Disclaimer: All I'm saying is that JK Rowling is one lucky woman to own Harry Potter.

Results for Poll #6: (Which Marauder do you like best?) Sirius Black (10 votes), Remus Lupin (7 votes), James Potter (5 votes), Peter Pettigrew (0 votes)

Poll #7: (Do you think Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Movie is going to be a satisfying adaptation of the HBP book?) Please remember to vote!

Chapter 15: Deception: Part 1

"By the verdict of the Jury, I hereby declare that Ms. Petunia Evans has been given full custody of Mr. Duncan Dursley and Miss Delilah Dursley," stated the judge, standing up.

"I can't believe it," whispered Lily, "She – she actually won. Petunia actually won!" She exchanged a shocked but elated glance with James.

"I was sure when Bullstrode was going up that chances were minimal," said James, chancing a glance at the Dursleys, "And no offense to your sister, Lills, but her answers were pretty shaky too." The Dursleys eyes were unfocused and unaffected, as if they did not care that they had just lost, but that couldn't be it….what was going on?

"Lily," gasped James, realization dawning on him.

"What James?" asked Lily, turning towards him with concern.

"The Dursleys – could they be – do you think they're under the Imperius Curse?" asked James, shock reflecting in his eyes.

"The Imperius Curse?" asked Lily, her eyes widening, "They can't be – can they?"

"I don't know, but look. They don't seem affected at all that they just lost. Consider their expressions before and during the trial," replied James suspiciously. Lily glanced over at the Dursleys and narrowed her eyes.

"I see," she said, "What are we going to do? I mean – how can we be sure?"

"Don't know, but for now, let's not do anything. After all, your sister did gain custody of the kids, and plus, we have no proof. I need to speak with Sirius," said James.

"Lily!" said Petunia, hurrying over to her sister as people started filing out of the court room. "We won – can you believe it – we won!"

"I know; it's great Tuney," said Lily, covering up her worry and smiling for her sister.

"Thanks for all your help James," said Petunia, turning to James, "It would have been impossible for all this to happen without you, Lily, and Mrs. Abbot."

"No problem Petunia," said James with a smile.

"Let's go then, shall we?" asked Lily, checking her watch, "It's past 2:00, and we need to relieve Sirius and Remus from their baby setting job. Lord knows what mischief Will has been getting into, especially with Fred and George supporting him."

James nodded his head when Mrs. Abbot called him from behind, "James, can I have a word privately, please? It's about the Sterling Case back at the Ministry; I have a court hearing at 5:00 and I need to get some things straight."

Lily raised her eyebrows questioningly at her husband, but James only shrugged and said, "I'll be back in five minutes." Saying so, he followed Mrs. Abbot to a small room in the back of the courthouse.

"What did you want to know, Jean?" asked James politely as the door closed behind them. Mrs. Abbot turned towards him, and James was shocked to find that her face had the same unfocused look as the Dursleys.

"Jean?" asked James, "Are you okay?" But Mrs. Abbot did not reply. Instead, she glanced at something – or someone – behind James's shoulder, and James whipped around drawing his wand. But he was too late, and before he could protest, he was on the floor unconscious.

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"Lily, it's past ten minutes; do you think something's wrong?" asked Petunia, glancing at the door James had gone through.

"Hmm, I'm sure everything's alright," said Lily, "It's only five minutes past; I'll wait another five before going in." But she couldn't mask the worry filling her heart.

"Aunt Lily," when are we going to get Duncan and Delilah?" asked Dudley, peering up at his Aunt along with Diana.

"Today evening, dear; we just have to drive over to Privet Drive and pick them up," replied Lily.

"There he is," said Petunia suddenly, pointing at the door. Lily turned around and smiled in relief as she saw James walking towards them, his hands in his pockets. But something about the way he walked was off key. Shaking her head to clear away worried thoughts, Lily walked towards him.

"What took so long?" she asked, "I was going to come in myself after five minutes."

"Nothing," said James gruffly, shrugging off the hand Lily placed on his shoulder. Lily stared at him with surprise and exchanged a worried look with Petunia.

"Is everything alright, James?" asked Lily, "Is something on your mind?"

"Nothing, alright?" James snapped. Lily stared at him and then narrowed her eyes.

"What's wrong with you?" she asked, irritated, "You were fine ten minutes ago, and then you come here snapping at me!"

James took a deep breath and smiled apologetically, "Sorry Lily; something's just on my mind. Let's go home, okay? I'm tired."

Lily was taken aback at his sudden change in tone but said, "Alright, let's go."

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Daddy!" Emma cried out, running towards her father and hugging him around his middle. She was followed by the large group of kids headed by Harry.

"Dad!" he said eagerly, "So did you – what happened?"

"We won!" said Dudley happily, as Diana and Anne hugged each other in their happiness. Harry and Dudley exchanged a high-five, as Ron gave a thumbs up.

"That's great!" said Harry enthusiastically, "Congratulations Aunt Petunia!"

"Thank you dear," said Petunia with a smile. The kids soon bored of the talk and went off to the backyard to play Quidditch.

"Where's Sirius Black?" asked James, looking around. Lily shot him a weird look at the usage of Sirius's name.

"I'm right here, Prongs," said Sirius, walking towards them followed by Remus, "And since when have you called me by my last name?"

"Um – never; just for old time's sake, you know?" said James, grinning weakly. Sirius looked at him weirdly as Remus raised his eyebrows at Lily, who only shrugged.

"How were the kids, Remus?" asked Lily, "They didn't cause any trouble, did they?"

"Nah," said Remus with a grin, "They were fine; Will did make us run a bit, but that's usual isn't it? But he soon tired of making us old men run after him and went to bug the Weasley Twins."

"Hey, who are you calling old?" Sirius complained, punching Remus's shoulder good-naturedly, "I'm still fit and young, I tell you."

Remus rolled his eyes and Lily chuckled.

"Guys, can you keep down the volume?" asked James, not in the least bit amused at his friends' antics. "Sirius, I need to talk to you."

"Um – okay," said Sirius, shooting a confused glance at Lily, who only shrugged.

"What's got his knickers tied in a knot?" Remus asked Lily as James and Sirius disappeared through the doorway leading to James's study.

"I don't know, but he's been acting really strange ever since the hearing was over," said Lily worriedly.

"I'm sure he's fine," said Remus reassuringly, "He's probably just tired from work."

"I hope so," said Lily, concern etched all over her face.

A few minutes later, Lily and Remus whipped around as Sirius stalked out of James's study quickly, running out the front door and disappearing with a crack. James then came out, his face at ease.

"James, what in the world just happened?" asked Lily, "Why did Sirius just run out in a hurry?"

"Nothing important," said James waving his head nonchalantly, "He just received a note from the office to come to work as soon as possible. Remus, you look terrible."

Remus and Lily exchanged a look at James's simple remark and change of subject. "It is the full moon tonight," Remus pointed out, "Or have you forgotten?"

"Nope," said James, "Of course I haven't. Why would I forget?" Remus sighed in relief at James's remark.

"So are you going to stay for dinner?" asked James, smiling at Remus.

"James," said Remus, frowning, "Are you serious?"

James glanced with confusion at Remus's hurt and confused look and Lily's shocked expression, but then covered it up by saying, "Of course not! Just playing with you, Remus."

"Okay…" said Remus slowly. Then, turning to Lily, he said, "I have to go now, Lily, see you. Bye James."

"James!" Lily exclaimed after Remus left, "How could you be so insensitive!"

"What are you talking about?" asked James, frowning at Lily, "I was only joking Lily; you know that."

"No, I don't know that," said Lily, returning James's frown, "You were never so thoughtless James, even when joking around with your friends."

"Um, sorry?" said James, shrugging his shoulders and walking away.

"Where are you going?" Lily demanded. James turned to her with a sarcastic look on his face.

"I'm sure I have the right to go anywhere I want in my own house, Lily," said James, "I'm only going to my office room; chill." With that, he disappeared through the door Sirius had previously come out of and closed the door on his wife, leaving her stunned.

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A.N. (Sorry for the short chapter. Hopefully the next one will be longer. Please review!)