She thought her life was over – but fate gave her another chance, in a world of magic. Now, running around Hogwarts with James Potter and his friends, she's about to make choices that will change the future in ways she never thought possible…

Marauder's Phase

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Fight To The Finish

Everything seemed to happen in slow-motion.

"Use something that will get past that shield charm!" Lestrange hissed. "Kill the boys, but take the girl alive!" He was obviously reciting his master's orders.

"Over my dead body, Death Eaters!" I said, even though my hands were shaking. "You'll have to kill me first, and I doubt whether Voldemort would appreciate you defying his orders!"

The Death Eaters hissed angrily at my usage and obvious mockery of the Dark Lord's name.

"You dare speak his name with such cheek," Nott hissed. "But soon the Death Eaters shall rise to help our master claim victory! You do not know much about us now, but…"

"That's where you're wrong, Nott!" I interrupted him, hoping that didn't sound as weird as I thought it did. "I know more than you think I do, which gives me an advantage!" 'I hope…'.

Rosier's eyes flashed. "What childish dream is this?" He asked me, and I realised at once that, while Voldemort may know about my origins, his Death Eaters certainly didn't. While the Death Eaters were distracted with these thoughts, I half turned to the boys, who hadn't said a word yet. James' eyes were flashing with anger, and I recalled how much he despised the Dark Arts. Peter looked scared out of his mind.

Sirius was looking directly at me.

"Use Bombarda-" I hissed, so softly and without moving my lips at all. "When I say 'now'. Then run-"

Sirius, James and Peter all gave the slightest nod.

I turned back to the Death Eaters, feeling numb. Something was starting from deep inside of me, overriding my mortal fear.

Something was waking up…

"Well, it matters not," Lestrange seemed to decided. "We do not question our Lord's motives, we live to serve him, in his quest to become the ruler of the wizarding world."

Sirius suddenly laughed softly. "You think Voldemort will let you live that long? I'll be surprised if you three make it to Evan's graduation the year after next." My bravery must've been affecting Sirius.

"I'll be more surprised boy," Rosier said with venom in his voice, pointing his wand at Sirius through my blue shield. "If you make it that far…"

"You won't attack us," James said confidently. "You Death Eaters haven't got the guts if it means that slightest chance of disobeying your master." It must've been affecting James too.

"R-right!" Peter squeaked nervously. Oh God, him too?

I drew in a single deep breath. This was it. It was now or never. There wasn't going to be another chance after this. I said: "Look," Like I was talking to my friends, but I kept my eyes trained on the Death Eaters. "This is only going to get a lot worse. The best you three can do is to leave now-"

"BOMBARDA!!" Shouted three voices from behind me and a series of small scale explosions rocked the forest, as somebody grabbed my hand, my shield charm faltered, and we began running through the trees.

"FIND HER!!!!" I heard Lestrange scream, and heard a spell being cast, and Sirius' cry of pain.

I half stopped. "Sirius!" I cried, but James had my hand gripped firmly in his, and dragged me forwards through the trees.

"Don't stop now, Emma!" He ordered me. "Keep on running!"

"But Sirius-"

"He'll be fine, he can handle himself now MOVE!!"

"STUPEFY!!" We heard Sirius yell a moment later, followed by his somewhat bark of triumph. "ONE DOWN, AND TWO TO GO WORMTAIL!!"

He was enjoying this.

I smiled.

The sleeping thing in my stomach woke up completely, and roared.

It was adrenaline.