A/N) Thank you for the reviews! This was a fun chapter to write...

Warning: Bad language in this chapter. I wasn't sure to up it to an M or not...

Marked

Chapter Five

Saturday 18th December

The ride back to London on the Hogwarts Express was relatively peaceful. After the events on the Hogwarts Express at the start of September, the Ministry had assigned a team of Aurors to stand guard on the train in case there was another attempt to harm students. As a precaution two Professors also accompanied the students as an extra familiar guard. Having Professor McGonagall around as well as Professor Vector made it impossible for James and Sirius to pull off one last prank before term ended.

As the train pulled into the station, Sirius and James took hold of their trunks and began to pull them to the carriage doors. A chilly, breezy air struck them as they exited. It was cold and snow had been threatened to fall that evening. Students around them pushed their way through the crowd of waiting parents to find their own.

James stood up on his tiptoes and spotted his parents standing a way back into the crowd. He waved at them, nodded to Sirius and rushed off, dragging his trunk along with him.

A hand patted Sirius on his shoulder and he looked over to see Remus watching him. "Be careful."

Sirius chuckled. "I'll be fine."

"No, I mean, really be careful now," nodded Remus, forcing Sirius to look away from James' parents to look at his own, who stood metres away from the Potters and were embracing Regulus.

"They won't dare harm me here," replied Sirius confidently. Orion and Walburga Black wouldn't risk it. They had an appearance to uphold, even if it meant ignoring the existence of their first born. If Sirius was attacked in such a crowded place filled with adult wizards they would be expected to defend him. It wasn't widely known in Wizarding circles that Sirius had run away from home, nor was it known that Orion and Walburga Black hated their first born with a vengeance. If one thing Sirius was certain of, Bellatrix would not attempt an attack on this particular platform.

Remus frowned. "Just be on your guard. Your father was looking at you when you appeared. You didn't see him…"

Sirius nodded. "Thanks." Ahead of him he saw James waving him over. "I'll see you next year. I'm sure we'll write over the holidays."

"Yeah, you too, Padfoot," grinned Remus.

"Bye Wormy!" Sirius called back to Peter as he hurried off towards the Potters. He skidded to a halt, grinning as Euphemia Potter pulled him into a hug. He hadn't seen them since they had visited him in the hospital wing since September. It felt good to be loved and wanted in a home compared to the place he had spent the first eleven years of his life.

"Sirius, it's good to see you," she smiled warmly. "Have you got everything?"

Sirius nodded. "Yep."

"Good," smiled Mr Potter. "We can head home –"

"Just a minute, Mr Potter, I wish to talk to my son!"

The Potters whirled round and saw Orion Black walking towards them, a stern expression on his face. He wore robes and his hair was streaked with grey. His eyes were hard as he stared into the defiant expression of his first-born son.

Mr Potter immediately stepped in front of Sirius. "What you have to say to him can be said in front of all of us."

Black sneered. "No." He had shifted his eyes away from Sirius briefly only to return his fiery gaze upon him. "Boy, come here. Now."

Folding his arms across his chest, Sirius stepped forward, ensuring that both James and his parents would be able to hear what Orion Black had to say. He was the same height as his father now having had another growth spurt in the last few months. "I'm staying here."

"Listen to me, boy, you had better respect your elders. You are coming home with us this instant. You are still our heir –"

Sirius laughed, ignoring James' warning sigh behind him. ""Upset that Bellatrix still hasn't killed me yet? I know what will happen if I went back to that dump. You'll kill me. That's what you want, isn't it? Regulus to inherit and the shame that stains your family name wiped from life?" Sirius smirked. He was speaking quietly so as not to arouse suspicions from other parents on the platform. To any onlooker this would be a conversation between father and son as to where the son would be going for the holidays.

Orion's dark eyes flashed. "You will return home. Your Grandfather orders it."

"You can't order me about. I'm seventeen now and free to make my own choices." Sirius had turned seventeen a month previously. He was now legally out of the jurisdiction of his parents. "I don't bow to that old coot of a grandfather. The Potters are my family."

Orion's face flushed red and anger radiated from him. His voice was low and filled with venom. The underlying threat was there. "Mark my words, boy, you will die. You will never be safe from us. I hope you enjoy your Christmas." Chuckling softly with a nasty tone it, Orion Black turned away and returned to his wife and son.

Sirius let his shoulders drop. He watched as his parents and brother Apparated. He turned towards the Potters. "Thanks for not interfering."

Mr Potter patted him on the shoulder. "It was your right to speak to him." He frowned. "I do not like the threat he seemed to indicate about enjoying Christmas."

Sirius had caught that too. A part of him was fearful of what they had planned but another part wanted him to enjoy this Christmas, especially if it was to be his last one.

James moved to stand next to his friend. "Whatever happens, we'll enjoy ourselves, no matter what."

Saturday 25th December 1976

If there was one thing James Potter despised it was the fact his best friend had reached coming of age before him. As a result Sirius Black was annoying James Potter. Standing at the counter peeling carrots and potatoes for their lunch meal, James scowled as Sirius sat in a chair at the table and waved his wand around, levitating cups and plates around.

"Why did I have to be born in March?" cursed James.

"Because your mum got pregnant in June?" Sirius retorted quickly.

James turned quickly and threw the peeler at him.

"JAMES!"

James cringed. Oh, he had all the luck. Of course his mother would see him throwing the peeler at his friend. "Sorry mum."

Sirius was roaring with laugh as he twirled his wand, levitating the peeler in circles. He was showing off. "Oh, Prongs…"

"Do not throw things! Especially sharp utensils!" reprimanded Mrs Potter. "For that you will have to wash up as well!"

James groaned.

"I was going to ask Sirius to help you but since you did just throw the peeler at him it is your job now," continued Mrs Potter.

"It is his entire fault," James muttered under his breath, throwing a dark look at his best friend.

Sirius was still laughing.

"You're annoying as hell, Padfoot," said James darkly.

Sirius stood from his chair and bowed. "It's my pleasure, Prongs."

James turned again and rose his arm, threatening to throw a potato at his friend.

"Ooo like that's gonna hurt!" Sirius ran laughing from the kitchen.

"Bastard!" cursed James, retrieving the peeler Sirius had left on the table and continued with his work. When he could use magic outside school he would so get his revenge.

Lunch time was approaching and the Potters were waiting for the arrival of their guests. They had invited Charlus and Dorea Potter who were due any minute now however they were late which wasn't normal for them. Charlus and Dorea Potter were either early or on time. They were now two minutes late.

Mr Potter glanced at his wife, a look of concern spreading across his features.

Sirius was lounging on the sofa, twirling his wand in his fingers. He had taken to doing that a lot lately. James sat beside him, feeling nervous, already knowing something was wrong.

"I think we should close the Floo…" whispered Mrs Potter quietly.

Sirius looked up, suddenly aware that something wasn't right. "They're late?"

"By three minutes now…" answered James. He bit his bottom lip, reaching into his pocket and pulling his wand out. "Sirius… I think…"

And then green fire whooshed and a woman with black hair, heavy lidded eyes and an insane grin on her lips, and eyes focused completely on Sirius tumbled out of their fireplace.

"Shit!" hissed Sirius, jumping from his seat, his eyes staring at his cousin as he pointed his wand at her.

Bellatrix Lestrange tilted her head to the side. "Well… well… Happy Christmas, Sirius."

Several things happened at once as the fire whooshed again and six more black-hooded figures stepped out of the fireplace, and then Mr and Mrs Potter moved sending non-verbal curses at the Death Eaters, as James and Sirius leapt to the side, throwing their own curses at the intruders.

James made to grab Sirius by the shirt and pushed him away. "Get out of here!"

Sirius stumbled but refused to heed James' request. "I'm not leaving!"

Spells impacted around the living room and Mr Potter fell to the floor with a loud thump.

"DAD!" shouted James. He rushed forward but was pulled back by his mother.

"No! We have to get out of here!" his mother's face was terrified.

They backed out of the living room as the curses stopped and Bellatrix approached them, her hungry eyes completely focused upon Sirius.

"Why not surrender little cousin? We'll leave them alone if you come with us…" she smiled sweetly.

James stepped in front of his friend. "Leave him alone!"

"I don't take kindly to those that shelter blood traitors," hissed Bellatrix nastily.

She waved her wand and a blasting curse hit James and he went flying back, his body impacting against both his mother's and Sirius'. All three hit the floor and James heard the distinctive crack of a head hitting the wooden floor. He turned his head and saw blood pouring from a large cut in his mother's head. "No!"

Sirius was already on his feet, throwing curse after curse towards his cousin and her accomplices. His eyes flashed darkly as each curse was quickly rebounded. James looked up, grabbed his wand and stood by his friend. There was nothing he could do for his parents now. He had to protect his friend. He was not going to let the Death Eaters take him.

James turned and grabbed Sirius by the wrist. Pulling him away and around the corner, ducking as several spells impacted where their heads had been seconds before.

"We have to split up!" whispered Sirius harshly. "This is a big enough house that we can afford to!"

James glared at his friend. "I'm not leaving you!"

"Listen to me, Prongs, they want me! You have to get help! Staying with me isn't going to save either of us!" demanded Sirius, his eyes flashing darkly. He was scary when he was like that.

James swallowed, pulling Sirius up the stairs, ducking behind the bannister as the Death Eaters flooded out below them.

They heard Bellatrix walk to the centre of the small group. Magic seemed to crackle around her. "Kill Potter and bring me Black!" Her eyes immediately moved upwards. "Check upstairs."

Sirius bolted in front of the stairs, pushing James away and rushing past the surprised Death Eaters as they ascended. Seeing him they followed not bothering to look for James.

James cursed silently. He peered through the bannister again. Bellatrix was just waiting… Why? He swallowed and began to back away. A plan was forming in his mind… He snapped his head up as he heard shouts and curses from the hallway up ahead where Sirius had fled. All of the Death Eaters had gone for him. If he could deal with Bellatrix then maybe he'd be able to save his best friend too…

Gritting his teeth, James clenched his wand tightly in his hand. He knew of her reputation, knew what she was capable of… She was probably expecting him to attack her. He ducked around again, following the hallway around until he came out in the landing again but from a different direction. This time he had perfect aim at her. He could stun her…

As he moved forward, laying down on his front, pointing his wand through the bannister at the black-haired witch, a sudden yell reverberated around the house. Sirius.

Bellatrix laughed manically and suddenly moved, twisting around to point her wand at James' exact position. "Petrificus Totalus!"

The curse hit James and his body went still. He couldn't move. The full body bind held him in place.

"Poor Potter thought he could get rid of me!" she danced on her feet, her eyes flashing wildly. "Oh, I could kill you now…." she giggled, her black tresses falling around her shoulders. "But I think it would be more fun for you to witness my torture of my blood-traitor cousin."

If James could have shouted and screamed himself hoarse he would have done. But then if he could do that he'd be leaping over this bannister right now throwing curses at Bellatrix. Better yet if he could be Prongs…

Bellatrix giggled again. "Oh, what's that I hear? I think dear little Sirius is being brought to me…"

Sure enough, just a few seconds later, a bound, struggling and bloodied Sirius was dragged into view.

He had run because he had wanted to save James and give him time to call for help. Sirius had counted on the Death Eaters following him which they had. Unfortunately the Potters home, though large, didn't have that many hiding places. He could only flee so far before having to fight. He rounded a corner, turned and raised his wand as the first three Death Eaters approached. They all wore masks so it was difficult to distinguish who was who however he had the distinct impression that both Lestrange brothers were there.

Sirius gritted his teeth holding his wand up high casting a shield charm. He stood in the doorframe of one of the spare rooms. He had an escape route here. The room held two entrances. The door to the left of him opened up into a staircase that led down into the cellar. The cellar had access to the garden outside which might have allowed them to escape if they had been able to reach it in time. Sirius would only take this as a last resort – he was not going to leave his best friend and his family behind to suffer Bellatrix's wrath!

"Crucio!" Three voices cast the spell but it rebounded against Sirius' shield charm.

He grinned and stepped back, pouring his magic into the shield, trying to keep it stabilised, trying to keep it up. He took a step back.

A few more curses hit his shield but it held. He was powerful but could he keep the shield up? Eventually he wouldn't be able to magically sustain it and when it came to fight back he wouldn't be able to defend himself as he would have exhausted himself. Making a decision to preserve his magic, Sirius dived to the side, dropping the shield, throwing off three different spells in quick succession: "Expelliarmus! Incendio! Impedimenta!"

The first spell missed its target but the second set fire to the robes of one Death Eater and the third impacted half against the wall and half against one of his attackers. The jinx did little save to push that particular Death Eater back slightly.

They laughed at his feeble attempts to stop them.

Sirius recast his shield charm, eyes flickering from covered face to covered face, calculating his next move, wondering if he'd be able to somehow get passed them… There was only one way he could really take but he didn't want to abandon the people who took him in and made him one of their own…

Then one of the Death Eaters shooed the other four away from him.

Sirius faltered. Wait. It had been Bellatrix and six Death Eaters coming through the fire. Six of them had chased him when he had sped in front of them. So where had the sixth Death Eater gone?

He looked to his left to see the door to the cellar burst open and the sixth Death Eater throw the torture curse at him.

Sirius' shield spell only extended in front of him not around him and the torture curse hit its target right in the side. Sirius crumpled, his shield failing, his body writhing in agony as the curse was held on him. His wand tumbled from his fingers and screams tore from his throat as he buckled on the soft carpet. His skin was sliced open as the cutting spell hit him and blood dropped in rivulets down his arms and face.

The torture curse was removed and the Death Eaters laughed cruelly at his pain. "Well done Rabastan. Looks like we've caught ourselves a blood traitor," praised Rodolphus Lestrange.

Sirius groaned, rolling onto his back. His body twitched and he felt strong hands lift him from the floor, wrenching his arms behind his back where they were roughly tied by magical bindings.

He growled low in his throat. Dragged along the floor he was taken back towards the staircase. He began to struggle, refusing to make it easy for them to take him. His struggles caused them to smack him upside the head but he wouldn't let them deter him. As he was pulled roughly towards the top of the stairs he saw James' immobile form on the other side of the upper floor, petrified through the bannisters, paralysed and powerless to do anything as he watched his best friend get dragged down the stairs, one bump at a time.

In the centre of the hall, Sirius' eyes found his cousin, who licked her lips eagerly at the sight of him. The last time he had seen her she had nearly killed him. He now had the feeling he wasn't going to be so lucky to escape from her. She seemed to take his defiance of Black family tradition as a disease that needed to be stopped in its tracks. Ever since he had been sorted into Gryffindor she had been preaching about how he was incapable of reform to the old ways but Sirius' parents had given him a chance but had quickly lost patience with him over the years as his defiance and opinions stayed the same.

He renewed his struggles against his captors only to be thrown to the floor, a booted foot pressing down on his back as Bellatrix knelt down before him and lifted his chin.

"Aww poor cousin," Bellatrix crooned. "Such a little blood traitor. And I'm just in time for the deadline too. Regulus can still join our ranks after all. His parents will be thrilled. Now, of course I'll have to make sure your parents see proof of your death. How about I torture you into insanity and scar your body before I remove your head? How does that sound, cousin? Would you like that?"

Her words frightened him but if he was to face death he would do so bravely. He was a Gryffindor. He stared into her cold, dark eyes and promptly spat in her face. "Fuck off, bitch."

She grinned at him, dropping his chin to the floor. "Ohh, I bet he won't be so feisty once I'm finished with him…"

Sirius braced himself. He knew what was about to come.

She raised his wand. "Crucio!"

In his youth Fleamont Potter had been an excellent duellist. His skills in that area had rusted over the years. As a result his attempts to protect his family from the Death Eaters had been short-lived. He was lucky they had merely stunned him. His wand lay on the other side of the room having flung from his grip as he fell. The sounds of screams echoed down the hallway and Fleamont paled.

Aching and hurting, Fleamont grabbed his wand and was about to rush towards his son's aid when a voice from the fireplace stopped him.

"The Aurors are coming!" Charlus Potter's head sat in the fire. "You need to let down the wards!"

Fleamont nodded. Muttering under his breath and waving his wand in several directions, the wards around the house broke. "Charlus…"

The younger Potter shook his head. "It's our fault. But… go help them! The Aurors are about to arrive!"

Dashing to his feet, Fleamont sped from the living room, out into the hall, slowing down briefly when he saw his wife's body laying limp on the carpet, her blood staining the silk carpet. But she was still breathing. Content with that knowledge, the senior Potter continued towards the sound of the screams.

Sirius Black may not have been his biological son but he was as good as. The Potters were the only family who loved him after all. Gripping his wand tighter, Fleamont sped up. He skidded to a halt in the main entry hall of the house where Sirius was writhing on the ground under the influence of not just one Cruciatus curse but three.

He couldn't see James anywhere but he couldn't worry about his heir right now. Sirius was the one who needed saving right now.

Raising his wand Fleamont yelled: "Stupefy!" pointing his wand at Bellatrix Lestrange, just as a thirty Aurors Apparated right into the hall. The wards to the house having come down and Charlus Potter having given the Aurors the location of Fleamont's home had been able to Apparate directly into the house.

Spells flew in every direction and a smoke filling spell obscured Fleamont's vision just as a screech of fury echoed around the hall. He swallowed. As the smoke cleared the Aurors had their wands drawn on all the Death Eaters but it was Bellatrix Lestrange that drew his attention.

Somehow in the confusion she had managed to grab Sirius' limp body and get behind the circle of Aurors. She was holding him up yet it was the dagger she held in her right hand that got Fleamont's heart racing.

"Say goodbye to the blood-traitor, Potters!" she screeched.

Before any of them could react, the dagger descended and impaled straight into Sirius' abdomen. She twisted the knife for good measure before throwing the body back to the floor and disappearing in a whirl of smoke, Disapparating away.

"NO!" Fleamont screamed.

As Bellatrix had Disapparated a dozen curses had been flung her way. Some had hit Sirius' falling limp body and others impacted against the wall. The distraction she had caused by the stabbing had enabled the rest of her Death Eater pals to also escape. Fleamont ran forward, skidded to a halt beside Sirius' body. A large pool of blood was pouring from his stomach.

"No…" he whispered. Fleamont ran his wand over Sirius' body, using a blood-clotting charm to stem the bleeding, hopefully giving them time to get Sirius the urgent medical help he needed.

Behind him came running feet and he looked up to see James running towards him. James was pale, his whole body shaking as he looked at his best friend.

"She immobilised me," explained James. A red-haired Auror came up behind his son. "I only just got freed."

"James…" heaved Fleamont, "go to your mother. Get her to St Mungo's. I'll be there with Sirius…"

"But…" James was one to argue.

"Don't let me lose my wife and son in the same day," he said coldly.

James nodded. Looking at his best friend, James Potter ran back towards the unconscious form of his mother.

Sunday 26th December

CHRISTMAS DAY ATTACK ON PURE-BLOOD FAMILY

by Daily Prophet Reporter Challus Hines

Yesterday afternoon the Pure-blood Wizarding household of the Potter family was attacked by Death Eaters. Led by Bellatrix Lestrange, who is wanted for several crimes, the Death Eaters attacked mercilessly. Not much has been released by the Ministry at this time, however head of the family, Fleamont Potter and his sixteen old son James are believed to have survived the attack with limited injuries. Both are said to remain under observation at St Mungo's Hospital.

It is believed Bellatrix Lestrange's target was her seventeen year old cousin, Sirius Black, who is currently in his sixth year at Hogwarts School and was staying with the Potter family for the holidays. Reports are sketchy at this time, but it is understood he suffered multiple Cruciatus curses before being stabbed in the abdomen. His condition is unknown at present.

Euphemia Potter, the wife of Fleamont Potter is recovering from head and back injuries sustained in the attack.

An investigation has been opened to determine how the Death Eaters could access such an old ancestral home.

"Oh my god."

Lily sat in her bedroom, reading the article over and over again. She couldn't believe what had happened to James' family. A part of her wanted to go to St Mungo's to make sure both James and Sirius were alright.

"Stabbed in the abdomen…" swallowed Lily. That was what worried her. Sirius had been stabbed…

This was when she despised not having an owl. She had no way of finding out any further information.

"I have to know," she grated out.

There was only one option left to her. It would be a little slow getting there but at least she'd get a quick response.

Pulling a piece of parchment towards her, she put quill to paper and began to write.

Dear Remus….

To be continued...

Please let me know what you think!

It will be explained in the next chapter exactly how the Death Eaters were able to enter the Potters home.

Sirius strikes me as a person who would show off he can now legally do magic in front of James. And probably make his life hell while doing it.

And Lily learns of the attack via the Daily Prophet too... I imagine she is like Hermione, taking the Daily Prophet everyday.

And before I go, I'd just like to say that I will be posting a new story tomorrow... a new Harry Potter story... entitled Twisting Time. It's an AU fic but not your typical Time-turner story. It heavily features Sirius. That's all I will say for now about it. The title 'Twisting Time' is subject to change even at this late stage but hopefully it will stay the same!

Until next time,

the-writer1988