Disclaimer: I still don't own Harry Potter. I wish JKRowling would just give him to charity already!

Here's chapter thirteen. At first I wanted to post it on Friday the thirteenth of October but I found out I have a big test that day on the worst subject I have. Bloody wretched day…

I've never been superstitious but something strange is happening. This week four grandparents of my classmates died and one is in hospital. Friday is coming and I fear that something bad is going to happen in my life. I don't want to think about it but it's scaring me. In grief, broken friendships were mended between my classmates and my ex-best friend started talking to me again (though it will never be the same between us). I hope everything will be alright.

This is mostly a filter chapter. In contradiction to my state, I tried to lighten the mood of the story and I had so much fun writing the last part. I hope more of you will review this time as it pleases me whenever I get an alert. I guess I have to be patient… I want to thank my beta for helping me and reviewing every chapter.

Chapter thirteen: The calm before the storm

"So what'd you think?" Sirius asked.

Nobody needed to ask what he was referring too. The three boys eventually returned back in their dorm uncaught by anybody. Nobody spoke on the way back and it wasn't because they wanted to avoid running into Filch.

As James returned, Remus gave a small cough to alert them that he was still awake. They shared a look and James moved towards Remus while Black and Pettigrew went to change clothes. James gave Remus a summary of what happened. He told him how the Death Eater performed one of the cruelest spells on Malfoy and how McGonagall called him professor. Remus stayed silent throughout the entire conversation looking at the ceiling in deep thought.

The other two boys returned after a while and Sirius asked his opinion.

"I don't know." Remus sighed "I don't understand why McGonagall would call him 'professor' and let him go just like that."

"There's got to be something we're missing!" growled James

"But McGonagall can't be a Death Eater!" Sirius muttered voicing everybody's fears "she's too good of a person."

"She's under the influence on Imperius!" Peter said "It makes sense!"

"No it doesn't." James said "None of it does."

"Why bother making that entire act to go to Dumbledore though?" Sirius said.

"Confunded?" Peter suggested.

Remus shook his head "The spell doesn't last long and when it's over the victim knows everything that happened while under the influence. So McGonagall would know what had happened."

James sighed "I can't believe this. She's deputy headmistress. She has Dumbledore's entire trust. And she's risking all that by becoming friends with a psychopath!"

"We should tell Dumbledore!" Remus said.

"That'll mean we're admitting to being in the castle after curfew. We'll be in loads of trouble!" Sirius said.

James frowned and shared a look with Remus. He sighed and turned towards Sirius and Peter "I already told Dumbledore about the first meeting. He said that he's in charge of everything. If he would have done anything, McGonagall would have known and checked for us. It's obvious that Dumbledore doesn't give a damn that Death Eaters roam in the castle recruiting students."

"You told him?" Sirius asked incredulous and frowned "When?"

"That's my business." James muttered.

Sirius crossed his arms "Can anybody in this bloody room say the whole truth for once?" He growled.

James shrugged "This way is funnier. Anyway the point is that we can't tell Dumbledore. Not yet!"

Remus stared at James "You're kidding right? What if something bad happens? What if innocent people loose their lives because you don't want detention?"

"It's not like that Lupin!" Sirius interrupted "Dumbledore always finds the good in people. He doesn't want to believe that some people are actually interested in killing muggles for the fun of it. Telling him would do nothing except maybe McGonagall finding out that we overheard her."

"But what if McGonagall isn't a Death Eater?" Peter said.

James rolled his eyes annoyed with the boy's insistence "What other option could there be?"

"Pettigrew is right, James." Remus said "I just can't believe it."

"The Death Eater's voice sounded familiar." Sirius said

James nodded. "First time I heard him there was something in his voice that gave me the feeling I've known the man. When he talked to McGonagall I was positive that I heard it before."

Remus groaned "Come on James, you and Black here each know half of the British wizarding population. Of course you heard it."

"I felt it too." Peter said "And I only know about a quarter of it."

"That helps a lot!" Remus said dryly.

"Look Remus, if you were there you'd agree. It's sitting on the edge of my tongue. I know we've all met him."

"A celebrity?" Remus suggested.

"Could be." Sirius said glaring intensively at the bed.

"I heard the Moaning Vampire's lead singer felt to join Voldemort." Peter said.

"Those are just rumors." Sirius clarified.

"How'd you know?" Peter asked.

"My parents went to one of their parties once. She invited them to a "social" meeting but they refused her offer at once. That year their popularity dropped vastly and they retired for a year before returning again."

James nodded "I remember that! I always wondered why nobody seemed to listen to them anymore. You suppose they accepted the offer when they came back?"

"Neah! Their music is still unaccepted in the house." Sirius explained.

"Right. Well, let's sleep on it and see what we come up with in the morning." Remus suggested yawning to prove his point.

However the next day they still didn't come up with any idea. Neither did they on the day after.

James's lessons with Dumbledore improved now that he was receiving real training on the broom. He could dodge Dumbledore's obstacles more easily and Dumbledore praised him on his work. Though from time to time James's mind weakened and James gave in to the prodding, half the time he could resist Dumbledore. He still didn't tell Dumbledore about the discussion between the Death Eater and McGonagall and every time he stored his memories of the secret, he would store the memories of that night also.

Though tiresome, James went to all Quidditch training Gryffindor had. After the first time, they played with bludgers and the snitch. James also tried playing beater and keeper but that was a definite no. As a keeper, most of the times he helped the balls go in by accidentally hitting them with the broom and as a beater he eliminated his fellow teammates. The only other possible position for James was seeker and he usually caught the snitch after twenty minutes making him the second best after Frank of course (Frank usually caught it after twelve without interferences from other players on the pitch). As a chaser, Kingsley said he was brilliant for a beginner and first year and told him that he most likely had the position secured for him next year when he'd be trying out. Even Dawlish accepted that James had a talent for the game.

Though James in his heart couldn't believe McGonagall could be in cohorts with killers, he noticed she was more and more agitated and upset while she was teaching. She would snap and dock points for the shortest whisper. She also had a habit to glare at students and Slytherins were the favorite victim.

About a week after the night, Remus disappeared one afternoon and returned a week later saying he got hexed with something and went to the hospital wing to recover. Madame Pomfrey wouldn't allow him visitors for he needed silence and rest.

"What did they do? Blow his whole body off?" Sirius muttered unpleased that they didn't catch Remus again in his disappearances.

Since the attack on the muggle village, Voldemort had been quiet. There wasn't even a mysterious random muggle killing anymore. It was a strategy James thought. After the attack, the wizard population was on its toes waiting for the next blow. No doubt the Aurors were just waiting for a sign to retaliate his forces. Voldemort's supporters although growing, were insufficient at the moment. Waiting, the population would slowly fall into blissful calm again and then he'll strike.

"The calm before the storm." James realized.

As February came, James still hadn't done any steps towards talking to Corinne. He supposed that she thought he was mad at her and gave him time. This made him the one who had to make the first step, much to his misery. He tried to talk to her a few times but something in his brain kept making excuses to delay. He wasn't even sure why he was avoiding her anymore. His dance lessons went smoothly now although Black found something to make fun of every time. He assumed he was just shy now that Corinne saw him upset after she danced with Sirius. It didn't take being an Unspeakable to put two and two together. Also lumps on his throat formed whenever he thought about her.

His friendship with Lily had improved a lot since the winter holiday. She forgot what James said about her in the potions class and focused on making as many friends as possible. James had to admit that she wasn't so annoying anymore. He was still careful what he said around her just to be on the safe side. Even she and Remus got along well after a few days. When she heard that his mother was sick, she let a few tears drop and hugged him and tried to encourage Remus that everything will be ok. He awkwardly nodded and patted her back sharing a look with James that clearly said "she's mental!"

The Slughorn club parties kept coming but James wasn't. He made excuses every time and was impressed by his ingenuity. He congratulated himself when Slughorn gave thirty points to Gryffindor because he was tutoring a third year in potions. He wasn't just avoiding Corinne anymore. Most of the club members were Slytherins and that meant future Death Eaters. James knew Slughorn although favored his house, he wouldn't invite any of those gits if he knew they planned to kill people.

James's friendship with Remus increased by the day, he found the boy likable and calm. Though Remus was very reserved, James couldn't blame him because he himself was keeping something from him. James also didn't want to push because he didn't feel like completing his promise to Black any time soon.

James noticed in Black's behavior a huge change since the first time they met. At first Black was Slytherin's perfect choice but then he got the howler, Voldemort made his first appearance, two of his cousins became Death Eater future spouses and, of course, he was sorted into Gryffindor. Sirius showed more and more signs of rebellion. He pranked random Slytherins (from fourth year down), his favorite victim being Snape. He had a special liking for the greasy boy's anger. However, instead of the usual laughter James saw in his eyes while he pranked usual Slytherins, pranking Snape brought fire in Sirius's eyes.

Another change was his fury every time he saw the Black owl. They were in February and his mother and occasionally his father still sent howlers to him. It was annoying him and James spotted once an advanced book of charms on his bed opened on the silencing charm. Sirius tried various methods to silence the howler from ripping it up to asking a seventh year to burn it or drown it. He went as far as swallowing it but when his stomach started screaming at him and then burned some bones so Sirius had to go to the hospital wing, he wasn't eager to try it again.

He still made fun of muggle-borns calling them by that horrible name and got in fights with James just to prove that he was still a Black. Nevertheless, Sirius slowly but surely was changing sides.

Peter, who was supportive of the Black cause, followed Sirius everywhere and agreed to everything Sirius said. He looked worse every day suggesting that he was starting to have doubts of his friendship with Sirius. James still didn't like Peter but had to accept that he'll be spending seven years in a dorm with him. He tried being friendly with him but Peter had a gift to make him annoyed every time they talked. He changed tactics from acting like a blundering idiot to a mean git. He only acted nice when it suited him.

As Valentines Day came, Remus began to pale again. James glanced a few times to Corinne, finding her glancing at him also. Each had their reasons for not talking and both of them were false.

"Just go talk to her!" Lily snapped when he made a sigh after looking at her back at the Ravenclaw table during lunch that day.

"I can't!" James moaned "It's too hard."

"It's too hard to say hello?" Lily asked raising an eyebrow.

"Well, I can't just walk there after four months of not talking acting like nothing happened."

"Sure you can! I doubt she'll ask any questions. She'll be too surprised!" Lily said filling her cup with orange juice.

James stared at her "Remus is right. She's mental!" He muttered.

"What was that?" Lily asked brightly.

"I said that's not my stile." James explained putting an innocent smile on his face.

Lily frowned "Oh. Well, it works for me." She smiled at him and returned her gaze to her plate.

James shook his head both amused and puzzled. How that girl's mind functioned was beyond his mental capabilities.

"I have to have an excuse to talk to her!"

Lily sighed "Well, go to the Slug parties once in a while. You'll be there to socialize. That a good enough reason!"

"I don't want to go." James said feeling sick in his stomach.

"Why?" Lily asked.

He hadn't told her yet about the midnight meetings. She was a muggle-born and knowing Death Eaters roamed in the castle wouldn't do well with her. They decided to keep the secret within the four of them. They knew all too well how gossip spread at Hogwarts.

"I don't like the Slug!" James mumbled and looked down.

Lily looked like she wanted to argue "Well, you'll miss the chocolate frogs."

"They'll be around in a few years. Plus I really want to see the cards more than eat."

At that moment Sirius burst in the doors like royalty wearing a small grin heading towards the Gryffindor table. He looked like he wanted to go to James but when he saw Evans next to him his grin faltered and walked past him.

"Git." Lily muttered shooting daggers at Sirius's back.

"Give him time, a year or two. He'll come around!" James assured "You're not as bad as people think."

Outraged Lily opened her mouth, and then closed it looking fuming towards James "Thanks." She said in a cold voice.

James shrugged convinced that he made a good compliment "I mean it!"

Lily rolled her eyes and tried to change the subject "I hear you have a Quidditch game tomorrow."

James nodded "Yeah, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff."

"Good luck."

"Thanks but I'm not playing. I'm not even on the team!" James said sighing.

"Then good luck to Gryffindor." She replied shrugging taking a bite of her toast.

James chuckled "Yeah. I hope they win this one. This is our last chance for the Quidditch cup."

"That bad?" Lily asked sympathetically.

"Yeah. The Slytherins made a real fool out of us last game. I don't get it! Our team is good. They just don't seem to put their act together."

"Let's just cross our fingers and hope for the best then."

James chuckled "You'd make a great Cannons fan." He said leaving Lily to look questioningly at him.

The day passed quickly for James and before he knew it he was sitting in the Quidditch stands with Remus and Lily waiting for the match to begin.

"I hope you guys are right and it's worth it. I don't want to see the look on Dolohov's face if I tell him I didn't do the paper because I went to a Quidditch match." Lily grumbled before a cough was heard.

"Welcome everybody to another wonderful game of Quidditch. I'm sure you all are exited to see who will win this terrible match!" a voice was heard. James snorted knowing full well that the outcome of the match was poorly awaited. Both teams were horrible by Hogwarts Cup standards. "I also like to thank my adorable fan club members for coming here to hear my voice."

"What?" Remus's head snapped upwards trying to make out who the commentator was. "Who is that guy?"

"The bloke's delirious!" James laughed. "You hear him? He thinks he's got a fan club!"

Lily looked grave and slowly shook her head "It can't be!" she whispered.

"Madam Hooch has entered the pitch! She is now opening the box picking up the quaffle. She's a gorgeous lady for her seventies and I would like to commend her for putting up with the horrible trauma of age."

"This is fun!" James chuckled while Lily kept shaking her head.

"And here comes the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Captain and chaser Kingsley Shaklebolt followed by fellow chasers Sturgis Podmore and Edgar Bones, next come beaters Fabian and Gideon Prewett, keeper Dawlish and finally Frank Longbottom. A wonderful team but they have one disadvantage. I'm not part of their team!" the voice chuckled earning groans from Gryffindor boy supporters.

"He's not even a Gryffindor!" James heard Lily mutter.

"The Hufflepuffs cheer as the Hufflepuff Quidditch team enters the pitch. We see keeper Hogg, chasers McMillan, Smith and Birdwell, beater Drywall and captain Fogg and finally seeker Marchbanks, a brilliant team. Unfortunately I had to refuse their offer of captaining their team as my job here is more important."

On the pitch James could see Richard Fogg making a rude hand gesture over to the commentator before Madame Hooch started scolding him.

"I see Richard hasn't gotten over that the team needs me more then they need him. I'm sorry old friend, but I hope there no hard feeling." The commentator spoke.

This time Fogg looked ready to go to him and punch his face but Hooch blew the whistle signaling the start of the match.

"The two captains shake hands in friendship and they get on their brooms. The teams take off in the air at the start of this fabulous Quidditch match."

"At least he's got high spirits." James mused looking at a very gloomy Lily.

"I say both teams are going to clubber him after the match." Remus said.

"Neah. Look at Fogg! He's going to hit a bludger at him by the middle of the match." James said.

"Bet you three sickles!"

"You're on!"

"And Madame Hooch releases the balls. I like to remind you all who don't have the same perfect memory as mine that catching the snitch brings one hundred and fifty points to the team who catches it and ends the match. Madame Hooch throws the quaffle and THE GAME BEGINS!"

"At least he got that part right." James said earning a small giggle from Lily.

"Birdwell takes the quaffle and passes it to Smith. Smith dodges Gryffindor chaser Bones, a perfect example of looping. He's no doubt one of my many fully trained Quidditch players."

Smith glared at the commentator giving Kingsley the chance to snatch the ball from his arms and pass it to Sturgis. A couple of swears were heard from the Hufflepuff supporters.

"I see the Hufflepuff supporters aren't displeased with the little mess up. I'm sorry Smith but I'm afraid you're still not up to Quidditch player standards even with my excellent tutorial!"

"They're going to kill him in his sleep!" Lily said looking pale.

"We see rookie chaser Podmore holding the ball dodging a bludger aimed to him by Drywell. He passes to Bones. He approaches the hoops. Looks like he's going for the right hoop."

Just as Hogg dived towards the right hoop, Edgar sent it in the middle as if mocking him.

"What an excellent bluff from chaser Bones! However his act was obvious for the trained eye. If I were keeper I would have blocked it! However, I had to pretend this time I didn't know anything of it. I can't risk changing the outcome of the game after all."

James could see Fogg yelling at his keeper holding his beater bat in a menacing position.

"Richard, leave the boy alone! It's not his fault he's just inexperienced."

At the Hufflepuff side, few supporters shifted in their seats shooting daggers towards the commentator's box.

"Hufflepuff is in possession of the quaffle. McMillan takes it and flies toward the Gryffindor hoops. He passes it to Smith. Smith to Birdwell. Back to McMillan. And Hufflepuff scores! It's a tie ladies and gentlemen. What a fascinating game!"

James saw Lily yawn next to him and frowned. It wasn't the best game but at least she could have been polite!

The game rolled on the same way. Several times, the commentator's words made the players unfocussed. Half an hour later, all the players were wearing grim expressions on their face and several times they got together and talked about what James could guess, unpleasant things. The commentator was just as jolly as when the game started unaware of what effect he brought to the game.

"Shacklebolt and Bones pass the ball to one another while the whole Hufflepuff team is on their tails. It seems everybody is forgetting poor Sturgis who is flying under them quietly."

The Hufflepuff chasers looked down and saw Podmore. They intercepted the quaffle as it was passed to him.

"The Hufflepuffs have the quaffle! Smith passes it to McMillan who passes it back. Smith throws it in the air as Birdwell comes and catches it and sending it at the Gryffindor left hoop. THEY SCORE! SEVENTY-FOURTY TO GRYFFINDOR!"

The Hufflepuff fans looked torn between cheering and groaning.

"I can't believe Dumbledore gave him permission to commentate" Lily screamed outraged after a long time of not saying anything.

"So you know the bloke?" James asked interested.

"Do I ever." Lily replied scornful.

"Friend of yours?" James cheekily said.

Lily huffed and returned to pay attention to the game.

"Oh look at that! Longbottom has spotted the snitch. Looks like Marchbanks is now on his tail." The voice said

"Thanks to him." James muttered.

"They are neck and neck. Marchbanks has a better broom but Longbottom is a better seeker. Who will win?"

"If it's Hufflepuff I'll feed this guy to the giant squid!" James stated.

"Fabian Prewett sends a bludger towards Marchbanks! She ducks in time. I'm sorry guys. Better luck next time. By the way send special greeting to your sister!"

It happened in a flash. Just as Frank's hand closed on the snitch, Gideon Prewett zoomed towards the nearest bludger and whacked it towards the commentator's box. One of the girls accompanying him pulled on his robe saving him from the blow. Madame Hooch went to Gideon to yell at him but the boy shrugged happy for his good deed.

The Gryffindor supporters took hold of Frank and threw him in the air with the rest of the team. Gryffindor had a good win finishing with two hundred and twenty to fifty (at the last minute Smith put the quaffle in the left hoop earning ten points.

The Gryffindor common room was the home of the biggest party Hogwarts had in a year that night. Everybody was laughing and cheering and telling funny stories. It seemed the Hufflepuffs were still resentful for the unnecessary comments. They hunted him all day but nobody ever found him. If asked, the Prewett brothers just smiled mysteriously and shrugged.

"Wow! So much celebrating for winning one game!" Lily said astonished.

"'t's not 'ny game girl, it's Quidsditch…Quirritch…oh hell…" Kingsley said passing her hold by his arm by a giggling girl.

"Is he drunk?" Lily asked outraged at his back.

James grinned "Either that or the bludger hit has affected his brain."

"I can't get any work done!" Remus said pointing at a stack of books on a table in the corner of the room. "I'm late with my assignment on Porlocks. Dolohov will murder me!"

"You can copy from mine Remus." Lily said very sweetly.

Remus looked at her "Er…thanks." He said fazed.

A small smile threatened to escape James's lips. "Why don't you celebrate? C'mon Remus. It's the first game Gryffindor won this year. If we win against Ravenclaw too there's a chance we'll win!"

"Neah! Slytherin beat both Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. I doubt Hufflepuff will have any chance."

James frowned "I suppose you're right. Anyway it doesn't hurt to hope." He raised his butterbeer "To Gryffindor!" he said.

Remus smiled "To a game well played!" he took an unopened butterbeer from the table and drank it.

"By the way nobody won the bet." James said saddened. "He was hit with a bludger after the game ended and he still hasn't been found.

"Give it time James." Remus said reassuring.

"By the way, who was he" James asked Lily.

"One of my dorm mates has a big crush on him. She's so sucked up that she doesn't realize what a fake he is. She hangs posters of him every night and kisses each one of them. From what I hear he's always like that. He's a Ravenclaw fourth year. How he got there is beyond me!"

"What's his name?" Remus asked interested.

Lily sighed "A ridiculous name really. I'm not even sure it's real. He calls himself Gilderoy Lockhart!"