A/N: Apologies again for the long wait – I'm travelling a lot and it's hard to find the time to write. I hope this chapter makes up for it! Let me know what you think.
XII. This Thunder Heart
"You are advised to submit without further delay, for if I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city."
– Philip II, to Sparta
"Stop pacing, Prongs."
"She's going to be fucking unbearable," James exclaimed.
"I don't think you're giving her enough credit," Remus replied.
"She's going to resent me all bloody year because I got Head and she didn't."
"That's unlike her," Sirius chimed in.
James shot him a flat look.
"Arse."
James' fears turned out to be unfounded however, when a letter from Marlene that afternoon confirmed that Lily had been appointed Head Girl.
"Two Gryffindors," Remus mused. "Dumbledore is playing at something."
"I don't care what he's playing at," James replied. "I'm just glad to avoid a bollocking from Evans."
"I mean, don't bet against it," Sirius said.
"Are you going to write to her?" Peter asked.
"And miss the look on her face when I tell her the happy news in person?" James scoffed. "Not bloody likely."
They hadn't planned it – rather it had just sort of fallen into place. In a way, it was fitting that they all arrived at Kings Cross within moments of each other.
James gave a polite nod to the Auror in nondescript Muggle clothing standing by the entrance to the station as they walked in. It was early still – and only a scattering of students stood on Platform 9¾ when they passed through the barrier.
But the Hogwarts Express was there, gleaming in scarlet and shrouded in steam.
The four – they had started so many years ago as boys but were now young men – paused at a carriage door.
"Last time, gentlemen," said Sirius.
"Last time," James echoed quietly.
Peter and Sirius went down to find a carriage at the rear of the train while Remus and James headed to the front.
James ran a hand through his hair in agitation.
"You'll be fine," said Remus supportively.
"This is ridiculous," James said, opening the door to the Prefects' carriage. Unlike the others, most of the compartments had been replaced with bench seating that ran down each side of the carriage. A single compartment was at the front. The carriage was empty, save for a couple of wide-eyed fifth years, who started whispering to each other when they saw James.
"You're in there," Remus pointed.
"Where?"
"The room that says 'Heads' on it."
"Why?"
"So you and Lily can fight in private," Remus replied.
James shot him a flat look and went ahead into the Heads' compartment. He removed his jacket, tossing it onto the seat, and picked up the letter on the table in front of him.
"Congratulations to you both on this prestigious appointment. You join a long line of Head students who…"
James put the letter down. He didn't want this. He'd never wanted this. Quidditch Captain – that was his fit. Not patrolling the corridors and telling students off for flouting the same set of rules he had for years.
He reached into his jacket and pulled out the badge. It sat in his palm, the words Head Boy inscribed in shimmering, exquisite silver.
Stupid fucking thing.
He pinned it to his Gryffindor jersey, catching his reflection in the carriage window.
He looked a right prat.
Maybe he could talk to Dumbledore – maybe it wasn't too late to get the Headmaster to change his mind.
Maybe he could transfer schools.
Massachusetts was nice this time of year. Beauxbatons was the preference, of course, but after the two weeks he'd spent there for a school exchange, he doubted he'd be welcome back.
He diminished the thought from his mind. He wasn't leaving Hogwarts – not when Sirius, Remus, and Peter were still there.
He met his reflection again. The badge glinted in the light and he scowled. He didn't have to wear it, he figured – at least not until he reached school.
He went to remove the badge – just as Lily walked into the compartment.
She froze, gaping at him, then suddenly laughed.
"That's not bad Potter," she grinned, putting her bag down. "You can give it back to Remus now."
"I mean, I wish I could."
Lily stared at him, her mouth dropping open again.
"Tell me you're not serious."
"He's down the other end of the train."
"You've been telling that shite joke for years, and it hasn't gotten any better with age."
"You have," he quipped.
"I mean it, Potter," she said, with a sudden edge in her voice that James was all too familiar with.
"Here," he said, handing her his letter. "It's got my name on it."
Her mouth dropped.
"Fuck off."
"Read it."
He slumped into his seat, and fished out a Chocolate Frog from his jacket pocket while Lily scanned through his Hogwarts letter.
"I don't believe it," Lily said.
"I don't like this either, Evans." James said between a mouthful of chocolate. He fished the card out of the wrapper, and turned it over.
He held the card up so Lily could see. "But he was the one who decided to make me Head Boy."
Lily looked at the card, then him, suddenly angry.
"Do you have any idea of what you've gotten into?" she flared. How could Dumbledore choose him, of all people? James was going to make her look bad for the entire year. She'd been so proud, so pleased to tell her parents that she'd made Head Girl, and now she'd have to spend half her waking time with him.
"I guess we're doing this," James said sourly.
"This is genuine responsibility, Potter," she said coldly. "It requires maturity, reliability, and common sense. You need to be trustworthy and dependable. Which quite frankly, you haven't gone out of your way to demonstrate any of that for the last six years!"
"I suppose I need a thesaurus, too?" he said acidly.
"You don't have a fucking clue as to what's involved, because you've never been a Prefect!" she yelled. "You never had to earn this. Once again, you just waltzed right into it!"
A high pitched whistle screeched, and the Hogwarts Express began to move with a shudder, before pulling cleanly out of the station.
"I didn't ask for this, Evans," he said, running a hand through his hair again. "I got the badge and the same letter telling me to–"
"You know, every single little thing that we do this year is going to reflect on the other," she cut in. "I'm not going to let you make me–"
"I will not make you look bad!" James snapped. "For fucks sake, Evans! If I can organise a Quidditch team, I'm sure I can organise a couple of rosters and walk around the halls."
"There's more to it than putting together a schedule!" Lily shouted. "You have to be a role model for everyone! Being Head Boy doesn't mean you can abuse your power to get out of whatever shit you decide to pull!"
"I'm sorry if I wasn't your first choice for Head Boy, Evans, but here I am anyway," James retorted.
"I worked so hard for this – and you, you just–"
Unshed tears were standing in her eyes, James realised with a shock. His retort died in his throat. As hard as it was for him to admit it, she was right. What kind of assurance did she have that he would hold up his end of the bargain?
He stood.
"You're right," he said quietly.
Lily blinked.
"I didn't have to work for this like you did. I didn't have to prove myself like you did. No one ever assumed I couldn't cut it because my parents were Muggles," James paused.
She met his gaze.
"I don't know shit about being Head Boy," he admitted. "Will you help me?"
Green eyes bored into hazel as she read his features, a faint crease between her eyebrows. Was she trying to figure out if he really meant it?
"Okay," she said softly, and James let out a breath he hadn't realised he'd be holding in.
"Together?" he asked.
"Together," she smiled.
James gestured towards the letter he'd left on the table."We've got mail."
"Did you read it?" Lily asked.
"Struggled my way through the first sentence. What does it say?"
"It's mostly instructions," Lily replied, scanning through it. "We've got to patrol the train with the Prefects. And we're meeting Dumbledore and McGonagall after the Welcome Feast."
"Alright," said James. "Lead the way."
He followed her out of the compartment to where the group of Prefects were sitting on each side of the rail carriage. The fifth years looked nervous. James recognised those from his year - including Benji Fenwick, Michael Lee from Hufflepuff, and Issac Nott of Slytherin. He avoided the haughty glare of the Slytherin and made eye contact with Remus.
"Mum and Dad shout a lot, but they love us really," Remus said dryly.
Several Prefects laughed apprehensively as Lily cleared her throat.
"Alright, er, welcome back for another school year everyone. Congratulations to the fifth years joining us. Being a Prefect is an exciting privilege but it also carries a lot of responsibility," she said. "I'm sure you know both of us, but for the sake of formality, I'm Lily Evans, and our Head Boy is James Potter."
She turned to James.
"Do you want to say anything?"
"Sure. Thanks Evans," said James. "Obviously I was never a Prefect but Dumbledore made me Head Boy – I assume as punishment. If you have a problem with it, please feel free to discuss it with him."
"That went well."
"Yeah?"
She nodded. "You did a good job of deflecting the 'whole you weren't a Prefect' thing. Passing things onto Professor Dumbledore is the best way to get them to shut up. At least that's what Alice told me."
"Alice?"
"Engaged to Frank Longbottom."
"Oh!" James recalled. "They're both in Auror training."
Suddenly, the brakes of the train squealed, and they were both thrown forward. James was back on his feet in an instant, reaching out his hand to Lily.
She took it and he pulled her up
"What was that?"
"I don't know," she said, going to the window.
"Fuck!" James exclaimed, looking out the windows on the opposite side.
"What?"
"Someone's attacking the train!"
Lily rushed over to his side of the carriage. Several figures in black robes were circling around the Hogwarts Express on brooms. One of the figures launched a stream of purple light at a train car, shattering the glass windows.
"Voldemort's people," James said. "Death Eaters."
The name sent a chill through Lily.
"I'm going to go up front," she said. "We can't let the train come to a stop."
"Good idea," James replied, already moving. "I'll find the Prefects."
He paused at the carriage door.
"Stay safe."
Their eyes met.
"You too."
"Moony!"
James found Remus crouched down with his back to the carriage wall. Shards of glass littered the ground.
"Do you know what they're after?" Remus said. "Or who?"
"No idea," James said as another window shattered overhead.
"Stay down!" Remus yelled.
"Where's Padfoot?" James said, brushing fragments of glass off his robes.
"Further down. He's holding a carriage with a bunch of Gryffindors."
"We have to get a message to the Aurors."
"Peter's working on it," Remus answered. "Where's Lily?"
"Making sure the train doesn't stop!"
"You let her go alone?"
"I didn't let her do anything!" James exclaimed. "It was her idea!"
"They'll be hitting the engine with everything they've got!"
A black figure shot past the window, and James shot a red jet of light at it.
"Get everyone who knows how to cast a decent Stunner manning the windows," James said. "Pass the word down to the other Prefects."
"What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to find a broom."
A jet of light streaked past Sirius and exploded into a shower of sparks.
"That was bloody close!" Marlene exclaimed.
Sirius peered over the top of a window, then fired a series of staccato-like bursts of light at the Death Eaters attacking their carriage.
"Got one," he said grimly.
The train gave a sudden lurch, and began picking up speed as Remus entered the carriage on his hands and knees.
"Nice of you to join us!"
"I saw James – he's finding a broom," Remus said.
"Looks like he found one!" Marlene exclaimed, pointing at a flash of red that rocketed past their carriage window – quickly followed by two black blurs.
Bent low to his Nimbus, James quickly reached the front of the train, where a group of black figures were circling the engine like vultures. James drew his wand from his robes and fired a series of Stunners at the Death Eaters.
A green jet of light flashed past him, and James immediately dropped into a dive and circled around as another pair of Death Eaters gave chase. The midair duel became a deadly game of cat and mouse as James weaved and twisted through the air. The searing heat of an incendiary spell rushed past him. James fought fire with fire, unleashing a tongue of golden flame that struck one of the black figures.
Below him, the Hogwarts Express gave a piercing whistle.
A flare of brilliant light shot from Sirius' wand and another Death Eater plummeted from the sky.
"Got the prick!" Sirius exclaimed.
Outside, his fellow Marauder was being hard pressed by Death Eaters on all sides. James dodged and weaved through the air, launching into a barrel roll to avoid a barrage of hexes fired his way.
Suddenly, a well-aimed blasting curse shattered the tail end of James' broom, sending him careening towards the ground.
James twisted what was left of his broom towards the train – and jumped.
Lily threw herself to the ground as several windows shattered, spraying glass through the carriage.
Her ears were ringing, and she could taste blood. She shook her head and blinked as bright spots appeared in her vision.
She couldn't find her wand. She'd had it just moments ago. A sharp pain shot through her head as she clambered through the carriage on her hands and knees.
A purple jet of light streaked into the carriage just inches from her, scattering debris through the carriage, before another explosion rocked the carriage, throwing her flat to the floor again. A gaping hole was all that was left of the compartment where she'd argued with James all of an hour ago.
James hit the rooftop of a carriage at speed, knocking the wind from him as he tumbled over and over. He reached out in desperation, scrambling to find a handhold. Miraculously, he found one.
A green jet of light streaked past him, and then another.
Shakily, James got to his feet. Somehow, he still had his wand.
Potter luck.
Another jet of light rocketed past him, and James whipped around to see another Death Eater standing on the next carriage.
James assumed a duelling stance and the Death Eater did the same, before launching into a powerful attack that crumbled James' hastily cast shield.
James dodged a jinx and fired a couple of spells back – but he was very clearly outmatched.
On top of the carriage, there was nowhere to hide.
His father's words came to him, unbidden:
If the terrain doesn't suit, find new terrain.
He pointed his wand between his feet and blasted a hole in the carriage roof, falling through it as a jet of green light shot overhead.
"Oof!"
He'd landed right on top of Lily!
"Evans!"
"Gerrof me!" she protested.
"Not even a 'Nice of you to drop in'?" he quipped, rolling off her.
"Now is really not the fucking time!"
The carriage shook with another curse as what was left of the roof splintered into pieces.
Above them, a Death Eater hovered on his broom, his wand trained on them both.
James never hesitated, pushing himself in front of her. A red jet of light slammed into him, flinging his body through the air like a rag doll. He crashed against the wall and slumped to the ground, unmoving.
"James!" she screamed.
The Death Eater pointed his wand at her, a vicious glint in his eye.
And then his head exploded.
Glass crunched underfoot as Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody strode through the ruined carriage, surveying the carnage with his magical eye.
He crouched down and picked up a discarded wand, hidden underneath a seat as another Auror approached him.
"We got three of them alive, Alastor," the Auror reported.
Moody grunted in approval.
"Good. I'll talk with them straight away."
The Aurors made their way to the next carriage.
"You don't want to get them to the Keep?"
"Later," Moody grunted.
"Dumbledore won't be happy when he finds out you've been interrogating suspects on his train."
"Albus isn't here right now."
The Auror shrugged, and was about to reply when he realised James Potter was in the carriage talking quietly to an Auror trainee. The boy had his head wrapped in a large bandage.
"You shouldn't be here, Mr Potter," Moody said. "Join the other students please."
"I was just taking his statement," the trainee said.
"I need the carriage cleared."
"Of course sir," the trainee replied. Alastor Moody was not a man accustomed to waiting. "Come with me, James."
"A moment, Mr Potter."
Moody reached into his robes and drew a wand, turning it handle-first. He offered it to James.
"I assume this belongs to Miss Evans. See to it that she's reunited with her wand."
James took the wand as three figures were roughly hauled into the carriage by more Aurors. Each was bound in chains running from their wrists to their ankles. A black bag was tied tightly around each of their heads.
James followed the trainee into the next carriage and the door clicked shut behind him. A moment later, a muffled howl of pain rang out.
James looked back and swallowed.
"Can you conjure a blanket?" the trainee asked.
"Sure."
"Good. We'll need to hand some out. Can I trust you to get some students to start repairing the minor damage?"
"Yeah, of course."
The trainee nodded at the thick bandaged swathed around his forehead.
"And get yourself seen to by Madam Pomfrey. That was a nasty-looking cut."
"Lastly, I'd like to thank you both," Dumbledore said. "I understand you led the defence of the train admirably. Fifty points to Gryffindor apiece."
"Thank you sir," Lily said.
After the Welcome Feast, Dumbledore had sat them down and talked through their list of responsibilities and his expectations for their role. But at best he'd seemed distracted and at times he'd trailed off into long periods of silence, his mind clearly on other matters.
"Sorry sir, I had one more question," James asked.
"Ask away."
"Why did you name me Head Boy?"
"I was wondering when you would ask, Mr Potter."
"It's just that – I was never a Prefect, and Flich would say I've broken rules that don't even exist."
Dumbledore peered at him over his spectacles, his eyes twinkling in amusement.
"Do you agree with Mr Filch's assessment?"
"It's very flattering, but I'd rather not incriminate myself, Professor."
The Headmaster chuckled, then his features took on a more somber expression.
"I appointed you – both of you, in fact – in part because we could use a little more bravery right now."
"That, of course, does not discount the considerable talents of the other Prefects in your year. But the two of you, I think, have the ability to do something rather special."
There was another long pause.
"You are the leaders we need right now," Dumbledore said. "You're talented, well-liked by your peers, and I should hope you will work exceptionally well together."
He looked at them, moving his gaze from James to Lily.
"One pureblood. One Muggleborn. Balance."
James and Lily shared a glance.
"One more thing," Dumbledore added.
"You are, of course, aware of the threat outside these walls. I want you to be mindful of the threat that lies within them."
He passed a hand over his forehead.
"Students can be impressionable. The hearts of the young are easily won. And I fear it is already–"
The Headmaster cut himself off.
"Anyway. The hour grows late. You need not listen to the musings of an old man."
Dumbledore opened a desk draw and pulled out a glass jar filled with sweets.
"But before you go – Sugar Quill?"
A/N: Cheers for reading – reviews are the best!
