Charmed Curses

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Charmed Curses

By Lady Geuna

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"..." - speech

'....' - thoughts

/..../ - with italics means a part of a flashback.

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The Search (Part 2)

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"Don't you understand, Sirius?" Remus took a long shuttering breath. "It's not a matter of /who/ is trying to get to him, now... it's a matter of who will get there first..."

Remus Lupin ~ Fanfiction "Charmed Curses", The Search (Part 1), by Lady Geuna

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"I don't see what we're looking for."

"Points of entry, Ron. Obviously those Skrewts got in somewhere."

Ron rolled his eyes. "We have better things to do with our off time than /this/."

But Hermione continued like she hadn't heard him, stalking across the grounds as Harry and Ron struggled to keep up.

Since Potions and Care of Magical Creatures was canceled right now, many Hogwarts students had nothing better to do than wander around. Of course, Hermione had a particular place to "wander" as was she had something very particular in mind to be doing there. Neither of the boys were very happy about being outside in the first place. The air was very chilly that day, with the hint of dark clouds in the sky. At times, Harry felt specs of raindrops, but then it were gone. All three of them wore their scarves tightly around their necks as they had to walk against the wind.

Now they were nearing their destination. An area behind Hogwarts, near the Green Houses. According to Hermione, there was a certain spot in which the dungeons would be only ten feet under, the closest the tunnels ever reached ground level. No one really knew this, unless they took the time to read "The History of Hogwarts". And of course Hermione read that book during her first year, so she knew all these little facts about Hogwarts.

After a few more paces, Hermione stopped dead. Ron, in an effort not to ram into her, stumbled back into Harry. In effect, both boys went tumbling onto the grass. Hermione finally noticed them since she had started her little expedition and huffed.

"Boys! Do be serious." Ron tried to protest but she already continued, speaking under her breath, "Forty paces from the north side, due north... Thirty paces west... (In root 50 paces northwest.).... this is it!" She fell to her knees and started feeling around.

Harry had pulled himself and Ron up, frowning at Hermione as she began crawling around. "I don't see anything, Hermione..."

"Of course not," Ron insisted, his voice slightly muffled by the scarf wrapped over his mouth. His nose and cheeks were pink from the cold. "The dungeons are too far down after all! Stupid Skrewts.... But they did get us out of Potions." Harry nodded vigorously in agreement.

Hermione looked frustrated, straightening her back while still remaining kneeled, her hands on her hips. "I don't get it! How could Skrewts "infest" the dungeons without a way in? They certainly couldn't 've made it through the castle unnoticed, and they're not diggers. Unless it's a new breed of some sort..."

"Maybe they dug their way in somewhere else," Harry suggested. "Or they could've been there the whole time. They've got to be pretty big to make all that noise." Judging by the look on the girls face, Harry could tell that Hermione disagreed completely.

"I've read everything about Skrewts last year, and I read nothing about digging or infestation or anything of that sort!" There was a moment of pause where Hermione took the time to think. Harry and Ron just starred at her, waiting for a reaction. When none seemed to be coming, Ron leaned in to tell Harry something, but suddenly Hermione snapped up, getting to her feet. "That's it," Hermione snapped loudly, making the boys jump. "Dumbledore must have been mistaken. There is no way Skrewts could've infested the dungeons."

Harry blinked, he and Ron glancing at each other. "But, why...?"

"For one, Skrewts don't like closed in spaces. They end up killing each other! Two, they need proper nutrition in order to grow /that/ size!"

Harry shrugged. "They got pretty big off the junk we fed them last year remember?"

Hermione tut tuted him. "Harry, they got big last year because they were eating each other. You saw the way they started decreasing in numbers." Harry pulled a face of disgust.

Ron shrugged. "Who knows what they eat. There-There could be all sorts of odd, slimy little creatures skittering around the dungeons."

Harry couldn't suppress a grin. "After all, Malfoy and Snape belong done there..."Skittering" about..."

Ron snapped his fingers, grinning. "They could be eating off of Slytherins!" Now it was Hermione's turn to roll her eyes and make a face of disgust.

"Anyway," Harry insisted, his grin growing wider, "Dumbledore said not to get involved..." Harry remember the distinct look of warning Dumbledore had shot him in the Great Hall.

Hermione blushed while Ron snickered, her mouth opening and closing and she looked for all the world like a suffocating fish. "W-Well... W-We're not actually in or near the dungeons, we're just above them!" She nodded to herself, crossing her arms and muttered words of assurance to herself ("Yes, yes, that's right!"). The last thing she wanted to do was break the rules. After all, she stood up for the rules!

"'Wonder if the Skrewts will eat Snape," Ron pondered, then shook his head. "Nah, he probably tastes as foul and greasy as he looks..."

Harry laughed heartily and Hermione was going to comment when suddenly the ground rumbled.

The event was brief and passed quickly.

Ron gulped, looking around wildly as if he could find the source of the rumble. "What was that?!" Hermione, too, was looking around, confused. Harry remained silent, trying to figure out where the rumbling had originating from. Then the ground began rumbling again, vibrating...

It was coming from directly beneath them...

The rumbling was becoming clearer, louder, and closer. Harry let out a gasp as the earth around them began to rise. He stumbled and fell into his back, rolling along the rapidly forming slope (He thought he heard Ron exclaim, "Bloody hell!"). Ron and Hermione had keep there balance, but it was all for nothing when the earth heaved upwards in one fast motion. Hermione screamed and almost toppled head first onto the ground when Ron grabbed her around the waist, hurling her and himself away from the spot.

Then the ground exploded.

Harry covered his head with his arms, glancing up only after it had stopped raining dirt, stone and flame. He saw Ron helping Hermione to sit up while the poor girl clutched a hand over her heart, her eyes bulging out of her head. Soon, all three pairs of eyes were set on one thing.

A huge gapping hole where they had been standing but a moment ago.

"What is that," Ron asked loudly, his voice cracking slightly. He looked considerably shaken, his usually smooth red hair a shambles. He must've lost his scarf somehow because he wasn't wearing it anymore. Hermione was holding onto him now, keeping a firm grip on his sleeve even as the boy tried to stand. "Harry!? Harry, are you okay!?"

Harry coughed, feeling as if the breath had been knocked out of him. "I'm fine," he managed to croak. He didn't have a good tumble and his head was spinning, but nothing seemed broken or bruised. "What...?"

Hermione let out a choked cry when something appeared at the mouth of the hole...

~~~~~~~~~~~

His mission was fairly simple.

Snape had to fly a broomstick to the very edge of the Hogwarts grounds, where spells and charms didn't affect one's ability to Apparate. Riding a broomstick had been a less than pleasant experience in his part. The last time he'd ridden one of the blasted things was when he played on his Slytherin Quidditch team all those years ago.

Some things he just didn't want to be reminded of.

If there was one thing he hated besides... "Potters", it was broomsticks... But the sooner he got to Hogwarts edge the better.

The fasted broom available had been an old Nimbus Two Thousand and One (The brooms Lucius Malfoy had graciously "donated" to the Slytherin team two years ago.). This mode of transportation had made it all the better, actually (Though it was still dreadfully uncomfortably and humiliating.). Snape could get to his destination quickly, and then he would Apparate to Diagon alley and look for... him. How he would get back was easier said than done, if he knew exactly what to look for.

Easier said than done.

Snape never wanted to see that face again. Never wanted to hear his name uttered. But now he would have to confront that hatred and try to hold it in for the first in his life.

'Potter.'

'How can you be alive?'

Snape pondered this now that he wondered the crowded streets of Diagon Alley. Careful as to not be seen, he kept his hood of his cloak hood up and secure. No one could see his face unless they shined a Light Charm in there.

"Where are you, you stupid man," he muttered

But the crowd was so thick and it had just started to rain... How was he supposed to differentiate one person from another? What was Potter even wearing? If he was wearing Muggle clothing than they should be easy to spot. But if he was wearing Wizard robes... than it was worse that hopeless.

"Have you heard," someone said nearby (Snape froze, waiting.).

"No, no, it can't be right... right?"

"Don't be a fool! Of course it can!"

"What can," said another man.

"You know, Dementors in the Underground! I just heard a rumor about it..."

Snape's steps faltered slightly, causing him to stumble. But he quickly regain his footing as well as his composure, letting that "rumor" sink into his mind. Had he heard that right? Dementors? Did Voldemort already know...?

A slight itching sensation came to his left forearm. Though he want to stop and duck to the ground, he forced himself to keep walking.

There was another Death Eater in the area...

He glanced around quickly, trying to see if he could spot anyone he recognized, but he saw none. The sensation continued, but Snape suppressed the urge to reach out and touch it. If the Death Eater, whoever he was, saw this, he'd probably try following him (Assuming that he had the Dark Mark of course.). But it could be anyone... Then two figures caught his attention, standing side by side near a stack of shipment crates. Yes, he recognized them from the last time Voldemort had called them all. Bertwick and Stevons, two fairly new Death Eaters. But they took their positions with pride. They took pleasure in knowing what they were capable of, just because they now had the mark.

Sickening... But at least there were two of them. The mark reacted around other Death Eaters, but they wouldn't be able to pick him out if they stayed close to each other.

A low hooting sound caught his attention and Snape glanced up. A small, circling shape could be seen above. It was an... owl? Yes. The creature was trying to land, a letter clutched in it's talons. It was trying to find a place to perch on, but couldn't seem to find one near whomever it was trying to reach.

"Hm..."

Snape kept his movements as casual as possible, trying to show that he had no interest in the owl. After all, his hadn't been the only one's attention caught by the owl. A number of people where looking up still, pointing, including Bertwick and Stevons. Snape made his way swiftly to a near alleyway, where it lead into one of hundreds of passageways which went to the Muggle world above. He waited there silently, listening to the faint dripping sound of water.

Then, as he suspected, the owl came diving down after him. It let out another low hoot before dropping the letter into his hands and assenting into the air once more. Snape expected the letter to be from Dumbledore, or even McGonagall, but discovered it was from neither.

He read silently, "I know what you're looking for, Professor Dumbledore has informed me. When and if you find the boy, we understand he may not be in the condition to Apparate.

"A Portkey has been constructed for your use. Look for an old sink near the passage leading to London Bridge. It will return both of you to Hogwarts.

"A Friend."

Dumbledore told him to expect a message like this. Everything was set. But now, how was he supposed to find.... Wait.

Taking his wand into his palm, Snape carefully considered a charm he'd learned at Hogwarts during his fourth year, a long time ago.

"Point Me."

His wand rotated like a compose, turning once. It pointed toward the blackened passageways.

Snape knew very well that Wizards never ventured into those passages alone. It was very dangerous, and few people had a need to take those routes. And since Floo Power and Apparate where the main forms of transportation, there was hardly a use for the tunnels anymore. Who wanted to go up to the Muggle world, anyway? Not to mention the area was getting rather old, and a number of the exits and entrances were no longer fit for use. Charms would fade, and sooner or later the openings would be taken down (Or in some cases disenchanted.) and eventually rebuilt. But crumbling walls were the least of the trouble. Many creatures liked the darkness...

Well, it looked like he'd be risking his life once again because of that man...

"Don't expect me to do this again, James Potter," Snape muttered bitterly.

Ignoring the persistent discomfort of his Dark Mark, Snape stepped into the darkness without glancing back at light.

~~~~~~~~~~~

'Very soon...'

The Dementors are drawing closer...

They reached out with their senses, searching for their prey.

'Where?'

'Where......?'

'Ah.'

'There he is....'

And the Dementors continued their journey through shadow...

~~~~~~~~~~~

Mr. Ollivander nervously paced his shop, fiddling with his hands anxiously. Now and then he would glance around the edge of the curtain or remain still and quiet when someone tested his door, seeing if he was actually open and that the sign was wrong. He had remained closed ("For the first time in years!"). Mr. Ollivander was still incredibly scared and jittery form James' earlier visit ("If it was him."). Such an event can cause any normal Wizard to become suddenly paranoid.

Would the Ministry find out what he saw? Would people be after him? Would You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters be after him, too!? W-Would they use (gulp) Avada Kedarava...?

This though made him shiver with fear.

Mr. Ollivander couldn't handle something like this. He was a wand salesman, not some pawn in this... whatever game was being played. But he couldn't forget the sight of those distant, sad eyes as James talked about Lily... His son. He prayed that the boy would be in good hands soon...

He practically screamed when he heard a loud bang and crash from the back of his shop, somewhere amongst the many shelves and out of his line of sight. There was the sound of a person (Or creature, ooooh....) moving around, a faint curse. There was more than one of them, he could tell. There were two voices.

Mr. Ollivander's hands trembled as he gripped his wand and he was considering the option of running. But who knows who'd run into then, and he didn't wand this people left alone with his wands! Then again, he could die right now... 'Someone's here! They've come for me! Avada Kedarava! I'm finished, I'm-'

"Well, we got here..." Pause. "Don't give me that look, Padfoot, we have a job to do. Are you okay? ... This is Ollivander's..."

He knew that voice!

Then Remus Lupin's head appeared around the side of a shelf. "Mr. Ollivander...?"

"Mr. Lupin," he gasped in relief. "Forgive me, I thought you were a Death Eater!" Then he remembered that Lupin had been talking to someone. "Who is...?" He stopped when he saw a huge black dog at the man's feet. "Oh, Padfoot is your dog."

Lupin raised an eyebrow, glancing down at the dog (Padfoot???), and strangely enough, the dog seemed to glance back at him as well. "Yes, this is Padfoot. People call him Snuffles..." Snuffles let out a low grunt. "We're... here because of word sent from Albus Dumbledore. About the appearance of James Potter."

He jumped at the mention of that name, nodding. "Oh, of course! W-Would you like to take a seat...?" He made quick, rapid gestures toward a wooden chair set again the wall. "I-I can..."

Lupin raised his hands a bit and shook his head. "No, thank you. I need you to tell me exactly what happen while James was here. Time may be growing short, and James could be anymore." His voice seemed almost uncertain when he said the name "James".

Mr. Ollivander nodded, pocketing his wand (Which he had been still gripping in his nervousness.) and he began pacing again. This whole things was beyond his capacity to cope. "What do you want to know?" In the back of his mind, Mr. Ollivander noted that he'd received no response from Professor Dumbledore whatsoever, about sending Mr. Lupin and his dog to investigate or anyone otherwise.

"Mr. Ollivander?"

He snapped out of his troubling thoughts, nodding. "Y-Yes. I was ready to open the shop this morning, and I noticed someone here. I assumed he was a robber... It seemed the boy had spent the night asleep in the corner..."

Lupin closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. "How was he? I mean, what did he look like? Ill? Was there anything unusual about his appearance or behavior? Were his senses sharper or duller than they should've been?"

Mr. Ollivander was taken aback by this sudden tirade of questions, halting his continuous pacing. "What does that have do with anything...?" Such odd questions given the situation.

"Well, if this "man" wasn't James Potter, than he might be something other than human. It might not 've been a Polyjuice potion at work here. Did he show any signs of inhumanity?" Pause. "Are you alright, Mr. Ollivander?"

He nodded, gulping. "Yes..." He thought hard, remembering what had happen a sort time ago. It wasn't too hard, the images where still very clear in his head, though some a bit fuzzy. "He was a bit off... The poor boy was disoriented and..." He bow his head toward the floor. "I think he'd gone mad..."

Snuffles let out a small whimper, hanging his furry head. Did that dog understand him...?

Lupin frowned. "Anything else," he said quickly. "Anything at all?"

"No... Wait, yes! He didn't seem a day over twenty!" It was true. Mr. Potter hadn't looked very old at all, while he should be, what, /forty/ by now. That was indeed odd.

"He hasn't aged," Lupin whispered in awe. Then to Snuffles he said, "This may be more serious than we thought..."

'He is talking to that dog...' Suspicion settled on Mr. Ollivander. Had Dumbledore really send him? Or was it all a lie? It's so hard to tell right now. Could he trust this man?

"When did he go? Did he say where he was going, or say he wanted to go somewhere?"

Mr. Ollivander made a split-second decision. He wouldn't tell this man anything. He couldn't trust anyone right now. (A/N: That's an extremely bad idea...)

Mr. Ollivander shook his head. "No, he didn't say anything... He just left."

Lupin looked crestfallen, crushed, but the dog... Snuffles began growling, the sound coming out as a low, threatening rumble. It's ears were set low on its head as Snuffles bared his teeth and took a few padded steps toward a now frightened wand seller.

Lupin looked between Snuffles and Mr. Ollivander quickly, looking worried and confused. "Snuffles, calm down, it's not his fault..." It was like he was holding back a sob. Maybe he made a mistake...?

Mr. Ollivander nearly screamed when the dog snarled again and this time snapped its jaws at his leg. Panicked, Mr. Ollivander moved as far away from the creature as he could, bumping into a shelf. Boxes feel all round him, but he took no notice. He fumbled for his wand as Lupin lugged forward, wrapping his arms around the creatures neck. "Don't curse him, Mr. Ollivander, please!"

Mr. Ollivander froze his motion as he was moving his wand to point at the dog. It was so frightening!

"Stop it, Snuffles!!" But the dog was far to strong for him. Snuffles broke loose. Lupin screamed, "Sirius, no!"

'Sirius?!'

Wait. Lupin had Apparated into his shop...

Dogs can't Apparate....

The next thing he knew, Mr. Ollivander was face to face with a very murderous looking Sirius Black...

~~~~~~~~~~~

A huge Blast-Ended Skrewt rose up before them, it's silver-like armor glinting in the light of the sun. It towered high, standing about four feet tall and ten feet in length.

Hermione clutched to Ron as the creature turned towards them. It looked... for the lack of a better word, hungry. Then it shot forward.

Ron and Hermione had nowhere to go.

On instinct, Harry pulled his wand from his robes in an instant and, "Impedimenta!"

The Blast-Ended Skrewt froze on the spot.

Harry wasted no time in scrambling over to his friends. He was both relieved and started that the spell had worked. After all, the Skrewt's armor should've repelled the spell at least a little. Harry didn't see a second and third Skrewt crawl from, the hole. He didn't see until one of them had swung around and slapped him to the dirt, hard. His wand flew from his hand and landed few feet away, out of his reach.

Luckily, Ron and Hermione were now ready with their own wands. They both had the same thing in mind, screaming "Stupefy!" The curses hit both Skrewts and they slumped to the ground instantly. Hermione blinked in confusion, looking down at her wand in disbelief. Ron in the meantime was collecting himself. "Merlin's Beard," he gasped, trembling. "How did they do that!?"

"I told you they don't like closed spaces!!" ("And they're called Blast-Ended Skrewts for a reason.")

"They sure don't," he muttered crossly. He rushed over to Harry, helping the boy to his feet. Harry's own legs felt like rubber all of a sudden. "You okay, Harry?"

"Yeah." He had to shake his head a little to get rid of some dizziness. The hit had been a real shock to his system, and hitting the ground after that hadn't helped, either. "Thanks, both of you."

"Yeah, you really scared us, too! Look out for it next time!" Then Ron patted Harry on the back, grinning despite himself. "We showed 'em, then, didn't we though!?"

Harry smiled, cheering up almost instantly. "Yeah."

Hermione, however, hadn't given any comments, and instead examined the Skrewt frozen by Harry's Impediment Curse. "Hmm..."

Ron wondered what she could possibly be looking at. "What is it, 'Mione?"

She made another "Hmm" noise, shaking her head. "This Skrewt is extremely underdeveloped. If I knew better, I would say it was under an Engorgement Charm."

"Huh?" Ron looked totally lost. "Come again?"

"Look!" She pointed at the underbelly of the creature, which they had to bend low to see. The Skrewt was definitely female because of its suckers. "You see it's armor? It's hardly formed at all." She pointed along the edge of its armor. "The break here is much wider than it should be."

Hermione was right. Harry remember from the Tri-Wizards Tournament, he'd seen a full grown armored Skrewt. It's armor had repelled the spells he tried, and the only way he'd defeated it was by aiming for a gap in the armor on its underside. But the armor gap in this one was very wide, just as Hermione had observed. "So that's why our spells didn't bounce off?"

Hermione nodded. "Exactly! Since the armor isn't formed all the way, it doesn't yet have that ability. Or so I assume... I've never seen or read about anything like this."

"But they're so big," Harry insisted. "How...?"

"An Engorgement Charm," she repeated. Hermione was grinning now, tapping her chin in thought. "That proves it!"

Ron growled, feeling both left out and stupid. "Proves ./what/!?"

"Someone put them here! And put the Engorgement Charm on them for-!"

Ron let out a startled cry, interrupting Hermione's sentence. "Something's coming out of the hole!"

"More of them!?"

All three of them had their wand ready this time in attack position, aimed for the hole. There was definitely something moving. Then a huge hand appeared over the edge.

Harry gapped. "Hagrid!?"

Sure enough, it was Hagrid, struggling to climb from the hole. "Ah dear. Li'le rascals..." Then he saw Harry, Ron, Hermione and the Skrewts, his jaw dropping at the sight. "'Arry!? Y-Yeh all! W-What're yeh all doin' 'er!?"

"Nearly getting eaten," Ron remarked, eyeing the Skrewts just in case the started moving again.

Hermione pointed an accusing finger at Hagrid as he climbed the rest of the way out. "You're the one who put the Blast-Ended Skrewts down there! How could you, Hagrid!? And an Engorgement Charm!? You're not allowed to use magic! I thought you would've learned your lesson after... after..." She was fuming and couldn't get any other words out at the moment. Instead she stomped her foot, aggravated.

Hagrid blushed in embarrassment, looking to be a bit sheepish. "Well..."

"Where's Snape," Ron asked, peeking into the hole while keeping his wand pointed ahead of him. "He still down there? Or have the Skrewts eaten him already...?" His voice sounded a bit too hopeful.

"Snape?" Hagrid looked confused, scratching his bushy heard. "'E ain't back yet, eh?"

The three of them glanced at each other.

"Back," Harry asked.

"Diagon Alley, 'course! 'E found 'im yet?"

What was Hagrid talking about? "Found who?"

"Hagrid!!"

Four head turned toward the new voice. Professor Dumbledore stood a few yards away, an uncharacteristic frown on his face usually cheerful face. "He don't know, Hagrid."

"Oh..." Hagrid looked ashamed, bowing his head like when Rita Skeeter had told the public he was half giant.

"Please return the Skrewts, Hagrid. If the noise stops for too long, the Slytherins may think the danger has passed and try to return to their Common Room. They can't go into the dungeons until Severus is back.."

Harry wasn't to say, "So Snape is gone," but he bit it back. It didn't seem like a time to interrupt.

"Yes, sir..." Hagrid began dragging the huge creatures toward the hole.

Dumbledore made a motion for the three of them to follow, and they did so immediately. None of them, not even Dumbledore, said a word. There footsteps seemed loud as them hit the ground. It was far too quiet.

"Are there anymore," Hermione asked, breaking the silence. "Skrewts, I mean..."

Dumbledore didn't look at them, which made the situation even more unnerving. "I thought I asked students not to get involved..." They were silent, Hermione looking strangely guilty. "Of course, there is no tricking you, Hermione. There never was." He looked at them now, his eyes twinkling, a smile spreading over his face for the first time during their meeting. It was a expression that made them all smile in relief. But still, something was now bugging Harry.

"Um, sir...? What was Hagrid talking about?"

"Nothing that concerns you, Harry. Try not to think of it..."

That was an unusual answer. Harry frowned toward Ron, who only shrugged. "But it has something to do with me, doesn't it?"

"......"

"Professor Snape went to look for someone, didn't he," Hermione asked quietly. "That's why you asked Hagrid to use those Skrewts."

Dumbledore was silent, but he kept walking. "... Yes."

"Who is he looking for," Harry asked, feeling a bit eager. He just had the oddest feeling...

"It must be really important," Ron nodded. "I mean, putting those things down in the dungeons... I-I mean, I don't mean any disrespect, Professor..."

"It is not my place to tell you," Dumbledore said, not looking back at them once more. "It shouldn't be my right."

"But why not!?" Harry picked up his pace so he was right next to the Headmaster. Normally he would show the utmost respect for the man, but something about this was different. He could feel it. Just like he had last night. Somehow, Harry knew that Sirius would want him to trust his instincts... "What's so important that you can't tell me, and all this..."

"I don't want to see you hurt, Harry. Not again."

Harry saw that Dumbledore's eyes were pleading, making his real age show. He looked so old and tired.

It really was something important... something bad. But he had to know, no matter what. "Please, Professor."

Dumbledore starred at Harry, as if he were trying to read something in his eyes. Finally, he shook his head, sighing sadly. "Very well, my boy. I will tell you... If you believe you can handle it."

~~~~~~~~~~~

Mr. Ollivander reeled with panic as the dark, malicious looking Wizard grabbed him by the collar. Those wild eyes. That mad glint. "S-Sirius Black," he choked as the man suddenly tightened his hold. He gagged, his heart pounding in his ears. He was going to have a heart attack, he knew it...!

Lupin was trying desperately to get Black off him, attempting to pry at his hands. "Sirius, let him go! Are you crazy!?"

'I-I'm going to die...'

"He's lying," Black growled, shaking his captive roughly. "I know it."

Lupin looked surprised, his eyes turning to Mr. Ollivander. "Mr. Ollivander...?"

Mr. Ollivander felt the blood drain from his face. "I-I..." He needed more air...

"Where is he," Black roared, his eyes glinting with madness, ready to kill. "Tell us where James went now or... or..." He grinned maniacally for a moment, making Mr. Ollivander shiver. "... Use your imagination, old man..."

And Mr. Ollivander happened to have a very good imagination.

"Lily," he croaked, a bead of sweet running down his brow. "H-He wanted to find his wife... and Y-Young Mr. Pott... er..."

It was finally more than Mr. Ollivander could taken, and everything blanked out.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Lily... H-He wanted to find his wife... and Y-Young Mr. Pott... er..."

Then Mr. Ollivander fainted. This caught Sirius by surprise and he let the man slump lifelessly to the floor.

Panicked, Lupin dropped down beside Mr. Ollivander, checking his pulse and a few other things. Satisfied that he didn't find anything life threatening, he then he glared up at Sirius. "Are you mad," he hissed, his eyes darting to the blocked off windows. "You nearly scared the man to death..."

Sirius starred at him, then adverted his eyes. "He was lying... He deserved it."

Lupin adjusted Mr. Ollivander's position on the floor, making sure the man was at least slightly comfortable. Then he didn't the only thing he could think of. "Obliviate!" Carefully, to did his best to erase Mr. Ollivander's memories of the past five minutes. "How on earth did you know," he asked Sirius when he was done. His friend was search around the wand shelves for something.

A ghost like smile passed the mans lips. "Imagine the sort of people I was locked up with. Twelve years in Azkaban teaches you a few things, Moony."

Lupin didn't comment on this. He felt horrible for Sirius, but there were more important things to do. And Sirius was taking a wand... "Sirius, was are you doing!?"

"I'm not stealing, I'm trading. I'm not going to face who knows what with an incompatible wand." He replaced the new was this his own. Sirius had stolen it from a Witch months before. Fourteen inches, unicorn tail hair, Beechwood. Not his type.

Lupin wouldn't argue, it was true after all. "Change back now," he snapped, shooting the man another glare. "If someone sees you..." He was furious at Sirius for his behavior. He was letting his animal instincts rule him for too often. Being an Animagus effected the human mind as well as the animal mind.

Sirius listened to him, however, and in moments a huge black dog stood where a man had previously been. Almost immediately, Sirius seemed to smell something on the floor, and in moments found a blooded water bowl in the hall. Sirius let out a whimper

Lupin had followed Sirius into the hall, kneeling down by the bowl. He wrinkled his noise at the lingering, soar smell of blood that hung in the air. It was nauseating. "This is his...? Can you tell it's him for sure?" Sirius whimpered again, ducking his head. "... Do you think you can find him?"

Sirius gave a silent nod, his ears perking up as concentrated. He certainly wasn't a bloodhound, but me could follow a sent if he tried hard enough. Sirius found the scent easily, but of course, blood had a very potent smell. Then he began following it, tracking the sent toward the door. Hastily, Lupin followed close behind, opening the door for his friend.

This lead into the streets, through that rain, and then to a dark alleyway. The sound of dripping water followed them as they journeyed farther, deep into the darkened passages of the Underground.

Where coming for you, James.

Just wait for us...

~~~~~~~~~~~

James smiled at his wife as she buttoned up her night shirt and hummed a soft melody. "Hm, a big shirt and sweat pants. Quite a style you have there, Mrs. Potter." He laughed when she shot him a mock glare, a smirk tugging at the edge of her lips, but she continued to hum.

The melody wasn't one he was familiar with, but Lily had talked about it a few times before. It was from a Muggle musical called.... Starmites? Maybe. Lily had watched it on broadcast television when she was younger. And odd tale...

And a very, very odd musical.

"Muggles create the oddest things," he murmured quietly, yawning a bit. He was exhausted from a long day of errands and playing with his son. James was sure that Harry would be able to walk soon, he was an amazing child. He was going to grow up to be strong and smart, just like his mum and dad!

But Lily heard what he said about Muggles, frowning as she sat down next to him. "Muggles are just as creative as Wizards, James." A brush had been laying on the bed, and Lily grabbed it.

James grinned, eyeing her slyly as she began brushing her tangled red hair. "Oh?" She ignored him, still brushing her hair as she hummed again. Yes, she hummed that song to Harry now and then. James often heard it drifting from the nursery when Lily was getting Harry to bed. "Well, at least put some words to it." Lily stopped brushing and gave him a look, raising an eyebrow. "A song's no good if it doesn't have any words. That's as long as it isn't a symphony, I think." She made a noise of disagreement, shaking her head. "Oh, come on! It's Sirius' opinion-"

"With the sort of rubbish /he/ listens to!? And singing helps Harry fall asleep, so there's nothing wrong with it!""

He snickered, which earned him a smack in the arm. Undaunted, he scooted closer to her, resting his head on her shoulder. "Come on, please...?"

"What...?"

"Sing for me."

"Oh..." Lily blushed a bit and nodded. "All right... But don't laugh, you!" He nodded quickly. Satisfied, Lily cleared her throat and then began humming the tun. "... S...," she stumbled a bit, but continued, "... Say goodnight, I'll be the light, and pray your soul to sleep... no, wait... That's not it..." James snickered a bit, earning himself another, harder, smack in the arm. "It's hard to remember, you know! The last time I heard it I was ten!!!"

She started to stand so she could stomp off, but James grabbed her by the hips and pulled her back, this time into his lap. "I'm joking, really! Just try again..."

She stuck out her chin, tossed her brush away, and crossed her arms. But didn't try to escape from him. "Once more, James..." She cleared her throat again, humming. Then she sang.

"Say goodnight, I'll be the light, And pray your soul to keep. It's been fun, but the day is done, And even heroes sleep..."

Lily's voice wasn't that bad at all, and strangely comforting. His arms circled her waist and he buried his head in her chest. Lily played with his messy jet black hair as she continued, humming the tune once more before adding the words.

James could hear her heart beating...

"Close your eyes and maybe then, You'll fly to the planets and back again, And bring those dragons to their woeful end, Pretend and close your eyes...."

By now James had closed his eyes, sighing softly.

This is where he belong. This is where he wanted to be.

"My little hero, My little boy, My little hero, Close your eyes......"

Where he belonged...

Lily had stopped, though there was still more to the song. She blinked down at her husband questioningly, his chin now resting on her shoulder. "James...? James, are you asleep?"

"Hm?" He moved his head ever so slightly, and she giggled as his hair undoubtedly tickled her neck. He tried not to grin, but he couldn't help it. "Yes... Very asleep..." He turned his head slight so his lips now tickled her neck, kissing it lightly. James smirked when she shivered a little and kissed her again. Her hair smelled so nice.

Lily giggles some more, but wiggled from of his grip. James pouted, watching as she left and wanting her to return, but Lily wagged a finger at him. "Silly, I told you it worked to get him to bed."

"You're voice isn't that bad..."

"Thank you," she said, with a note of sarcasm. "I'll be right back, I just need to check on Harry before I go to bed..." She turned and padded barefoot through the doorway. She didn't look back, and he heard the door to the nursery open.

James didn't want her to go. He wanted Lily to stay with him.

Why did he feel so cold?

Then a scream ripped through the air, making his stomach drop.

"James! JAMES!"

"Lily!?" He dashed for the door, but just as he reached it, it slammed in his face. "No! Lily!! Harry!!"

The doorknob wouldn't budge and he didn't know where his wand was. He began pounding on the wood. The screams continued be Lily was no longer screaming his name. Harry was crying. "Not Harry, not Harry, please not Harry!"

Then there was another voice. Another horrible voice... "Stand aside, you silly girl... stand aside now...."

His throat tightened. 'I can't be...' "HARRY!!"

"Not Harry, please no, take me, kill me instead--"

James gasped. "No, Lily! Nooo!!!" Suddenly a pain shot through his right hand, forcing him to stop. He hissed as the pain intensified and began shooting up his arm. "L-Lily!! Don't do it!! Please!!"

"Not Harry... Have mercy... Please, have mercy..."

Blinking back tears of pain, James forced his arms up again, slamming them as hard as he could into the door. All at once, it seemed to break free with the sound of splintering wood. He found himself in the nursery.

Just as Lily collapsed to the floor. A dark shape looming over Harry's crib.

James awoke.

He wasn't in his house anymore. He was in the London Underground... Shaking, he realized he'd been pounding on an old blocked passageway. He and Lily would always take this route to enter the Muggle world. It led right into some nice little shops in old Muggle London. A beautiful place to good during all times of the year. James and Lily loved to go there... Harry loved watching the bustling streets, the attention he got when Muggles stopped to tell them what an adorable baby he was. The streets all full of people as the sun shone down upon them...

But now he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

The passage was blocked off for construction. It now stood as a plain unmoving wall of stone. Only one piece of wood served as a marker, which was now broken in half. James must have broken it himself, that's why his hand hurt so much.

It read, 'CAUTION: Muggle Passageway: Middle London. Closed due to reconstruction. Please use alternative ways on entry. Possible danger due to charm deterioration.'

'C. Fudge. September 17, 1994...'

"No..."

The nightmare was real, it was all real... 'No, no, nooo.....'

Real. All. Real.

James didn't want to face this. It was what his mind had run from ever since he'd woken up in front of his destroyed home.

He closed his eyes tightly, remembering the figure looming over him, grinning maniacally.

/'Know this and suffer, James Potter...'/

When he opens his eyes, will there still be that dark figure? Standing over him? Over his dead family? There's on way to find out.

He opened his eyes.

James way in the passageway. It was cold. The hood of his cloak had fallen. Everything was real, his memories clear.

But a dark figure did stand over him... In fact, the person had a firm, cold hand on his shoulder. James looked the person in the face. He knew that face...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Lily singing to Harry...)

"...... Shadows fall and voices call,

But you're not easy to scare...

Sleep you'll find, a world designed,

To do anything you dare...

Close you're eyes and maybe then,

You'll crush the enemy and find a friend,

And have adventures that will never end,

Pretend and close your eyes...

My little hero,

My little boy,

My little hero,

My little.... boy....."

(Lullaby "Little Hero" (see disclaimer))