Chapter 2: We Attend a Wedding

(James)

"It's funny how when you look at a dresser long enough it turns into a dog," I said casually not taking my eye off the red and gold dresser in the corner of my room.

Alice looked up from the book she was reading. "Is that your way of getting my attention or do you need to go to St. Mungo's?"

I flashed Alice a smile. "The first one, I guess. I'm just bored, Ally."

"Well, what do you want to do?" Alice asked putting her book away.

"I want to go back home," I muttered playing with lose strings on my blanket.

"James, this is your home. Hogwarts is your second home."

"Have you read the daily Prophet lately?" I asked taking the paper in question off my desk. "Look."

Alice took the paper and read it out loud.

"Paranoid Potter Strikes Again by Robert Skeeter.

We all know of the antics from Harry Potter's oldest son, James Potter. Last year at the end of the Hogwarts term the boy claimed in front of the whole school that a fellow classmate, Ryan Code, was a responsible for trying to kill James and his friends on multiple occasions.

"James is even crazier than his father claiming that this straight O, model student with a war-hero mother, is responsible for insanity."

Alice paused and looked up confused. "War hero mother?"

I glared at the newspaper. "Yeah, apparently she was some sort of war hero but I've never heard of her. Dad and Uncle Ron used to tell me so many stories and I've never heard one about anyone named Code."

"Just forget about the paper, okay? It doesn't matter what they say about you."

"Of course it doesn't matter!" I snapped. "I couldn't care less what Robert Skeeter thinks of me. What I care about is that my parents aren't doing anything to stop this!"

"I'm sure they're doing the best they can, James."

"Yeah, seriously, Jamie, you got to learn to just chill."

The new voice was none other than Fred Weasley, who had just entered through the window.

"I'm not as small as I used to be," Fred pointed out as he wiggled through my bedroom window.

I didn't reply and just pouted staring at the floor.

"Not in a good mood I see," Fred acknowledged. "Well, I got something that will cheer your right up… OWL marks!"

Alice snatched hers from Fred's hand and tore it open. I just stared at mine. There was no way I was going to be able to hide my marks from my parents. What would they say when they saw the big fat 'T' beside Potions and History of Magic?

Alice let out a sigh of relief. "I scored pretty high, what about you guys?"

"I'm not telling either of you until Jamie opens his."

Fred gave me a little nudge. Slowly and reluctantly I opened the envelope.

Dear Mr. J. Potter,

You have received the following marks on your Ordinary Wizarding Level Test,

Transfiguration (T. Lupin): Outstanding (82%)

Defense Against the Dark Arts (L. Malfoy) Good (68%)

Charms (V. Weasley): Outstanding (96%)

Potions (P. Parkinson): Bad (35%)

Herbology (N. Longbottom): Poor (50%)

History of Magic (E. Macmillan): Troll (20%)

Arithmancy (K. Kramer): Acceptable (55%)

Care of Magical Creatures (R. Hagrid): Good (69%)

Muggle Studies (L. Bryson): Exceeds Expectations: (77%)

Congratulations,

Neville Longbottom

"That's not bad," Alice said, looking over my shoulder. "Nicely done."

"And let me guess, you didn't even fail one class?" I hissed bitterly.

"No, I didn't. But you did get Outstanding in two classes."

"I got a 'troll' Alice!" I argued. "My parents will ground me forever."

"Well, I didn't get the best marks either," Fred commented.

I took his letter from him. "Transfiguration, Good. Charms, Outstanding. Defense, Good. Herbology, Exceeds Expectations. Potions, Bad. History of Magic, Dreadful. Arithmancy, Acceptable. Care of Magical Creatures, Acceptable. Muggle Studies, Good." I looked up from the paper and glared. "You only failed two things! And your worst mark was dreadful!"

Alice sighed. "I think you need to get out of the house."

"I'm grounded, remember? Apparently saving the school from possible death is a crime these days. Thank god I'm not in jail, right?"

"Let's go to the park," Fred suggested.

Alice and I agreed. We snuck out, which wasn't too hard since Mum and Dad were in a very serious conversation with Teddy. I tried to convince Alice to let us eavesdrop but she just dragged me away.

I liked the park because it was ours. Ours and only ours. Besides the three of us only Teddy knew about it. Being out in the middle of the forest, in a place that was entirely our own gave me a sense of peace. Like I was so far away from the real world that my usual problems couldn't reach me. All we had to worry about here was who would be it while we played tag.

Well, at least that's how it usual was. Today was a bit different. I just couldn't seem to get my mind to stop worrying.

"James, what's wrong?" Fred asked waving a hand in front of my face.

"I don't know," I mumbled. "I just feel… watched."

"Is it really so hard for you to just enjoy your summer vacation?" Fred sighed, exasperated.

Under normal circumstances I would have exploded. I would have told Fred that's it's not very easy to enjoy your summer when you're forced to be holed up in your room, when you have to walk in on the girl you love snogging your brother, when you have to listen to people calling you an attention seeking prat, when you have to worry about being murdered in the middle of the night, but at that moment I felt it.

"He's here," I whispered. "I know it, he's here."

Fred and Alice knew me too well to have to ask who I was talking about that. "How can you know that, James?" Alice queried.

"He's in my head, Alice," I responded while searching through the trees. He had to be here somewhere. "It's like we share a brain. He knows what I'm going to do and when I'm going to do it because I don't know how to keep him out. I can't say the same about him because he does know how to keep me out. But he made a mistake right now, because I felt him. He's here and I'm going to find him."

I darted off in the trees running. I tripped over roots, stumbled, regained my balance, and then kept running. The forest was huge and by now he probably knew I had discovered him, and ran off. He could be anywhere.

Then I had an idea. "Homenum Revelio!" I shouted.

Red halos appeared over Fred and Alice's heads. Although I couldn't see it I knew one appeared above my head too. But in the distance, I could see a faint red glow. And as quickly as it appeared it disappeared.

I sped off in that direction. I was screaming his name like a mad man. If anyone saw me with that crazed look at my face, chasing after something I couldn't even see, I would have been checked into a mental hospital.

I didn't stop until I had run so far I reached the end of the forest. Once there I doubled over and panted scanning the streets but there was no sign of him. Once again I had let Ryan Code escape.

That night I couldn't focus on anything. On our way home from the park I almost got run over by a car. Once I did get home, I almost got caught for sneaking out. I didn't touch my dinner. And I put on my Quidditch pyjamas on backwards.

I was just about to lie down and go to sleep when Teddy entered my room.

I didn't know exactly how to feel. Teddy and I weren't on bad terms. But it was like we could never be as close as we were before. At least not while he continued to act like he was forty, not twenty. Seriously three years wasn't that big of a difference.

"Hi, James," Teddy said watching me to gauge my reaction.

"Hey, Teddy," I replied sleepily.

"You don't look like your doing so good."

"I'm not."

"Is it because you got a troll?"

I narrowed me eyes. "Did Fred tell you? Oh I'm gonna kill-"

Teddy put up his hand. "Relax, James. I'm your teacher, I get to see all my student's grades."

I looked down feeling stupid. "Oh."

"And I feel like I owe it to your to tell you that your Dad and Ginny talked to me about your grades."

My head shot back up. I realized that must've been conversation I saw going on earlier. "Really? What'd they say? What'd you say?"

"They're concerned about you James. You never talk to them anymore. In fact the only people you do talk to are Fred and Alice."

"That's not true. I talk to Albus and Lily too."

"You never share anything with them," Teddy argued.

"They're my little sibling, why should I?"

"You never share anything with anyone other than Alice. It's unhealthy, James."

"Maybe it's because I have no one else," I said coldly. "Mum and Dad are unsympathetic, our aunts and uncles would tell them anything I say, I'd rather not dump my problems on all my friends, and you only talk to me when I'm in trouble."

Teddy at least had the dignity to look guilty at that. "I'm sorry, James. But always know you can come to me."

I nodded.

Teddy looked at me like he was determining whether or not I would actually listen. "If this is about you not trusting me, I'll have you know I refused to tell Harry and Ginny anything about your personal life. Said it was Marauder's Code."

I didn't really think teddy had a right to use the Marauder's Code anymore since he broke it so many times but I didn't comment on that I just said, "You swear?"

"I swear." Teddy said solemnly. "And there's another reason I'm here tonight."

I nodded at him to continue. He had a wide grin on his face as he spoke, "I wanted to share some news with you. I'm… getting married!"

My jaw dropped open. "What?"

"Me and Victorie I proposed and she said yes!"

"Congratulations that's awesome!" I shouted clapping Teddy on the back.

"And I want you to be my best man."

I didn't speak for a few seconds. Teddy wanted me to be his best man? Out of all the people he could have asked, he wanted me? I felt honoured. For a little while I forgot this was the same guy who gave me countless detentions last year.

"Teddy, that'd be awesome! Oh, I have to organize your bachelor party! We can go to one of those cool casinos and-"

Teddy interrupted me with a laugh. "Whoa, there kid you're not even of age."

I shrugged. "When has a little thing like that ever stopped James Potter?"

Teddy smiled and ruffled my hair. "Night, James."

Despite my energy and excitement a few seconds ago I could barely whisper "Good night Teddy," before I fell asleep.

And then I was awake what felt like seconds later.

But I wasn't in my room. I wasn't lying under my Gryffindor bed sheets. I was in the middle of nowhere.

It was dark, pitch black. I wasn't really scared of the dark anymore, but I was scared now. Terrified. I had hated the dark because you never knew what was there, you didn't know whether you were safe. There could be a murder standing over you and you wouldn't know it. I hadn't really gotten over the feeling, the worry that something would be lurking in the corner, but I've started to believe that it's unlikely, that it won't happen.

Right now though, I could feel it. There was something there, something dangerous that I couldn't see. I was unarmed and practically helpless.

"How does it feel to know I escaped you again, James?" asked the voice Ryan Code.

I reached in my pocket for my wand though I knew I wouldn't find it. Wherever we were right now, Code was controlling it and there was nothing I could do to defend myself against him.

"How does it feel to know I have ultimate power over you right now?" This time his voice was softer, but definitely closer.

I still didn't answer. I didn't know what to do. Without my wand I felt naked and weak. My wand was all I had when it came to defending myself.

"Who would've guessed the great James Potter is nothing without a wand?" taunted Code. "You're all talk. You always were. Pretending that you were some great hero everyone should look up to. Like you deserve a medal for just being alive or something. You're pathetic James."

I couldn't stay silent anymore. "Oh and what, you're perfect? You are a murdering, lying little arse! You've torn apart my family! It's your fault, it's all your fault!"

Code was silent for a second but when he spoke again it was with as much hatred and jealousy a single person could muster, "I torn apart your family?" he hissed quietly. "At least you have a family. I don't James, and you know why that is? Because you killed my sister. My mom committed suicide shortly after that. Did you know that?"

I could feel his eyes on me, those cold, black pits that he called eyes. And for once in my life, deep underneath the anger I could hear a more human emotion, something I didn't even know Code was capable of, grief. Somehow it made me feel more afraid.

"I wanted to die to. I would have but I was only six, I didn't know how to kill myself. And it wasn't what Lauren would have wanted. So instead I decided to send the rest of my life plotting my revenge. Justice doesn't exist in this world, you have to even things out yourself. And that's exactly what I'm doing."

I didn't feel sorry for him, I couldn't because I knew he was a psychopath. But I did feel guilty. Not for him but for his sister. She must've been a good person if she risked her life to save mine. And for Code's mum who couldn't have been all bad if she was friends with my parents.

"I was going to give you some information. But you can forget it. You've made me angry. Just know that when your cousin turns up dead, you could have saved his life if you were just a smidge nicer to me."

I didn't know what to say. I wasn't about to apologize to Code, beg for his forgiveness, because he supposedly had information. Because my cousin might turn up dead. But it was just his way of messing with my mind.

I took a calming breath and said nothing.

"And James? The next time you rant about how evil I am, remember that people aren't born evil. Something makes them that way, and for me, that something is you. Remember that next time you try and blame everything on me, okay?"

The world of darkness dissolved around me and I was lying in my bed eyes wide opened, soaked with sweat, feeling deeply disturbed.

(Lily)

I didn't mean to get angry at Hugo. We hardly ever fought. In fact we didn't fight, not until we had gone to Hogwarts. It was like as we got older we were growing further and further apart.

It was the last thing I wanted to happen. But it wasn't my fault was it? You couldn't possibly blame me because Hugo was overprotective?

I used to be able to read him from a mile away, now I couldn't even understand him. Him and Jacob were friends so what was his problem?

"I don't hate Jacob," Hugo said entering my room and sitting next to me. "He's my friend, Lily."

I looked at him. He seemed troubled. There was something bothering him.

Immediately all my anger dissolved. "Hugo," I said concerned. "What's wrong?"

He sighed. "I spoke with Alice. She… she gave me some good advice. Made me realize some things."

"You seem…anxious. What's going on, Hugh?"

"I'm jealous. That's why I don't like you hanging out with Jacob so much. It takes time away from us. I just started to feel like you don't like me anymore."

"You know that not true," I replied giving him a hug.

"I know. I just feel lonely sometimes. But… anyway Alice helped me get over that. And she also helped me make a very important decision."

"Which is?"

Hugo took a deep breath. "We need to go see Marlo."

I just stared for a minute. "Marlo? Why?"

"Just trust me okay?" Hugo said. There was something in his eyes. Something that made me not want to argue.

"Okay," I said simply.

He smiled, relieved. "Good. We leave in the morning."

The next morning we were set to leave for the Burrow. I didn't know why since it was a week earlier than we usual went, but I didn't argue. I supposed Hugo must've known this, because the last time I ran into Marlo I was on a walk near the Burrow. Being there would make sneaking out to see him much easier.

Once we arrived at our destination we greeted all our cousin aunts and uncles, waited a bit, and then snuck away to the backyard. We told grandma Weasley we were going for a walk. Hugo seemed to feel guilty for lying, and so did I, but I kept telling myself it wasn't exactly a lie, so it was okay.

"You still haven't explained to me what we're doing," I mentioned as Hugo and I walked down the street.

"Well, I've been feeling bad all summer," Hugo explained. "I mean knowing about Marlo this entire time? And not telling him?"

I suddenly flashed back to last June when Marcus Green had travelled to Hogwarts with the intention of resurrecting Tantibus and setting him on all the students at Hogwarts. He had told us why he wanted to do it. Because he was an eighth-blood, not a wizard but not a muggle, yet he was not allowed to go to Hogwarts. And Marlo's mother, she was also an eighth-blood, making Marlo technically eligible to go to Hogwarts.

"It never even occurred to me he didn't know," I said feeling guilty.

"Well, if he did know he'd be at Hogwarts now, wouldn't he?"

"So you just want to tell Marlo he's a wizard?"

"I also want some information."

Something about Hugo's tone made it sound like he didn't want to go into detail so I didn't ask him to.

We were walking for a while before Hugo stopped in his tracks. "I don't know where he lives."

I smiled. It was just like Hugo to forget a major detail like that. "Genius plan, Hugh, really."

"Do you know?" Hugo asked hopefully.

"He doesn't live anywhere. He just… lives on the streets."

Hugo turned to me. "Lives on the streets? That's impossible. No one would just walk by if they saw a ten year old sleeping on the streets."

I shrugged. "Last time I talked to him was around Christmas. He kidnapped me and took me… to some house."

"Where?"

"It was an abandoned house."

"We passed a street full of abandoned buildings."

And so we back tracked. After finding the street and walking towards the end of it we found a house that looked too abandoned. Like someone was trying to cover up the fact that it was actually occupied.

Feeling somewhat stupid I stepped up and knocked on the door. No one answered. I frowned and knocked again.

This time someone did answer and he was holding a gun. The person was covered from head to toe, all I could see were his eyes. Though I couldn't see him, I had a feeling it was Marlo.

Still, as an automatic reaction I put my hands up in the air. The person pocketed the gun and grabbed mine and Hugo's arm, pulling us inside.

The inside of the house was... interesting. The windows were all tinted. You could see outside, but you couldn't see inside. It was dark, the only light coming from a few candles on the windowsill. There was hardly any furniture. Just a table, an old couch, and a wooden chair.

The person unravelled the material covering his face and I realized I was right. It was Marlo.

"Why the hell were you pointing a gun at us?" demanded Hugo crossing his arms.

Marlo shrugged. "I wasn't expecting visitors."

"You were going to kill us because you weren't expecting visitors?" Hugo repeated sounding agitated.

"The gun wasn't loaded."

"Still!"

Marlo gave us a bored look. "I highly doubt you came here to argue over my use of an empty gun."

Hugo shook his head as if trying to clear the thought of what just happened out of his mind. "You're right. We came for something else."

"I don't have all day," Marlo said, the same bored look on his face. "Are you going to get to the point?"

"We have some information you might find useful."

"And what do you want in return?"

"What makes you think we want anything in return?" I asked.

Marlo turned his suspicious gaze from Hugo to me. It was as if he hadn't noticed me yet. "Lily, how nice to see you."

I wasn't sure how I felt about Marlo. He seemed nice, but then again so did Ryan Code at first. He was dating Claire Code, too. How could someone who overlooked the flaws of a psychopath be good?

"Yeah," I said. "You too."

"Have I ever done anything to you?" asked Marlo a bit puzzled.

"No," I replied evenly.

"Then is there another reason for you cold attitude?" When my only response was a shrug Marlo glared at me for a second. "You came to seek me out. Now if all you came here to do is criticize me I suggest you leave."

Hugo gave me a look that said relax. So I sighed and apologized.

"Don't judge a book before you've read the whole thing," Marlo said simply.

"Isn't it don't judge a book by its cover?" asked Hugo.

"It's not the saying I believe in. You see, in my opinion, there's nothing wrong with judging someone if you don't know them. If you didn't, how would you decide if you want to get to know the person in the first place? But to judge a person to their face when you hardly know anything about their life? There's a lot wrong with that."

I frowned as I took in what Marlo said. He always had interesting opinions on everything. His thought were just so wise, it made me forget I was talking to someone who was only twelve years old.

"I agree," said Hugo after thinking for a minute. "But we didn't come here to talk about sayings. We came because we have some information you could use."

"Yes, let's get back to that. You still haven't told me what you want in return."

"We'd like to know anything you can tell us about Claire Code," Hugo proposed.

"Absolutely not," Marlo replied immediately, crossing his arms stubbornly making him look like the twelve year old he was.

"Why do you insist on protecting her?" I asked desperate to get an answer.

"Love is a beautiful and rare thing, especially for people like me and Claire. Even the worst of people in the world deserve to have someone who loves them, someone who'd do anything for them. Because those who don't have love in their life, not from a parent, not from a family member, not from a friend, or from a lover, are not truly people at all, they are monsters or will be soon. Separate us not by what we do or how we act, but how we treat those we love."

It was probably the most heart-filled thing Marlo had said, whether it was true or not. Part of it at least was true, everyone deserved to have love in their lives.

Hugo opened his mouth to argue but I elbowed him. He looked at me and I shook my head slightly. There was no point in telling Marlo what he had with Claire Code wasn't true love. Or that he was too young to love, because in the areas where it counts he was truly older than us.

"I agree," I said. "You could never betray the one you love. Fair enough. I have a different request for you."

"Oh and what is that?"

"I we give you the information will you look after Jacob for us, make sure he's okay?"

Marlo gave me a funny look. "I just told you that you have to cherish love when you find it. I don't have many friends-"

"Maybe's that's because you shove a gun in the face of anyone who knocks on your door," muttered Hugo.

"-and Jacob is one of those few friends. I already check on him almost every day."

"Oh," I said, because it was all I could think of. Jacob would let Marlo into his house but not me?

"Don't get the wrong idea, Lily. He doesn't know I check up on him. And I never enter his house I just check every little while to make sure he's all right."

"Thank you," Hugo said smiling. "You may be different, Marlo, but you're a good person, I can tell."

I gave Hugo a sideways look. Just a second ago he seemed to hate Marlo, yelling at him, not believing his opinions. Now he seemed to truly respect him. Hugo really valued those who looked out for their friends. And despite all his flaws, I guess Marlo is one of those people.

"I'm glad you've finally realized," Marlo responded not unkindly. "Now what is this information you speak of?"

"Last year we talked to your father-" Hugo began.

Marlo's face suddenly hardened. "I don't want to hear anything that jerk has to say."

"No, trust me you want to hear this-"

"Not if he told you-"

"Marlo you're a wizard!" I shouted.

There was absolute silence for way too long. Marlo had a completely shocked look on his face. Hugo was nervously biting his nails. I stared at the flickering candle light.

Suddenly Marlo's face was hard and unwelcoming. "Did my father send you here? Did he ask you to deliver that message? Well you can tell him that I'm done with his stupid lies!"

I could have sworn it sounded like he was fighting back tears, which was surprising. Marlo really hated his father. I couldn't blame him though, if my father had drugged me and held me hostage planning to use my blood for the resurrection of an ancient creature, I would be furious too.

"No, Marlo, it's nothing like that," I said. "I promise."

"How am I supposed to believe something like that?" Marlo asked sinking onto the couch. He had his hands in his face and all I could think was that if I saw that boy cry, I would cry too.

"Marlo, you can trust us."

He lifted his face and his bright green eyes were watery but he was not crying. "I'm twelve. If I was a wizard I would have gone to Hogwarts already."

"You're not a registered wizard, Marlo, but we can fight for you. Every wizard has a right to learn magic."

"You can't expect me to believe you without a proper explanation."

And so I told him the whole thing. How Marcus had risen Tantibus and how it lead to him telling us everything. He was a wizard, not a full one but half wizard half muggle. And Marlo's mum also had some kid of magic meaning that Marlo was eligible to go to Hogwarts.

Once I finished the story it was silent again. Marlo was trying to absorb all the information I just told him.

"Marlo, I can't say I understand because I don't but I can say I'll help you in any way I can."

"Not to be rude or anything," Marlo began, "but I have a lot to think about…"

I nodded. Hugo just stared. "I think he'd liked to be left alone, right Marlo?"

Marlo just nodded. "I'll send you an owl, okay?" I told him. "It'll give you more time to think. I'll tell you a time we can meet up again to discuss this, okay?"

"Yeah, if you're expecting us, you won't have to shove a gun in our faces."

Marlo gave the faintest trace of a grin.

We smiled and left the young boy, the young wizard, with a lot to think about.

(Albus)

I don't know why it felt so good. Because I loved her? Because she was so beautiful? Or was it because I finally had something James didn't?

Was I a bad person because I was happy that I won? Was I a bad person because I called it 'winning' like Cassy was some sort of trophy? She wasn't a trophy or a prize, she was my girlfriend. But that didn't change the fact that I felt a rush of pride every time I was snogging Cassy or I saw the look on my brother's face when we were together.

"Albus, what's wrong?" she asked pulling away from the kiss.

I smiled. "Just thinking about how lucky I am to have you," I answered twirling a piece of Cassidy's hair.

Before she could reply the door flung open, standing there was Hugo. He was a bit breathless.

"Haven't you ever heard of knocking?" I said glaring at Hugo.

"Victorie and teddy are getting married!" Hugo shouted completely ignoring my question.

"What?!" I said standing up without even realizing it.

"Yeah, I know its crazy right? Teddy proposed to her and she said yes!"

"How do you know?" Cassidy asked sounding slightly annoyed.

Hugo smiled and puffed out his chest. "I'm Victorie's favorite cousin obviously she told me first."

That night the Weasleys celebrated. We partied and laughed and congratulated the eldest Weasley child on tying the knot.

It was the first time in forever that I felt like we were actually family.

Grandma Weasley was so excited she couldn't wait. She planned the wedding and it happened a week later.

It was actually really nice. It wasn't a large reception. Just family, friends, and their dates. I had taken Cassidy. Technically it was our first formal date.

"It's hard to believe he's finally getting married," I sighed. "Makes me feel old."

Cassidy laughed. "You're fourteen Al, you still have your whole life ahead of you. Me, I'm fifteen. Now that's old."

I laughed and pecked her quickly on the cheek. "You have a great sense you humor," I whispered in her ear.

"And you are great at giving me compliments."

As we sat together complimenting each other and just enjoying our time together I saw James across the room. He was sitting next to Alice, not paying any attention to what she was saying. Instead he was staring at Cassidy and I. He thought we didn't notice. But he must've forgot that I could read his mind. Literally. My brother, my sister and I had a special connection none of us could understand.

Right now he was wondering why it wasn't him. He wanted Cassidy. He loved her but he hated the fact that I was with her.

It was sad because James and I were actually starting to get along. We hung out, we played Quidditch and sometimes we just talked. But there was still a wall between us, blocking us from completely restoring our brotherly bond. That wall was Cassidy. But what was I supposed to do? Break up with her? I knew James wouldn't do that for me if she chose him.

Get out of my head, Al.

It was James. We could also communicate this way, talk without out actual words, in our heads.

I'll break up with her if you want me to. I meant it to. I didn't want to but James was more to me than Cassidy.

James sighed. Don't. I know you love her and she loves you. I'll just have to get over it.

I turned to where James was sitting. I smiled and mouthed. Thank-you. He smiled briefly and gave me a thumbs up.

A few minutes later Cassidy and I had taken a seat, and were watching Bill walk Victorie down the aisle. Then James, Teddy's best man, handed Teddy the rings. We listened to the wedding vows, and as I heard my cousin say "I do" I cried a little.

Then we partied. We partied hard. I danced with Cassidy for a while before we both got tired and took a break for cake. Once she was done James came by and asked her for a dance.

It reminded me of last year, when James had taken Cassidy to the Valentine's Day dance. I had asked her to dance that time. Well, the shoe was on the other foot now.

And it was while I was thinking this that I felt someone grab me from behind and shoved something hard and metal against my head.

"Can I have your attention please!" shouted the man. "Hand your wands over to the nice fellow right here-" he pointed to a person I couldn't see "-and this boy doesn't have to die. Disobey my orders and I'll shot the kids brains out. Do it. Now!"

A/N: Well I hope you guys enjoyed that. What will happen to Albus? Who will blow his brains out? Why? Guess you won't know for another week :P ha, I'm evil. Now for some things I have to cover.

1: I am so so so sorry I forgot to update on the 18th! I seriously completely forgot I told you guys I would update then. I was thinking Halloween. But anyway I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

1: First on our list the question I always ask at the end of the chapter. What's your opinion on Teddy right now? He's kind of confusing isn't he? I enjoy writing him.

2: I think I'll be able to do updates every 7-10 days. Unfortunately I just started high-school and I'm really busy. Might not be able to write a chapter a week like before. But I have a little bit of a head-start. Either way next update will be Halloween cause that's what I promised you guys.

3: Reviews are awesome!

4: Questions to think about: Will James ever stop obsessing over Code? Was Code actually really there? Is Teddy back to his old self? How does Code get into James' head like that and why do they have a special connection? What's the deal with Marlo? Will he end up going to Hogwarts? What will happen to Albus? Who is holding the gun to his head?

"You do not forget the face of the person who was your last hope," Katniss Everdeen, Hunger Games.

-Monkeywoman14