It'd been two weeks since Sirius had fallen off his broom. We were all back at school, and I was back to having nightly nightmares. The only upside is that Remus would usually wake me up quickly. Unfortunately, another Hogsmeade weekend was coming up- I hadn't gone to the first or the second, worrying about the memories. But Sirius was insisting I come.

"Prongs, it'll be fun," he insisted. "You were looking forward to this all year last year! What suddenly changed?"

"Lots," I said. "Isn't there anything else we can do?"

"We could sneak out to Diagon Alley," Sirius suggested brightly. I nodded. That wasn't too bad of an idea; after all, Diagon Alley didn't remind me of Sirius's death.

"No, you couldn't," Lily declared. "It's against the rules."

"Since when have we cared about the rules?" Sirius let out a barking laugh. "C'mon, you wanna invite anyone else?"

"Er… Remus, Peter, and Regulus?" I suggested. "Since Lily obviously doesn't want to come."

Lily just frowned, and crossed her arms. "By all means, get yourselves in trouble. I'm not saving your skins."

"Don't worry, we won't need saving," Sirius replied cheekily. "C'mon, James, let's go get the others."

We rushed out of the common room, leaving Lily rolling her eyes. Remus and Peter were already at the Gryffindor table, and it seemed Regulus had just walked in. Sirius beamed, and beckoned him over, and all three of us sat down by Remus and Peter. Peter looked curiously at Regulus, before shrugging, and going back to his food.

"I won't get in trouble for sitting here, right?" Regulus asked, glancing nervously at the staff table. I smiled warmly at him, and shook my head.

"Nah," Sirius laughed, ruffling his brother's hair. "But we might get in trouble if we're caught at Diagon Alley today."

"What are you talking about?" Remus asked bemusedly.

"Prongs here doesn't want to go to Hogsmeade- still!" Sirius exclaimed. "So, we're going to Diagon Alley instead. What do you all say?"

"What's so great about Diagon Alley?" Regulus asked.

"Why," I grinned. "Have you ever been on a Marauder tour of Diagon Alley?"

Regulus's eyes widened. "A Marauder tour? Wicked! I'm in!"

"I'm in too," Peter beamed. "It'll be fun. Moony?"

"Well," Remus sighed. "I suppose if you're all going, someone must go to keep you all in line. I'm in."

"Welcome to Diagon Alley!" I exclaimed. "And to your official Marauder tour."

"Where should we go first?" Peter asked eagerly. I was smiling; nothing could go wrong today. I wouldn't faint, and we could all enjoy ourselves. "Gambol and Japes?"

"Quality Quidditch Supplies!" Sirius piped in. "I want a new broom care kit!"

"Florean Fortescue's!" Remus added. "Chocolate would be much appreciated."

"What's Gambol and Japes?" Regulus asked. Sirius and I gawked at him. He blushed. "Er… what?"

"Gambol and Japes! It's a prank shop!" Sirius exclaimed. "Not quite Zonko's, but still! Pranks!"

"Mum and Dad don't like pranks," Regulus said, shrugging his shoulders. "Can we go?"

"Gambol and Japes it is, then," Peter beamed. Remus looked slightly cross, but he grinned and shrugged. Peter jumped into the lead, and I smiled. However, we'd only gotten past Quality Quidditch Supplies when there was a loud shout.

"Death Eaters!" I spun on my heel, whipping my wand out fast as lightning. Remus and Sirius had their wands out immediately as well, and Peter and Regulus fumbled slightly, grabbing their wands out of their pockets. The attack on Diagon Alley was supposed to be a while ago! Why was it happening now?

The Alley was soon being filled with dark cloaked figures and red and green lights. My heart pounding, I turned to the others, any humor gone.

"Don't let your guard down," I ordered. "We have to get to the Leaky Cauldron to Floo back. Do not split up! Shoot first, ask questions later. Don't lose your heads."

The others seemed so scared that they agreed without a second thought. I was sending spells everywhere, mostly stunners and disarmers. Sirius seemed to not have a problem, shooting spells at any cloaked figure. Remus was decent as well, and Peter managed a few spells, but Regulus was terrified.

"What do we do?" He asked, panicking. "They're everywhere!"

"Just keep moving forward," I said. "Stick together!"

"Reggie, grab my hand," Sirius ordered, and I saw out of the corner of my eye that Regulus had no problem following hid directions. "Right- James, duck!"

"Got it," I said, ducking and sending a stunner at the nearest Death Eater. There was a loud cackle, and I recognized it immediately. Bellatrix. I let out a deep growl. "Crud. Sirius, your cousin is here!"

"Urgh, Bella," Sirius crinkled his nose. "You think we could take her on?"

"Sirius!" Remus chided. "We've got to get back to Hogwarts- just keep moving."

"No use putting ourselves- stupefy!- in danger, Sirius," I exclaimed. "I don't want anyone getting hurt."

"Bellatrix is insane," Regulus said. "She always had been."

"I know," I replied darkly, sending the unknowing Bellatrix a hateful glare. "Bloody snake… she- well, she did something unforgiveable."

Sirius snorted. "Yeah, that's new."

"Look!" Peter exclaimed. "The Leaky Cauldron!"

"Finally!" Regulus cried. Just then, a red jet of light hit him, and he fell forward. Sirius caught him.

"Reggie!" He cried. I turned around, quickly checking Regulus's vitals. "Is he alright?"

"He's just unconscious," I said in relief. "Sirius, can you carry him?"

"Yeah," Sirius picked up his brother, and cradled him carefully in his arms. "You're sure he's alright?"

"My mum's a Healer," I pointed out. "But, remember, I'd know if he were dead. And besides, he's breathing fine. Judging by the color of the light, I'd say he was hit with a simple stunner."

"Alright," Sirius sighed. "I worry about him sometimes, he's so naïve…"

"Regulus is tougher than he looks," I chuckled. "And he cares about a lot. You should of seen him over break; he was hysterical, thinking he'd killed you."

"He thought you were dead, too, James," Remus chuckled. "Regulus is a nice kid."

"Even if he is a Slytherin," Peter added. "He's a nice Slytherin. I've never met a nice Slytherin."

"I think I'd make a decent Slytherin," I mused.

"Yes, considering your oh so cunning plan that I've already figured out," Remus snickered. "Because you were oh so secretive."

"Shut it, you're an eavesdropper," I scowled good-naturedly. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of a purple jet of light headed our way. "Ack! Moony, duck!"

"Forgot we were in the middle of a battle here," Sirius joked, as a green jet of light missed him all too closely. "Ooh, watch out! I think they've noticed us."

"You think?" I said sarcastically.

"Is that my ickle cousin I hear?" I winced; Sirius was right, they'd noticed us. I caught sight of Bellatrix skipping over, and stepped protectively in front of my friends. Sirius wasn't having that, though. He handed Regulus to Remus, and stepped up slightly in front of me.

"James, you take the others back to Hogwarts-"

"Excuse me!?" I exclaimed. "I'm not leaving you here, Sirius!"

"Guys, let's all just get back," Remus suggested. "We can all be safe."

"Bellatrix needs to be distracted," Sirius said determinedly.

"Sirius," I grabbed his arm. "Really, we can't stay. I don't- I don't want you to get hurt. Or… or worse…"

"These people are in danger!" Sirius roared, yanking his arm away. I winced. "You can't just expect me to leave them!"

"Sirius, you're a third year," Remus replied sensibly. "You can't do much, not more than get yourself killed!"

"I can do enough!" Sirius growled. "I can distract them, let others get away. Like you lot- go on, tell Dumbledore what's happening. I could care less if I die-"

"Sirius, you bloody noble git," I exclaimed, blinking back tears. Of course he'd insist on staying. Of course he'd bring up bitter memories. "What if you actually did die? How do you think we'd feel? How I'd feel?"

Sirius faltered, his expression softening. "James, I… I won't get myself killed. I promise, I wouldn't do that to you guys… I… I can't just not help…"

"I'm not leaving if you aren't," I said defiantly. "You aren't going to risk your neck while I'm safe."

"C'mon, James, really?" Sirius groaned. "I'd be much happier risking my neck if I knew you were safe. Besides, you have to help Reggie out. I think he trusts you a lot, he'd be distraught if both of us were gone."

"Then, we both go back," I argued. "Or I stay and help these people. I'd rather risk my own neck than let you risk yours."

"Guys," Peter piped in nervously. "This really isn't the time to be arguing…"

I turned to Peter. "You're exactly right, Pete. So, what do you say? We all go ba- Sirius? Oh, crud, not again!"

"He's gone!" Remus exclaimed. "How in the world- he snuck off!"

"Or was taken," Peter whimpered. "Do you think he was taken?"

"No, he snuck off to distract the Death Eaters! Does he really think we won't look for him?" I asked sarcastically. "Alright, Moony, Wormtail, you take Reg back to the school. I'll go look for Sirius- Merlin, this is a familiar situatioIf he gets himself killed…"

Remus looked desperately between me and Regulus, before evidently deciding Regulus should probably get back to the school. "Alright, James, but be careful. We'll send Dumbledore."

I smiled shakily, trying to rid myself of the horrible memories. This was not the time to pass out. "I will. I'll go get Sirius before he gets himself killed."

"Good luck," Peter said, and I ran off, searching the streets, and stunning Death Eaters. I recognized on who'd played a part in Sirius's murder, and hit him with a particularly nasty cutting curse Finally, I spotted Sirius. He was dueling Bellatrix, and I felt dread coursing through my veins.

"Stupefy!" I yelled. Unfortunately, all I did was draw attention to myself. Bellatrix cackled evilly. "Get away from my brother, you bloody snake!"

"Your brother?" She sneered. "Last I check, Potter, Sirius is a Black- a disowned Black, which is all the more reason for me to kill him!"

"Don't you dare!" I cried angrily, taking a threatening step forward. "Don't hurt a hair on his head!"

"James, relax!" Sirius exclaimed. "Why aren't you back at Hogwarts!?"

"Like I'd leave you," I scoffed, shooting another stunner at Bellatrix. "Bloody heck woman, get lost! Stupefy! Sectumsempra! Levicorpus! Reducto!"

"Woah, Prongs, don't get too violent," said Sirius. "Gee, you really seem to hate my cousin- woah!"

Sirius dodged as a spell shot past his shoulder.

"Watch out cousin!" Bellatrix said, her voice sickeningly sweet. "Don't want to be hurt, now, do we? Crucio!"

The jet of red light that narrowly missed my best friend's head fueled my anger, raising it to horrible rage. "Leave Sirius alone- sectumsempra! Reducto! Stupefy!"

I actually got a hit that time, and Bellatrix's shoulder was sliced open. She screeched angrily, but instead of brandishing her wand at me, she pointed it at Sirius. "Avada Kadavra!"

Sirius seemed taken by surprise, frozen as the green light sped towards him. My blood froze, and I started running forward. I couldn't let him die again. I wouldn't. He wouldn't die, he couldn't die, he couldn't die.

The last thing I remember before the world went black was a shout of, "Dumbledore!", a bright light, and hitting the hard ground, clutching Sirius tightly to me with no idea if he was even alive.

A/N: Please don't kill me! *hides behind chair* I'm sorry, I know, I'm evil. Just, er, don't be too mad at me…. Tell you what, because of this awful cliffhanger, all my readers can have a virtual Bellatrix plushie to rip apart! And, thank you so much to my reviewers, peevesisawesome, Theta-McBride, Lovewriting12, krikanalo, weasleychick32, jeremiah123, potterhead934, and N.E. Person! You lot get not only the Bellatrix plushie, but also a virtual pack of Zonko's products to be used for your pranking pleasure! Hope you all enjoyed! Please don't kill me!

I don't own Harry Potter.