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-NINE

Imperio!

The forest moved past at a blur as James and I ran, not even realising that we could've just transformed because then, suddenly, Nott was in front of us.

"Protego!" I cried, hastily casting a shield charm in case Nott attacked us first.

He didn't say anything, but a jet of purple fire shot straight at James, and hit him in the ribs. With a gasp he sank to his knees.

I screamed: "JAMES!!" Loud enough for the world to hear, and sank too, keeping one arm firmly around him and my wand trained on Nott. My eyes burned holes into his.

This was the curse that Antonin Dolohov had used on Hermione in the fifth book. Someone – probably Sirius – had probably rendered Nott speechless, which had lessened the severity of the curse – to a degree. My shield charm may or may not have helped.

But James needed help, that much was for certain.

"Expulso!" I shouted, pointing my wand at Nott, and he deflected the spell easily, before pointing his own wand at me.

"Let me try it," He said, and I knew what he was about to say. "Crucio!"

I screamed, trying to keep a firm grip on James' body whilst pain pierced white-hot through every single inch of my skin.

We were in danger…and it was all my fault.

My screams carried on, as the pain intensified.

***

No One's P.O.V:

Sirius and Peter ran through the forest after rendering Rosier unconscious, no doubt drawn in by the sound of Emma's two screams – the first one yelling out James' name as he was hit with the purple flames, the second when she herself was screaming in agony after being hit with the Cruciatus Curse.

Sirius had no doubt in his mind that was what was being used on the poor girl. Bellatrix had attempted twice to do it, and had only failed due to sheer coincidence. But now…Emma had endured it twice in the last fifteen minutes. The pain she must be going through…it filled Sirius' body with dread – and that's what pushed him forward, through the trees and toward the sound of the commotion.

Emma's screaming had stopped, and now Sirius and Peter could hear Lestrange's voice saying: "Did you kill the boy?"

"If he's not dead now, then he will be in a minute." Nott said confidently. "Where's Rosier?"

"Knocked out by the Black boy." Lestrange replied, his voice cold. "The Dark Lord will not be pleased to hear that he may have lost the Black family's allegiance."

There was a small sound from nearby, and they both looked up to see Emma, sheet white, dragging herself up from the ground, keeping one arm firmly around James' shoulders, but still glaring at the two Death Eaters with hatred in her eyes. "You…you can tell Voldemort," She said, breathing heavily. The second Cruciatus Curse had really taken its toll on her. "That he…never had Sirius…to begin with and…if I get my way…he won't get Regulus…either…"

"Crucio." Lestrange said, almost lazily, and Emma again fell to the ground, although her screams were a lot quieter now, and she seemed to be biting her lips to prevent herself from screaming – she bit her lips so hard that they started bleeding, and then the pain stopped.

Panting, she rose again, shaking. "And he'll never…get me…either…not willingly, anyway…"

Lestrange and Nott exchanged a glance. "Hmm, good idea," Nott said, and raised his wand. "Imperio." Stand up. He thought.

Emma stared at him for a moment, and then her eyes went completely blank, and she stood up.

"Very good…" Nott said softly, just as Sirius and Peter crashed into the glade.

"This will be easier than I thought…" Lestrange mused, but for the life of him he knew not why his master needed this girl in one piece. He would just as happily have destroyed her, if those had been his orders.

"Emma!?" Sirius cried, upon seeing her standing there silently, with unblinking eyes.

"Emma," Nott said, very clearly. "Destroy Sirius Black! Will you obey me?"

Emma turned to Sirius with dead, lifeless eyes, and raised her wand. "Yes, I will."