Book II: Age of the Pheonix

Chapter VII: Wounded

Music Choice: I'll Have to Say I Love You - Jim Croce

Gryffindor Tower - 1972...

"Ok Lads," Young James Potter said as he rolled out some parchment on the end of his bed and pulled the quill from his shirt pocket. By candlelight, he began to sketch a map of the hallways. "Scammander's office is here. We have fifteen minutes between classes to get in and out undetected. Peter, you'll be lookout."

"Why do I have the be lookout?" He asked from is seat on the floor where he was playing gobstones.

"Because you're the coolest liar, Pete," Sirius replied from his spot on the foot of James' bed.

"Not sure if that's a compliment or not..."

James shushed them as he finished his sketch, "Here is where the boggart chest is stored." He tapped a corner of the paper then drew four figures.

"Oi!" Sirius grunted. "Why are you drawing me smaller than Peter?"

"Maybe that's just how I perceive you." James snickered and Sirius elbowed him so hard he tumbled off the bed and fell on the ground with a thud.

James jumped back up, grabbed the pillow and tossed it at his friend who defended by grabbing James and wrestling him down on the bed. The scuffled for a bit as Peter laughed and had to stop when they heard banging on the floor from the room below.

"Oh..." James groaned and stomped his foot back, "Keep quiet yourself, Longbottom!"

"How'd you know it's Frank?"

"All his roommates are muggle-borns or nobodies. Nobody else has the guts to stand up to a name like 'Potter'." He said arrogantly and then noticed Remus who was sitting far back in his bed, holding his knees to his chest. "You ok, Lupin?"

"Are you sure we should be doing this? I mean releasing a boggart could seriously traumatize some kids. There is a reason the boggart is for third years only."

"A stupid reason," Sirius said. "Teachers think we can't handle ourselves."

"I don't think old Scammander thinks that," Remus replied. "But his position is dangers. He's been hospitalized at least twice a year since he started. Hagrid told me the position is hexed. If old Scammander thinks it needs to stay locked up then maybe we should pick a different prank."

"Don't you dare go soft on us now, mate. You were the genius behind the great mirror prank of Halloween 71'" Sirius boasted and Remus grinned bashfully as he thought of the prank in the girls bathrooms that students still talked about. "Besides," Sirius continued. "That's why we have your help. You said your dad taught you everything about Boggarts. You know how to defend against them and you said they are harmless."

"Not all trauma has to be inflicted by physical pain," he muttered a bit too sincerely and stared at his feet. He felt the bed bounce beside him. When he looked up Sirius was sitting there.

"Give us a smile, Lupin." He wrapped an arm around him. "Come on, now. This could be the prank of the century. We may even scare the after-life out of Peeves if we pull this off. But we can only do it with your help."

"I don't know.."

"Come on, Remus. Please... pleaseeeeeee don't let me down?" Sirius gave him big doe eyes and Remus blushed and looked away.

"Fine! But only if you let me be in charge of stepping in if I think a student is in real danger of being emotionally damaged."

"Sure, Remus," James grunted. "We send kids soaring into the sky at 100 kilometers an hour during Quidditch and have trees on the grounds that crush people, but Godric forbid someone's feelings get hurt."

"James," Sirius said and pulled Remus into a hug. "You know our Lupin is sensitive."

"Awwww..." Peter said, "Remus and Sirius sitting in a tree... K... I... S... S...I-"

"Shut it," Remus said and elbowed Sirius off, somewhat strongly but laughing.

"He's just not used to public displays of affection yet," Sirius joked, "I'll get him there."

"Shut it!" He laughed and the boys joined in as another pounding came from the dorm below and they all shouted, "GET BENT LONGBOTTOM!"

The room quieted and Peter stood from the floor and caught a candy bar mid-air that Remus had thrown, as Remus had pulled the box of candy from his bedside table and started to munch on some chocolate. "So," Peter said as he opened the wrapper and ate. "Tomorrow then?"

"Tomorrow." James said as he lifted his drawing. "We really need a better map of this place." He folded up the paper and tucked it away.

"Don't you have Quidditch tomorrow James?" Sirius asked.

"Oh damn!" James snapped and looked at his broom in the corner. "You're right. And I can't miss. They already make an exception on my age. Plus, I'm trying to get on Angus McKinnon's good side so I can take his place as Seeker when he graduates."

"Well no worries," Peter said. "We could do the next day."

"I've got no plans," Sirius said, "Taking a break from girls this weekend. Even us studs have to come up for air."

"Well then Saturday it is."

Remus suddenly choked on his chocolate. Saturday was the full moon. His first year it had been easy to keep to himself and hide his condition, but now that the lads were growing closer and spending more time together it was becoming a challenge.

"You ok, Remus?"

"I.. I can't Saturday. I'm um... I'm helping Hagrid with something."

"Ok, then Sunday night."

"No. That won't work either," He said knowing he'd most likely be in the hospital wing all morning.

"Well Blimey, Rem," Sirius said. "The boggart has to be returned to the Ministry Monday. We only have this weekend."

"Then you'll just have to do it without me."

"You insisted we have your help with controlling the boggart so it doesn't scare the little kiddies. You want that trauma on your head now that you've got us all worked up about it?"

"I'm not worked up," Sirius said, "My old man says trauma builds thick skin."

"Your dad is a psycho," James said.

"You're not wrong, Potter." Sirius shrugged.

"Come on, Lupin," Peter said. "We can't do it without you."

"Then don't do it at all!" Remus said and lifted his wand, "Nox!"

All the lights dimmed and he flopped into bed with a huff. The boys all looked at each other in silence before deciding to go to bed.

Hogwarts - 1980...

"And that's all you can remember of the Prophecy, Mr. Pettigrew?" Dumbledore asked. The Marauders had arrived at Hogwarts and used the tunnels to enter the castle in order to meet with the Headmaster. Peter sat in the chair opposite Dumbledore's desk like a student in trouble while the rest of the boys waited patiently around the room.

"Yes, sir." Peter replied. "I wish I could remember more."

"Shame. You should have shared your discovery and you could have brought the crystal to our meeting last night in search of answers. I understand your father's executor was a friend, but you don't know who can be trusted these days. What was the man's name?"

"His name, sir?"

"Yes. Your step-father was a Slytherin, and while he didn't run with the wrong crowd, I can't say the same for those he may have befriended."

"This man wasn't a Slytherin," Peter quickly lied. "He didn't even go to Hogwarts. He went to Ilvermorny . A Muggleborn."

"They let Americans practice law in England?" Remus asked confused.

"W-well he went to University at Cambridge. That's where he met by stepfather. Through connegtions there. I don't really remember his last name. I had it written on a card but I lost it."

"Interesting. You remember quite a bit about the man's background but not his name?"

Peter just stared down at his feet until he felt a hand rest on his shoulder. Looking up he met Sirius' gaze. "I promised you this morning I won't doubt you again, Wormtail. Whatever this prophecy means, whoever this man was, we trust you. You just have to trust us. Now out with it."

"Padfoot," Peter said softly, "I told you what the prophecy meant. It spoke of a traitor and It's my job to find them and save my friends."

"Only you?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes, sir. Well, I'm the one who removed it from the Ministry."

"It's a shame it broke. Because if others had heard it, then perhaps we would know who else is responsible for finding and removing this traitor."

"He's right," James said. "You should have let us listen to it, Pete. For all we know, that Prophecy could have applied to all of us. It's the Order's job to defeat the Death Eaters. We share responsibility. It doesn't all have to fall on you."

"Well, Alice heard it... sort of."

"Sort of?"

"She couldn't hear the words. Just whispers. She said she felt like the whisper was coming from inside of her," Peter said.

"Alice is pregnant..." Remus whispered.

"So perhaps the prophecy does not involve Alice, but the child inside of her."

The room was silent as everyone thought through the possibilities. "Longbottom's child? A traitor?"

"I didn't suggest-"

"What other options are there."

"Well, there could be a variety of options if young Pettigrew has more information about the Prophecy."

"I told you I don't remember," he looked up. "I'm so sorry!"

James paced around until he noticed Dumbledore's pensive. "What if we jogged Wormtail's memory?"

"Prophecy's can only be heard from their original source. Peter's memory will not repeat its words."

"I'll try to remember more, James. I will."

"What about the man you went to see, your step-father's friend? Did you tell him? Would he remember?"

"No, the crystal broke on the way. I didn't get to tell him much."

"Which may be for the best," Sirius looked to James. "Mate, it's no use worrying. The kid won't be a traitor. But until the tyke arrives there isn't much we can do. We can't rightfully tell the future on who it will be."

"No," Dumbledore emerged from his desk and paced around the room, "But that's an idea. An order member suggested I expand our Divination course to teach the ways of Prophecies and Legilimency. I have a number of teachers interested in the position for the class, but perhaps the interviews could present an opportunity for some insight into the future."

"Easier said than done, I assume."

"You leave it to me," he smiled. "I'll find our eyes into the future."

"Sir?" Peter said, "Can we go now?"

"Yes, Mr. Pettigrew. For now. I do hope you can see how your deception has cost The Order of the Pheonix a true opportunity."

"I do sir. I was just afraid."

"Fear can benefit us when we need to express caution, but can imprison us when we allow it to control our choices. I advise you to remember that."

"I will. And I'll do what I can to make it up to you."

"In that case, I have your next assignments. After the moon of course. James and Peter, if what the Prewitt brothers say about Barty Crouch is true then we must act quickly in exposing him. I need you to visit the Ministry. James, your reason for your visit will be to advocate for Frank. While you meet with Barty, Peter can work on finding some evidence. Mary MacDonald is Barty's secretary and will serve as lookout for him." He turned to Sirius, "And Mr. Black, I'll need you to go to McKinnon Castle."

"Fuck me..." he whispered to himself and Dumbledore just gave him a look. "I mean, why me sir?"

"Angus McKinnon is withholding information. The notebook he provided is a fake." The rooms temperatuer shifted and everyone silently thought. Dumbledore spoke up and said, "I know what you're thinking, but I don't feel Angus is our traitor. I feel his intension behind this were personal alone."

"How can you be so sure," Sirius asked.

"Let's just say I know the way he thinks..."

"Still don't know why I have to do it," Sirius grumbled.

"Because your four-legged counterpart has a nose for these things, does he not?"

"I guess."

"What about me, sir?" Remus called.

"You stay home and rest, Remus. I have a feeling this moon is going to be a particularly strong one. You all would be wise to remember that tonight."

"Don't worry, sir. I've got some backup plans tonight."

"Depending on backup plans too much can sometimes weaken our initial plan. You'd be wise to heed my warning."

"Yes, sir."

"Then for now, I'll say goodnight."

Ministry of Magic...

The Ministry was back in full swing and every corridor was flooded with whispers regarding the crime scene in the Department of Mysteries and the missing Prophecy. All files regarding the prophecies were locked up, but Alice wouldn't let her husbands suspension be in vain. She remained calm as she sneaked up the hallways. She located the records room, just outside of her older cousin, Bartemous Crouch's office, and slipped inside. "Lumos," she whispered as she rummaged through every file she could find.

"Are you supposed to be in here?" A gentle voice asked and she whirled around.

"Arthur!"

The ginger haired Mr. Weasley crept inside, lit his wand as well, and closed the door behind him. He had an armful of documents to file and peered beyond her to see what she was up to. "Looking for something to clear Frank's name?"

"Frank will be fine," She sighed and waived her wand, slamming shut all the drawers. "I just know that ghastly Umbridge woman is on Voldemort's side. I can feel it. She's suspended him to slow us down, or try to expose the Order. But I won't have her best us."

"Well, I admit I didn't just come in here to file away documents on hexed muggle board games," he sighed and set down the files on top of a cabinet.

"Oh?" She smirked, "Working undercover, Arthur? I thought you declined the invite to join The Order."

"For Molly's sake. I see how she worries about Gideon and Fabian and with all our boys growing up and Bill about to go to Hogwarts, I can't drag any more of our family into this. But it doesn't mean I can't help however I can. A blind squib could see that things aren't up to par at the Ministry these days. What are you looking for?"

"The Prophecy that's missing. What do you know about it? It's called the Guardian prophecy."

"Well that's more than I knew. They've kept the information locked up tight."

"Dumbledore found out somehow. I thought you'd told him."

"Not me. He's got eyes and ears all over though. Well did you find it?"

"The file isn't here. I suspect young Barty Jr. swiped it."

"So it's true then?" Arthur asked. "He's working with them."

"Yes. Your brother-in-laws confirmed it."

Arthur heard a noise outside and snuck a peek through the door. "Records keepers. I'll distract them to buy you more time, but you should get out of here soon before people get suspicous about an Auror staying in here so long."

"Thanks. Anything I can find for you in here?"

"Actually, yes. I have a suspicion that there may be Minsitry workers under the imperious curse." He's pulled a paper from shirt pocket. "Could you make sure their files are all here. If they've been tampered with, it could prove my hunch."

"Of course." She skimmed the list and she gasped, looking up only for arthur to raise his hand.

"I know you recognize some names as trusted colleagues, but don't fret. It's just a theory. I'll explain everything later." He began to sneak out and Alice quickly called him back. he paused and looked at her.

"Gideon said Molly's pregnant. What's it going to be. Do you know?"

"Another boy," he smiled softly. "Molly refuses to stop trying until we get a girl. Which is completely fine with me." He blushed.

"Go on, cheeky." But as he left her smile faded and she glanced down at the list of names. Some she already recognized as death eater names, but one she recognized as a friend.

Later at the Shrieking Shack ...

The Marauders sat in the shack as the wind blasted outside. Everyone shivered, but it was even colder where Peter was sitting and they all felt that.

"Well someone better say something," Sirius grunted, "Or shall I get a knife to cut the tension?"

"You're sure you can't remember anything else, Peter?" James asked.

"I swear, James. If I knew I'd tell you."

"And Alice didn't hear any of it?"

"No. I tried to show it to her but she said it was just whispers."

"Maybe that's for the best," Remus spoke up. "Alice is pretty exposed at the Ministry. She and Frank insist on staying at their home and continuing to work even though they were involved in the fight. Now Frank isn't there to protect her. Maybe it's better she doesn't know what it says."

"Makes me feel like a chicken," James grunted. "If Longbottom doesn't have to hide out then why do we?"

"Because Frank has protection as an Auror," Sirius said. "You don't."

"I guess..."

"Regretting taking a gap year after school instead of the Auror training program, James?"

James thought about it and said, "No. Maybe at first when I felt jealous of Frank, but now? No. I got to spend that year with my parents, with Lily. They got to get to know her. I got to make a home for myself," he sighed, "Damn I miss that stupid flat."

"Me too," Sirius said. "It had a good liquor cabinet." He chuckled.

"Do you think," Peter spoke up, still feeling a bit embarrassed. "Do you think we'll be in hiding forever?"

"Well we could have been out a lot faster if we used the Prophecy to find the traitor and get them out of the way," Sirius mumbled.

"Hey," Remus spoke up. "I kept a secret from you blokes for a year and didn't tell you."

"And the minute you told us the truth, we all got closer and trusted one another," James finished.

"And now that Pete's told us the truth, we will get past it, find the traitor and move on," Remus said. "We all trust each other right?"

"Right," James nodded.

"And we count on each other right?"

They all nodded.

"Even when it's hard, we have to depend on one another to do what's right." He sighed and looked at the small one. "Don't be discouraged, Pete. The safe house is just so we can rest easy at night and know we are safe. We will be back in our own homes soon." He pulled out the potion bottle and looked at it. "I hope." He glanced up through the crooked window and watched the twilight disappear into a haze. "Well. Bottoms up." He uncorked the small potion bottle and sniffed it. "Smells ok." Then he downed it in one gulp. After only a second he began to choke as if it was poison.

"Moony!" James jumped up and Remus held up a hand to stop him.

"I'm fine," he choked out. "It just... it tastes like bloody Unicorn dung."

"How do you know what unicorn dung tastes like?" Sirius grimmaced as Remus took some breaths.

"Well, at least I only have to take it once a month, right?" He slid off his coat, jumper and slacks and passed them to Peter then sat back down in the furthest corner in his undershirt and boxers, shivering in the cold air.

"It's going to work, mate," Sirius said. "You'll see."

"And if it doesn't," he looked directly at Sirius. "You'll be here?"

"Aye." He nodded solemnly, knowing Remus was referring to his promise. "I'll be here."

The boys waited in silence as the moon rose over the horizon and Remus' transformation began.

Later that Night at the Safe House...

Lily had finally convinced Tabitha to sleep and was almost asleep herself when she heard mumbling coming from up the hall. She sighed to herself sadly as memories of Tabitha's frequent nightmares would wake her in their school dormitory. She made her way to Tabitha's room and found her friend tossing and turning, sweating and talking in her sleep saying, "Get away! Get Away from him!"

"Tabitha," she sat on the side of the bed and shook her friend.

"It's ok, Tabs. I'm here. Wake up."

Tabitha gasped and sat up in bed, "Remus?"

"I'm here, Tabs. It was a dream."

"No. It wasn't." She looked her friend in the eye. "It was Remus. He couldn't see.. behind him... he was going to kill him."

"Tabs. Look at me. Remus is fine. The boys have him. Greyback isn't going to-"

"It wasn't Greyback this time," Tabitha panted. "It was Sirius. He crept up behind Remus in my dream with a knife. He was about to stab him in the back. Lily. Something's wrong. Very Wrong. I feel it."

Lily sprung up, knowing her friend's instincts were always as keen as a Seer's. She rushed downstairs and Tabitha jumped out of bed to follow. Lily made it to the door and slid into her Wellies.

"But Lily, the moon is still out."

"You say something is wrong and don't expect me to go find my husband?"

"And what about your baby? I'm sorry, but as it's Godmother I can't let you put yourself into harms way."

Lily just laughed as she put on her cap, "Had that title a day and you're already using it against me."

"Lily. You stay. I'll go."

But Lily didnt even get to protest as she heard a pop outside. Both girls froze, Lily's grip on her wand so tight her knuckles were white. She heard footsteps and and tiptoed to the door. She peeked through the glass window beside the door and sighed, "It's Peter. And Sirius and-" She stopped and dropped her wand in shock. Lily ripped the door open and raced onto the porch as Tabitha followed. "James!" She ran so fast that her cap flew off her head and fell into the dirt. When she got to the three of them, James was dangling between Sirius and Peter, bleeding from his leg so badly and his chest gashed.

"Sirius. Peter. What-"

"Moony got him. He was fixated on him," Sirius said, "Wouldn't even look at us when we tried to distract him. Almost took his leg clean off. The gash goes across his side too. And the bite-"

"Bite?" Tabitha said as she joined them. "The potion didn't work,"

"No your fucking flower juice didn't work against a time-old curse, Delaney!" Sirius shouted at her.

"Sirius, stop!" Lily said as she held James who was barely alert. "Help me get him in the house."

"Where's Remus?"

"We had to leave him," Peter admitted. "James would have died if we didn't. But the shack has wards on it to keep him in. He will be safe until morning... I think."

"He's going to bloody rip himself apart," Sirius said axiously.

"That's enough from the peanut gallery, Sirius," Lily scolded as the three of them carried James inside and carefully set him on the sofa. "Tabitha get my potion kit, you know what I need."

"Aye, I do." She said.

"And lots of hot water."

"I'll help," Sirius said and followed her.

"What the hell happened?" Tabitha called to Sirius behind her.

"I told you what happened! James got hurt. If he wasn't an animagus when it happened he could be a full blown werewolf right now. He could still be partly one, with how he changed back to himself before the bleeding stopped."

"I can't believe you just left Remus there without him in control."

"This is your damn fault," Sirius grunted.

"What?" Tabitha spun around and faced him.

"You got into his fucking head! You gave Moony false hope. You told him it was going to be alright and we let our guard down because of it. Because of you, I almost had to-"

"Had to what?"

"Nevermind," he stormed past her to the kitchen.

"No!" Tabitha grabbed his arm. "Remus said if something went wrong not to hold it against you. Now what did he mean?"

"Well I hold it against you!" He snapped. "For all we know, your potion amplified his change tonight and almost cost James' his life. I shouldn't have trusted you. Thinking that just because you two were buddy buddy since fifth year, having your secret crush on one another, sneaking your way into his bed that suddenly you get to have any say on what happens in that damn shack? Shame on me for thinking that spending almost a hundred full moons with him would make me less of an expert than some fucking slut who thinks she knows him because she manipulated her way into his pants."

Sirius didn't have a chance to react as Tabitha's tiny fist boxed his nose. He stumbled back and crashed against the wall.

"Kip," Tabitha called and the house elf appeared. "Master James is hurt. Please get hot water and take it to Lily in the sitting room."

"Master's James!" Kip said anxiously. "Oh nonono. I'll gets it rights aways." He ran to the kitchen and Tabitha located Lily's potion kit on the breakfast table then started up the hall.

Sirius had come down from his spiral and grabbed her arm as she tried to pass, "Delaney. I-"

"I wrong this morning," She said sourly. "We can't start over. I remember now why I never liked you, Sirius. You reminded me of the part of myself I hated the most. The ficade of being one person on the inside and acting like someone else entirely on the outside. Only difference between us is that I faked it to hide everything I was afraid and ashamed of. But you? You fake who you are to hide the fact that you're nothing more than a jackass."

She ripped her arm away and hurried back to Lily's side.

James groaned, his head in Lily's lap, as she ripped the shirt off his chest so she could see his wound. She shushed him to try to keep him still and he just repeated, "Lily?"

"I'm here," She said and Kip appeared with the required items. Tabitha began mixing some potions that would James' blood but he was loosing too much.

"Lils," she said, "You're missing too much. The cauldron we have won't brew fast enough with the ingredients you have and he's loosing too much blood."

"We tried 'Clottengo'," Peter said from his seat on the floor where he held James' hand, "to clot the wounds, but they're too big."

"No. And you don't want a blood-clot from a wolf bite. It could amplify things."

"Lily?" James whispered. "Get out of here. Moony. He's.. not safe..."

"Moony is fine, James. Just keep listening to my voice." She looked at their pathetic supply of medicines and tonics but remained calm as Kip carefully cleaned the wound on James chest, but blood continued to cover him. Lily rest a hand on his shoulder and he gently bowed away. She drew her pale, yew wand and rest it on his chest. Slowly she dragged it across his torso and chanted with her eyes closed, "Vulnera Sanentur. Velnera Sanentur."

Peter moved away at the spectacle. Every inch of blood that had escaped from James' body now moved back to it's place through his wound. The chant was so soft and yet it captivated the entire room. The color from James' drained face returned and he exhaled a calm sigh, drifting off to sleep on the lap of his lover.

"Tabitha." Lily said calmly, her eyes still on James but hand extended to her friend who passed the potions to her. Lily made her selection then poured it into James' mouth. When he wouldn't swallow, she leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on his lips resulting in a pleasant hum from her husband and a gulp of the medicine after licking his lips.

"We have to stitch up the wounds," Lily said.

"Let me," Sirius said and moved forward. "I'd help Moony with his cuts all the time." He moved forward and looked at James face. He kneeled and stroked his friend's curls from his face and pat his cheek as James mumbled, "Padfoot?"

"I'm here, James."

"Where's Henry?"

Sirius looked up to Lily who appeared just as confused and shrugged.

"Where is he, Padfoot? You've got to take care of him now. It's your job."

"Henry's fine, Prongs," Sirius said. "You're our concern right now. Just keep breathing." He drew his wand and held it over the wound, but his hand shook. Lily grabbed it when she spotted Blood dripping from the handle. "I'm fine, Potter." But Lily forced his hand open, revealing a large gash across it.

"Tabs," Lily nodded to Sirius who just pulled away.

"I said I'm fine."

"No, you're not," Tabitha said, taking his arm to pull in away. "And I doubt, Potter wants stitches in the shape of a lightening bolt across his chest, so maybe a steady hand should do that."

"I can do it," Peter said meekly. "Please. After today, it's the least I can do." Lily nodded and Peter began to the process of conjuring stitches over each deep gash.

Tabitha cleaned and bandgaged Sirius hand, who stared at her a long while before whispering, "I was just worried for James."

"What a coincidence, so was I. And I didn't have to call anyone a slut." She stopped bandaging his hand as he grabbed her wrist with it and she looked up.

"Delaney-"

"Save it, Black," she sighed. "What difference will it make? What's been said has been said. We can't take it back. What matters now is getting James healed and Remus home."

"Well... at least we agree on that."

"Done," Peter said and pulled away from James who now rested peacefully. Kip began the work of binding up the wounds carefully and Lily continued to administer potions and healing incantations.

"Wormtail?" Sirius moved to the door.

"Yes Padfoot?" Peter sprung up and followed.

"Come on. If we don't get to Moony by daybreak-"

"You mean we are going to get him?"

"Of course we are going to get him. What the fuck did you think we were going to do?"

"It's just... still night out. That's all I mean."

"And if we wait to go until after the sun is up that gives Remus too much time to wake up, realize what he... what the wolf did... and run for it."

Peter hesitated and looked back at James on the couch. He thought of how Remus advocated for him today and the trust of the Marauders he needed to earn back. "Ok. Let's go then."

The night lasted a long time as Tabitha and Lily worked hard to keep infection and fever away from James, keep his heart rate up, and clean his wounds. Tabitha sat on the floor. Her head against the sofa where Lily sat with James sleeping in her lap. She stroked his head and rested her eyes.

"Where's Kip?" Tabitha asked when the clock chimed.

"Kitchen, making tea. That elf is a machine."

"Sweet thing. He cares a lot for James doesn't he?"

"He's the only family he's got left."

"Not true," Tabitha said looking up at Lily. "He's got you now too."

Lily just smiled and continued to watch over James.

"Lily?" Tabitha asked, "What spell was that? The one that stopped the bleeding."

"When we were in school and Marlene and I would secretly study Druid old magic, I read a lot about healing. Those spells seemed so familiar to me, as if I had always known them. They came so naturally. So I started to practice some. Even shared some with Severus and he learned a few of his own."

"Come to think of it, I remember when you lot rescued me from Malfoy's. You kissed the top of my head and it felt like the pain just lifted. And then Remus. He said you used to visit him in the hospital and sing to him after every moon?"

"Mhmm. Magic should heal. It's purpose was always for protection and healing. Somehow, I just felt that if I learned nothing from school other than old magic... it would be enough." She stroked James on the head, "and I was right."

'You saved his life, Lily."

"We all did. Thank you so much for your help, Tabs. I just hate to think what Remus will do. All the work and progress he's made since 5th year and now he's retreating again."

"What happened fifth year?"

"It's when I found out about, Remus. The year that Sirius-" Lily shook her head, thinking of the dream Tabitha had described and considered the timing. "Nevermind. It's not my story to tell. But something happened that cause him to go back into his shell. James and I did our best to pull him out of it. Then the war started and you came along and told him how you feel. I've never seen him like this before, Tabitha. He's happy."

"But I failed him tonight. The potion didn't work."

"But you gave him hope and he needs that. I only hope this incident doesn't shatter that."

"Well, once he gets home and sees that James is ok, that will help."

Just then the door creaked open and both girls looked up with expectant faces but only Peter entered.

"Pete?"

He just shook his head. "He's gone. When we got to the shack it was empty. Remus is gone."