Really hope you enjoy this chapter...

Previously on Snitches of Secrets...

"I'm going to St Mungo's. Mum was wondering if you guys would come with me?"

"Yeah, of course." Sirius answered automatically. Remus and Peter nodded in the affirmative.

"I understand if it's too much…" James said to Frank.

"No. If Mrs Potter has asked for my presence then she'll have it."

Chapter 30:

The first year boys went to see Professor McGonagall to ask if they could be excused for the day. She gave them her permission and told them they could travel by floo powder from the fire in her office. When they stepped out of the fire they found themselves surrounded by white walls. James walked towards the front desk, "We're here to see Charlus Potter."

"Very well. Fourth flour, spell damage," the healer replied.

The boys made their way up the stairs towards the fourth floor. As they passed the different floors they got glimpses of people covered in cuts and people with cauldrons stuck to their heads. The boys couldn't help but giggle at the sight of the man and his cauldron. Soon they were on the fourth floor and walking towards Charlus Potter's bed. James saw his dad, he tried not to react to how ill he looked. Instead he tried to smile, but it wouldn't come. "Hi dad."

"Ah, Jamie," Charlus grinned. "Hello boys."

James' mother was sat on a chair next to her husband's bed. She held his hand tightly. Dorea used her wand to summon five chairs for the boys. "Sit down boys. Make yourselves at home."

"Dad, what happened?" James asked with tears in his eyes.

"Erm, James are you sure you want to know," Mrs Potter asked protectively.

"Yes, mum. I do. I need to know." James nodded sadly.

"Well, we went on a raid. Same as always. We thought it would be just like every other night. But they were waiting for us, they ambushed us. We tried to fight them off but we were outnumbered; five to about twenty." Charlus pushed his glasses up his nose. "Then spells were flying – mostly curses. On hit Thornton – avada kedavra. Then they hit the rest of us with stunning charms."

Charlus stopped to breath, running a nervous hand through his hair. "They took us to their headquarters. They tortured what was left of my team. They started with Dibbs; when they were finished with him they transfigured his corpse into a rock and threw it into the lake just north of the mansion they were using as a base." The boys were shocked by the story, particularly Frank. He held tightly to the chair he was sat in. He knew what was coming…

"Next they tortured Steins, the cruciatus curse. We could hear it from our cell. It was excruciating to listen to. They were tortouring him for information. They wanted to know what the auror department knew about the followers at Hogwarts." Charlus' gaze fell on his son. James understood. If his father had given up, they would have found out about him and his friends spying on the Slytherins.

"They buried him somewhere in the garden," Charlus added, before turning to Frank, "Frank, son. Your dad was a brave man – right until the end." There were tears in Frank's eyes. "They took your dad next and used the cruciatus curse on him too. He wouldn't tell them anything. When they realised he wasn't going to tell them anything they killed him and left him outside the ministry as a message to the minister for magic. He wanted you to know that he loved you."

Frank was shaking slightly, "Thank you Charlus." Mrs Potter stood up and went to put an arm around the crying boy.

"I'm so sorry, Frank." Charlus had tears in his eyes too. "Then they decided it was my turn. They tried using the cruciatus curse on me, but when I wouldn't budge they thought perhaps they could try the imperius curse. Of course, that failed. They weren't very impressed let me tell you." Charlus chuckled. "They kept trying to get it out of me, but then yesterday the aurors arrived and several of them were arrested. And here I am." He tried to smile.

Lily was sat with the other girls in front of the fire in the common room, "Alice, are you sure you're ok?"

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?" Alice said without looking away from the fire. She had been staring at it for several minutes now.

"It's just, you seem…" Lily didn't know how to describe it.

"You're completely out of it, Alice." Marlene interjected.

"I'm just worried about Frank and James," she admitted.

Lily scoffed, "I can understand worrying about Frank. But Potter?"

"Lily, I really don't understand why you hate him. He's one of the best people I have ever known. He's a bit silly and yeah he hexes people for fun but he's good to the core, unlike Severus Snape," Alice said angrily before storming up to their dormitory.

"I don't get it. I don't see what she sees in him." Lily frowned.

Kate laughed but Mary pulled a face, "He's defended me against the Slytherins several times this year. In fact, I'd hate to think what would have happened if he hadn't have been there." Mary shuddered slightly.

When the boys walked back into the common room that night the girls were nowhere to be seen. Frank sighed, he'd been hoping to see Alice before bed. James fell into his favourite arm chair by the fire. The other boys quickly followed suite. "Thanks for coming with me today guys."

"Any time James," Frank answered.

"What are mates for," Sirius said hitting him on the back.

Remus merely nodded and Peter grunted his reply. The boys quickly fell into a comfortable silence. After several minutes Peter had fallen asleep and was snoring quietly. James nodded his head towards him, looking at Sirius. Sirius practically read his mind, pulling out his wand. He cast the spell really quickly, and watched as his friend turned bright pink. He then whispered, "he should change colours every hour."

The boys laughed. They might prank the whole school but they weren't above pranking each other too. James closed his eyes momentarily before rubbing them gently. When he opened his eyes, he noticed the first year girls coming down the stairs from their dorm. "Oi Evans. Did you have a good day?" James shouted across the room.

"Get lost, Potter."

"Ah, Evans. That's not nice." James eyes twinkled with excitement.

"Why would I be nice to an arrogant prat like you?" Lily asked.

"Erm, I don't know, because you fancy me?"

Lily laughed loudly, there was a coldness to her laughter that James didn't particularly like. He didn't give up though. "Will you go out with me?"

"No. I will never go out with you Potter." Lily screamed, before turning on her heals and heading back up the stairs to her dormitory. She could hear James and Sirius laughing behind her.

"That was mean, James," Alice scolded.

"Yep, but it was hilarious." Sirius laughed.

"Besides, she's had it coming," James said, still laughing, "It's not my fault she's been a complete bitch to me since day one, Ali."

So what did you think?

Really hope you liked it.

Next chapter...

Alice and Frank times...

Marauders spying...

James finds out about Remus...

The polyjuice potion is ready!