a pair of Death Eaters with a well-placed jinx, just as Bellatrix appeared at his back.

'Prongs – behind you!' Sirius bellowed.

James avoided her curse by inches, as the garden was bathed in bright green light.

'Get up and draw your wand, Wormtail!' Sirius snarled, his vision reddening with the heat of the battle and anger at his ruthless cousin. 'We are not going to die on the fringes.'

Even as he said it, a second jet of green light shot toward them, blasting Sean – still embattled in his treble-duel – completely off his feet.

'McKinnon!' Sirius shouted, diving for the falling body.

He knew it was already too late. Sean's eyes were wide and empty, his mouth half-open in surprise. There was no wisp of life in his face. Through the rushing of his own fury pounding against his ears, Sirius could hear Bellatrix's shriek of mirth as she celebrated her kill.

With a roar, Sirius jumped to his feet, blasting all three of Sean's erstwhile opponents with an impediment jinx in his rage. One did not move again as his head collided sickeningly with a cluster of bricks from the ripped-apart house, his mask slipping from his face on the impact. With a jolt, Sirius realised this man was their quarry – Marcus Culus.

Oops.

'Take the others,' he shouted over his shoulder at Peter. The two remaining Death Eaters were already dazed and battered – they shouldn't be a challenge. Below them, James was managing the other four and Bellatrix all on his own… and Sirius could see him fading. 'I'm going to Prongs.'

He barrelled down the hill, shooting curses in a nonstop barrage and dodging the counters. He did not dare to apparate, now that the battle had grown so chaotic.

'Fancy the left or the right?' James asked in a would-be casual voice, as Sirius pulled up alongside his back.

'Left I think,' Sirius quipped back, falling into step beside him and freezing a hulking form he thought might be Antonin Dolohov. 'I've never been much for the traditional choice.'

James gave a short laugh. For one brief, wonderful moment, it seemed all would be well in the world again. No matter that their school friend had just been cut down on the hillside. No matter that they were surrounded by blood and bodies. No matter that the Fates seemed to be shearing their strings with almost painful determination. James laughed – and for a moment they were fifteen again.

And then the world righted itself, and Sirius fell off the edge.

Bellatrix had apparated again, with the reckless, ruthless abandon only she could manage amidst a sea of carnage. She freed Dolohov with a slashed spell, and fired another Crucio at her cousin. Sirius dodged, just as Dolohov brought his own wand arm slicing through the air.

The undulating beam of violet struck James across the chest.

Sirius gave a cry of rage that caught in his throat, mangling into a gurgled sound somewhere between horror and fear. Abandoning all sense, he lunged for James' collapsing body, catching him around the waist and lowering him gently to the grass, resting his head against his own knee.

'Prongs!' he hissed, shaking James' shoulders gently.

He did not stir.

'PRONGS!' Sirius called, shaking more insistently. James' head flopped dully to one side against his knee, but he showed no sign of response. Sirius stopped shaking, fearful he might damage him more… if he wasn't… if he hadn't already been…

'Aw, poor ickle Siri, all on his onesie,' Bellatrix taunted, stepping catlike foot-across-foot as she circled them. 'No Mickey… no Jamie… and soon, no Wormy…'

Sirius snapped his head toward the hillside at the threat, where Peter was trying valiantly to hold his own against the two opponents. His round face was covered in sweat and fear as he battled, looking desperately close to defeat at every pause. With a giggle, Bellatrix took aim.

'No!' Sirius began to cry, torn between his place at James' side and his terror for Peter. He couldn't save them both.

He didn't have to.

Miraculously, at that moment, the garden was rent by the crackle of a dozen apparitions. Like edelweiss through mountain crags, Order members began popping up all over the scene, wands drawn and curses ready on their lips. Bellatrix was pulled at once into a blazing duel with Alastor Moody; Dedalus Diggle and Elphias Doge stepped in to assist Peter; and Minerva McGonagall, Fabian Prewett and Arthur Weasley began to battle with Dolohov and his companions.

Sirius registered the passing of immediate peril with only a fraction of his mind… the rest was fixed inexorably on the waxen face of his best friend; the barely detectable flutter of his heartbeat against Sirius' thigh.

He looked around in panic. How could they have left tonight without portkeys? Foolish, stupid thing to do. He could apparate them out – but he had no idea what sort of damage he might do to James if he transported him in this state. He had no idea what that curse had been.

A flash of white –

Sirius stopped roving the battle with his eyes as he saw it. Somehow, in silence, Albus Dumbledore had joined them. He was bent low over Sean McKinnon on the hill, his face obscured by his long curtain of silver-white hair. As if he could hear Sirius' distress telepathically, the headmaster snapped his head up, catching Sirius directly with his gaze before the latter could even shout for him.

In a flash he was at his side.

'Dumbledore,' Sirius breathed, cradling James' head even closer as the headmaster crouched down.

'What happened?' Albus asked, feeling for James' faint pulse at his neck.

'I don't – Dolohov –'

But he was cut off by an unearthly keen, as Alastor Moody collapsed into Dumbledore and all four of them were drenched in scarlet. There was so much blood, Sirius was momentarily unable to decipher what had happened to him. Then he registered that the torrent was streaming from Mad-Eye's leg, which had been blown clean off mid-thigh. The man was starting to shake in shock, even as Albus worked quickly to stem the flow.

Bellatrix gave a scream of triumphant laughter. Sirius drew his wand again, setting James' head gently on the ground and whirling to face her. But with a hiss, the mad woman grasped her left forearm.

'Come,' she said imperiously to Dolohov – the only other Death Eater still standing. In a swish of cloaks, both of them disappeared.

The battle was over.

'Alastor!' Minerva cried, dropping to her own knees beside the headmaster.

'I'm fine, Minnie,' the grizzled Auror tried to reassure her. She shushed him immediately, stroking back his sweaty hair while Dumbledore chanted a low incantation over the stump of his leg. The wound had stopped gushing now.

'Is there any chance of reattaching it?' she asked in a whisper, as the headmaster finished his work and Moody's eyes fluttered closed.

'No,' said Albus in a hard voice. 'It was a curse that severed it.'

He turned to face James again, laying a hand on his chest. Minerva's eyes followed him.

'James!' she hissed. 'What's –'

'Take the portkey and bring Alastor back to Hogwarts, Minerva,' Dumbledore said urgently, not turning his head from James' still form. 'He will need to see Poppy immediately. We will join you shortly.'

Minerva nodded, her face very white as she fumbled for the golden chain beneath her robes.

'Professor,' Sirius called, his own voice cracking. 'Get – get Lily, would you?' he asked.

Minerva's eyes fell again to James, whose body was now glowing under Dumbledore's diagnostic. She gave Sirius a grim nod, and vanished with the still-unconscious Mad-Eye.

'Albus, what –' came a new voice.

Elphias Doge had joined the grouping, at the head of the straggling Order fighters. All were a little bloodied and battered, but nobody else appeared mortally wounded. Peter was being supported on one side by Arthur Weasley, but he seemed intact for the most part. A fraction of the heaviness in Sirius' heart relaxed.

'Everyone back to the castle,' said Dumbledore, cutting across his friend as he read quickly through the little scroll of parchment. 'Sirius – we have to move him. He needs care I cannot provide here.'

'Should – should I apparate him, sir?' Sirius asked, grasping James by the shoulders again.

Albus shook his head. 'I will take him myself,' he said. 'He is in a very delicate state, and I can apparate him straight inside – I removed the ward before leaving tonight.'

Sirius nodded, allowing Dumbledore to relieve him at James' head. They vanished soundlessly.

'You can come with me,' Arthur offered, pulling his own portkey from beneath the neck of his cloak and offering the chain to Sirius.

Sirius nodded gratefully, taking the golden loop without a word. In seconds, he felt the familiar pull beyond his navel as he was whisked back home.

The hospital wing was in chaos upon their arrival. Madam Pomfrey had sectioned off the back portion of the ward to receive patients from the Order, with soundproof curtains shielding the adults from whatever students might be convalescing over the holiday. The matron herself was bent over Alastor Moody in a corner bed, carefully examining his wound. Mad-Eye, Sirius was pleased to see, had regained some of his normal ruddy complexion and was conscious once more, grumbling in irritation at Poppy's ministrations and trying to ward off Hestia Jones, who was assisting the matron in coaxing additional blood replenishing potion into the Auror.

James was on the other side of the ward, where a healer in St Mungo's robes that Sirius recognised as Lancelot Prewett was hastily measuring out steaming potions on the bedside table while Dumbledore spelled them into James' stomach. They had connected him to magical supports – a shimmering oxygen haze was floating over his face while golden numbers above his head flashed vitals that terrified even Sirius' untrained mind. Somebody had removed his robes, and James was naked from the waist up. His abdomen was a sea of horrifying purples and reds. The sight turned Sirius' own stomach.

'Did someone reach Lily?' he croaked, hovering at the foot of the bed where Elphias Doge was watching the scene with a grave expression. He was afraid to distract the healer or the headmaster from their efforts. Elphias placed an aged hand over his, squeezing with surprising strength.

'Minerva's gone to floo her,' he whispered back. 'She should be here any moment.'

Sirius nodded once, not trusting his voice any longer. They watched the healing in silence for several long minutes, until at last the healer straightened up, wiping his brow as Dumbledore spelled the last of the brews into James' still unmoving body.

'He'll live,' he said grimly, answering the question in Sirius' eyes. 'But it will not be an easy recovery. That curse was among the most vicious I have ever encountered – he's lucky to have survived it.'

'Thank you,' breathed Sirius. He waited for Dumbledore's nod of approval, then moved closer to the bed. He hovered a hand above James' head, afraid to interfere with the magical monitors.

'Just take his hand,' Albus suggested in a soft and understanding voice.

Sirius nodded, following the suggestion. James' fingers were ice cold.

'It's alright, Prongs,' he muttered, stroking the back of his hand. 'It's going to be fine now. Lily's on her way.'

As if on cue, Sirius heard the bang of the hospital door as someone threw it ajar. Hurried footsteps clicked against the marble floor, and moments later Lily threw herself through the curtains. Her beautiful face was ashen and terror-stricken, her dark red hair flying madly around her face as she rushed to her husband's side. Sirius moved out of the way at once.

'Oh, Jamie!' she cried, taking up the hand Sirius had released and running the fingers of her other carefully down his cheek. Her eyes flicked up to the monitors at once, taking in the vitals.

'What happened?' she demanded, turning furious green eyes on Sirius. 'I thought this was to be a routine capture?'

'They knew, Lils,' said Sirius darkly. He didn't move to correct her temper – she had every right to be furious. 'They knew we were coming for him. They had almost a dozen others hidden in the house. I don't know how –'

'That,' the headmaster interrupted, coming up to the other side of the bed and conjuring himself, Sirius and Lily chairs with a wave of his wand, 'Is precisely the relevant inquiry.'

Sirius frowned at Dumbledore. Lily's eyes blazed, though the hand she kept on her husband's brow was exceedingly gentle.

'You think someone gave them the information,' she said, bluntly. 'You think there is a traitor in the Order.'

'Yes,' Dumbledore admitted. 'It is the only explanation that makes sense. There were far too many Death Eaters for coincidence.'

'It's true,' Sirius agreed. 'And the house was in darkness when we arrived – they were intending an ambush. It was lucky that you thought to send a second set of partners, sir, or we'd never have stood a chance.'

'Lucky that someone alerted Albus,' Lily said darkly, stroking back a lock of James' dark hair.

'Prongs did,' Sirius informed her, remembering. 'Just after Bellatrix and the others came out of the house. He sent his patronus.'

'Who did this?' Lily asked quietly.

'Dolohov,' Sirius replied. 'He hit him with a curse I've never seen before – some sort of violet wave. It was slow moving, but we didn't see it in time. I don't know what it did, exactly.' He looked expectantly up at the headmaster, who cleared his throat.

'A curse of his own invention,' Dumbledore explained. 'I had not seen it either. Its purpose seems to be to melt the internal organs – like a blood boiling hex, but much, much stronger.'

'Melt –' Lily repeated in a high pitched squeal, terror redoubling in her eyes.

'Do not worry, child,' Dumbledore said soothingly. 'We were in time. He will have to take a series of unfortunately nasty potions for several weeks, but James will make a full recovery. He should be quite well enough to hold his child.'

Sirius started up from his contemplation of James' monitor, looking so sharply from the headmaster to Lily he felt a painful protest from the muscles in his neck.

'What did you say?' he breathed, addressing Dumbledore but looking intently at Lily. 'Hold his – his what?'

Lily bit her lip, a light blush colouring her cheeks. 'How did you know?' she asked Albus in a whisper.

The headmaster smiled. 'My dear,' he said softly, 'I could tell the moment you appeared tonight. His aura is intermingled with your own.'

'His?' Lily repeated, her voice heavy with emotion.

'Indeed,' Dumbledore agreed, inclining his head. 'Your son will be a powerful wizard. And as brave and kind as his parents, I have no doubt.'

'You're… you and James… you're having a baby?' Sirius clarified, still feeling like someone had just clubbed him round the head.

Lily smiled. 'Yes, and not a word to James, Sirius,' she lectured. 'I haven't told him yet.' She surveyed him doubtfully for a moment. 'Come to think of it, I should probably just charm it out of your memory. Definitely the safer option.'

Sirius threw up his hands in mock defence. 'I can't keep something like this from him, Lils!' he complained, as Dumbledore made his way across the ward to see to the battle over Alastor's recovery. 'You're gonna have to tell him straight away, or I'll blow it for sure.'

'Tell me what?' came a soft voice between them.

Both Sirius and Lily quieted at once, leaning over the bed. James' eyes were hazy with pain and potions, but he smiled a bit as he took in their anxious faces.

'Easy, loves,' he said croakily. 'You're not going to be shot of me so easily.'

He raised a hand as if to smooth the worry lines from Lily's brow, but let it fall halfway there with a hiss.

'What, what is it, darling?' asked Lily at once, as Sirius called for Dumbledore again.

'Stomach,' James groaned. 'It's fine – just a bit sore.'

'And will be for a while, I fear,' said Albus, coming back over to join them. His eyes were sparkling as he took in James'. 'It is good to see you awake, dear boy,' he said, smiling down at him with a fatherly indulgence. 'You gave us all quite the fright.'

'I apologise, sir,' said James formally. 'I'm afraid we made a right mess of it.'

'Not at all,' Albus disagreed. 'You were hardly to blame. You just concentrate on getting well now.'

James grimaced. 'How long do I have to stay in here?' he asked, the hint of a boyish whinge colouring his tone. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled even more brightly.

'A week or so, I think, if I can work on Poppy's good nature,' he said, anticipating James' groan. 'I should consider myself lucky – with any other, she'd likely keep you to bed for a month. But I daresay you will be in excellent hands at home.' He inclined his head at Lily. 'Would you like something for the pain?'

'In a moment,' agreed James. Though he was smiling, Sirius could read the strain behind his eyes. 'I don't want to be knocked out again quite yet.'

Dumbledore nodded his understanding, laying a hand on James' arm. 'Do not push it too long,' he warned. 'You need rest to heal.'

'Yes, sir.'

'It's Albus, James,' the headmaster corrected, stroking his arm once more as he moved to return to Alastor. 'I dare say waging a war together ought to put us on more familiar terms.'

James smiled as the headmaster took his leave, before shifting his focus again to his wife and Sirius.

'So, what was it you were going to tell me?' he asked, shifting just a bit against the pillow.

'Tomorrow, Jamie,' Lily said, carding her fingers gently through his hair again. 'You need to –'

'You're going to be a Daddy!' Sirius burst out.

The next second he had bolted for the cover of the matron's office, dodging Lily's furious hexes as she pursued him.

'Sirius Orion Black!' she screeched behind him, sending another blaze of red over his right shoulder. 'I will murder you!'

'Oi!' James protested, trying valiantly to hoist himself up from the bed with an expression of mingled shock and amusement that quickly evaporated into pain.

'That is QUITE enough!' Madam Pomfrey protested, emerging from the curtains that had been pulled around Alastor's bed with a furious glare. Dumbledore, Minerva, and Arthur Weasley followed her, their expressions ranging from naked surprise to high amusement. 'You two – stop this ruckus at once!' she snapped at Lily and Sirius, as Minerva disarmed both. 'And you, Mr Potter,' she continued, turning to James and looking likely to breathe fire, 'You lie back and stay quiet – before I knock you out and spell you to that bed with a permanent sticking charm.'

James obeyed at once, collapsing back against the pillows. The little colour that had returned to his cheeks had quickly drained again with the effort of sitting upright, and Sirius regretted his outburst as he and Lily rushed back to his side.

'Prongs, I'm sorry, mate,' he apologised, sinking into one of the conjured chairs. 'I shouldn't be teasing right now.'

James ignored him, his eyes glued to Lily. 'We're going to have a baby?' he asked her, his eyes all tenderness.

'A son,' she breathed back. Her own eyes shone with unshed tears. Very, very carefully, she leaned in to kiss him lightly on the lips.

'So mind you two take better care of yourselves,' she chided him, straightening up and brushing at her cheeks. 'I don't want our son to grow up without his father.'

'Of course, love,' James said obediently.

'Or his godfather,' Lily added, turning to face Sirius.

'Godfather?' he repeated stupidly, nonplussed.

'Of course,' said James, smiling too. 'What, you thought we'd leave you out of the fun?'

Sirius beamed. 'I'm gonna make sure he gives you hell,' he warned. 'Broomsticks for every birthday, and a lifetime supply of dungbombs and biting teacups.'

'I wouldn't expect anything less,' James said seriously.

Lily rolled her eyes. 'I doubt he'll need much help there, James,' she pointed out darkly. 'He's your son.'

James laughed again, pure joy in his face…

And then his eyes grew glassy and vacant, the rosy tint leaving his cheeks.

And the bed was gone, and the hospital, and the warm glow of family and friends, and the walls of Hogwarts.

And James was lying in a blown apart entryway, his limbs askew and his glasses smashed on the floor – still, and lifeless.

And Lily was no longer radiant with pride and pregnancy, but cold as ice, her curtain of red hair a shroud.

And Harry was gone.

And Sirius was alone.

He woke with a start, gasping for breath and drenched in cold sweat. He was under a large beech tree at the edge of the lake, where he, James and Remus had laughed and relaxed in happier times. He couldn't remember falling asleep, but the dream he recalled only too well. It had been this way ever since he'd left that godforsaken island. Night after night, memories that had long faded with the years spent in the Dementors' company returned, more vividly than he'd ever known them. But they always twisted… they always succumbed to reality.

With a groan, Sirius pushed himself up against the trunk. It was growing colder; darker. He was momentarily surprised – it couldn't have been more than mid-morning when he'd fallen asleep… had he slept through to dusk?

And then he recognised the sensation, at almost the same time that he saw the first of the wraiths gliding toward him around the lake.

He scrambled hurriedly to his feet in panic – it was time to go. He never should have left the safety of the forest. Sirius took three steps before realising another horrible truth: it had happened again; he'd transformed back in his sleep.

Shite.

He'd be no match for them in this state.

With rising panic, he flung himself toward the distant trees, making the change mid-flight. He could only pray that they would abandon their hunt.

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'Call it to you, Potter, it's not that difficult!' Snape snapped.

'I'm trying!' Harry growled back irritably. Beads of sweat were sprouting along his brow as he focused with all his might on the copy of Draughts and Remedies that Snape had thrown to the floor at his feet. The distance was but two feet, but the book lay stubborn and immobile.

'It just… won't… move!' he groaned, gritting his teeth as he focused on the book again.

He was growing more and more frustrated with this rubbish assignment; and with Snape, who was still snarling at him from his place at the front of the classroom.

'Argh!' Harry shouted, flinging his arms over his head in temper.

There was a sound of crashing glass, and Harry wheeled about to see that several of the slimy jars that lined the middle shelf had exploded, oozing their contents onto the floor. Snape set the mess to rights with a wave of his own wand before turning his furious gaze back to Harry.

'Control!' Snape barked, advancing on him. 'This is an exercise in control, Potter, as much as ability. If you continue to work yourself into temper you will accomplish nothing!'

'I'm trying!' Harry repeated, with a bit more ire than he'd intended. At Snape's glower, he quickly softened his tone. 'It won't come to me, sir,' he said. 'No matter how hard I try. But, er, I am sorry about the shelves,' he added, with an apologetic nod toward the back wall of the classroom.

Snape rolled his eyes. 'You're missing the point, Potter. Again,' he spat.

Harry bristled, though he'd only just told himself to calm his temper. 'How can I be missing the point, sir?' he said. 'You told me to summon the book: that's what I'm trying to do! It won't move off the floor! And you just stand there, shouting at me to –'

'Enough!' Snape interrupted.

Harry snapped his jaw shut. He was afraid he might have pushed too far… but he continued to glare at the Potions master with his arms crossed all the same. Snape rubbed at the bridge of his nose for a moment.

'Once again, you give in to your tendency for the dramatic – the cacophonous and the chaotic. This is exactly the danger in practising wandless spells so young; why it drains the magical core. You do not understand the delicate distinctions. Wandless magic is not a power of brute force, you imbecile. It is a study in precision. This is not about powering more into the spell, it is about conducting your energy correctly.'

'How am I supposed to do that?' Harry challenged, exasperated. 'I've never even done this spell with a wand,' he pointed out.

Snape shook his head. 'That is immaterial,' he said dismissively. 'The entire point of this exercise is to get you to learn how to push past the need for incantations. The summoning charm is a simple spell – and its intent is similarly straightforward. It should be an easy enough place to start.'

'But I've never done nonverbal magic!' Harry moaned.

Snape's glare intensified – he hated whinging.

'Of course you have, you incorrigible child!' he scolded. 'You will not learn traditional nonverbal spellwork until your final years at Hogwarts, but every wizard has done wordless magic. All accidental magic is nonverbal; innate magic is often nonverbal; it is a fundamental principal of what I have been trying to teach you!'

'What do you mean, traditional nonverbal spellwork?' Harry challenged. 'How many different ways to do this are there?'

'You will address me as 'Sir' or 'Professor' at all times, Potter!' Snape hissed.

'Sorry, sir,' Harry corrected, with as little rancour as he could manage.

He felt sticky, hot and exhausted with the futile effort of forcing nonverbal, wandless magic. It was making him more irritable than usual… a dangerous occurrence in Snape's presence.

Snape continued to glower darkly, but he answered Harry's query.

'Magic is not a stagnant element, Potter,' he clarified. 'There are immeasurable facets to magic, and innumerable theories and methods of practice. We have already discussed innate magic and its relative relationship to accidental casting and wandless ability. You know from the headmaster that the wand is used to harness the magical core, and incantations and wand movements are the tools by which we cast traditional spells, correct?'

Harry nodded.

'It is possible to cast without speaking,' Snape continued. 'You have, no doubt, seen it done many times now. That is usually nonverbal magic in the traditional sense – that is, a wizard thinks the incantation, but does not say it aloud. Casting this way can give you an advantage in a duel, as it is much more difficult to discern what spell a silent wizard will cast. There are also some disadvantages, of course. You must be very focused on the specific incantation, and nothing else, to cast the spell. In addition, nonverbal magic is often less powerful than spoken incantation, though that is often a corollary to the previously mentioned issue of developing sufficient focus. All wizards of sufficient talent can be taught to cast nonverbally with their wands. Those who have a talent for wandless magic can also do so without their wands, as it follows the same general theory.

'Non-traditional nonverbal casting, on the other hand, is always wandless, and shares more in common with innate magic like that involved in childhood episodes of accidental magic. It involves harnessing the willpower to accomplish what you wish to do, by bending magical elements to your command.'

He paused, rubbing again at his temple. 'Perhaps I have jumped too far along in attempting this exercise with you today. I shall speak to Minerva about covering the Summoning Charm with you in the traditional sense – and we will approach it again at a later date. Perhaps sometime before your birthday.'

Snape sneered the word, and Harry knew why. Dumbledore had brought up that there was only a fortnight to go at breakfast just this morning. But he didn't care if Snape was teasing him. For only the second time in his life, he was looking forward to 31 July – and not even Snape could ruin that for him.

'Mrs Weasley says it's good luck for wizards to be born at the end of the month,' Harry offered, deliberately letting his excitement show.

'Does she?' asked Snape in a bored tone, flipping through a pile of parchment on the desk.

'Yup,' said Harry, grinning. 'She says there's a saying about it: Death of the month brings the best of the bunch. She says I'm doubly lucky, because I was born as the seventh month died – and seven is the most powerfully magical number.'

To Harry's surprise, Snape's shoulders stiffened, and his face seemed to drain suddenly of colour. He looked sharply up from his desk, fixing Harry with a hard obsidian stare.

'What did you say?' he asked, his voice low and uncharacteristically rough. Harry stared.

'My birthday's at the death of the seventh month – you know, July,' he said with a frown. 'Seven's supposed to be the most power–'

'You should not put such store in puerile superstitions!' he barked, with an abrupt return to his usual disposition. 'We will continue, now, with the –'

Snape was interrupted, as a brilliant silver phoenix suddenly materialised in the centre of the room.

'Severus,' the phoenix spoke, in Albus' soft, urgent voice. 'He is in the grounds.'

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Severus stared for one long moment at the place where Dumbledore's patronus had vanished –startled into numb shock at its missive. Then, as quickly and suddenly as that day he'd stood over Lily's lifeless body, he felt the torrents of murderous rage consume his very soul.

The idiot had come to the school… Did he think himself capable of facing the headmaster – wandless and weak with years at the Dementors' tender mercies? Did he think he would survive Severus' fury?

Vengeance would be his.

He turned so quickly for the door, he momentarily forgot the boy's presence.

'Who's in the grounds?' Potter quoted in confusion, staring in turn at the now-empty hearthrug.

'Do not leave this room!' Severus snapped, whirling about to glare at the boy. 'Do not practise magic, do not floo, do not move. And do not open the door until I return for you.'

'I don't –'

'This is not a debate, Potter!'

'But who –'

'It does not concern you,' said Severus smoothly, schooling his expression into cold indifference once more. 'You will do as I say, or you will sincerely regret your disobedience.'

But Potter's eyes had gone wide, his jaw set. 'It's him, isn't it?' he said, as Severus made toward the door again. 'It's Sirius Black?'

Severus gave him a steely glare from the threshold. 'As I said, it is no concern of yours,' he repeated. 'You are to remain here until I return. Have I made myself clear?'

Potter looked annoyed, but he nodded begrudgingly. Severus inclined his head with one more pointed glare, and swept from the room.

He spelled the door closed, just in case.

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REVIEW RESPONSES (CH. 11):

Babascoop: Thank you for your review and comments! I'm glad you enjoyed the short journey to Nuremberg – we will be back before the end of summer hols. I'm sorry you didn't think much of the Hermione bit… I actually originally only wrote her letter to Harry – this entire chapter, originally, was a series of post or letter-writing scenes. But I did not like the format when I edited, and so Hermione's was the only letter I ended up leaving with its contents intact (others were moved/removed, etc.). It seemed odd to leave the letter on its own, so I expanded the scene a little. It is a 'previously on' section in many ways – but it is also meant to give insight into how much Hermione shares (and does not share) with her parents, as well as a start of some independent character development for her. I agree it wasn't the most interesting tidbit, but necessary for foundational purposes. Finally, the Weasleys… yes, you are correct in your instincts – Bill will be a recurrent POV character throughout the series, and will play a role in the story (increasingly so as the series moves forward).

AlsoKnownAsMatt: Thank you for your review and comments! I'm glad you are enjoying the story thus far and appreciate you sharing your thoughts (both positive and constructive). I understand your concern about the A/Ns and review responses… but I also think it strange leaving a 'preface' to the chapter at the end of the actual instalment (although I know many other fanfic authors post in that manner), and I don't like to take away from those who have reviewed by not publishing the responses… I try to caution when comments are set to be long (or when they include spoilers) and there is a pretty obvious break where the chapter starts; so I guess ultimately I feel that those who don't want to read the notes and responses can scroll pretty quickly to the start of the actual chapter. However, I'll try to make the break more obvious in future, and I will start posting review responses at the end of the chapter where (like today) my A/N is particularly long. Your point on the German is well-taken (and probably correct). I just could not resist; it was far too much fun to dialog between Gellert and Lakai. I suppose in retrospect I probably should have done so in English – I might go back and change it.

LordTicky: Thank you! : )

Shadowhunter: Thank you for your review, and I'm glad you are enjoying the story so far! No Harry last time – I wanted to have a look at happenings outside the school… but he's back this chapter! I don't want to say too much on the Severus/Sirius front, except to point out that while Severus certainly looks after Harry in his own way (particularly now), he also at times treats him quite badly… verbally, at least. Don't get me wrong, Snape certainly has good intentions, but he is definitely (as he self describes) 'in the grey'. Your points on Sirius's psyche are absolutely meritorious… but throw in the fact that Sirius's concerns could seem valid in light of some of the things Severus says to Harry (if you only have part of the story) … and we're in for one significant mess.

Anyeshabaner: Thank you for your review! Sorry for the long wait – hopefully this is a more suitable timeline. We'll see about that missive – certainly it has to do with the current situation and the agreement between Dumbledore and Grindelwald. We'll see him again before the summer's out. Everyone seems so excited for that confrontation (Sirius v. Severus)… I promise, we're headed that direction eventually, but we're not quite there (this is more marathon than sprint). We may, however, see more backstory where the two of them are concerned.

Leonore: Glad you enjoyed it! The Grangers are not named in canon to my knowledge, but Hermione's middle name is given as Jean, which was where I drew the idea for her mum's. We will certainly see more of Bill (and I'll see what I can do re: your request!).