A/N: Hey! So I know, the grammar and writing is poor, I have written the 5th year, three years ago in Word Pad, and have been completing the book's last few chapters now and editing them. I know, I should edit the starting chapters but I am a bit lazy and more excited to finish the book first and my head is completely into the last chapters, the characters there have grown up and the theme has gone a bit dark due to war. So, I promise once I am done there I will improve these chapters. I thought of publishing it here only after finishing it completely but you know it takes time to edit, so I decided to upload it here.
So, what do you all say? Should I continue posting the chapters here or should I improve the grammar and writing and edit it then publish? Please tell me whether you're interested in this book or not.
Remus was ill, last night was full moon and he hadn't recovered yet.
Lily and Remus had the last patrol tonight, but as Remus was in hospital, Lily was patrolling alone, she was nearly done with the patrol, just 15 minutes more left, she thought she was alone but she wasn't.
James sat in his bed, his two other friends already asleep. He had the mao out, he was looking out for the four slytherins every time whenever he got time, he found the four of them, two were near the entrance while two were coming back from greenhouse again? why? Then he saw Lily alone, if they will find Lily alone it will not be a good thing.
He jumped to his feet, pulled his t-shirt, took the cloak and ran towards Lily as fast as he could. The four slytherins were now united and will be soon face to face with Lily.
Just 2 minutes left and then she could go to her bed, it was then that out of nowhere a hand covered her mouth and she found some blanket thing thrown over her , oh my god she thought someone was kidnapping her, she struggled against the hold and tried to shout but couldn't, she tried to reach for her wand but failed, she was going to struggle more when a familiar voice whispered in her ear.
"Evans relax its me James"
She stopped struggling and turned as the grip loosened on her. "What..?" she was about to shout when he closed her mouth and whispered
"Jeez woman quiet , you will wake the whole castle. The 4 7th year slytherins we heard on that day are coming in this direction, now keep quiet or we will be in trouble, okay?" he removed his hand from her mouth when she nodded.
At that moment the four Slytherins footsteps sounds came closer, James and Lily pressed against a wall to prevent running into them.
"Be careful with it. We will put it there and wait for right moment to strike"
"Just hope we don't get caught."
"Dont worry patrol time is over and today I checked two 5th years were there, whom we could easily handled."
"So how long we have to wait?"
"We strike tomorrow. We have already given him 4 doses and this will be the fifth, after this in 24 hours it will start the effect and he will not able to do anything. Also, we will have help too. We will teach them all a lesson."
They all turned and Lily and James followed them quietly, the four slytherins reached outside of Patrick's office, broke into it and after 3 minutes came out and locked the office again.
"Let's go back before teachers come for final round, we cant risk being getting caught." And they all left.
James removed the cloak and put in his pocket, as realization hit him, his heart rate increased, oh they had got reached the wrong conclusion. His face turned pale, he should do something quick. He gasped.
"Potter what happened to you, you have gone all pale." asked Lily as she looked at his face.
"I just realized, they were talking about about Prof. Patrick and not Dumbledore." said James looking at Lily, Her face also gone white.
"Thats why Professor Patrick was looking ill these days, I thought it must be just old age."Lily realized.
"We should tell Dumbledore." said James.
"He isn't here for past three days, haven't you noticed his empty chair, and I think he will come after two days, he is a member of wizengamot and it is holding important meetings so he must be in London." said Lily.
"How do you know?" asked James surprised.
"Well Alice told me, she is Head girl and I read about wizengamot important meetings regarding Azkaban, so I connected the two."
"You are brilliant" exclaimed James.
"I know but what should we do?"
"MacGonagall she might help."
"Well she might give you detentions" said a voice of man, they turned to see him and a cat in his hand."Out of bed after curfew."
"Shit"muttered James he forgot to check the clearance as he was lost in thought of Slytherins .
"I am a prefect" said Lily.
"Well, girl prefect patrolling ended 20 minutes ago, you both are now in trouble." smiled the caretaker.
"Potter and Ms Evans, do you have any explanation for this?" asked MacGonagall.
James told her about slytherins.
"Thats a serious accuse Potter and that doesn't give you freedom to roam around after curfew and we didn't find any Slytherins out of bed."
"But Professor.."
"No but Potter, you both deserve detention, tomorrow I will inform you now go straight to the Gryffindor tower." said MacGonagall.
And both of them left.
"Why doesn't she believes us ?" said James irritatedly
"It was a serious accusation and we both are 5th years, also our previous pranks didn't help."
"Yeah but this is important " sighed James kicking the floor "I think we should take the charge to prevent attack tomorrow."
"But we both cant go against four of them, when we are not clear ourself what they are going to do and no one else will believe us."
"No, our friends will believe us and help and I will write to my Uncle Ben first thing in morning. " said James and Lily nodded.
"What they meant when they said they will have help ?"asked Lily
"No idea"shrugged James.
"Well then we should hope for the best and prepare for worst," said Lily as they reached the common room.
"Are you both sure?" asked Remus.
"It's worth the risk" said James.
"I am always ready for action" jumped Sirius.
"Padfoot don't be reckless" said Remus.
"What?"
"You are always reckless and then make mistake and then realize it later. " said Remus.
"Whatever" ignored Sirius.
"So how will we find what time and place?" asked Mary
"We will follow Patrick all around" said Lily.
"But how is that possible? We cant just tail behind him, it will look suspicious " said Marls.
"Should we tell them? " asked Peter. The other three Marauders nodded.
"They have prove themself" said James and then showed them the map and invisibility cloak.
"I thought you and Fleamont were joking about the cloak. Why didn't you showed it to me?" asked Marls.
"Then how would I have scared you?" James grinned.
"Means I was not hallucinating about flying things and hearing voices? It was you all along" asked Marls
"Yes and it was very fun, when I made you clean my room by scaring you." laughed James.
"Oh James you are so dead " said Marlene and started throwing things at him.
"Guys stop, we have bigger issues now." shouted Lily.
"Okay, but I will get you James. I will tell them about your little adventures" said Marlene.
"Hey, that's not fair, it is not a joke and you know it." said James who has suddenly turned serious and was looking at Marlene angrily.
"Sorry, my mistake." said Marls
"Whats going on ?"asked Mary looking from James to Marls.
"Nothing, we should focus on today." said Marlene.
"Who is on patrol duty today ?" asked James.
"Alice and Frank" replied Remus.
"I can convince them to help us, they will believe us."
"I think Dorcas can also help, she is always up for duel and is trustable." said Mary
"The more the better, because we don't know what they might be doing." said Lily.
"I will talk to Hestia, she isn't a social person but she likes helping." said Marlene.
They made the plan to cover the castle at night, and went silent.
"What detention you both got?" asked Peter breaking the silence.
"Detention with Hagrid on Thursday, he needs help." grinned James.
"Jackpot" shouted the Marauders.
"What?" asked the girls.
"Detention with Hagrid is best, its adventurous and fun, we always pray for detention with him." said Sirius, the girls rolled eyes and muttered something like 'boys'.
They had convinced Alice, Frank , Dorcas and Hestia to help them. It was night time and Patrick was in his room.
Lily and James were under the invisibility cloak outside Patrick's office while Remus and Dorcas were hidden in a secret passageway outside Patrick's room which was a few steps away from his office and attached to his office internally. Remus had the map.
Sirius, Mary, Marlene and Hestia were hidden in a room near the office , Sirius with his mirror out waiting for James signal , so if situation arises they can attack from behind.
Frank and Alice were to patrol on alert, if any attack happens they will be signalled by loud boom of firecrackers by Peter, who was roaming and checking on everyone, and was then to alert teachers. He was doing it in rat form but only Marauders knew about it.
"I didn't knew Hogwarts had free rats roaming around with Mrs Norris here." said Lily when she saw the rat for fourth time coming and going. James snorted.
"Mrs. Norris doesn't go behind rats after encounter with this rat." said James pointing at the rat who has just left.
They waited for 20 minutes when they heard slow footsteps. James became alert , he and Lily both raised their wands.
5 figures approached in their direction, 3 in slytherin clothes while 2 in hooded mask.
"Death eaters" hissed James, shiver ran through Lily , goosebumps.
"Sirius 5 attackers, 2 of them are death eaters , Remus will already know. Fire the fireworks if Pete is late." James whispered to Sirius who nodded.
"Fuck, Fuck ,Fuck" thought the rat he reached the far corner, turned into a boy , lighted the fireworks, transformed into a rat and ran as fast as he could to Minerva's office.
"Frank did you hear that?" asked Alice.
"Yes." said Frank.
4 people turned the corner , one of them in hooded mask and came face to face with the heads.
"Look, look , we have the blood traitors here" said the one with the mask.
"You both go we will handle these kids you go and do the work fast." said one of the three. Two of them left.
"Well what are we waiting for?" said the hooded figure. And the 4 of them started dueling.
"Pete has fired the explosions means the 5 here are on alert, we have to start fighting there are death eaters." said Sirius. "
"Padfoot don't fight till I signal you."said James voice.
"Ok"
"Hestia you will focus on behind if any other come from behind we will be alerted" said Sirius and the four of them left the room silently.
"Lets do something like we did in final duell " said James to Lily who nodded.
"Protego"
"Fianto Duri"
"Now lets attack them"James said as the 5 people approached near them "Padfoot now"
The five people were caught off guard they were hoping for just 2 people on round, who were far from here in duel.
"STUPEFY" "EXPELLIARMUS" were the shouts from front , one of them lost their wand while one fell to ground.
They were going to send hexes from where the shout came but before they could react more shouts came from behind. The unarmed one took the wand of the stupefied one and began attching.
2 fought the front duel while the other two fought with 4 behind them.
"There are 5 people there all slytherins I think and they are fighting. Frank and Alice are fighting two on below , and Peter is on his way to MacGonagall " said Remus after consulting the map.
"So, lets go and kick their asses." said Doracs , Remus nodded. They were about to leave when Remus stopped her.
"Two are coming from other side the Carrows, they are going for Patrick's room, I dont think they will engage in that duel " said Remus.
"So...um...lets wait and attack them from behind." suggested Meadows.
The two came from the other side and as expected instead of going toward fighting area started opening Patrick's door , but they didn't knew that Frank has put extra security on them today after Patrick has gone to bed. The carrows were struggling with locks when someone moved behind them but they didn't hear it over all the shouts from the fighting.
"STUPEFFY" "IMMOBULUS"
Sadly both the jinxed hit the boy and he fell on ground, the girl turned around and instantly started dueling.
"CRUCI..." Alecto shouted wands pointed at Remus but Dorcas hit her with a spell and she was cut off.
"No unforgivable curses dear." said Dorcas.
"Professor, Professor , please fast open" shouted Peter.
"What it is ? why are you out late?" opened the witch.
"Attack, death eaters , Patrick office quick others are there"
The Professor took her wand sent three cat patronuses and ran to Patrick's office in her night dress.
Peter stood there not knowing what to do, followed her.
"Looks like the kids got better of you" shouted Alice as one of the opponent hit the ground unconscious after Frank's jinx hit him.
"You traitors " shouted the hooded figure.
"Crucio"
Frank fell to his knees, shouting in agony.
Alice was torn in pain and anger "Lacarnum Inflamari" she shouted.
The hooded figure's whole cloth started burning , he broke the curse and pointed his wand to remove fire, but by the time he was done he was hit by another spell "Impedementa" then "Expelliarmus" then "Incarcerous" , the death eater was tied in ropes from neck to toe and his wand in Alice's hand.
"Oh Frank are you okay?"
"Yes, just a little pain as it was only for few seconds, thanks Alice."
"Dont be stupid, I love you, I would have killed him if something would have happened to you."
"Did You just said you love me?" asked Frank colour returning in both of their faces, Alice nodded.
"I love you too Alice" and they hugged.
"Now lets go help our friends" said Frank .
"But you are..."
"I am fine Alice , let's hurry."
"You are no match to us, you cant stop us " said Synde, one of the attacker.
"Duro"
"Cruci.." said the hooded figure.
"Stupefy"shouted James " Dont use Unforgivable curses on my friends " roared James.
Hestia was hurt on legs and was on floor, Marlene hit the wall and was having a head injury, Mary had black bruise on her forehead and Sirius had cuts on his arms . Only 3 were left now, Synde, the hooded figure and Nott. But they still seemed strong .
James knew Sirius will not be able to hold the ground for much facing two together, so he decide to fighting hard and saw that Lily too was thinking along the same line.
The pair got aggressive as they were just facing Nott now. James started using nonverbal spells while Lily verbal.
Soon Nott was thrown off the feet as two spells hit him together and collided with Synde who fell on ground, the hooded figure got distracted. Sirius took the opportunity "IMPEDEMENTA"
The hooded figure fell on ground .
"SUPEFY" shouted Mary at Synde who was trying to remove uncincious Nott from above him to free himself , but froze when the spell hit him.
"Petrificus Totalus" said Remus and Alecto was frozen on the spot and fell to the ground.
Dorcas conjured a rope and tied them together after taking their wands.
"Lets go to help others." said Remus.
When MacGonagall and Peter reached the front of office, they were soon joined by Alice and Frank.
Five people were tied together in one corner and two twins were tied together in one corner.
James, Lily ,Sirius, Remus and Dorcas were helping Marlene and Hestia.
"Well what happened here?" asked MacGonagall
"You see professor we just caught the people who were going to probably kill Professor Patrick." said Sirius. MacGonagall eyes widened.
"Ah! Excellent students, I am very impressed by your bravery and talent today." said a calm voice.
They all turned to find Albus Dumbledore standing there, Ben Potter behind him and two twin brothers in beside him.
"Professor how can you be so calm there has just been a death eater attack in the school and fir Merlin's sake Frank has just been hit by cruciatus curse. " said Alice angrily, this shocked everyone because Alice was always calm and cheerful girl.
Dumbledore's dropped slightly, "I am sorry about that it was an old man's mistake, I didn't thought they would do that, and Gideon slightly panicked and couldn't stop him."
"What Gideon has to do with any of this?" asked Alice confused.
"I was there, under disillusionment charm but I lost focus and he hit Frank, sorry mate."Gideon said to Frank"But before I could do anything you, Alice did fabulous work " he concluded.
"Sorry, but am I missing something?" asked Sirius"Why was Gideon there and that too invisible and what are you all doing here and looking this calm when we just faced death eaters?" asked Sirius irritatedly .
"Lets go to hospital wing and talk there Poppy has agreed to allow more visitors and has got another nurse as well to treat you all, come." said Dumbledore, the students looked as confused as ever.
"Am I correct in thinking Professor, that you already knew about this attack already ?" asked James.
"Yes James you are correct. Now lets talk when we are in hospital wing, Minerva if you please bring Miss Jones and Miss Macdonald a stretcher and Ben can you look over the death eaters and the Slytherin students, I will deal with them afterwards. Fabian inform Moony about the situation he is waiting in the Great Hall with other Aurors." Said Dumbledore and they all followed his orders.
They reached the hospital, Poppy and another nurse look over them while Dumbledore explained everything to the students.
"Well, when James informed Ben about what he and Miss Evans heard the Carrows, Nott and Synde, Ben informed me about it and we prepared for any attack on the day of Ball, ofcourse we assumed that they might be taking about attacking the headmaster but no attack came. I thought that they were just angry and meant no wrong things.
Then Minerva yesterday night informed me as soon as James and Lily told her about their target being Professor Ritwick, she also informed me that Ritwick was looking ill these days. I immediately at night met Ritwick, Alastor was with me, he checked Ritwick's office as that was where the slyherins broke in, Alastor found out that there was a large amount of Belladonna or as it is called Deadly Nightshade all over his office. When contacted for 5 continuous times it paralyzes the person, it was a very clever plan as Professor Sprout was growing it for O. and also Belladonna starts affecting slowly at first 4 contacts and then at 5th contact it paralyzes the person within 18 to 24 hours, thus no one suspects it. We wanted to catch the victims so Patrick continued his daily routine to not let the attackers know that we already know their plan, I was grateful to Ritwick that he managed to work today because the 5th contact was starting to affect him.
Then in morning Ben came to me and informed that James might try to stop the attack, and sure you all did I heard yours plan and it surely was a master plan."
"But we talked about the plan in a silent room with a silencing charm then how did you found out?" asked Lily.
"Well, there in the room was a portrait of Mr. Whittman and he informed me about it. So, I decided to let you all proceed with your plan while we were behind you under disillusionment charm to make sure none of you get seriously injured." Dumbledore smiled at the students.
"But what was the purpose behind all of it?" asked Sirius
"The purpose was to make sure you were ready for future, to make sure if a situation arises you all could stand against it, to give you experience and confidence so that you all could make your future decisions with a more clear mind by knowing the gravity of situation."
"Where is Professor Ritwick and why did they wanted to attack him?" asked James.
"Professor Ritwick left for St. Mungo's with aurors via the fireplace in his bedroom. And as for why he was attacked have a guess you and Miss Evans heard them the first night, what do you both think?" asked Dumbledore
James recalled the conversation of slytherins on that night when he has first heard them:
"But what can we do , that fucking professors lessons against has made it hard to convince other students to join."
James was about to answer but Lily beat him.
"They wanted other students to join them and..." Lily said
James continued"To get in the inner circle of Voldemort and..."
Lily continued "Professor Rotwick was teaching students why Dark magic is harmful and should not be used and..."
James continued "Many students were getting convinced to go against dark magic."
Lily continued "And this was making it hard fir them to recruit more students."
"Means Voldemort is recruiting students now?" asked Remus looking at Dumbledore who sighed.
"Sadly, yes and I should inform you that he is succeeding too , many students are being drawn towards dark arts and joining Voldemort, who is the darkest wizard, he is very deep in dark arts and made his followers to do dark magic too, which is inhuman. It was also one of the reasons I let all of you to face the threat by yourself so you could know what is happening and choose right side." said Dumbledore.
"I will rather die than chose their side, those fucking bastards, using dark magic just to feel powerful they are so blind that they dont see what it does to the people." James said angrily clutching the blankets of his bed tight.
"James calm down" said Ben in a soothing voice ,sitting beside James and putting a hand over his shoulder.
"How could you be calm of all people, you have seen what happened to her, how could you be calm because I cant, I fucking can't " shouted James and their were tears in his eyes.
Lily has never seen James like this, his face was torn in anger, pain and sorrow. Why it was so she didn't know but his eyes showed pain, he was all right before and now he was in pain. She didn't know what his words to his uncle meant, she has noticed James get all angry at mention of dark arts, and he was cursing in front of the headmaster. Lily looked at the headmaster, he was looking at James with sadness, she looked at other people faces they all were shocked at James' reaction. James was one of the most happy and cheerful person in Hogwarts and has never been angry like this and surely not in this much pain.And of whom was he talking about?
"Oh James, it hurts I know, but we should not lose our calm, I know how you are feeling child but you must not let this get into your head, the best we can do is fight against the dark and you know that only light beats dark and happiness and love are the light here. She wouldn't want you to get all sad and angry, okay. Take deep breathes and calm yourself." said Ben who himself looked sad. He continued rubbing James back to calm him.
"Poppy perhaps something to calm James will be great and give it to others too" said Dumbledore to the nurse, who nodded and gave them all calming potion.
"Now, I would like you all to not speak about this attack to anyone, the attackers wont remember who fought against them, the aurors will erase that part of their mind, this is done for the protection of you all and to prevent panic in school , a different version of event will be out soon.. Can I trust you all with this that you will never tell about today's incident to anyone, not even your closest friends and family?" Dumbledore looked around the students who all nodded.
"But professor how did the death eaters got into the castle ?" asked Frank.
"They came as guest at the Ball under Polyjuice potion and never left they were hidden in slytherin dormitories disguised as first years with the Carrows." Dumbledore informed.
"Now I will like you all to return to your dorms and have a sleep and tomorrow all the classes will be dismissed, so rest." informed the Headmaster.
"James are you okay ?" asked Ben in a concerned voice, James nodded. "Good now rest and I will have to face wrath of Euphemia tomorrow, she was worried all day since your letter and was bursting out at me and your father. You better hope that she calms down by the time you reach home otherwise you too will join me and Fleamont and you too Sirius . Though if you have any advice to calm her please do tell."
"Make her pancake and tea in morning, then only her wrath will calm down but slightly" said James with a smile.
"That's my boy, keep smiling and laughing. Marls Euphemia has given you free hand against James good luck with that." said Ben.
"Oh sure I will" Marls laughed.
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