Chapter Twelve: The Sacrifice

James could hardly believe that the year was wrapping up so quickly. It seemed only yesterday that he had first walked into the magnificent castle. Then again, it also seemed as if he had spent his entire lifetime at Hogwarts.

The days were boiling hot, especially in the classrooms where the final exams were taking place.

James didn't know how he managed to pass his exams, when he expected the world to crumble at any moment.

Sirius seemed just as anxious. Peter, who had hidden in the cupboard after James had told him what they had overheard, was choosing not to worry about it. Lupin still remained skeptical.

"That wasn't so bad," Lupin exclaimed, as they walked out of their Transfiguration exam, "I thought for sure that she was going to test us on the color-changing charm. Alright then, James?"

"I'm fine," James said, his eyes narrowed. He was staring down the corridor, at Bellatrix and Narcissa.

"Relax, mate," Lupin said, bracingly, "Come on, then. We only have the Astronomy test tonight. Then we'll be done with exams."

"Right," James said, slowly, "Right."

They headed down to the lake, where they sat underneath a birch tree. The summer breeze blew at the pages of their books.

"Darn," Peter mumbled, "I don't know any of the moon phases. What's tonight supposed to be, again?"

"The waxing crescent, Peter," Lupin said, patiently.

James looked up, and felt the blood drain from his face.

"What?" Lupin cried, shocked, "James, are you ill?"

"The waxing crescent," James repeated, exchanging horrified glances with Sirius.

"What's going on?" Lupin demanded.

"Tonight," Sirius breathed, "It's going to happen tonight."

"What's going to happen?" Peter asked.

"Bellatrix, Lucius, and Narcissa are going to break into the tomb of Slytherin," James said, quietly.

Peter squeaked.

Lupin was giving James a strange look, "Are you certain?"

"Yes," James said, fiercely, "It exists, Remus, and it holds the world's most valuable weapons. It'll be broken into, tonight."

Hazel eyes met golden. At long last, Lupin nodded, "Alright. What do we do?"

James was too worked up to be grateful for Lupin's support.

"We need to get to the tomb before them," James said, "We have to destroy whatever's inside."

The moon shone through the Common Room windows. The Marauders sat around, anxiously.

Tucked in their robes was practically every weapon and device that the Auror Office had provided.

James drummed his fingers against the arm of the chair. They needed to wait for everyone to leave, so that they wouldn't attract attention.

After a while, Lily Evans was the only one who remained.

"Shouldn't you be going to bed, Evans?" James asked.

Lily glared daggers at him, "I want to stay up and study for my Astronomy test."

"Why don't you study in your dormitory," Lupin advised, "It'll be quieter."

Lily's eyes narrowed, "What's wrong with you four? You're acting odd."

"Nothing's wrong," James said, hastily.

He glanced up at the clock, which chimed nine.

"We need to go," he whispered. The other Marauders nodded, solemnly.

They stood up, but Lily blocked their path, "What is going on?"

"Step aside, Lily," James pleaded.

"If you four get caught slinking around at nighttime, again, you'll be expelled!"

Lupin's eyes widened. It was evident that he had not thought of this.

"We need to take the risk," James said quietly, putting a hand on Lupin's shoulder.

The latter nodded.

Lily was besides herself, "What is so important that you would risk expulsion?"

"Look," James burst out, "When Salazar Slytherin died, he was buried in a tomb, along with all of his prized possessions-which just so happen to be his crafted weapons! If someone were to get these weapons, they would become the most powerful person in the world! Now, Bellatrix and Narcissa Black know this. So they're planning to go steal the weapons for themselves. It's our job to go destroy the weapons, so that they can't steal them, so that they won't become evil overlords! So step aside!"

Lily opened and closed her mouth several times. Finally she whispered, "I'm coming with you."

"No," James said, immediately, "It's too dangerous."

Sirius tilted his head, "I dunno mate. I think she might have to."

"I hate to admit this," Lupin said, quietly, "But I think that Snape has to come with us, as well."

James was shocked, "Why in the bloody the bloody hell would you think that?"

"Think about it," Lupin pressed, "It's Slytherin's tomb. That means that there will most likely be challenges that only a Slytherin can face."

"We'll never get Snivellus to come," Sirius snorted.

"Severus will come if he knows that I'm coming," Lily said, her hands on her hips.

"Alright!" James threw his hands into the air, "Quickly!"

They hurried down to the Dungeons, underneath the Invisibility Cloak.

Sirius tugged James's sleeve, pointing to the enormous Snake statue.

"Severus gave me the password to the Common Room," Lily whispered, "It's purebloods."

"Of course it is," James muttered, before saying the password to the wall.

They squeezed through the crack and quickly hurried up to Snape's dormitory. Sirius clapped a hand over his mouth and dragged the boy underneath the cloak. They swiftly left, without a sound.

As soon as they got back into the Dungeons, Snape roared, "What do you idiots think that you're doing?"

"Shut up," James hissed.

"Severus, we need your help," Lily said, sweetly.

Snape's sallow cheeks darkened, and he nodded.

They crept over to the large snake statue.

"Snape, do you mind if we borrow some of your blood?" James asked, casually.

"Absolutely not," Snape snapped.

"Severus, please just do what he says," Lily pleaded.

Sirius pulled an ordinary pin out of his pocket, and pricked Snape's hand.

"Well gone on," James said, awkwardly, "Feed the snake."

"You've got to be joking," Snape said, staring at him in disbelief.

James gave him a solemn look.

Snape gave an irritated sigh. Lupin gave him a boost, and Snape placed his bloody palm into the mouth of the snake.

He jumped back, as though burnt.

A light was pouring out of the mouth, which seemed to be expanding. After a few moments, it was the size of a small tunnel.

"Wicked," Sirius whispered, the light reflecting in his eyes.

"What is this?" Snape roared.

"The tomb of Slytherin," Lupin said, quietly.

They quickly filled Snape in on the story.

James looked at the others, who stared back at him, "If any of you want to turn back now…"

Sirius put a hand on his shoulder, "We're with you, all the way, mate."

Lupin and Peter nodded.

"I'm with you, too," Lily whispered, shyly.

Snape didn't say anything. He finally gave a curt nod.

James took a deep breath and climbed through the hole, into complete darkness.

He could feel that they were on a descending staircase.

"Follow me," he whispered.

The six crept down the stairs for what seemed like hours.

"Look," Peter's voice squeaked, "I see a light!"

At long last, they entered a vaulted room.

James cautiously stepped forward. The floor was scalding hot, filled with large fractures.

He yelped, jumping back.

The others joined him, vigilantly.

"Come on," James said, swallowing.

The six inched their way across the room.

Lupin cleared his throat, "Has anyone noticed that the cracks are getting bigger?"

James looked down. There were now clear visible fractures, where molten lava was spewing.

James stumbled backwards to avoid being burned, but nearly got scorched from a crack behind him. The crack opened wider and wider, spreading, until the six were loosing their footings.

"The entire floor's collapsing!" Lily shrieked.

"We need to go back!" Lupin cried, horrified.

"No!" James exclaimed, "We can make it! Run for it!"

The six raced carefully towards the other end of the room. All around them, the floor was trembling, giving away to a sea of magma.

All at once, with a giant lurch, the room split in half.

Lily screamed as she and Snape fell backwards on one side of the crack; the Marauders falling onto the other side.

"Lily!" James roared.

There was now a huge river of lava spewing in the center of the tomb. There was no way that Lily could cross it. There was also, James realized, no way that they could get back. He didn't give that a thought, however.

Gasping in pain, James sat up. His head was sticky, and something was trickling down his neck. He hardly noticed. He was too busy staring at Lily's limp body.

"Lily, are you okay?" James whispered.

Snape managed to get up, and began to shake Lily, who flopped like a doll.

She finally grunted, opening her eyes.

"Are you okay?" James called.

"Yes," Lily whimpered, holding her wrist.

"Go back," James ordered. He turned to Snape, saying quietly, "You'll stay with her?"

Snape nodded, "Always."

The Marauders watched them go, apprehensively.

They then turned, staring at the door that stood before them.

James swallowed, nervously. Sirius placed a hand on his shoulder. James swallowed once more, nodding.

The Marauders walked forward, together, ready to face whatever may come.