"Sirius!" Lily exclaimed, as Sirius and I stepped out of the fireplace. She glared at me. "James! You snuck him out!"

"Maybe," I replied innocently. Regulus beamed, and grabbed his brother in a bone-crushing hug. Sirius winced, but hugged his brother back.

"It was my idea," Sirius admitted. "I didn't want the Healers doing a full scan on me, and those potions taste awful."

"They do," I added. "Really, really awful."

"Since when have you ever been to St. Mungo's?" Sirius asked sceptically.

"Mum made me go after the Attack on Hogsmeade," I replied softly. "I'd been under the Cruciatus too, and she was really worried about me. I think I went into shock after you died. I don't remember much those next few days."

"Oh yeah," Sirius said, biting his lip. "Sorry."

"No worries," I replied. "You weren't thinking."

"Sirius doesn't think very often," Regulus whispered loudly to me. Sirius looked put out as Lily and I laughed.

"Haha, very funny, Reg," Sirius said irritably, but there was a smile pulling at his lips. "Glad you lot weren't there. It's bad enough with Remus..."

"So James actually told you?" Lily asked, sending me a furtive glance.

"He already knew," I frowned. "He saw it happened."

"Just before I blacked out," Sirius admitted. "I wasn't even positive it was Remus. James sort of confirmed that. So, are you two in on the rescue mission?"

"Rescue mission!?" Regulus asked eagerly, beaming. "Yes! Definitely! When do we leave?"

"We aren't going anywhere," I declared. "You three are staying put- Lily, the only reason I want you to stay is to watch these too, I know you can take care of yourself."

"But I wanna come!" Regulus whined.

Sirius looked dumbfounded. "But James, I thought that was the whole point of breaking me out? So we could go get Remus."

"No, the whole point was to get you away from the Healers and potions," I retorted. "I never said you were going to get to go on some elaborate rescue mission and get yourself killed."

"I won't get myself killed," Sirius grumbled, but he didn't have time to argue further, because McGonagall burst in that instance.

"Potter, we know where they have him," she declared. I nodded determinedly. "Er- why is Mr. Black here?"

"He didn't want to stay at St. Mungos'," I answered. "I figured it'd be safer if I broke him out. He's really bad with his escape attempts; he'd've probably hurt himself."

McGonagall groaned. "Once a Marauder, always a Marauder. Even after time travelling!"

"You know!?" Regulus blurted. McGonagall nodded, sighing.

"Alright, well, Mr. Potter. We've found his whereabouts. He's a few miles into the Forbidden Forest," McGonagall declared. Sirius's eyes got a glint that I didn't like, and I face-palmed.

"Professor," I said. "You just told me where he is- that's great and all, but you also told Sirius."

McGonagall whitened. "Oh dear. I did, didn't I?"

"Well, then, I'll just be off," Sirius declared, and before anyone could stop him, he raced out of the common room. I slumped down onto the couch, my face in my hands.

"He's going to get himself killed," I moaned, before looking up. "Regulus, please stay here. We've already got enough problems, especially with your brother out there."

Regulus nodded. "Alright. I don't want to get in the way."

I smiled at him, before turning to McGonagall. "Tell Dumbledore Sirius has run off to save Remus. I'm going to go ahead into the forest after him; hopefully I'll catch him before he runs into trouble."

"Potter, be careful," McGonagall said. I nodded, smiling grimly, before rushing after Sirius. Unfortunately, I wasn't the only one out and about. I ran straight into Snape, and we both tumbled backwards to the floor.

"Potter!" Snape exclaimed. "Where are you going?"

"To save Sirius and Remus," I replied, hopping to my feet. "Feel free to do as you wish, I've got to go before Sirius gets himself killed."

I started running again, and footsteps behind me indicated Snape was following. I rolled my eyes, but didn't slow down or stop to tell him to leave. If he wanted to follow me, fine. I could use the help. I reached the forest, and Snape skidded to a stop behind me.

"We're going in there?" he asked, sounding the slightest bit nervous. "Are you mad?"

"That's where the Death Eaters have Remus," I declared, glancing back at Snape, who'd gone pale. "And Sirius ran after him. Besides, I never said you had to come."

With that, I took off into the forest. To my surprise, Snape followed only after a moment's hesitation. "Lupin- er, Remus was taken?"

"Yes," I replied, not looking back. I whipped out my wand, and motioned for Snape to be the same. "We don't know where he is, just that he's in the forest a few miles in. We've gotta look out for Death Eaters and creatures in the Forbidden Forest. I'm almost positive there are Acromantulas in here."

"For a thirteen year old, you sure give orders easily," Snape mused, eyeing me suspiciously.

I gave him a grim look. "When you been through what I've been through, then you sort of get used to being responsible."

Snape looked taken aback. "What could possibly be so bad about your perfect little life, Potter?"

"This may not be the best time to tell you, but me and Lily are from the future," I said offhandedly, surprising even myself.

"What!?"

"Yes, yes, well, you'd've found out anyways," I replied, suddenly wondering what compelled me to tell Snape. "Lily's probably going to be mad at me."

"What happened?" Snape asked quietly. "What happened in the future that was so bad that you came back?"

"I think a lot led up to it..." I admitted. "Voldemort was winning. I- no one realized how bad things were until Voldemort attacked Hogsmeade and Sirius-"

I cut myself off; that was still painful to think about, especially with both Sirius and Remus in danger.

"I think I understand," Snape said slowly. "You don't need to explain. Well, we'd better go save Black and Remus," he started ahead of me. "Coming, Po- James?"

"You called me James," I noted, smiling almost cheekily. Snape raised an eyebrow. "Right. Let's go, then."

"Look," Snape hissed, pulling me into a bush. I sat up, disgruntled, and picked leaves out of my hair. Snape gestured to the clearing before us- it was teeming with Death Eaters, and there were several tents.

"This must be their camp," I realized. Suddenly, the bushes on the other side quivered, and Bellatrix burst into the camp, laughing maniacally.

"Guess what!?" she cackled. "Guess who I've found!?"

I felt dread settle into my stomach as two large Death Eaters pulled a struggling Sirius into the clearing. Snape grabbed me as I tried to leap out of the bush.

"No," he hissed. "We're no use if we're captured too!"

"Fine," I whispered, if only because Sirius looked uninjured. "But if she hurts him-"

"I know, I know, you'll go save your boyfriend," I scowled at Snape and hit him on the arm. "Right. Shutting up."

"He came looking for his little werewolf friend!" Bellatrix declared, beaming evilly. "He came just in time! Our friend Greyback has just arrived to collect little Lupin!"

"No!" Sirius shouted. "You leave him alone!"

"Ooh, poor ickle Siri, worried about his friend," Bellatrix cooed in a sickeningly sweet voice. "Maybe you should keep you mouth shut, baby cousin. Crucio!"

Snape immediately slapped his hand over my mouth, preventing me from crying out as Sirius struggled even more against his captors, face screwed up in pain. I bit Snape's hand.

"Ouch!" he snapped, shaking his hand. "Gross, Potter!"

I took his distraction as a moment to burst into the clearing and tackle Bellatrix to the ground. Sirius's eyes widened in horror as he spotted me. "James! What are you doing here!?"

"Saving you and Remus!" I exclaimed, pointing my wand at Bellatrix's face. "Never hurt my friends again!"

"Come to join the party, Potter?" Bellatrix sneered. "You're just in time. The guest of honour is arriving."

There was a strange sound. I turned, almost dreading what I would see. I stared in disgust; a man (if you could even call him that), skin pale as death, eyes red as blood, snakelike in appearance.

Voldemort.

"You!" Sirius shouted, and I didn't know whether to envy him for his bravery or pity him for his stupidity. "So you still look like a snake? Shame, you'll never have a girlfriend- except maybe Bella."

I groaned.

"Hmm, you're the Black boy," Voldemort said boredly. "Hardly worth my time, I think. That was a dumb comment boy."

Voldemort flicked his wand, and a long, deep gash appeared across Sirius's chest. My glare hardened as Sirius cried out in pain.

"Who's this?" Voldemort asked, eyeing me curiously. "The Potter boy? A formidable force, I hear. You would do well in my ranks, boy."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Did he actually think I'd join him?

"Don't do it, James!" Sirius yelled. "He's not worth it!"

"I know," I said, glaring at Voldemort with total hatred. "I'd rather die than join you, Voldemort."

"So be it," Voldemort said softly, and he shot a spell at me that caught me in the shoulder and threw me off Bellatrix. I felt a sharp pain and a warm liquid on my shoulder and touched it, withdrawing to see blood.

Bellatrix got to her feet. "Milord, use the other boy. My cousin; he is Potter's weak spot."

My eyes widened, and terror coursed through my body. I ran forward as fast as I could, shielding Sirius. "No! Don't touch him!"

"James," Sirius murmured, putting a hand on my good shoulder. "James, don't worry. Find Remus. I'll hold their fire, don't worry about me though-"

"Padfoot," I said shakily. "I'm not going to let you get hurt."

"Well," said Voldemort. "I'll just kill you both then. Avada Ka-"

"Not this time, Voldemort!" To my immense surprise, Severus raced out of the bush, wand out. "Expelliarmus!"

Voldemort was caught off guard, and his wand flew out of his hand. "You dare! Who are you, boy!? Why do you dare to defy me, Lord Voldemort!?"

"More like Lord Stuck-Up Snake," Sirius muttered to me. "Okay, go get Remus. Snape and I can distract them. Then we'll all leave together, okay?"

"Alright," I agreed unsurely. Sirius nodded determinedly, and stepped forward.

"Hey, Voldie!" he exclaimed. "Is this," he gestured to his bleeding chest, "the best you can do?"

I edged towards the tents as Voldemort's eyes flashed as he turned to Sirius. "You want more, boy? Well, try this new spell I discovered: Crucio Maximus!"

I'd never heard that one before; I spun around, just as Sirius fell to the ground screaming. Severus caught my eye, and mouthed, 'Go.'

I clenched my fists and nodded, trying to block Sirius's agonized screams from my mind, a desperate mantra running through my head. Let him be okay, let him be okay.

To my amazement, fate was on my side; Remus was in the very first tent, tied up and looking worried and miserable, but otherwise unharmed.

"James!" he exclaimed. "Is that- that sounds like-"

"Sirius," I said gravely, and Remus paled. "I know; c'mon, let's hurry up."

Remus nodded worriedly, and I set to cutting the ropes. Within a few minutes, Remus was free. It had gone strangely silent outside the tent, and I felt a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

We ran outside quickly, before stopping in horror. There were no Death Eaters about, and McGonagall and Dumbledore arrived, along with a few Aurors I recognized. They were huddled around something I couldn't see- and I also couldn't see Snape or Sirius. I rushed forward pushing my way through the crowd, before dropping to my knees. Snape looked at me helplessly.

"I tried to help, I really did," he said, but I wasn't listening. Because lying before me in a crumpled, bloody heap was none other than my best friend.

A/N: Please don't kill me! I'm sorry, the inspiration just hit me! Don't kill me! At least Moony is okay... heh heh... I need to find myself a shield or something, I think... Big thank you to my reviewers, jeremiah123, Lady oophole, sk8bords4ever, and Theta-McBride for reviewing! You all get life size Siri plushies! Er... still, please don't kill me *puppy dog look*! Hope you enjoyed!

I will never, ever, ever, ever own Harry Potter.