Previously...

"Yes, master." POP.

"Quickly, come with me." They went towards the large sitting room where the guests were supposed to be. James quickly realised that something was seriously wrong. There was a man in the centre of the room that he didn't recognise but he somehow knew exactly who he was, Voldemort.

Chapter 40:

"Master Potter, we need to get you to safety!" Missy had appeared at James' side.

"Not yet Missy," he said turning away from the door that stood slightly ajar. "Are all the other children safe?"

"All except those in league with HIM, sir." Missy replied.

"Is there anyone else we can save without causing a scene?" Remus asked quietly.

"There are a few older ladies in the dining room, Mr Lupin."

"Missy, you help them. Take them to safety. Anyone you can rescue…" James commanded.

"What are we going to do James?" Sirius asked.

"I want to know where my parents are!" James sighed. He heard a pop and saw Mippy appear in front of him, "Master Potter, you must go to safety. Please, I is begging you sir."

"Where are my parents Mippy?" James asked.

"They are in there, Master James," Mippy almost cried. "Please Master James, let Mippy take you to safety."

"In a moment Mippy. I want to hear what he is say." James frowned, leaning in towards the gap in the door.

"You disgust me Potter. You have beautiful pure blood yet you waste it with your foolish ways." Voldemort was saying. "You are a very foolish man. Join me and I will spare your life and the lives of your family; your beautiful wife and that son of yours."

"Never!" Charlus smiled. He seemed so calm.

"That is enough Master Potter. Your parents demanded that I take you to safety and until you become head of this household I obey them first. I am sorry Master James but that is the rules." Mippy grabbed hold of James, Remus and Sirius and apparated them to the safe room. The Potters' safe room was a fantastic room. There was no door in or out. The only way in was by apparation but not just any apparation – house elves alone had the magic to penetrate the walls of the safe room. James kicked the wall in anger. "Mippy is sorry sir but Master Charlus commanded Mippy." Mippy looked like she would willingly punish herself for having brought the boys to safety. James melted, "I may not like it but you did the right thing. Thank you."

"Mippy can show you what is happening upstairs if Master would like it." She said trying to make up for having forced him away.

"That would be fantastic, Mips." James replied, using his pet name for her. She smiled when she heard it. She knew he wasn't angry with her.

James looked around at all the different people the elves had managed to rescue. "You have done very well." He nodded at his elves proudly – they had potentially saved lives. The people around the room all looked uncomfortable and anxious. However, it was not because the room was uncomfortable. They were in a beautifully decorated underground room. It was huge and had dozens of comfortable chairs scattered around. There was also a bookcase full of books to read and the room had a constant supply of food. James remembered his father saying that they could stay in here for months and not need a thing.

Whilst Mippy cast a spell on the far wall, James spoke to his friends, "I need your help."

"Anything we can do…" They all responded, waiting for instruction.

"Frank, Alice, if you can go around and see if anyone is injured. If they need anything; a calming potion or something more, Missy will get it for you. Soon we may start getting new arrivals – they may very likely be hurt." Frank and Alice scurried off to check on the different guests – several of the older ladies were in shock but so far nobody was injured.

"Marlene and Andromeda can you go around and check if anyone wants to rest. Feel free to transfigure anything they may need; a bed, food, water... We have a constant supply of food here – the elves keep it stocked." James then turned to Peter and Emmie, "Can you guys keep the children entertained. I don't really want them to work out what is going on. There should be an old toy chest somewhere."

James then turned back to Mippy. She had managed to get a picture of what was happening upstairs onto the wall. "If you want to hear it, I'll put a spell on your ears. I don't think you want everyone to hear what he is saying, Master James."

"Very well." Soon Voldemort's voice was in his ear and he could hear what he was saying to his father. The two men were circling the room.

"You really think you can stand against me?" Voldemort was saying.

"Right, James, now what?" Remus and Sirius looked expectant.

"Now we search the room for anyone we can rescue inconspicuously. Someone who would just get themselves killed if it turned into a mass-duel. At least until it begins – then we just send the elves in to send the wounded." James frowned. He didn't like the idea of putting his elves in danger. He called his elves over to him. "I'm going to ask you to do something, but you can say no. In fact, for once I want you to answer me for yourselves – don't think that I'm your master, don't think that I'm a wizard, just believe for a second that I am just like you." They looked up at him with huge, round eyes. "Imagine I'm just a house-elf. Will you – will you go up there and rescue the wounded and bring them down here so that we can help them? This is your choice. Do not simply do this out of obedience; please don't do this out of obedience. I do not ask you as your master. I will not command you to risk your lives."

"Of course we will go," Missy replied.

"Not out of obedience?" James checked.

"No Master James," Mippy smiled, "We house-elves do it because it is right."

Milly laughed, "I is happy to risk my life to save someone elses."

"Thank you, thank you so much." James had a tear in his eye. He brushed it away with the sleeve of his dressrobe. He could still hear Voldemort speaking; he had time. He knelt down, smiling sadly at the elves, "I love you Milly. I could not ask for a better house-elf. I love you Mippy. I could not think anyone could be my friend as long as you – you are family. I love you Missy, I could not dream of any one more loyal serving our family. You might be our elves – but you are a part of this family and I love you."

James stood up as he heard the change in Voldemort's voice. It's time, he thought to himself. The three boys and the three elves watched the screen, looking for injured friends to help. It took some time before they noticed anyone. "There!" Sirius said pointing at the screen. Mippy saw the fallen wizard, he had been fighting Malfoy Senior. A red curse had hit him straight in the chest. Mippy went for him, leaving them with a POP. It soon became a terrible game of finding the falling wizards and witches – Remus compared it to a muggle story book he'd heard of 'Where's Wally'. Marlene and Andromeda were now responsible for taking the injured witches and wizards to beds where Frank and Alice could try to heal them. Luckily one of the witches who they healed was a healer and she quickly began helping them with the patients. Once individuals were healed they were sent back up to the fight with the elves to continue fighting. James' system was working well until Mippy was hit by a curse. "Missy, get Mippy!" James cried. He suddenly felt panic rush through him.

Missy grabbed the other elf and apparated back down to the safe room. The healer looked the elf over and cast spell after spell but there was nothing she could do. James held Mippy's hand, tears falling down his face. Slowly her hand became cold and her eyes stilled. James cried earnestly until he felt a tap on his back, "Come on mate, we have work to do. It's what Mippy would have wanted." He heard Sirius say in his ear. He looked around and saw several of the small children watching him; they were scared.

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