The deaths of his family members hurt James more than he ever realised it could or would. Everyone he saw was the potential killer in his mind, even Gryffindors suffered his scrutiny and suspicion. Until Remus snapped him out of it by reminding him that all the people he suspected had been at Hogwarts. After that James couldn't help but wonder if someone Sirius was related too was to blame. Sirius worried about the same thing. Sirius, Remus and Peter accompanied James to the funeral, which was held in the first week of the summer holidays. When they arrived at the actual church James was delighted to see that standing beside Dumbledore and McGonagall was the lovely Miss Lily Evans...

"Hi, James." Lily smiled brightly at him and James could feel himself melting. Lily had dressed in a conservative yet beautiful black dress and was wearing a red sash around her waist, no doubt for Gryffindor. Her long red hair was loose and slightly messy but artfully so. James had never seen Lily wear her hair down before and it took his breath away. Remus nudged him slightly to bring him back.

"Hi, Lily. What are you doing here?"

"I thought I should come."

"But you didn't know them."

"What's your point?" Lily asked teasingly. "Hi, guys."

"Hey, Lily." Sirius, Remus and Peter said.

"James, where are your parents? I would like to speak with them." Professor Dumbledore asked.

James looked around but suddenly found it very hard to look at all the people who had come to farewell his family. He closed his eyes and vaguely heard Sirius answer Dumbledore's question for him. James had never been so happy to have Sirius as a mate. When he opened his eyes both professors had gone and the others weren't looking at him in order to give him some semblance of privacy. James once again looked at the mourners and a sudden anger over came him. Many of the people there had never known Imogene, or Bill, or Julie, or Matthew and yet there they were. And he hated them. Somehow he hated every single one of them for encroaching on a strictly family event. James didn't hate the Marauders for being there because they were his family, his brothers. And he wanted Lily to be his family, so he didn't hate her either (he didn't think that was possible). James did, however, hate Dumbledore and McGonagall for being there even though he knew that they were there to support them. It was the same reason that many of the other people were there. Though James couldn't fathom why the Minister for Magic was there. When James saw the balding Minister standing with his Auror bodyguards and laughing an unexplainable rage over came him and he stalked off towards the group. Remus noticed where he was going but didn't say anything or chase after him. He did however keep his eyes on them, just in case.

"Minister Grady." James spoke loudly so that everyone close by would hear. The minister turned around and James was pleased to see the smile fall from his fat face.

"James, I'm so sorry for your loss. I understand that you were very close to your aunt and uncle." James smiled in menacing way. His smile became slightly more maniacal when he saw fear in the minister's gray eyes.

"Yes, I was. Very close to them, and to Julie and Matt, as well. Like a big brother to the both of them."

"Of course. And it is such a tragedy when two people are taken from us when they are so very young. I think I speak for everyone when I say that I hope those responsible are caught and brought to justice one day. And I will, of course, help achieve that in any way I can."

"I'm sure that you'll do your very best and I thank you for that. It's very kind of you." James smiled again and this time everyone was scared of where James was going. So much so that Sirius, ever the faithful brother, went over.

"Excuse me, Minister. You'll have to forgive James. He's very distraught about all this."

"Of course, Mr. Black. It's understandable under the circumstances."

Sirius smiled politely at the Minister before turning to James. "Come on, mate. Let's go."

"No, I'm not finished." James pulled his arm out of Sirius' grasp and turned back to the Minister. "Tell me, Geoff, what was it like?"

"What was what like?"

"Killing them. Did you have fun killing Julie and Matthew?" James raised his eyebrows at the Minister, whose face had turned an ashen gray colour. Complete silence had descended as everyone watched the exchange.

"James, what are you talking about?" Sirius whispered to his friend.

"He did it, Padfoot. He killed them, I know it." James' eyes pleaded with Sirius to believe him, to trust him, and Sirius nodded slowly. "Thank you," James said quietly to him. Sirius took a step back, put a hand in his pocket and grasped his wand. James turned back to the Minister. "See I went there. To where they were killed. I had to see for myself. There were Death Eaters there and they told me. They said that you were there, that you made sure that the Aurors didn't arrive until it was too late. They told me that you killed Julie and Matthew and that you made their parents watch while you did it. They told me that you, Minister, are a Death Eater." A shocked gasp ran through the crowd at James' words. The fear in the Minister's eyes increased for a second and was replaced by laughter.

"Me? A Death Eater? James, do you honestly believe that I would be a Death Eater? In case you've forgotten I'm the Minister for Magic. And if I had killed them why would I be here? Answer me that."

"Simple, you're paranoid. You've always said it. You came because you thought that if you didn't people would suspect you."

"Ah, I see. Very clever, James, but wrong. I wasn't there. What happened to your family is regrettable and I'm sorry that the Aurors couldn't get there fast enough. Tell me, when were you told these lies?"

"The day I found out."

"So, two weeks ago? Why did you say nothing until now?"

"Because I didn't want to believe it. But then I got to thinking. You go to the funerals of everyone killed by an unknown Death Eater. And at all of those funerals you bring the same Aurors with you for protection, one would assume. But the thing is, you stand there at every funeral, with the same bodyguards and you laugh. Everyone can see it and everyone has criticised you for it. You say that you are trying to lighten the mood. But then, just now when I saw you hear, I saw that your laughter was nervous. Your whole demeanour is nervous and jumpy. And now I know why. You're afraid that someone's going to work it out and then you'll be done for. I figure that, including this one, you've been to thirty funerals of people or families killed by the same unknown Death Eater. So that means you've personally killed, by my count, eighty people."

James let his words hang in the air. He kept his eyes glued on the Minister's face while everyone began to see the truth of his words. He felt Sirius move next to him and noted that Remus, Peter and (to his delight) Lily also came to stand with him. Though Peter stood slightly behind Sirius.

"It also makes me wonder why you bring the same Aurors," James continued. "Could it be that these particular Aurors are Death Eaters as well?" James glanced at the four Aurors and noticed that one of them subconsciously touched his left forearm. James smiled in bitter triumph. "Remus, did you notice that?"

"I did actually." Remus, who was a quicker draw than James surprisingly, pulled out his wand and muttered a spell. The Auror in question watched in absolute horror as the sleeve of his left arm was torn away to reveal a hideous and most unwelcome sight. The Dark Mark. A shocked gasp once again spread through the crowd and before the Minister could escape James crash tackled him to the ground. James went to throw a punch when he felt a light touch on the back of his neck. James knew instinctively that it was Lily's hand on his neck, and Lily's body pressed lightly against his.

"Don't give him a reason, James. Don't give in. This isn't you." Lily placed her small hand over James clenched fist. "Please, James." Lily whispered in his ear and James dropped his fist and stood back, allowing Lily access to the Minister's arm. She pushed his sleeve up to his elbow and stood back as the Dark Mark blazed clearly on the man's pale skin. James' father was there in an instant, pulling the now ex-Minister to his feet and taking away his wand. He then passed him on to some trusted Aurors and turned to James.

"You went there, James?"

"Yes, Dad. I'm sorry. I…" James closed his eyes to hide the tears. His father placed a firm hand on his shoulder and looked around for his wife. When he caught her eye she came over.

"James, I am so very proud you." James looked up at his mother in shock. "You would have made your aunt and uncle, and cousins, very proud as well."

"Really? But you always told me not to fight."

"And you never listened to us. And, honestly, I'm glad you didn't." Mrs. Potter smiled at her son and then turned to Lily. "And who might you be?"

"Lily Evans. I'm a friend of James."

"Lily Evans? Sirius lead us to believe that you hated James."

Lily shot Sirius a murderous look but then smiled at Mrs. Potter. "I don't like Black much so he takes it out on me by telling stories about me."

"I do not. She's lying, Mrs. P. I swear."

Mrs. Potter laughed. "No matter. Thank you, Lily, for helping James." Mrs. Potter said this quietly so that her son wouldn't hear her. "Now, enough drama. It's time to pay our respects to the lives of mine, my husband's, and my son's family." With her piece said Mrs. Potter lead the way into the church. Lily sat beside James and held onto his hand tightly for the entire proceedings until it was his turn to stand up at the lectern and speak.

"I'm here if you need me." Lily whispered to him quietly as she let go of his hand. James nodded dumbly and walked up to stand in front of everyone. James almost lost his nerve when his eyes settled on Peter, Remus, Sirius and Lily. All four of them were smiling at him slightly in support. James decided to either look at them or the back wall.

"I tried to write a proper speech to say and I thought I had managed it. But I don't think that I will be able to read it after what happened outside." James looked down at his notes, then picked them up and threw them onto the floor. He looked back at the Marauders and Lily; all of them were trying not to laugh. James, however, let his laughter bubble up his throat and out his mouth. "I'm sorry. But I can't help thinking about what Aunt Imogene would say if she could see all of us here. She'd say 'James, ma boy, what are these people blubbering about?'" Everyone in the church couldn't help but laugh. "Aunt Imogene had so many different sayings. Some of them were funny, some were genius, and the rest I didn't understand. I don't think many people did. Except for Uncle Bill. He understood Aunt Imogene perfectly. I think that's why they fell in love and managed to stay together for almost twenty years. They worked in such perfect synchronicity and knew each other so well that the problems that they faced, such as their early inability to conceive a child, they dealt with together and they dealt with easily. Imogene and Bill were a loving couple who wanted nothing more than to have a child and they doted on me for years and years as my godparents. As far as I'm concerned they were the best godparents imaginable. Every year without fail, they would give me a present that my parents had expressly told them not to get me. I'll never forget the day that Uncle Bill gave me my first broomstick, which is the one I still use today. Bill and Imogene taught me Quidditch moves that my dad wouldn't because they, like they always told me, they wanted me to be the absolute best player there was. So really, Gryffindor has Imogene and Bill to thank for the cup we keep winning.

"I will never forget the joy on Imogene and Bill's faces when they announced that they were finally going to have a baby, and twins for that matter! After twenty years of heartbreak they were finally going to have two children to dote on till the cows came home. I remember them saying that I would be the unofficial godfather to both kids. When they had Julie and Matthew they couldn't stop smiling. Both kids were healthy and there was no danger of either of them passing in those early and crucial days as had happened with ten of their other babies that had survived to term. Imogene and Bill were the greatest parents to little Julie and Matthew. The four of them made such a happy family that it all seemed like a dream. Julie and Matthew were angels, plain and simple. They were bright and bubbly. Both of them followed me around like lost puppies and although I pretended that it annoyed me they both knew that I loved it. I promised them that I would teach them Quidditch and show them all of the secret passageways in Hogwarts. I taught them how to get whatever they wanted and how to get all the attention. Mostly they used the last talent to get attention away from me, but I never actually minded when they did that." James glanced at the two tiny coffins placed between two larger ones and had to quickly look away. James' swept through the room only to see that he was making everyone cry. His eyes settled on Lily, whose tears only made her eyes brighter. Lily managed to smile at him a little. James continued. "I promised Uncle Bill and Aunt Imogene that I would always do my best to protect their little angels. And I promised Julie and Matthew that if they ever needed me I would be there for them." James' voice broke several times and people only just managed to catch the last few words. James bent his head and closed his eyes. He breathed very slowly and very evenly, counting while he did. When he reached thirty he looked up again and kept going.

"Unfortunately, when they needed me the most I wasn't there for them. But someone very wise told me something," James made his eyes focus on Lily and was happy when he saw her blush. "She told me that they knew that if I had been there I would have done anything and to take comfort in the fact that because they were so young they didn't truly know what was happening to them. She was right. I can take comfort in that and I always will. Aunt Imogene, Uncle Bill, Julie and Matthew, like so many others, didn't deserve what happened to them. But I know that right up to the moment that they drew their last breath they loved each other very much and I know that they are looking down on us all and wondering why we're still here blubbering." James nodded, smiled, and then, after a glance at the coffins, sat back down in between Lily and Sirius. Sirius placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and James saw Remus and Peter smiling at him. Lily simply retook his hand and held it in her lap, stroking it softly with her thumb.

…

After the funeral, almost everyone, including Lily, returned to the Potter household for a wake. The Marauders and Lily stayed inside with everyone for a while until the talk inevitably turned to the Minister and other possible Death Eaters. At that point the five of them retreated outside and sat down around a table. The moon that night was half full and Remus sat with his head leaning on the back of the chair staring up at the moon. Peter sat with his hands folded in his lap staring at his left forearm. Sirius sat looking at the table with unfocused eyes trying to think of a way to help Regulus. Lily sat looking around at the Potter's exotic and beautiful garden. James sat watching each of them in turn. It didn't actually click where Peter was looking unfortunately. Peter was the first to leave; citing that if he didn't his mother would come and get him. After he had gone silence fell once again until James broke it.

"I wonder how many Aurors are Death Eaters."

"Hopefully, they were the only ones." Lily said sadly. "But I doubt it. Voldemort is gaining strength every day. His power is unbelievable and the natural draw that everyone has can't always withstand it. Then again some people are just evil and join him as an excuse. Others are probably scared of what could happen to them or someone they care for and join for protection. Others are just out right pathetic morons who need to get a proper life." This last statement was said with such venom that Remus knew she was talking about Severus, but he wisely decided not to say anything.

"That's what I said." Sirius pointed out. James shot him a look that clearly said Shut up.

"Then again, some may need protection for other reasons." Remus muttered. He didn't think anyone had heard him but when he looked the three of them were looking at him closely and then they glanced at the moon. Remus looked back at it as well. "Some need to feel as though they belong somewhere. With people like them, monsters like them."

"You're not a monster, Remy. How many times do I have to tell you?" Lily said. Remus smiled happily at her, while Sirius and James stared at her.

"You know he's a werewolf?" Sirius asked rather stupidly.

"Of course I know. It wasn't that hard to work out."

"But… but… how long?"

It was Remus who answered. "Since first year. She worked it out the third time. Came to the Hospital Wing the next morning to confro… sorry, to see me." Remus smiled at Lily again.

"Like I said, not that hard to figure out." From inside the house they heard a clock chime twelve times. "Midnight? Oh, bugger. I'm sorry, James, but I have to go. I have to go dress shopping for my sister's wedding in a few weeks."

"Of course, come one." James showed Lily to the gate at the front of his house. "Thanks for coming today, Lily. I'm not sure what would have happened if you hadn't been there."

"Remus would have stopped you. Or Sirius. But you're not talking about that." Lily blushed slightly. "I'm glad you found what you were looking for. I'm just sorry it was someone everyone trusted." James glanced away and Lily frowned. She reached out and placed her hand against his cheek and made him look at her. "James, what you did today was incredible. A lesser man would have hit him. A lesser man would have killed him. You didn't. You gave your family justice and they would be proud. I'm proud of you. You showed amazing courage and I will never forget that." Lily stood on her tip toes and kissed James very lightly on his cheek. "Bye, James." Before James could do anything Lily smiled and Aparated.

"Bye, Lily." James whispered to the empty night, cheek still burning from the touch of Lily's soft lips.