Word count: 1715

Chapter 3

"Who… Who are you? And what have you done to James?"

"Me? My name is Voldemort. As for what I've done to your precious James? Nothing yet, but as I've said, that depends entirely of you…"

Lily was suddenly very awake, her mind running through a hundred ideas of what would happen now depending on what she answered. However, in the split second it took her to realize exactly what had been said, her mind was overwhelmed with relief. James was alive.

"What… What do you want me to do?" Her mouth was dry and though she knew what she was doing was wrong, she couldn't help it. There was a small chance she could be with her husband again, and she would never forgive herself if she didn't take it.

"For now? Nothing. But Lily, one day I'll ask you to do something for me, and you will do it. And who knows, maybe if you do it right, you'll get to see your husband one more time."

"Why me? Why did you have to take him?"

"Why not? You'd do anything for him, wouldn't you? I know you would."

"I…"

"You wouldn't? Poor James, dead because his wife wouldn't save him… What a shame…"

"Don't you dare touch him!"

"Such fire… I guess that means there is hope for him yet. He will be so relieved to know he can live another day. That is, if you agree to do a few things for me, when I ask you to do them."

Lily didn't answer, her mind too busy thinking of what-ifs and what-could-bes.

"You have nothing to say? This offer won't stay open forever you know. I'd hate to have to part with your charming husband for something as insignificant as your indecision. I heard the Thames was very nice in this season… Do you think he would like to take a swim? Or perhaps we could try something else… What do you think Lily?"

"Please, don't touch him. I'll do it, I'll do anything you ask. Just don't harm him."

"How can I resist when you're asking so nicely? I knew you had it in you Lily," Voldemort said from the other end of the line and Lily couldn't help but shiver in disgust at his tone. He was talking like what she was doing was something to be proud of but in fact Lily had never felt worse in her entire life.

"And when I've done what you want, you'll release him, right?" Lily bit her lips, but even the hope that she may see him again was enough to ease her worries – a little.

"Of course, but as I said, it depends entirely on how well you complete the task I will give you. If you help me, then there is absolutely no reason for me not to help you, don't you think?"

Lily let out a long breath. She could do this.

"Yes, yes, of course you're right. Whatever it is, I'll do it. I told you I would and I will."

"That's great," the man said before he whispered something at someone else. She can't hear what it was, but she waited until he talked to her again. "Oh, and Lily? I trust you won't tell a word of our little chat here? You know how annoying the police can be, and I really don't want to have to deal with them. Who knew what would happen to James if I had to run?"

The menace was clear, and Lily nodded as she answered. "I won't say anything to anyone."

"Good."

The line went silent and Lily was left with week knees and a mind running far too fast to her liking. She sat heavily on the sofa she had been sleeping on until a few minutes ago and stared down at the still opened phone in her hand.

She had been confident on the phone – she had had no other choice but to say yes, to tell that man she would do anything he asked. Of course, she would do anything for James but that's because she loves him. But as she sat still, her eyes staring unseeing through a window, she thought that maybe she had just made a mistake. Not in saving (maybe?) James' life, but in swearing hers to the man who had kidnapped him and talked about murder like it was nothing.

The night lightened slowly, until the sun casted its yellow light on her. It didn't lighten her thoughts however and she was still sitting in the same place when Sirius knocked on her door.

oO-Oo

"Inspector Moody?"

"Yes Frank, what is it?" Moody asked, turning around so he could face the newcomer.

Moody was a war veteran who had lost one of his legs during the Gulf War and so had had to retire. Now, he wore a prosthesis which allowed him to walk almost normally, but the army had understandably refused to take him back. Since he couldn't be a soldier anymore, Moody had decided that policeman would do.

"I did as you asked, with Mrs. Potter's phone and… It was as you said. He called," Frank said nervously. After all, just because he had agreed to put a bug in Lily's phone didn't mean he approved of the initiative. But James had been a good friend of his, and Moody was his superior, and when he said that doing this would help them find what had happened to James, well Frank had no choice but to obey.

"What did he say?" Moody asked, suddenly focused.

"You'll want to hear this," Frank stated as he waved a small disk. He had stayed up all night because Moody had told him Voldemort – if he really was the one behind the whole thing – might call Lily Potter.

It had been boring, and after a while he had really thought nothing would happen, that the message found painted in blood on the bedroom's wall in the Potter's house had been just a coincidence. Of course, just when he had been thinking of going for his four cup of coffee – he needed it to stay awake after all – someone had called Lily.

He had recorded the whole conversation and it really had given him the creeps, to say the least. He had been glad to hear James was alive, because they had become good friends quickly and he always thought the younger man would make an amazing policeman once he became more used to the job. Plus, James and his wife Lily, had been at his wedding, and Lily had been one of Alice's bridesmaid. He also knew the two women had planned to make each other the godmother of any eventual children they'd have.

He wouldn't wish what Lily was going through on anyone and though he knew she wouldn't, he really wished she would come to them for help. Because that's what they were for, helping her. Well, that and getting rid of Voldemort and his organization.

"Thank you, Frank. If this is all, you should go back home. You look like you need the sleep, and if this-" he took the disk and shook it, "means what I think it does, then you will really need it."

Frank didn't leave immediately; he lingered around his desk, taking in the small photography of his wedding day he left here. Beside him stood James, smiling cheerfully at Frank as he clapped his back, the instant frozen on paper.

It was then he knew he had to do something, anything to help his friends. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if he didn't try at least one thing. But he couldn't go see Lily himself, not immediately at least, especially since it was just after Voldemort had finally made a move. She would be watched and because this affair was important, so would he be.

The sun hadn't begun to set yet when he left the building, but he could see the night was coming to an end. It was looking at the night sky he remembered that James had a friend, another policeman who worked with him, and that this friend wouldn't be watched – because he wasn't on the case.

He fished his phone out of his pocket and rolled down the contact list. He knew it was there somewhere… Ah, there it was. Sirius Black.

Should he call? It still was very early, after all. He hesitated another instant, and then he realized that with the news he would give him, Sirius would surely forgive him for waking him a bit earlier.

"Allo, Sirius? Frank here. I don't know if you remember me, but…"

"Frank? Of course I remember you, but why are you calling me now? Have you seen the hour? It's like five in the morning, couldn't it wait?"

"No it couldn't. Sorry I woke you up, but… Remember this morning when you tried to get assigned to James' case?"

"Of course I do. How could I not remember the fact that my best friend just died and I can't help find the one who did it?" Sirius snapped.

"He's not dead," Frank stated.

"What?"

"You heard me, James isn't dead. Listen, I'm on the case and I wanted to tell you…"

"You are?"

"Yes, but just listen. I think you should go visit Lily…"

"You're right, she should be warned James is still alive," Sirius interrupted. "I'll be leaving immediately. She'll be overjoyed."

"James… Voldemort called her. It's how we knew he was still alive."

"Voldemort? But why would he want anything with James and Lily?"

"We don't know yet. She needs help, but if someone sees me talking to her it could end badly – for everyone. It's why I need you to go talk with her."

"Why would you do this Frank?"

"I told you, James is my friend too. And I'm only doing the right thing here."

"Well, thanks for the warning. I'll go to Lily's then."

"Yeah, you do that. I'll tell you if anything else comes up."

With that, Frank hung up and further down in London, Sirius prepared himself to leave his house in order to visit Lily.

An hour later, he would be knocking on her door.

AN/ Sorry for the delay, I really wanted to post yesterday but my Internet connection is shaky at best. Well, I hope you like it, and please review to let me think what you thought :)

This was written for:

-the Colors of The Rainbow OS Collection, Yellow

-the As Strong As We Are United Competition.