Chapter 16: Paper Bag

James' POV:

"Hey, Padfoot, you alright?"

All I got in response were sniffs and gasps.

"Padfoot, calm down, what's wrong?"

Padfoot replied shakily, sobs racking his frame every few words, "I- I'm sorry James- it's just that-"

He stopped talking, and I sat there with him until Padfoot's sobs had reduced to great huge breaths.

"Do you need a paper bag?" I asked, worried.

"A (gasp) what (gasp)?"

"A paper bag. Muggles use them when they have panic attacks. And, well, you're clearly having a panic attack. You're hyperventilating, at least."

Padfoot's breathing slowed until he good get out a sentence. "M'alright." A half-sentence, that is.

I waited until his breathing was almost normal, but he still seemed to be agitated.

I decided to try again. "So, Padfoot, what's wrong?"

He was shaking, but he tried to choke his story out. "This summer Reg-g-gulus joined up with Y-You-Know-Who and I overheard him t-t-talking to s-someone who t-told him t-to-"

At this, he began hyperventilating again.

"Whoa, Padfoot, slow down. I can wait. Just get control of yourself."

In reality, though, I couldn't wait. Was Lily in danger?

It seemed an eternity until Padfoot's breathing slowed enough and his shaking stopped enough that he could continue.

"So, this summer, Regulus joined up with You-Know-Who. I told you that on the train, remember? Mum and Dad were overjoyed, and they asked why I didn't join. Then…" Padfoot winced, "Well, that's a different story. Anyway, I was using the bathroom one night, and I walked past Regulus' door and I heard him talking to someone I didn't recognize. I stopped to listen, and I overheard them talking: '-first assignment is one of utmost importance. You are the only servant currently at Hogwarts and so we need you to do this.' I heard Regulus saying 'Of course, anything for the Dark Lord.' Then the unfamiliar voice spoke again, 'I will teach you a spell similar to the Imperius curse that allows you to control things when you want to control them – otherwise they will lead their own individual lives. You will cast this on all the muggleborns in Hogwarts. Then, you will gather them together and...'" Padfoot paused, shaking, "'d-destroy them!' I stepped back and made the floor creak, and the unfamiliar speaker paused and started walking towards the door. I quickly snuck into my room, so I didn't hear what the spell was. But that's the reason I started freaking out."

"Do you know when he's going to do this?" I asked.

"No," he replied.

"Then-" I paused, the unspoken words going through both of our minds.

He could be killing them now.

Lily could already be dead.

AN: Uh-oh. I told you it was bad. Also - I have up to chapter 20 written at this point, but I need more reviews before I update any more. And Maia, just because you're my unnoficial beta reader doesn't give you the priviledge to gloat about it or reveal more to the story. So don't, please. Even though I know you want to.