A New Life in San Francisco

A/N; There is a brief NC-17 scene in this chapter. It is enclosed with a start and an end note and is not needed for the main plot of the story. I will be royally irritated if people read it and then complain that it is there. Gay people exist so deal with it!

Chapter 22; The Promise

Hogwarts

The darkness pressed in on him from all sides, the cold walls stretched up on all four sides but he couldn't see the ceiling that he knew blocked him in like the lid of a coffin. The smell of iron pervaded his nose and even though he couldn't see his tomb's entrance he knew it was there. He shivered as he lay on his back trying to ignore the walls that seemed to lean in at him every time he turned slightly away from them. He wanted to scream but he couldn't get the air into his lungs.

James' eyes burst open and a pained cry escaped his lips. Sweaty sheets clung to his torso and he wrestled them off and gulped in great breaths to try to calm his panicking mind. He turned his head around the room and concentrated on calming his raging heart, so out of control that he could feel it beating inside his chest in the suddenly dreadful silence of the bedroom.

A soft groan made him remember his boyfriend for the first time wince waking up and he turned and stared at Chris in surprise for a moment deciding in an instant that his renewed nightmares wasn't something Chris needed to know just before he returned to San Francisco for college. He slid back down gently and placed his hand on Chris' bare chest and began slowly soothing the man back into sleep. He knew by the darkness in the room that it was still too early to get up but to be honest with himself he was too scared to dare try to sleep again. Or even to close his eyes and he hated himself for that fear.

Chris settled down again and James offered him a small kiss in apology before he slid off of the bed for the second night in a row. He slipped on his clothing with a Panther's silence before slipping out of the room and down the hall to the toilet before slipping down the stairs into the common room. The fire flared to life with his presence and James paused for a moment to take in the painfully familiar concept of walking down into a darkened common room. He'd always been one of the first to wake up when at Hogwarts and it wasn't uncommon for him to be the first to awaken the common room.

He paused for a few minutes trying to work out what he was going to do but in the end he walked into the kitchen and began searching through cupboards for ingredients that he had seen the day before. He worked in silence for two hours making an assortment of cookies, and breakfast items that could be eaten when they cooled down. He might as well make himself useful if he was up this early.

He finished making some pancakes and slipped them into the section of the oven needed to keep them warm and made himself a cup of hot chocolate before he went out onto the balcony and leaned against the stone railing with the mug between his fingers.

He wasn't entirely sure how long he stood there staring rather sightlessly across the Lake out onto the Scottish Highlands before his hearing picked up voices from within the common room. He didn't bother to turn to actually make out the words but he recognised Piper's voice and a lower male voice which could only be Leo's, Coup's or Henry's, but the voice was too low to make out which of the three it was. He heard the door behind him swing open and turned to look at Henry. "Good morning." Henry smiled at him.

"Morning." James smiled and took a sip from his chocolate. "Sleep well?"

"Well enough." Henry nodded at him. "You've gone and put our dear Piper off balance."

"Sorry?" James frowned in confusion.

"We guessed it was you that made that feast in there." Henry chuckled. "Piper's found herself with nothing to do."

James smiled at the man. "I was up early."

"How early?" The man asked with a frown.

James shrugged. "An hour or so. I was bored."

Henry smiled at him and walked up to his side before looking out across the scenery as he leaned on the railing. James turned back to the way he had been standing. "What do you think of the school so far?"

"Honestly, I think it's awesome." Henry told him with a worried frown as if gauging James' reaction.

James gave him a small smile in return. "I love this castle even if it was just because of my childhood. It's just the people that I don't like." James grinned at the confused man. "The castle's wards have evolved since they were made. Chris and I discovered that they actively seek out children with problems and make them feel welcome."

"That's impressive." Henry sounded unsure.

"It's incredible." James agreed.

They stood in silence for a time before Henry turned and looked at James with a pained look. "So, why are you up so early?"

"Did Piper put you up to this?" James asked him as he tried to hide his grin.

"How did you know that?" Henry groaned.

"It's a knack." James shook his head.

"I get that enough from Paige." Henry laughed. "But seriously."

"Just woke up and couldn't get back to sleep." James half lied. He had chosen not to sleep after all.

"If you say so." Henry wasn't fooled.

"Please, Henry." James pushed himself off of the railing. "Just leave this one alone. We've got enough on our plates already."

"Chris was rather worried when you weren't there yesterday when he woke up." Henry hinted.

"Oh, alright." James shot Henry a grateful smile and the man reached out and squeezed James' shoulder and returned the smile.

James walked back inside, shared a few brief words with Piper before slipping back upstairs. After getting a towel from his room he took a brief shower before silently creeping back into the room. He slipped a pair of boxers and jeans on before sliding into the bed next to Chris. Chris was cold since James, in his haste to get out from the captivity of the sheet, had unthinkingly left Chris exposed to the crisp morning breeze in only his boxer shorts. As soon as James, fresh from the shower, snuggled up against Chris' cold skin, Chris turned into James who rolled onto his back. Chris snuggled up to James' side with a groan of appreciation and James felt a real smile spread across his face for the first time since waking up after his nightmare.

He pulled the sheet up slightly but had to manoeuvre it so it covered Chris further than himself. He still couldn't stand even covering his waist with it like he normally did. He lay with his cheek pressed against his sleeping boyfriend's hair. He couldn't stand to shut his eyes in the oppressive silence of the room so he simply stared up at the ceiling, glad only that he could see it in the dim light coming through the window.

He heard when the three boys across the hall emerged from their room and went down in the search of food but Chris seemed content to sleep until about an hour after James had rejoined him. As Chris started to rise out of sleep James began tracing figures of eight in the small of his back. Chris sighed out a moment later and placed a lingering kiss on James' chest.

"It's nice to have my teddy bear back." Chris muttered sleepily.

"Morning love." James whispered and kissed his hair gently. Chris' hand came up to stroke gently on James' stomach and James shuddered out a breath. His hand moved down to stroke up his jean clad leg.

"Why are you in jeans?" Chris looked up at James who smiled weakly.

"I was up earlier, had a shower and couldn't be bothered to get undressed again." James told him.

Chris studied him for a moment before pushing himself up to lean over James before lowering his head to kiss James on the lips. James returned the loving kiss and ran his hands up Chris' back and carded his fingers through the sleep ruffled hair with one hand while the other stroked the back of his neck. Chris pulled away and set a small kiss on James' forehead. "I'm here for you, no matter when or why. Please promise me you'll remember that?"

James leant up and kissed the base of his boyfriend's throat. "I know and I promise." James told him as he put his head back down on the pillow. "I love you."

Chris shifted his weight and sat straddling James' lap. James pulled himself up and hugged his boyfriend to him. "I love you too." Chris whispered in his ear before pulling back to study him carefully again. "You had a nightmare didn't you?"

"Chris, you don't have to worry." James told him.

"Stop that, James." Chris told him sternly yet without anger. "I want to worry, I want to know what you feel because I want to be able to understand what you're going through. So I can help you!"

James deflated somewhat. "It wasn't that bad a nightmare. Nothing like I used to get." James kissed him gently on the lips. "I haven't even had a nightmare since I started sleeping in the same bed as you."

"Sam warned me that I might have to comfort you after nightmares." Chris told him.

"What? You didn't tell me that." James frowned, unnerved that Sam had been telling Chris about his behaviour.

"It doesn't matter how you react to things, James." Chris told him. "It doesn't change the fact I love you. I didn't tell you he told me because to me it doesn't matter. I would have been here for you regardless."

James stared at him for a moment before dropping his head down and set himself to staring at Chris' stomach as he fought to control the slight tremble that was starting to run up his back as they talked about his emotions. Chris gathered him up into his arms and ran his hands up and down the bare skin of his back to soothe him without comment. James turned his head and placed his cheek against Chris' chest listening to his heartbeat with Panther enhanced hearing.

"Could you talk about the nightmare?" Chris asked after a few minutes. James looked at him but nodded.

"I've had it before." James told him. "It's me in my cell in Azkaban. There isn't any door but I can smell iron and feel the cold draughts. I feel claustrophobic again and the walls seem to close in on me."

Chris noticed that he seemed to shrink in on himself as he spoke as if he was trying to space himself from everything else. Chris loosened his grip but hugged him tenderly. "Is that why you got up?" He asked after a moment. "Because it was dark and you were closed in?"

James smiled up at him before nodding. "I couldn't stand the sheet even just to my waist and the longer I laid here the closer the walls seemed to get. I needed to distract myself and get into the open."

"What time was that?"

"I'm not sure." James frowned in thought. "About four hours ago?"

"What did you do for four hours?" Chris chuckled.

"Spoilt your mum's fun by cooking breakfast." James told him with a weak smirk. Chris' chuckle turned into full out laughter and together they got out of bed and after a brief kiss, Chris started to get changed and James settled into the last of his clothing. They had another day of sorting out the school's wards today and James was looking forward to the distraction.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Later that week

James had slept restlessly for most of the week but he had had enough sleep since Chris had made him promise to wake him up after a nightmare and James' boyfriend was getting very good at distracting him enough for him to forget his fears and always stayed awake until after James had fallen asleep again. Still he was magically strained from constantly purifying the Hogwarts Wards though now they actually seemed to hum in pleasure all around the school as they rejoiced being fully charged once more. The school seemed to be fresher, like a old person suddenly given new youth and all the Professors could feel it.

He'd just gently released the Rune Matrix and he felt a loving touch against his mind. Hogwarts had granted him a rare honour that not even the Headmaster had. He'd become a part of the Wards, part of the school that had been the first home he could remember. He now had control of the Wards though he didn't think he should mention that to Dumbledore. It wasn't as if he could do much anyway. There were very few exceptions in the wards and James wouldn't be able to change them like he could the wards around the Halliwell Manor. They would report to him if a Demon entered through them though.

James turned to find Chris laying on one of the House table with his eyes shut. James felt guilty all of a sudden, though not for the first time that week, for keeping him up at night with his worries. James was halfway to his boyfriend when Chris bolted upright with a gasp. James paused at his side as Chris got his bearings knowing that he'd just had a premonition. "James?" Chris frowned.

"Yup." James sat on the table cross legged next to his boyfriend. "Anything interesting?"

"Demons fighting Dementors. Demons shimmering into cells and releasing prisoners." Chris looked extremely worried. "Laughing and mad prisoners."

James flinched so much he nearly fell from the table. Chris reached out and caught him by the arm. "Azkaban. It's the only place it could be."

Chris nodded and stared at James carefully before reminding him. "I love you, James."

James gave him a sad little smile but leaned forwards to kiss him as Chris' hands came up to grip the sides of his head touching him for the first time since having the premonition. James gasped as he found himself glimpsing the same premonition and nothing Chris could do could stop him falling backwards off of the table and onto the floor. He could feel his face pale and his hands shaking as Chris scrambled off of the table to hold him tightly.

James snapped up his head up to face him with fear shining out of his emerald eyes. Chris almost recoiled as he saw that the light that had grown steadily since he had met James had completely vanished. James saw that slight flinch and in an instant his form rippled into Shadow, his protection from the Dementors who he could even now feel creeping up on him. Chris sighed and without a care to his teeth grabbed his head. "I won't let them put you in there."

James swung his head around to face him and nodded once. Before he stood to follow Chris from the room. He knew that if he wasn't in this form he'd be having a panic attack and he knew that Chris knew it too since he didn't for an instant remove his hand from scratching lightly at the back of his neck.

"Mom! Dad! Aunt Paige! Aunt Phoebe!" Chris yelled at the top of his voice as soon as they were out in the open where the family were gathering. James crouched low to the ground as soon as he spotted them all and Chris paused. "It's ok, James."

James forced himself to relax from his instincts to flee and hide and forced himself forwards at a slow trot as Chris dashed across the grass to his family. Matt leapt at James as soon as he saw him in his panther form and was soon joined by Jason. He tensed as the two youngest boys hugged and stroked him but found himself relaxing as Chris told his mother, father, Aunts, Uncles and Wyatt what he had seen.

"Why is he in Panther form?" Coup asked.

"And his mind is shut so tight it's hard to even sense it." Phoebe added.

Chris winced and James looked up at him. "We made a mistake." He blushed slightly. "We kissed and he got the premonition from me."

"So?" Wyatt frowned in confusion though he actually didn't understand.

"Seeing cells, insane prisoners and Dementors all of a sudden wasn't good for him." Chris sighed. "I think he doesn't feel it as bad as a Panther."

"But he can't deal with it either." Paige sighed as she looked across at James knowing he could hear every word said.

James nudged at Matt and Jason with his head and the two scampered off to make Joshua play with them. The seventeen year old looked between them and James, then at the adults and nodded before working to distract all of the children for a while. He was a sharp kid. James turned to the group and rippled back into his human form. He felt his chest tighten and for an instant saw Phoebe, Anna and Pennie, the three Empaths, flinch before he slammed his walls down around his mind.

The adults winced as the saw the rather rigid way he stood and the dead, cold look to his eyes and he stepped slightly away from Chris as his boyfriend tried to hug him unwilling to show emotion of any kind around them. "We've got enough to deal with right now then dealing with my loose screws." James told them. "We need to tell the Order what we saw so they can prevent it. People from Azkaban shouldn't be in the real world."

"James. I don't want to hear that from you again." Piper told him as she took a half step towards him. "You don't have 'loose screws' and you belong here, not in that prison!"

James turned to look at her and sighed but as soon as he let his grip over his emotions slide he felt his hands begin to shake so he reigned them in again. Chris stood stubbornly at his side and James felt sorry for shirking him half a minute ago and moved into his side and let himself fall under his protective arm that settled over his shoulder.

"What are we going to do?" Phoebe asked.

"Wyatt, orb up to the Headmaster and tell him what we saw." James ordered without emotion and Wyatt gave him and then Chris a concerned look before doing as ordered.

"Mom, what's happening?" Patience asked as she appeared beside the group. As second eldest of the children, they shouldn't expect that Joshua could keep her distracted. James flinched further into James side as he remembered her words from that first night here. Chris tightened his grip.

"Chris got a premonition about Azkaban." Her mother, Phoebe, told her. "Wyatt's just gone to tell the Wizards."

"Azkaban?" Joshua asked as he appeared at her shoulder having obviously failed to keep the remaining eight children from following the older girl. "What's that?"

"The Wizarding prison that they locked James up in." Paige spoke out without thinking though she was obviously distracted by other things.

"Paige!" Piper gasped and Chris inhaled sharply. James tensed and his eyes stared passed them all into nowhere, avoiding looking at the children and seeing their reactions.

"Oh god!" Paige choked. "James, I…"

"It doesn't matter, Paige." James told her as he looked straight at her with expressionless eyes. "They would find out eventually what happened to Harry Potter. Best they hear it from us than from Wizards."

"Are you sure?" Chris asked him. James nodded and turned to stare at Joshua and then at Patience, they were only three and a half to four years younger than him.

"You know I used to be Harry Potter?" The two nodded as did the other eight children. They'd all gleaned it from somewhere whether it was Telepathy or from older siblings. "When I was your age, Patience, a Wizard called Voldemort murdered my Aunt, Uncle and Cousin with my wand to frame me. The Wizards arrested me and there was barely a real trial before they locked me away in Azkaban. I was there for eighteen months before I managed to escape and I fled to America."

"Eighteen months?" Patience frowned.

"It's a long time to be in that place without any hope to lean on." James told her before shunning the conversation as he spied Dumbledore and Wyatt crossing the grounds with Charlie, Hermione and Moody close on their heels.

"Not a word of this to anybody." Piper told all ten children. "Understood?"

Joshua nodded in a rush and the others followed though most were too confused to know what was going on. Dumbledore came to a halt in front of them and James noticed Hermione and Charlie eyeing him in concern. "Thank you ever so much for your warning."

"Of course, Headmaster." Leo told him simply. "We were just discussing what could be done to head off the Demons before they can attack."

"Are you sure it is a future event?" He asked.

They looked at James and Chris. James glanced up at Chris and they both turned back to the Charmed Ones with nods. "Maybe tonight. It was dark." Chris frowned as James winced beside him.

"I'm afraid that could mean any time. Light rarely reaches Azkaban." Dumbledore told him. "Would you all come with us to our Headquarters? I've called a full meeting and we could use your input."

Piper nodded her agreement. "How are we getting there?"

"I thought since it would best for all of us to go we'd go by Portkey." Dumbledore said with a slight twinkle in his eyes. "Floo is a rather dizzying experience for the first time."

James found himself wincing. He hated both forms of travel, Floo for it's horrible sensation but Portkeys through bad memories. He'd only used them a few times and the last three times, including his trip to Azkaban, had been unbearable for him.

"What's a Portkey?" Piper asked James warily.

"Do you know those tunnel rides at funfairs where the ceiling and walls change places?" James asked. "Imagine flying through an endless series of them."

"It's an unforgettable experience." Dumbledore grinned happily and gestured collectively for them all to approach. James' shaking grew every moment as he tried to find a way to get out of using the Portkey, there was no way he could take it without losing control of his emotions and breaking down. He could already see traps everywhere and for a horrible moment he could see Dumbledore tricking him into taking a one way Portkey into a cell in Azkaban.

"You know I shouldn't Portkey at the moment, Headmaster." Hermione told him gently with a quick glance at James. James felt his breath catch but didn't know what to think. She was seeing through his faked fortitude like she always had but was this all about that or did she really have a valid excuse. "And we don't know how wards like Potter Manor will react to a Rune Master being Portkeyed in. Perhaps we should apparate with him?"

James felt Dumbledore's eyes settle on him and James controlled himself enough to nod. "It depends on the wards, sometimes they'll react badly if the actual owner isn't giving permission." James played along though it wasn't that hard. If he had working Runes on him when he travelled through the wards it would react against him. Dumbledore didn't have to know that as the actual owner of the wards they wouldn't effect him ever.

"Perhaps that is best." Dumbledore nodded. "Charlie, my boy, perhaps you should do the apparating. We wouldn't want to stress Hermione."

"I'm staying with James." Chris declared. Dumbledore smiled the same grandfatherly smile that had always soothed James but it only irritated him and set his emotions off again. James turned away from Dumbledore to hide his pained expression and moved away to Charlie and Hermione who quickly covered their concerned looks as Dumbledore told everyone to touch the Portkey rope. A moment later they vanished and James sagged.

Chris caught him with a grunt of surprise. "I didn't think you'd appreciate a Portkey trip, you've never liked them." Hermione told James with a shrug.

"Not to mention you went slightly pale at the idea." Charlie pointed out. "Haven't known anybody hate Portkeys that much."

Chris tightened his grip sensing there was more to it. James looked around at him. "They send people to Azkaban with Portkeys." Chris' mouth shut with a click and he leant down to kiss James on the temple. James smiled back before pulling himself up and turning on Hermione.

"Shouldn't travel by Portkey at the moment?" James asked Hermione. Hermione tried to hide her smile but Charlie wasn't so controlled and he glanced at his wife with a sappy look that James easily caught. He'd crossed the gap in a second and held Hermione by the shoulders easily. "Seriously?"

"We're having twins." Hermione's announcement completely erased all of James' current fear and pain and he felt happiness of a kind he'd never felt before. He hugged her tightly and pulled back to look at Charlie. He moved and hugged the man. "You're going to be an Uncle, Ha…James."

James ignored her slip and pulled back from Charlie to hug her again. "I don't believe this!" James laughed happily before backing away to stand with Chris who hugged him around the waist from behind.

"We need to get moving or the Headmaster will get suspicious." Chris told him not wanting to spoil the mood. "I'm happy for you but I don't want you getting caught."

"He's right, Hermione." Charlie nodded and led Hermione away by the arm. James caught up to her and walked close beside. He knew the whole hugging thing had been risky in case somebody had seen them and he didn't regret it but this time he'd be a bit more subtle. Chris grabbed his hand in his own and they walked together like that.

"James?" Charlie asked after a moment. "We're naming my best friend, Cissa, as Godmother but we're not going to publicly name a Godfather at the moment."

James frowned at him in confusion but Hermione nudged him playfully seeing his clueless look. "We want you to be the Godfather."

"Hermione, you know I'd love to but…"

"Great, that's settled then." Hermione grinned.

"Hermione!" James shook his head. "I'm a convicted murderer. They'd never let me be responsible for them."

"They won't know." Hermione told him. "And we're not giving up on the hope that you'll be cleared."

"Don't be ridiculous Hermione." James turned to her as soon as they were out of the wards. James felt them brush out in farewell to him. "I don't care about being cleared anymore. I have my life right here with Chris and his family."

Chris smiled happily at that and Hermione smiled back at him. "We want the best for the twins, James." Charlie told him. "The person that we think would be the most reliable if something should happen to us is you without a question. You'd look after them no matter what happens to them or what others think. I would choose you over most of my family for that matter. They showed they couldn't be trusted to love unconditionally. You'll be named in our will and the spell will be cast to Harry Potter and that's that."

James stared in shock at the man. "That doesn't change the fact that they'll never give them to me." James told them.

"I'm working on a spell that will notify you if something happens to us. You'll know instantly." Hermione told him. "And Cissa has been told what we plan to do and has agreed not to fight you if that happens."

"You're amazing you know?" James grinned at her.

"With everything that is going on I think you're the amazing one." Chris muttered next to his ear before nipping on it. Hermione and Charlie laughed as James blushed.

"I think you should keep hold of this one, James." Charlie told him.

"As if I have a choice." James grinned and leant back into Chris' arms.

"We need to go." Hermione pointed out. "Charlie can apparate straight into the Order meeting room."

"Are you ready?" Charlie asked in concern. "They'll all be there."

James pulled himself up and straightened his features before pulling up his walls. Hermione winced as the light from his eyes vanished. "It's horrible isn't it?" Chris asked Hermione and Charlie. James frowned at him. "Your eyes go dark whenever you hide your emotions."

James winced but shrugged. "They'll always brighten for you, love." James told him before reaching out to Hermione as he held onto Chris' hand. Charlie closed his eyes to concentrate before a massive crack sounded across the area and the four vanished.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Order of the Phoenix Meeting Hall - Potter Manor

They reappeared at the end of a ball room and James was glad he hadn't had to see the outside of the building. His instincts kicked in as he felt Chris stumble and he reached out and followed the man down to his knees. "Urgh!"

"Sorry." Charlie winced.

"What?" Chris looked up to James looking rather ill as he groaned out the question.

"It's not about passengers." James told him knowing what his boyfriend was thinking. "I'm good at Apparating."

Charlie glared at him lightly as James helped Chris to stand. "Excellent, we're all here. Let me officially introduce our Wicca Friends."

"Honey, are you ok?" Piper moved to James and Chris' side.

"I'm sure he's just unused to apparating." Dumbledore pointed out. "Side along apparition can be unnerving for first timers."

"Chris is well aware of side along apparition but I believe I am a little more subtle with my Apparating." James told him as he stood and casually surveyed the room. He made a note not to study any of the people too carefully but he couldn't help having to hide the shaking of his limbs as he moved forwards towards the end of the table where the first seats were taken by his new family. They all, without exception, watched him with concern though the younger ones were more confused than concerned.

He had to lean on the end of the table as one set of faces caught his eyes and he let himself glare at the range of red heads halfway down the table to his left. He felt a sneer go to his lips and heard the sharp indrawn breaths of Paige, Phoebe, Leo, Henry, Wyatt and even Joshua and Patience as they saw that look upon his face. They were so used to James when he was dealing with wounded children and had never seen such a look on his face.

"Who do you think you're glaring at?" Ronald Weasley almost rose out of his chair.

"Don't forget I've met Harry Potter since you tried to give him over to insanity." James snarled but centred his gaze on the few around the room that he wouldn't instantly try to maul. "Maybe we should get onto business? We wouldn't want any more insane criminals escaping would we?"

"James?" Paige asked quietly. James sighed and calmed himself and looked directly at Dumbledore.

"Our spy has managed to confirm what you have said. He didn't know the target but he had heard that the Demons were going to be enlisted to gain more allies to Voldemort's cause." Dumbledore told them. Evidently Piper and the others had already explained what had happened with Chris and James.

"And what did Snape think to do about it?" James asked. There was a rustle through the building and many tensed up as James named their spy so easily. "I had to rebuild Harry's mind, I saw most of his memories dealing with Snape."

"It makes no odds whether they know our secrets or not." Bill spoke up. "Snape wasn't exactly quiet about it when we visited San Francisco before."

"For a spy he isn't very subtle." Wyatt snorted quietly though everybody heard it.

"Don't be so arrogant, boy." Moody spoke up before Snape could draw his wand. James was secretly cursing the ex-Auror. Not only had he been one of the ones that had taken pleasure from locking him up but he'd also stopped James from getting an excuse to curse the bastard Potions Master.

"You're talking to the King of Magic there, Auror. Try not to insult him." James cut back into the conversation. "I'd hate to see you run through with a sword."

Wyatt grinned at him in glee and James felt a little better for mentally killing off some of these traitors. "People!" Piper snapped as she stood. "Is there nothing better we could do than exchange threats?"

"Quite right." Dumbledore took control as if he had never lost it. "We have just warned the Ministry but they believe that the Dementors are still more than capable of fighting off the Demons and according to your Vision they are still loyal to the Ministry."

"So they won't do anything?" Hermione asked seating herself between Piper and the rest of the order. Charlie stayed standing behind her seat as Chris eased himself up beside James and subtly took his hand in his own calming James more than anything else had.

"I'm afraid not." Dumbledore sighed before turning to Piper. "Is there anything you can do to prevent the Demons entering the Island?"

Piper turned to look at James who jerked his head away from the table before stepping away. Wyatt stood first and followed James and Chris about five metres away from the table. Piper, Phoebe, Paige, Leo, Henry and Coup followed. As soon as the nine of them had come to a halt James sketched a complex Rune and a silencing ward sprung up around them in the form of a blue tinted bubble not too different from Wyatt's personal shield.

"I know enough to cast a full scale ward over Azkaban to block transport like I did on the Manor." James paused unsure of himself.

"But…?" Wyatt asked looking worried as he glanced at his younger brother standing at James' side.

"I'd have to be on the Island and it would take me at least two days." James admitted.

"Well that's a no then." Chris stated. The others paused to consider it but all agreed with Chris. There was no way that James was setting foot back on that Island. Chris sighed in relief that he wasn't going to have to fight with his family over this. "Is there anything we can do. A spell to block magical transport?"

"There is one but to cast it over such an area would take all of us." Paige sighed. "We'd have to be able to see what we were casting it over."

"It's near enough to see from the coast." James told her. "But it won't be a pleasant thing to see."

"I can drop you off at Hogwarts before we go." Chris told him.

"No." James shook his head. "You need me to take you there and you need everyone we can on this one and Anna and Pennie aren't going. Neither are Matt and Jason for that matter."

"You just said we need everyone." Wyatt pointed out. "Surely we won't be there for more than a few minutes if that."

"No. Anna, Pennie, Matt and Jason are going back to Hogwarts even if I have to spell them asleep and magic them to their beds." James told him sternly.

Piper looked relieved that their youngest children weren't going on this task but looked uncertain at allowing her son's boyfriend to return there when just the mention of the place brought him to the edge of a mental breakdown. "Are you sure?" Piper asked.

James stared at her knowing she was asking about him and not the children. He nodded. "You can't defend from Dementors and not all of my powers are emotion based like yours."

"He's right." It seemed to pain Chris to say this. "I lost all of my powers when faced with that Dementor in the alley way."

Piper nodded at James and turned back to the table. James cancelled his Rune and the bubble vanished. "We have a spell that might block all magical transport onto the Island. James will show us where it is."

"You think you can cast such a spell?" Kingsley asked.

"We have before." Paige told them all. "Never on an entire Island but there is a first time for everything."

"Be careful. Dementors are not pleasant creatures to face even if you know how to fend them off." Dumbledore warned.

"I am well versed in fending off Dementors." James smirked as an idea came to him. "Both Piper and I have destroyed a Dementor. Utterly killed them."

"Impossible!" Snape snorted and there was a round of agreement from the other Wizards.

"Only to normal Wizardry like your own. Rune Magic and Wicca Magic are both effective." James sneered. "Now if you don't mind." He reached out to Chris who got the idea and as soon as he had hold of both James and Patience who was standing closest to them they orbed from the room back to Hogwarts.

The others all followed in one way or another out of Potter Manor and back to their common room in Hogwarts. James sagged down onto the sofa with a growl. "That was Ron Weasley, wasn't it?"

"Who are you talking about Chris?" Patience frowned as the others began to orb or glow into the room.

"The red head who told you off for glaring at them?" Chris ignored his sister for a moment.

James turned to her though. "He was my best friend at school and tried to arrest me two months ago in San Francisco." Longer if you counted Chris and James' stint in the past.

Patience snorted and turned to her Aunts and Mother as Piper explained what they were going to do. "Do we all have to go?"

"Everyone but those James said." Phoebe told her eldest daughter.

"Orb us all out of the wards and then I'll apparate myself, you follow. It isn't that far from here really." James told them before pushing himself to his feet and taking Chris' offered hand. Chris nodded but waited for everyone else to get ready before orbing away. A second later they reappeared as a group on the path out of Hogwarts and James drew himself up before letting go of Chris knowing that two bouts of Apparition would be more than he could handle even if hitching a ride with James was more pleasant than with other Wizards.

He apparated away with a small pop and reappeared instantly on the Northern most point of Northwest Scotland. He felt the cold slam into him in an instant and could only stare at the vortex of storm clouds that spiralled down above Azkaban Island like the gods reaching down from the heavens to smite the prisoners. Lightning flashed with a loud crack of thunder as red and white lights burst into being around him and twelve forms appeared between him and the edge of the cliff. They were all facing him.

"James?" Chris stopped in front of him but James barely glanced at him. "Love, please talk to me."

James gasped in a pained breath and pointed passed his boyfriend and out to sea. Everyone turned to look and instantly they too were hit by the depressive cold of the air. James walked through them all to stand near the edge. "Welcome to Azkaban." He told them quietly. Almost three miles out was the silhouette of the sharp edged Island and the looming fortress above it. Lightning crackled across the sky lighting the black rock for instances at a time.

As if in answer to their stares a low groan reached them even across the vast stretch of water. They all flinched at the sound of that low mournful cry. "What was that?" Phoebe gasped.

"Even the distance can't prevent the cries of the prisoners from reaching out." James told them.

"This is horrible." Wyatt gasped out. Chris stared at James in newfound love and a desperate need to protect him almost had him orbing James away. James glanced at him before a wave of cold swept up from the water and along with it the smell of death and despair. He gasped and clutched at his head even as Phoebe almost screamed.

"So much pain, suffering." Phoebe reached out and Joshua grabbed her.

James glanced at the children to see them all trembling but there was one missing. Felix was closer to the edge of the cliff and he took another step towards the edge. He wasn't looking at the Island like everyone else but was staring down at the water. "Felix!" James cried out. "Wyatt! Grab him!"

Wyatt barely needed the order and leapt forwards grabbing the suddenly struggling fifteen year old around the waist and throwing them both backwards. Felix lashed out but only sent them falling to the floor. Wyatt held him tightly to his chest and James collapsed down on the wet ground beside them and grabbed at Felix's head forcing his eyes to meet his own.

"Ignore it Felix!" James yelled. "Look at me, focus on me! Focus on Wyatt!"

Felix seemed to calm down but another groan reached them, this one a final one of despair, and his eyes glazed over and he tried to wriggle out of Wyatt's tight grip. James sketched a sleeping Rune and it burned red before leaping into Felix who went limp in an instant. "I'm so sorry, Felix. I forgot!"

"James!" Chris yelled in his ear as James laid his hand over Felix's own trapped by Wyatt.

"Let's get this over with and get back to the Castle!" James turned with a determined air. Phoebe knelt beside Wyatt and lifted Felix off of Wyatt with Joshua's help. James stood and joined the group. Phoebe handed Felix to Wyatt who hefted him up into his arms. The fifteen year old hugged Wyatt but was still asleep as Wyatt joined them. James focused all his Wiccan energy at the Island and couldn't be more glad when he felt the spell form successfully. "Get us back to the common room." For the first time ever James went to Wyatt instead of Chris to hitch a lift and Chris nodded at him to show he didn't mind. He needed to be with Felix.

The thirteen burst into orbs or glows and reappeared moments later in the common room in Hogwarts. The three husbands scrambled up from the sofa with the four young ones with them.

James dropped onto the sofa and motioned to Wyatt, who placed Felix next to James. "What happened to him?" Coup gasped as he sat on Felix's other side. James held Felix tightly feeling responsible for his mental health.

"I'm really sorry, I forgot about his ability to read desires." James pleaded with the man. Chris ducked down on James' left and grasped his hands.

"It's not your fault!" Chris told him sternly.

"James, can you wake him up?" Phoebe asked as she settled down in front of her fifteen year old son.

James nodded. "I think he shouldn't have a whole audience though. He won't be himself." James met Phoebe's eyes and knew she had an idea what he meant. "Take them all down to the Great Hall. They all need chocolate."

Piper nodded and ushered all of the children from the room. James watched them go. He knew that even though he had spared the Telepaths and Empaths from the Island he hadn't spared them from the emotions and thoughts of their own siblings and parents and even the four that had remained were pale and shaking even after only a few minutes. Phoebe, Coup, Wyatt and Chris were the only ones that remained and James sighed before looking at Phoebe.

"I'm sorry. I didn't think about him being a reader of Desires." James sighed.

"Why did he go all violent on me?" Wyatt asked concerned over the reaction of his cousin.

"He wanted to die." James choked and tears escaped from his eyes. Chris, Wyatt and Coup blanched but Phoebe had obviously already realised this from his emotions. "Most of the prisoners in there give up trying to escape quickly and after that they just want to find a way to kill themselves."

"I've felt it before." Coup looked seriously upset. "Never enough to want to kill myself though."

"Have you ever faced a thousand people that all want to die more than anything else in the world and have that thought as the only one they can form anymore?" James asked. Coup looked pained and pulled his son up onto his lap. James sagged back onto the sofa and sketched his Rune into the air to counter the one that had put him in a sleep.

Almost instantly Felix bolted awake and cried out in despair. Phoebe flinched but Coup was already soothing his son with kind words. Telling him that it wasn't real and that those desires weren't his own. James struggled to his feet and Chris grabbed him around the waist.

"Thanks, James." Chris whispered.

"I…"

"James, don't." Wyatt half snapped. "Don't blame yourself. None of us thought about what would happen to him."

"You didn't already know it would. I made a mistake and now Felix will have to deal with it." James told him before turning to look at Phoebe. "I'm so sorry."

"I know you are, James. But we all make mistakes and we don't blame you for it." Phoebe told him. "Now, go get some rest. Chris, honey? Stay with James. His mind is completely torn apart."

James flinched but felt Chris hold him tighter. Wyatt stepped forwards and gave them both a loose hug. "Thanks for warning me, James." James looked up as the older man pulled back and nodded.

"Time to get some rest." Chris told him before pulling him up the stairs and onto their corridor.

James stopped them outside the bathroom as they passed the door. "Chris? Could we take a shower first? I feel cold."

Chris paused but nodded before tugging him into the bathroom.

(Slash scene - NC-17)

James broke away from Chris as soon as they entered the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror. Dead green eyes stared back at him and tear tracks ran down his cheeks. He'd bitten into his bottom lip at some point and blood sat on his bottom lip. He licked across the blood to clean it off and enjoyed the taste of something living against his tongue.

Chris stepped up behind him and knowing that James would be comforted more with contact to his skin, he'd already taken off his jumper and shirt. His bare arms came around his waist and pulled upwards under his own jumper and t-shirt to tighten around bare flesh. James smiled weakly at him and settled back with his head on Chris' shoulder. Chris lowered his head and kissed James' neck lovingly before pulled both his jumper and t-shirt over his head and dropping them to the floor.

James leaned back as he let Chris toy with the skin of his chest and stomach, soothing the tensed muscles with light touches. James sighed as Chris' hand lowered to his combats and he felt his flies being undone. He let Chris' hand slip into his trousers without comment but then moved his hips forwards slightly so he could fit his own hand between them. He fumbled for a moment to undo Chris' button but when he undid the zip his boyfriend tensed up. James knew why as his hand brushed over his loves half hard cock.

James was too tired, upset and depressed to feel aroused by much but he couldn't blame Chris for feeling differently and maybe this would help him get over it. James pushed his hand down under Chris' boxers and brushed his fingers down his cock before reaching under to cup his balls in his hand loosely. Giving his silent permission for Chris to feel like this. Chris sighed explosively in relief.

"James, we don't have to." Chris told him.

"I want to but I don't think I'm in the mood yet." James turned his head on his boyfriend's shoulder and kissed his neck. "Maybe later."

"You're still cold though. Let's get in the shower." Chris reached out with his right hand and with a deft flick of his wrist the shower knob turned onto a moderately warm setting and water began to flow filling the room with warm steam. James felt Chris' hand on the top of his jeans and paused his careful fondling of his boyfriend's balls to let him push them and his boxers down to the floor. He kicked them and his shoes away and gently tugged on the balls behind him as Chris ran his hands along James' thighs and back to his stomach avoiding his own cock, understanding that James would tell him if he wanted it.

James turned in Chris' arms, getting a groan from his boyfriend as he was forced to adjust his grip on his balls. Chris helped James to pushed down his jeans and Chris pulled away to slip off his shoes and step out of his trousers and boxers.

Chris looked down at James and held out his arms. James barely paused before moving forwards and hugging his naked boyfriend to him. He felt Chris' hardened cock against his stomach even though his own wasn't reacting all that much so he pulled them both back into the shower so he could give his boyfriend the release they both wanted. James wanted to feel like he was wanted, needed and loved while Chris wanted to know that James was clear in the fact that he was just that.

James pushed Chris against the wall and let him pull James flush against him. James moved to the left slightly so that Chris' cock wasn't trapped between them before he reached down and started fondling, pulling and teasing Chris' balls in his hand while he kissed at Chris' chest and throat. Hot water poured down over their heads and James quickly began to warm up again, the last of the Dementor's cold leeching out of his body and into the drain below them.

James moved his hand up Chris' shaft and ran a finger over the head of his cock before running his fingers around the ridge just like he knew Chris liked it. Chris bucked forwards but was trapped against the wall by James' body. Instead his cock jumped and James circled it completely with his fist. Chris' hands came up from his sides. His right just about managed to reach around to James' back while the other came forwards to squeeze his arse. James paused in his ministrations to look up and meet the eyes of his lover.

Chris sighed in pleasure and leaned down to kiss him. As soon as their lips met Chris ran his tongue across James' lips asking for permission which James granted with barely a thought. They kissed as James pushed his fisted hand down Chris' cock before setting up a steady rhythm as he worked his boyfriend towards climax. Chris groaned into James' mouth and began rocking his hips as much as he could manage. James didn't let up until Chris was grunting out even though neither broke their kiss but when he knew that Chris was nearing his end he let go of his cock and used his finger nails to run around the ridge of his cock. His cock leapt again and Chris snapped his head back as a groan ripped from his throat even as his cum sprayed up onto his stomach.

He sagged back against the wall and James shifted his position to completely cover his boyfriend to help him stay upright. Chris finally opened his eyes again and kissed James quickly. "Thanks."

"Not a problem." James smiled up at him. "I think it helped me as much as you."

He pressed his hips forwards and proved that the sight of Chris' orgasm still could turn him on since he was half hard and pressing against Chris' balls and softening cock. "You want me to?" Chris asked with a vague nod down between their bodies.

"Not yet." James smiled at him. "Maybe once we get back to bed."

(End of NC-17 scene)

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

The next morning

James and Chris walked down the stairs into the common room and greeted those already there. Piper and Leo were making breakfast in the kitchen area while Paige was seated on the floor in the doorway out to the balcony with her two youngest children, Matt and Ashley, as well as Jason the last of the under fourteens of the extended family. They were playing a game of cards that seemed to frequently resort to laughing at each other.

Henry was sitting on the sofa with a stack of card encased reports on his lap and flicked through them with a frown on his face, obviously trying to refresh his mind on the cases he had ongoing before he returned to work that morning. Wyatt, Joshua and Luke were still upstairs either lounging in bed for as long as they could get away with it or getting ready for the day. Chances were the missing girls, Patience, Prue, Anna and Pennie were still upstairs in a similar situation.

James frowned as he moved to the counter. The only thing odd about the family was that Phoebe, Coup and Felix were missing. "Morning mom, dad." Chris rubbed at his face with his hands as he hoisted himself up onto the counter top. James leaned back between his legs and Chris joined his hands around James' shoulders in a loose embrace.

"Morning, Piper, Leo." James copied his boyfriend for the most part. "Where's Phoebe, Coup and Felix?"

Piper winced. "Coup had trouble getting Felix to go up to bed last night so the three of them were up rather late." He sighed. "I think Coup took them back to San Francisco early in the morning so that Felix could sleep in his own bed."

James sighed. "It's not your fault, James." Leo told him. James leaned his head back onto Chris' chest but leaned forwards again almost instantly.

"It was kinda my fault for forgetting it." James told them before cutting in before they could argue. "I won't rip into myself anymore about it if that's what's worrying you but I need to see that Felix is going to be alright before I can forgive myself. I need him to forgive me first."

"We understand." Piper nodded.

James turned to look at Chris briefly. "What time were you, Wyatt, Henry and Phoebe planning on going home?" He asked. Technically Coup would be returning to his work as well but since he could go from here just as easily as anywhere else that wasn't a major problem.

"We were planning on leaving at about two." Chris told him. "That'll get Uncle Henry, and Aunt Phoebe to work on time and give me and Wyatt time to get ourselves sorted out. I have classes tomorrow."

James nodded resolutely before moving to grab a mug of the hot chocolate that was sitting on the stove to keep warm. Chris was eyeing his parents when James turned back and James snorted. "I'll be over there playing cards so you can whisper and everything."

Chris rolled his eyes. "Psychologist!" He cursed though in an affectionate way. James slapped him lightly on the arm before darting out of the kitchen area to spare himself the retribution.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Later that day

James followed the group at a distance with Chris at his side. They held hands tightly as if afraid to let go and James half felt like he was walking down a long tunnel. He didn't pay attention to the trees on either side and barely saw the large group of Chris' family in front of them. They were on their way to Hogsmeade though four of the members of the group wouldn't come back to the Castle. They'd just eaten lunch and Dumbledore had brought up the fact that since the children would all be attending classes it would only be right if they fit in and therefore the group should go into Hogsmeade and purchase robes for school use, at the school's expense of course.

If it wasn't for the fact that he hated the old bastard he might have laughed at the children's' faces, especially Patience's and Joshua's who both eyed the Headmaster's robes with trepidation. McGonagall and a rather reluctant Flitwick had offered to act as guides and advisers on the shopping trip and were leading the group to the town.

James had to pause at the entrance of the town and Chris came to a halt without comment knowing that entering the town would probably cause James some pain. James watched as, lower down the street through town, Wyatt, Henry, Phoebe and Piper stopped while the others followed their guides. The four figures turned back to find out where they'd gone and Chris waved at them slowly.

"I'm ok." James told him before coming to a decision over something he had being toying with since that morning. "Can I come with you?" James asked.

A wide grin split Chris' face and he nodded enthusiastically, even if it was only for a few minutes it would be less like he was leaving James behind. Some proof for them both that they would still be within reach of each other. "Come on. Henry will be getting anxious."

"Do you think they'd let me apparate?" James asked. "It'll be quicker really."

Chris eyed him but grinned again. "You know I'd let you do anything if it made you happy."

"I know you would." James smirked at him and Chris went bright red as they came to a stop with the other before them. "Piper, I'm going back with Chris for a while. I'll be back for the feast tonight. Do you mind?"

"Not at all!" Piper glanced at Chris with a strange look but James passed it off as curiosity over his red face.

"James wants to apparate us." Chris told his brother. Henry and Phoebe looked intrigued but Wyatt frowned since he had felt it before. "If Matt can do it so can we." Chris pointed out and, so as not to be outdone by his ten year old cousin, Wyatt agreed. James lifted the hand that Chris held so it was in the middle of them all. Piper hugged her sons quickly and then told James that she'd see him later before backing away from the group. Phoebe, Wyatt and Henry all grabbed hold of James' hand or wrist and James apparated them away with a small pop.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

San Francisco - Chris' flat

James breathed in deeply as he finally apparated into his boyfriend's flat. It was early in San Francisco and the sun reached through the open window. Chris was sitting on the counter top waiting for him since, after arriving at the Manor, James had taken Phoebe and Henry back to their respective homes before coming to find Chris. They'd agreed it was safer for James not to venture into his own place since both Sam and Jackie had keys and used it on the odd occasion and James didn't want to try to explain his sudden holiday from his work in Scotland even if he was due to return for a week in three weeks time to check up on all of his cases.

"You look worried." James pointed out.

Chris rolled his eyes but even that sarcastic movement didn't cover his nervousness well. The taller man hopped off of the counter and nervously grasped his hands in front of him.

"You're not going to ask me to stay are you because if you do I will and your sisters and cousins need protecting and I don't want to let them down." James was cut off from his rambling when Chris' hand covered his mouth. The nervousness vanished under a layer of amusement and he pulled his hand away.

"I wasn't going to ask you that though I admit the thought did cross my mind." Chris smiled and pushed James backwards. James thought about letting his Panther instincts stop him from falling but he trusted Chris and knew that there was an armchair behind him so let himself fall into it smoothly. Chris crouched in front of him and James leaned forwards.

"What's got you so wired?" James asked.

"I need to ask you something." Chris sighed. "You know I'm not as eloquent as you are around your kids so will you please just smooth over the edges in your head."

"No problem." James grinned though it was more to cover his confusion than anything else. His boyfriend's expression was completely serious, an expression that he'd only seen when he was confronted with a James that was terrified of something.

"I've been thinking about this ever since Halloween." Chris paused and James knew he meant the Halloween in the past where James' parents had died. "Every time I look at you I think about it and I know that's some kind of sign. I know you hate anything to do with destiny but I think this has more to do with my feelings for you, our feelings for each other, than anything else."

"Ok." James nodded to show he understood though that was only to do with the meaning of the words and not where this was going.

"I love you like I've never loved anyone else before and from what you've told me, you love me like you never thought you could anymore." Chris continued and James realised with a start that he had tears in his eyes. "My family loves you and trusts you. I love you and trust you implicitly and I want nothing more than to have you be a part of my family. To have you with me, side by side, for the rest of our lives. Can you do that? Can you love me for the rest of your life?"

"Chris, I could love you far beyond death." James told him as he wiped the tears from Chris' cheeks with his thumbs and moved his fingers to card through his boyfriend's hair as he leaned forward in the armchair. "You're right. Before I took that job with Paige I had only just accepted that I loved Sam and Jackie but it never occurred to me in my wildest wishes that I could love somebody in the way I love you and definitely not have that feeling returned. I thought that I'd never trust somebody enough to be like that again but I've never for an instant thought that you were capable of hurting me and that's what tells me that I really am in love with you and always will be."

Chris' eyes lit up and his hands vanished from where they had been placed on James' knees. James leaned back slightly to look his boyfriend over in time to see him pull out a small box. "I wanted to ask you if you could love me forever. I want us to be together forever and I want to know if you'd accept this from me. Will you, James Evans, be my partner for the rest of our lives? Will you trust me to love you unconditionally through everything that we'll face? Will you?" He seemed to lose pace here but that didn't matter to James who had never felt happier in his life as he flung himself forwards and overbalanced Chris. He hugged Chris to him as they hit the floor and Chris chuckled before forcing them both up to a seated position.

He pulled open the small box and looked up at James. "Of course I will, Chris, and as soon as I can talk to Hermione you'll have a Promise Ring to wear if you'll accept it." He kissed Chris soundly before pulling away as Chris slid the silver serpentine ring over James' left ring finger. The placement was symbolic that James was as good as promised to Chris, married as it were in their own minds and that of the family, for the rest of his life.

"Where did you get this ring?" James asked as he traced the snakes with his right fingers gently. It was solid silver and of such craftsmanship that it had to be very old and was probably expensive back then let alone now.

"It's been in dad's family for as long as they can remember. It's always been passed down through the eldest son but because of me being gay and unlikely to actually marry, Wyatt agreed that I should have it. It was that or a car." He laughed as he remembered what Wyatt had said the night he had met James. "I'm glad they did now."

"So am I." James smiled at him before realising something. "Is this what you were talking to your parents about at breakfast this morning?"

Chris nodded. "I mentioned it to them when we got back from the past and they said that we had their blessings but I wanted to tell them that I was going to do it."

James leaned forwards and kissed him on the lips. "Christopher Halliwell. I would gladly go back to Azkaban for you and while I hope it doesn't happen I hope it tells you just how much I love you."

Chris choked and fumbled to grab at James' hands. Those words really did tell him that he couldn't be more loved. James wouldn't say those words without thought or without meaning them.

"And I would gladly break you out of Azkaban a thousand times to prove that I love you." Chris told him before smiling widely. "Come on, I want to go see Wyatt before we go back. I want to tell him!"

James smiled at him fondly. Chris might act a bit jealous of his brother but in this he wanted his big brother's blessing. James let himself be orbed from the flat and across to Wyatt's flat only two blocks away but knew as they reappeared in the man's living room that he was covering his happy expression better than Chris was.

"Wyatt!" Chris sounded gleeful and James smiled fondly at him as he silently released his boyfriend's hand. "I asked him!"

"Asked him what?" Wyatt, who had been reading a book on the sofa, glanced up from his page and flashed them both a quick look. James easily saw the mirth there and winked at the older man.

"Wyatt! I asked him and he said yes!" Chris grabbed his brother by the upper arms rather unceremoniously and yanked him up.

"Well of course he did." Wyatt grinned at his brother with a fondness similar to James' own and James stayed out of it knowing it was something between brothers. "How could he not love you?"

"You mean you knew?" Chris gasped. "You've tormented me for the last two weeks about asking him and you knew he'd say yes?"

James stifled a small laugh with his hand. "You had to be sure you wanted it. You had to be able to take the risk of being rejected to be sure you wanted it."

"Hey, he's smarter than he looks." James commented. Chris turned to stare at him but Wyatt just laughed.

"Welcome to the family, James." Wyatt told him officially.

"No place I'd rather be." James told him plainly and caught his eyes showing that he was one hundred percent serious in his statement. Wyatt grinned and enveloped his brother in a tight hug. Chris sagged into his brother as the tension seemed to fall out of him and James found himself smiling even more.

Wyatt pulled away and offered his hand to James who took it without hesitation though he was rather shocked when Wyatt pulled him forwards and hugged him briefly. His mouth lingered near his ear as he spoke. "Look after him?"

"Always." James whispered back sealing a do-or-die promise with the older brother of the man he loved.

Wyatt nodded at him before looking at Chris. "You want to go out and celebrate?"

"Sure!" Chris nodded and turned to James. "James?"

"I should get back to Hogwarts. It's nearly dinner there and if I don't go soon, your family is going to be swamped with strange Wizarding children." James faked a shudder.

"Our family." Chris told him seriously but couldn't keep the grin from appearing. Wyatt openly grinned and James was glad that he was happy for James to join the family.

"You're our unofficial brother-in-law now." Wyatt stated. "As far as I'm concerned that's all we need."

"Thanks Wyatt." James smiled at him. "That means more to me than you'll ever know."

"After yesterday and seeing what you went through I can well imagine who much it means but I'm serious." Wyatt told him. "You're a Halliwell now as far as we're concerned and with that comes the good and the bad."

"I'll happily take all the bad to make Chris happy." James told him and by Wyatt's nod he knew he'd passed the test. Chris tugged him into a quick hug and a kiss, ignoring Wyatt's faked disgust, before letting him go. "I'll see you soon, I promise."

"I love you." Chris told him quietly and even though Wyatt could hear perfectly he pretended he hadn't.

"I love you too." James smiled before he vanished with an almost silent pop.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Hogwarts

James reappeared with a similar pop on the outside of the wards fully expecting Chris' family, his family, to have returned to Hogwarts already. He looked in both directions before his form shimmered and he became Shadow. He purred at the sensation of being a predator once again before crouching low to the centre of the path to smell out his prey, or not prey as the case may be.

He caught the lingering smell of the older girls' perfumes first and then each of the distinct scents of the members of the extended family that Shadow knew down to scent and name. They'd passed by less than twenty minutes ago. James pawed at the ground before leaping into action. Panthers were some of the fastest predators on the planet and some of the most dangerous and Black Panthers were ideally suited for dying light or night time hunts because of their black coats but Shadow was still a Leopard as things went and that made him fast. What would have normally taken a human ten minutes to run took him only a minute and a half though he wasn't really counting.

He pawed open the front doors of the Castle and paused in the doorway as he sought out the family's scents again and determined that they had gone up to the common room, or Den, rather than into the Great Hall. James was off up the banister with instinctual ease and flew round the corridors with a confidence he hadn't felt in years. That all came to a half though as he slunk around the corner to the Den to see Snape striding his way towards him.

Snape paused as he saw the faint black edges of James' shape behind one of the sconces and his hand twitched towards his wand. James couldn't help it, he was in a good mood and this would just make it all the better. He growled, not a nice sound really. It meant only one thing. Run from me in the next two seconds or I'll clamp my teeth around your neck and squeeze.

Snape seemed to be for the latter since he didn't turn tail and flee so James crouched low to the ground and stepped out into the centre of the hallway with a low rumbling growl. He paused and his tail twitched low to the ground and he lifted a paw from the ground as if tempted to pounce. He pulled up his hackles and knew that a double row of glistening, sharp teeth were easily visible with long canines at the front.

Snape seemed to think better of trying to spell him so instead set off a loud bang from his wand and all but fled down the hallway away from Shadow. James shook his head at the sudden loud noise before trotting towards the statue with an easy gait just as a worried looking Coup moved it aside to find the source of the noise. James mewled at him in greeting and the man's frown turned into one of amusement and he slipped back inside.

James was instantly pounced on by Matt, Ashley and to his surprise a more cheerful Felix. James made a point of purring at the fifteen year old as he pushed his head into the boy's side.

"You're in a good mood." Patience's voice was clear from only a few metres on his right. James looked at her sour face before nudging at the three boys to back away. In a smooth motion James once again stood there with a wide grin on his face.

"Yup. Good mood." James paused as he took in all of their appearances. He couldn't even hope to cover up the look of malicious glee from spreading onto his face as he saw that all of the children were wearing black Wizarding robes and that they all looked rather out of character. "You all look ridiculous." He snorted.

"James." Piper whined from the kitchen. "Paige, Coup, Leo and I were hoping you'd be on our side with this one. You're supposed to tell them they look great."

"But they look ridiculous." James told her and heard Joshua snort in amusement. The nearly eighteen year old cowered under his mother's glare however. "I was glad to not have to wear those things again."

"Well the Headmaster thought that maybe we should wear them as well." Piper told him with a grin of victory on her face.

"I'm not wearing those again." James told her with a shake of the head as he backed away.

"We can't expect them to wear them if we don't." Leo pointed out demurely.

"Then maybe they shouldn't wear them." James shrugged with a little grin on his face that looked every bit cheerful though his mood had shifted as soon as the concept of him wearing those cursed robes again was brought up. He let his expression shift slightly into it's true pained one and Piper and Leo's eyes widened. "I won't wear those things again."

"Why?" Leo asked quietly as Piper said something rather loudly to distract them all from Leo and James' suddenly private conversation.

"Because they forced me into a set for my trial and it was the only clothes I had for eighteen months in Azkaban." James told him quietly before shuttering his eyes and shaking his head to clear it completely. He opened them again to see Leo nod at him before he turned to take in the argument between Piper, Coup and Patience. "It won't be so bad, Patience." James told her.

"That's ok for you to say, you don't have to wear them." Patience retorted.

"But I did have to wear them for five years when I came here." James told her. "You only really need to wear the whole thing today. Even the Wizards will only wear their outer robes to classes."

Piper and Paige looked rather relieved by this and they nodded at James. James flashed them a grin and his good mood was back as he realised they were his family now that he had taken the ring from Chris. "That's still bad enough." Joshua sighed and collapsed onto the sofa.

"Just be glad you're not being forced to wear what the Headmaster walks around in." James commented blandly and as a whole the room shuddered.

"Did everybody get back to San Francisco ok?" Coup asked.

"They weren't too sick if that's what you mean." James told him. "Phoebe and Henry should be at work now and I think Chris and Wyatt planned to go out drinking."

"Drinking!" Piper gasped. "It's only midday over there."

"They had a good reason, Piper." James told her and brushed his recently browned hair away from his ear. Leo caught the motion and his eyes widened before he smiled properly at James.

"I'd say that's a good enough reason to let this one go, honey." Leo told his wife with a grin.

"What!?" Piper rounded on them both. "How can you say that?"

"Chris said he'd already talked to you about it." James smirked at her and she frowned.

"He didn't talk about going out drinking as soon as he was out of my sight." Piper told him.

"But he did talk to you about this?" James held up his left hand with the silver ring clearly visible. Piper came up short with a startled expression before she lunged forwards. James only just managed to keep to his feet as she hugged him tightly. James sighed and for the first time he actually hugged her back. She seemed surprised but only hugged him tighter.

"Mom! Dad! What's he talking about?" Anna asked.

"We can't see!" Ashley pointed out.

"Shh!" Joshua told them both but as James pulled back the seventeen year old looked at him with an explain-or-suffer-my-wraith look. James grinned and showed him the ring. Joshua looked confused for a moment before he sucked in a breath and stood up. Before James realised what was happening he was getting another hug. "Congratulations." Joshua told him with a smile as he pulled away.

James was instantly hugged by Leo and then Paige. "Josh!" Matt asked as he tugged on his older brother's arm. "What's the ring for?"

"It means we've got a new cousin." Joshua told the little boy. "It means James and Chris are as good as married. He's family now."

"If you'll all have me." James said seriously.

Joshua looked around at the others. Some were still confused but it was really only the older ones that mattered with this. Even Patience nodded at Joshua and the boy turned back to James. "Without a doubt." He grinned. "Now, since we're all in a festive mood, do we really have to wear these?"

James laughed happily and hugged Matt when he clamped himself to his waist. "Thanks." He told Joshua who simply smiled at him.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

That evening

They celebrated together in the common room until James ushered the children up to their rooms to change into their robes. He had changed earlier into the most rebellious clothing he had brought with him. Piper eyed his ripped jeans and loose hoody over a black t-shirt for a moment as she sat opposite him on the sofas joining Coup, Paige and Leo, the adults of the group. Instead of the expected suggestion to wear something neater like they were she grinned at him in understanding.

"Going for as many glares as possible then?" Piper asked.

"Makes it easier to glare at them I suppose." James pointed out.

"You could not glare at them in the first place." Leo suggested with a raised eyebrow.

James winced and Paige came to his rescue. "I don't think James should bottle up his emotions so much." She smiled at him gently. "It's not good for you."

James nodded and shrugged at Leo and Coup who seemed to understand. "How was Felix when you went into town?"

Coup deflated. "He was walking around like a zombie. He spent the night having nightmares so he's tired too. I hoped that a completely magical town would bring him out again but he ignored it all even with all the others running around staring at everything."

"He seemed to come out a bit just now." James pointed out. "He's close to Chris."

"We're all really happy about this, James." Piper told him. "We're happy for both of you."

"Thanks." James nodded before looking back at Coup to continue more important conversations.

"Could we wipe that memory from his mind?" Piper asked seeing the look.

"We'd have to wipe the last few days and you know they don't do it for just anything." Leo sighed.

"Wizards have a better way of doing it. They could remove the trip from Azkaban from his mind but I'm not sure I like that idea." James frowned.

"Why not?" Piper asked.

"Magic is a shortcut and there's no telling what it can do to the mind. For starters we don't know what mixing the magic would do and even with Wizards it is risky to remove memories so tied into emotions and in his case depression." James explained. "We'd be risking him getting depressed at a later time and recalling the event. Not something I even want to imagine."

"Well, what do we do then?" Coup asked as he leaned forwards. James looked at Paige but she deferred to him with a small gesture just like she did in consultations at work.

"In my professional opinion we need to stabilise his environment." James told them. "Luckily for us that means a world full of magic and strange situations. We keep an eye on him and we tell Joshua and Patience what to look out for so they can keep an eye on him when we can't."

"How about taking him home?" Coup asked. "Phoebe will be there to look out for him."

"Home would be good but I think he needs Jason, Patience and his cousins as much as possible." James told them. "I'm not as needed now that the wards are purified so I can keep an eye on him."

"You think he could have problems during the day?" Coup asked.

"Anything could remind him of it. Especially around here." James told them.

"What about professional help in the long term?" Piper asked.

"James is professional help." Paige pointed out.

"Maybe if the situation changes he might benefit from someone with more experience with helping children. My Professor at College perhaps." James paused. "But for the time being the best person to help is somebody that understands the desires he's feeling even if they shouldn't be there. I'm the only person here that knows how he feels."

James met their eyes weakly. "You don't mean what we're thinking do you?" Piper was the only one willing to ask.

"It's hard not to think about killing yourself in that place, Piper. It's just normally you can't do anything about it." James sighed. "I could have and probably would have if Gemma hadn't prompted me to escape."

"Oh, honey!" Piper moved to sit beside him and hugged him gently.

"It's ok Piper, I haven't thought about doing that again for a while." James told her.

"How long exactly?" Paige asked him.

James tensed and stood up from the sofa. "They'll be down soon and I'd rather not have them hear this conversation. I'm going to go for a run and scout out the students. I'll meet you in the Great Hall for dinner."

Piper went to open her mouth but Paige shot her a look before standing and following James out into the corridor. "James, I'm sorry I asked that. We're just all worried about you. None of us really want you to have to stay here and we feel guilty for needing your help and dragging you back here when it's clear you want a free life in San Francisco."

"Paige, it's hard to be back here. I hate it really and there is nothing I want more than to take you all home and go back to Chris, especially with this." James held up his hand to show the ring. "But I want to see Voldemort destroyed and part of me wants to wring the truth from him so that they all understand their betrayal. I want to see the pain in their eyes before I leave this place permanently."

"James." Paige started but paused before asking a question. "I'm serious about wanting to help you. I know you're one of those people that wouldn't want some official talking to them in an office and I know Chris is the best thing for you but I still want to help."

"Seven months." James told her after a moment. "If you count the two months in the past."

"Seven months?" Paige asked before her eyes widened. "What happened?"

"I got really scared at a night club with Sam and later that night I had such a bad nightmare that I couldn't stand the thought of it going on without end." James stopped walking suddenly. "Sam found me trying to cut my wrists. His face, it told me everything. I haven't even considered it since then."

Paige didn't speak knowing that it was unnecessary but she did pull him into a brief hug. James pulled away earlier than normal and a second later Shadow was in his place. Paige ruffled his fur and James growled playfully at her before sprinting off down the corridors towards the front entrance.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Hogsmeade Station

"Well hello there." Hagrid's voice spoke up as James slunk out up the steps that led up to the stone platform. The half-giant was standing near the exit that would lead down to the water edge. "Dumbledore told me you were a Panther Animagus and what a beauty!"

James tilted his head before flashing his teeth. James pushed up with his forepaws and shimmered back into his own form. "Careful Mr. Hagrid, or Chris will get jealous."

"Just Hagrid please!" James' first friend said.

"Harry told me as such." James nodded sliding his old persona into the conversation. If anyone trusted in him it would be the half-giant.

"What else did he tell you?" Hagrid asked with a nervous glance.

"You don't believe I know him?" James asked but shrugged. "You were the first person to ever give him a birthday present. Well apart from his first birthday but he doesn't remember that of course. What happened to Hedwig after he was imprisoned?"

"I think she stays with Neville Longbottom." Hagrid said before looking at James carefully and nodding. James smiled.

"Why Longbottom?" James asked.

"She's a right smart bird she is." Hagrid grinned through his beard. "Won't go anywhere near that traitor Ron and doesn't want anything to do with the Order of the Phoenix. She only goes near those that believe in Harry's innocence."

"Will she go near you, Hagrid?" James asked with a steady look.

"Of course!" Hagrid looked wounded. "I rescued Harry when he was a babe and I found him on his eleventh birthday. I looked out for him all through Hogwarts! There is no chance that he did everything that people said he did. I'm not saying that those horrible people didn't deserve to be punished for what they put him through but Harry would never have wanted them dead and I don't believe it for a minute!"

"I'll make sure I tell him that." James told the man with a smile on his lips. He wanted nothing more than to hug him and tell him who he was but he, more than anyone, knew how hard it was to keep things a secret once Hagrid knew. He had too much heart.

"He didn't think I believed he was guilty did he?" Hagrid looked desperate.

"No, Hagrid." James smiled again. "Harry never even considered that you would betray him."

"Do you think I could see him again?" Hagrid asked. James paused to look down the track where he could hear the sound of the train coming down the tracks. He waited until he could see the light of the headlamp come around the corner before he spoke up.

"I don't know, Hagrid. He doesn't want anything to do with this world. He's a different person now. He's happy where he is." James sighed. "One day I'm sure he'll come and visit but I promise you he hasn't forgotten you of all people."

Hagrid had tears in his eyes and he wiped at them. "Now, now! You've got me crying. How am I supposed to greet the first years like this?"

"It is dark." James chuckled before nodding at the man and slipping into his Panther form. He sat at Hagrid's side and his tail swished back and forwards across the ground and was pleased when Hagrid petted his head with a heavy hand. He purred gently to show that it was alright.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

James followed the students from the station up to the Castle though they went in the carriages and James followed as Shadow through the gathering darkness. He slunk into the Entrance Hall and slid up to McGonagall who looked at him with amusement in her eyes. "Anything to report, James?"

He shook his head slowly before following the woman out to the steps again. James turned to look at the side entrance that led down to the docks as twenty young children followed Hagrid from out into the grounds. James sat at her side as the children stopped opposite them and Hagrid slipped passed them into the Great Hall behind them. "Welcome to Hogwarts." James sat silently through McGonagall's welcoming speech unchanged in the ten years since he'd first come here.

After McGonagall went into the Great Hall James waited in front of the doors watching and assessing all of the first year students looking for any that could already be turning to the Dark Lord though it was unlikely apart from those that had grown up with Death Eaters for parents though that only made them prejudiced rather than evil.

The doors behind him opened again and McGonagall ushered them in. James led the way through the doors but ran through the room and around the Teacher's table which had been extended to include Leo, Piper, Paige and Coup as well as an empty seat for himself. The ten children sat at a small table on the left of the hall between the windows and the Hufflepuff table.

James rippled into his human form and a round of gasps rippled throughout the hall since all of the students had been staring at the Black Panther in silence. James gritted his teeth and almost glared at Dumbledore who chuckled in the silence. He took his seat between Leo and Paige. Coup sat on Paige's other side and Piper sat between her husband and across an empty chair from Dumbledore.

James sat in silence through the Sorting with his hands under the table to hide the fact they were shaking. There were so many familiar faces in the crowd from his own childhood. It had been five years since he'd left this place and only the seventh years were even remotely familiar.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" Dumbledore greeted as he stood up. "A few announcements before I allow you to eat to your heart's desires. This year, with the threat of the Demons at our doors, we have the pleasure of playing host to a family of Witches. Their magic is different to our own and suited to fighting the Demons and they have agreed to help defend the school and teach you to defend yourselves. Their children have joined us for the year and will be joining some of you for classes. I ask that you look after them and show them around."

He turned to look at them and introduced them in turn. The adults rose when their names were called but James remained seated to spite the old man and simply took a mouthful of drink from his cup before Dumbledore was forced to move along to Paige who smirked at James in amusement. With introductions done, the evening meal continued though James did note that they were missing two members of staff. James knew from McGonagall that Luna, the Divination teacher, would arrive in the morning but he didn't know who the Defence teacher would be. Probably someone from the Order.

Another thing that annoyed James was that Snape was still there. He hadn't said a word to any of James' new family since he had disappeared up to the Headmaster's office but he hadn't been thrown out either. James had told the Headmaster in no uncertain terms that he would destroy Snape if he did anything to the children of the family but Dumbledore had just assured him that he had spoken to the man. James had then proceeded to swear at the old bastard rather rudely before leaving. It was why he had had so much fun tormenting Snape as Shadow that afternoon.

Near to the end of the meal the doors opened and a blue robed Auror swept into the room with his hood up though James could pierce those shadows once the man had walked half way down between the tables. He tensed and hissed under his breath clenching his fists around his cutlery until he forced his hands open and dropped his cutlery onto his plate.

"Who is it, James?" Paige asked him in concern.

"Ron Weasley." James snarled feeling hatred flow through him. He felt a burning in his wrist and looked down to see his personal Rune glowing on his skin. His protective shield-attack Rune was reacting against his hatred just like it had against the Dementor that tried to capture him.

"Ah!" Dumbledore got to his feet. "It seems our new Defence against the Dark Arts Professor has arrived."

"I apologise for the delay but I had trouble getting the company to deploy." Ron bowed slightly. "They are setting up in the assigned rooms."

"Our Wizarding protection." Dumbledore turned to James and the others. "The Minister insisted and it can't do us any harm to have them here."

"I beg to differ. One incompetent man can easily bring down his allies no matter how strong they are." James retorted. "From everything I have heard, Ron Weasley is one of the most arrogant, and incompetent, Wizards of them all."

"James." Piper warned him. James snorted even as a round of snickers erupted from the Slytherin table as a Weasley was insulted.

"Mr. Evans." Dumbledore settled a stern glance at him but James just shunned him and turned to look at Ron appraisingly.

"You haven't changed at all from the images in Harry's mind." James pointed out. "Still relying on luck to cover your inadequacies."

"James, stop it or I'll call Gemma." Paige whispered in his ear. James turned to look at her but flashed her a grin to show he was only venting some of his anger at the man on the other side of the table.

"Prefects, please show the first years to your Common Rooms." Dumbledore stood and attracted everyone's attention. "I wish everybody a good night before classes begin tomorrow."

James snorted in amusement but stayed sitting until everybody had cleared out of the room. He stood and made his way over to the children. "Did you enjoy that?" Paige whispered in his ear. "Because you just made us another enemy."

"I did and it was worth it." James told her. "He's powerful but if he's anything like when he was a student he's unoriginal and wouldn't be able to defend against even the most basic of our magic."

"I hope you're right." Paige told him. James looked at her and winced. "I know, you're sorry."

James nodded before helping to usher the children back up to the Den. They all needed to get some sleep before the new day.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

That night

"Get in there Potter and shut your mouth!"

"Damn you, it wasn't me! Use your brains you morons!" Harry swore at the bastard Auror. The three guards that had hauled him down through Azkaban to his cell laughed at him as they tossed him through the door and he hit the far wall of his five by five cell. The Aurors laughed again before vanishing down the corridor. The light shut off and Harry was left in oppressive silence.

That was when the moans started and then a loud shriek from the cell next to his own. Cold made him hug his arms around himself and he shivered in fright as a shadow flickered passed the light at the end of the hall before the light vanished. He was left in the dark.

"James!" James shot upright in his bed and compulsively shoved his sheets down to his waist as he wrestled with the lingering effects of his nightmare. He shook his head as he focused on the speaker of the voice that had saved him from his own memories.

"Josh?" James frowned at the boy who had stuck his head through the door. "What is it?"

"It's Felix." Joshua told him. Instantly James had his feet over the side of the bed as Joshua opened the door fully and stepped inside. James pulled a pair of jeans up his legs and buttoned them. "He got up to go to the bathroom almost ten minutes ago. When I realised how long he'd been gone I got up and went to find him. He's locked the bathroom door and won't answer me."

James was out of the door in a second. Matt was standing shaking in the cold air of the hallway. "Matt? What are you doing up?"

"I heard his thoughts." Matt shivered.

"Damn." James swore and crouched in front of Matt. "What are they about?"

"He's thinking bad thoughts." Matt said quietly. "He wants to hurt himself."

"Crap." James turned on the door to the bathroom and traced a Rune against the door. It flashed green before sinking into the wood. The door clicked as it unlocked itself. James turned to Joshua as he pushed open the door. "Go get Uncle Coup and then take Matt to your mom."

Joshua nodded and hefted a trembling Matt into his arms. James thought for a brief moment that it was a good thing that Jason was still asleep. Or he hoped he wasn't in the same situation as Matt. He'd have to check in on him. He slipped into the well lit bathroom and let his eyes adjust to the light. He left the door open as he spied Felix curled up against the wall of the shower cubical. He was wet and the shower was still running.

James crossed the room and turned off the cold water before sitting down on the wet tiled floor and pulling a sobbing Felix up against him letting his own warmth comfort him. Felix almost screamed in fright.

"Hey Felix. It's just James, you don't have to be scared of me." James knew what had happened even as the boy collapsed in on himself and curled into James' chest. He'd woken up after some sort of nightmare and the desire had returned to him. He'd come here and tried to wash them away, to try to shock himself out of those thoughts. Unfortunately it wasn't an easy thing to do on your own and he'd only made himself worse and probably gotten to the point where he was too scared of what others would say to come for help.

"I didn't mean it. I didn't want to!" Felix gasped.

"Hush now, Felix." James soothed hugging the sobbing boy tightly. "I know you didn't. Joshua came and got me when you didn't come back. You should have gone to him, or to me, or anyone else."

Felix just cried even more. James rested his chin on the boy's wet hair and waited. There was very little he could do right now except to offer the sense of protection just like Sam had done for him. In a way James was getting the therapy he needed after his own nightmare. He was reaffirming the fact that he wasm't being laughed at by Aurors as he was being thrown into Hell.

"How can you stand it?" Felix asked him. "You were in there for so long!"

"By remembering that I have a better life now. I have Chris and I have all of you to get me through it just like you have your brother, sister and cousins as well as parents, Aunts and Uncles." James told him. "And you have me, someone who understands what this is like. I can relate to it, Felix. I can help you if you come to me instead of hiding from everyone."

Felix sobbed into his chest and James leant his head against the wall and waited. Felix was holding him too tightly and was too desperately scared for James to stand up and take him back to bed so he'd have to wait for Coup. He didn't have to wait long either as after only a few minutes Coup walked carefully into the room. He was smart enough to know that his son was safe with James and that bursting into the room loudly wouldn't help. He paused at the side of the shower and looked down at James holding onto Felix as the boy cried.

"Felix, your dad's here now." James whispered after sharing a concerned look with Coup. Felix pulled his head away from James' chest and looked up at Coup who, to his credit, instantly crouched so he didn't look so large and intimidating though the movement could have just been to get closer to his son. Felix reached out and with an awkward movement James was able to hoist the fifteen year old into his father's arm. Felix wasn't small but in the current circumstances Coup bore it without comment and lifted Felix into a hug as he stood. James stood with them and drew a Rune in the air which dried both himself and Felix off.

"Come on, Felix." Coup muttered into his son's ear. "Let's get you back to bed and warm again."

"You can use my room if you want." James told him. It would be hours before Coup could get Felix asleep again and it would be better if he could get him back to bed without stairs in the way. "I won't be getting anymore sleep tonight after this and I want to check on Matt and Joshua and make sure that Jason didn't pick up anything as well."

"Thanks, James." Coup nodded as they stepped out into the hallway. James led them back to his room and lit half of the wall sconces lowly to give Felix some light.

"Just try and get him back to sleep and then put him back in his own room. I'll watch over him as Shadow until he wakes up. Don't worry if he misses breakfast and I'll watch him tomorrow."

Coup smiled gratefully at James before James slipped out of the room but left the door ajar. He saw Paige shutting the door to Matt and Jason's room and she turned to look at him with a sad expression. "What happened?" She asked as he met her there.

"I think he had a nightmare and didn't know what to do. He tried to wash the feeling and desires away with a cold shower but then collapsed into a ball on the floor. That's where I found him after Joshua came and got me." James sighed. "Matt heard his thoughts."

"Matt said he heard him shouting for help in his head too." Paige told him.

"That's a good start." James told her. She looked surprised at the idea but realised it really was good that he wanted help. "Did Jason hear it?"

"No, he's still asleep. I just sent Josh back to bed as well." Paige told him.

"Good, I need to go talk to him but then I'm going to go for a run as Shadow for an hour until Coup can get Felix back to sleep." James paused as a thought came to him. "Maybe you should go and check on Anna and Pennie in case they picked up anything."

Paige nodded before wishing him good night and disappearing down the hall. James turned back to Joshua, Luke and Felix's room and slipped through the door. There were three single beds in the room along the left wall. Joshua's was nearest the door while Felix's was against the far one under the window. Luke was sound asleep but Joshua was watching James as he looked around the room. James slipped over to him and crouched beside the bed.

"You did the right thing." James told him since Joshua looked rather upset.

"I should have followed him to the bathroom." Joshua protested.

"We can't follow him every moment. He'll just feel swamped." James told him. "He needs some time alone with his thoughts."

"But something bad could have happened." Joshua spoke quietly.

"Nothing bad can happen to him with all of us around." James told him. Joshua sighed but nodded. James reached over and squeezed his shoulder. "You're a good older cousin and brother to them all, Josh. They all look up to you, even I can see that."

"I have to protect them from Wyatt and Chris." Joshua smiled in amusement at the little joke.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that." James told him with a smirk. "Coup will bring him back in here once he's asleep and I'll be in later to stay with him till tomorrow so expect me to be here when you wake up but don't wake him up. I'll bring him down later even if he sleeps till midday."

Josh nodded and James stood up. "It's probably best not to tell the others what's happened but make sure you talk to Felix tomorrow so he knows you're there for him."

"Are you sure?" Joshua asked.

"He needs people around him and he needs to know that you and Patience are going to be around for him to come to." James told him. "That's what it was tonight, he was too scared of being told off for bothering you. Be gentle with him but make sure he knows he's to come to you or Patience if he can't get to me, Coup, Piper or your mom. Ok?"

"Sure." Josh nodded. James smiled at him before backing out of the room. James shimmered into his Panther form and slipped out of the Den for a run through the halls half hoping for a run in with some of the Aurors or even a couple of students out of bed so he could scare them.

With an almost overwhelming sense of guilt for what he'd inadvertently done to Felix he slipped back up to Joshua, Luke and Felix's room and seeing that his own room was empty he went to change into fresh cloths before he turned back into Shadow and slunk into their room. All three boys were asleep and James lightly pounced up onto the end of Felix's bed and settled down to guard the boy.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

End Chapter