Swear On My Life

Chapter 4: When Midnight Falls

The next night at around eleven p.m., Tracy, Sirius and James sat at a small table in the corner of the Three Broomsticks, waiting for midnight to strike. Then, they would walk out to the Shrieking Shack, change into their Death Eater disguises and Apparate to the wood last night. They had assumed that the Death Eaters would be there; it was probably their regular meeting place. After lunch earlier that day, Dumbledore had put them to training once more. Though they had advanced very quickly, their powers were no where near mature.

Legend said that at the height of their powers, the combined powers of the elite four would be powerful enough to bring down any dark wizard. So far, they were doing pretty well, but Dumbledore was doubtful that their powers were fully matured. After all, two years isn´t too long; in fact, he was hoping that they could continue training, but as the death toll climbed upward, he had no choice; no matter what, saving the lives of innocents was what came first.

James took a deep drink of Butterbeer and smiled to himself as Tracy and Sirius started arguing once more. Something about Sirius calling Tracy fat. Poor Sirius, he didn´t even know what he got himself into as Tracy ranted and raved even more when Sirius said that she could do with losing a few pounds <´I was just joking!! JUST JOKING!! Have mercy!!´> James burst out in laughter, and changed the topic in an attempt to save Sirius from the rage of Tracy Williams.

"So you guys, what do you think we should do tonight about that woman? She´ll most likely show up, but we´ll need to stop her before she leaves and get her to Dumbledore."

Sirius mouthed a silent thanks to James, as Tracy, her mind on better things now, stopped yelling herself hoarse at Sirius, and wondered aloud,

"I´ve got a better question. How are we gonna find her? You said she was wearing Death Eater robes right James? Well if she was, then how will we identify her? We can´t exactly go `Hey you, you think you´re a member of the Order of the Phoenix?´" Sirius replied,

"Good point...oh well!! Anywho, I don´t really care, I´m just gonna go out there and kick me some Death Eater arse."

James laughed again, and shook his head as Tracy started lecturing Sirius about their duty and how important it would be if they could find the fourth member. Finally, not a second too late, the grandfather clock in the corner of the pub started to chime. Midnight. Tracy snapped her mouth shut and the three rose in unison and started to walk, then jog as the beat up Shack came into view. Changing into their disguises, they prepared to Apparate, but stopped short, frozen, as a scream pierced the still night air.

Lily yawned, bored out of her mind. This was the fifth time she had Apparated to this particular forest and she was getting sick of it. In the midst of the mayhem at the last meeting, she was only able to catch word of an attack, but no mention of the location, and therefore; was forced to do some random Apparting to possible sites in hopes that she would be there in time. She had already been to Hogsmeade twice, various magical communities countless times, Knockturn Alley, Diagon Alley, and was starting the cycle over again.

Sighing, she gave up, thinking maybe she had heard wrong and decided to just go to the Three Broomsticks for a late Butterbeer before retiring back to her flat. When she arrived, outside the door of the pub, she froze, remembering the last time she had been by. Amazingly enough, it had been the day that she and James had broken up; in her exhaustion, she didn´t realize where she was going, ever since James had left her, Lily had vowed she would never go back to the Three Broomsticks ever again, opting instead to go to the Leaky Cauldron.

Yawning once more, she thought `might as well´ and prepared to yank open the heavy, antique door when a shrill scream rang through the sky. `Oh shit!! The attack! Damn it, where are they? Those bastards!´ Without another thought, Lily pulled up her hood and started to jog towards the voice as the scream sounded once more.

James was running so fast, he thought he would pass out from lack of oxygen. Not too far behind him was Sirius, and Tracy was leading, a few feet in front of him. Tracy worked out often, and ran two miles every morning for fun, and to clear her mind so she was used to long distance running. They arrived at the housing complex to see a gathering of about 2 dozen Death Eaters try to force entry into one of the homes located in Hogsmeade.

There was a woman behind the door, obviously frightened, and as they got closer to the Death Eaters, James drew his wand and stopped running.

Tracy had already stopped and was crouching behind a tree. One of her gloved hands was up to her temple, and James figured that she must be trying to move something to reinforce the door from the inside.

Sirius was behind him, trying to sneak close enough to the group and then blend with them. Hopefully, he knew what he was doing. James creeped towards the house, and held his breath when he finally reached the group. As he prepared to attack the Death Eater at the head of the group, his breath was caught in throat as a curse hit him full on.

As Lily pushed herself even faster, hoping that she would get there in time, she realized that the Death Eaters would be quicker than she, so without a minutes´ hesitation, she pulled out her wand and screamed, "Electrio!"

James´ mind screamed with pain as an electric shock jolted through his body, causing other Death Eaters to panic and stare at his glowing, jerking body. He was confused now,

As chaos broke out once more, James finally was able to yell out "Finite Incantatem!" Now, James was really aggravated, and as he turned around, he spotted Sirius and Tracy also trying to hold off Death Eaters. Scanning the area again, James saw a dark figure sprinting towards him, wand outstretched, and James willing raised his wand, and yelled "Impedimenta!"

Lily continued to run, wand hand outstretched, towards the Death Eater she had attacked. How did he do that? Most people hit with the Electrius Curse were inflicted with mind numbing jolts for a good ten minutes. Her curse had barely lasted five minutes, probably only about two or three. Even more determined now, she prepared herself for a deadly duel.

As Lily started to yell out another curse, she was taken by surprise when the same figure was able to try and fire a curse at her. Now her brain was filled with questions, Ignoring her thoughts, Lily immediately dropped to the ground and then flipped herself up using her hands, took careful aim with her wand, and yelled, "Contortio!"

James was taken by the ability of the Death Eater, not only did he know good curses, he also was skilled in martial arts it seemed. Bracing himself, James deflected the oncoming curse, and was surprised when he felt a great amount of magic drain out of him.

As the two became engaged in a major duel, charms, spells, curses inflicting them both, the circumstances caused the both of them to try their hardest, especially since many of the other Death Eaters were also engaged in battle, some with each other in the confusion, others with Tracy and Sirius. Stray curses were everywhere, some hitting others, some shooting off and dissipating in the distance. James and Lily were unknowingly still battling each other, both of them determined to win, both with a streak of ignorance and both so stubborn, that even as others started to Disapparate, the two continued to battle on.

Advanced curses were now being thrown about, and both of them couldn´t even be seen, the constant emission of spells and curses blinded everyone except for themselves. After what seemed like forever, the two both yelled "Expelliarmus!" at the same time, and as their wands flew off into the distance; Lily, filled with rage, launched herself at James, and they started an all out fist fight.

After losing his wand, James braced himself as he saw the woman in the robes now approach him (since they were screaming spells, James knows the other is a woman, and Lily knows the other is a guy) and was a little doubtful. James Potter was no small guy, he wasn´t fat, but years of Quidditch at Hogwarts and after had tightened his muscles, and he didn´t look as scrawny as he did before, but still didn´t pass for muscular. James, at 5´9 was somewhere in between the two extremes, and could still be considered a hottie by most ^_^.

Still, James had learned not to take things for granted, and pulled himself into a defense position. Dumbledore had insisted that the three of them take up some form of martial arts, just incase they didn´t have their wands with them and were forced to engage in contact battle. Adjusting his glasses and praying they wouldn´t be broken, James sighed and waited for the hit to come.

As Lily ran, she stopped fuming long enough to re-analyze the situation. Here she was, 5´3, average weight, and she was going to attempt to engage in hand to hand combat with a guy who was 6" taller than her and probably not too weak.

Pushing the fear from her mind, Lily figured she did have the upper hand though, starting in summer of her sixth year, Lily´s parents had enrolled her in a martial arts class, just incase she ever lost her wand, or needed to defend herself in the muggle world. Her flexibility really helped her out, and Lily excelled at Tae Kwon Do, now a first degree black belt.

Focusing on the enemy, she launched into a series of flips just to scare him, and did a round house kick with her right foot, aiming for the guy´s head.

James was stunned as the woman performed four flips gracefully towards him, amazed at her flexibility. The amazement turned to anger though, as the figure reached him and kicked out at his head. James grabbed the foot and twisted it, hoping to flip his attacker to the floor, but she was very skilled, and as she was spinning, managed to kick him in the chest.

Breath gone, James managed to shrug it off, and started to throw punches and kicks on the other. She dodged them all though, getting in a few herself, until he grabbed her and flipped her to the floor. As the two started to grapple (basically wrestling, trying to force the other down and at the same time get up) James was amazed by her strength and anger. Lily was fully concentrated on the battle though, but her endurance was wearing out, the wand work had been stressful and draining, and now, she, the weaker one physically, was attempting to pin the other.

With a quick sweep of his leg, James managed to get on top of Lily and sat on her chest, preparing to take her hood off, when a pair of legs hit his back, and his head was held in a death hold by a pair of feet (this is like the scene in Miss Congeniality with Sandra Bullock (Gracie Hart) where she and Benjamin Bratt (Eric Mathews) are beating each other up on the mat after he asks her to go undercover at a beauty pageant).

As James tried to pull her legs off, she rolled him onto his back, flipped him over, and sat on his upper chest so that he wouldn´t be able to pull the same move on her. Pinning his arms to the ground with all her strength, she whispered to him, "One more for Azkaban today." And as she leaned over him, her locket dangled from Lily´s neck, directly in front of James´ face.

Defeated, James glared at the figure on top of him, and tried to push her off. She managed to hold him down but it was obvious she was getting weaker, every time he tried to lash out, he got closer, and James refused to give up now. James continued to fight, but turned his attention away from the hooded face to the necklace, shimmering in the moonlight, that had just fallen out of the woman´s robes as she leaned over to whisper something to him.

The pendant was silver, in the shape of a star, enchanted to glitter even in the partial darkness. The diamonds in the center sparkled even more than muggle diamonds did, and looked as if they could be pressed; so it was definitely a locket. As the voice washed over him, James froze.

His mind was overcome with a cold numbing sensation, and he started to lose feeling in his hand and felt dizzy as the blood rushed to his brain. Unable even to breathe for a few moments, James lay stunned in the silence, unable to tear his gaze away from the locket and attempt to see the face that was hidden in the large hood.

His mouth was dry and a cold sweat had broken out on his face also until he took a shaky breath and warmth rushed through him. The thoughts rushed through his mind as he continued to stare with glazed over eyes at the beautiful locket.

Her locket.

The one he had bought with all the money his dad had let him take with him to Hogwarts. It was Christmas of their sixth year, and James was looking for the perfect present to give her for their first Christmas as boyfriend girlfriend. She was also one of his best friends, and Tracy had told him that she had gotten him something he would LOVE for Christmas.

After many shops, Remus had suggested he get her jewelry, and the Marauders stopped by the jewelers on their way back from Zonko´s. James almost left the shop, but the jeweler had pointed out that he could design his own necklace if he wanted, and it took the remainder of the trip before James thought up the perfect design.

A locket in the shape of a star instead of the usual heart because she loved stars, made out of silver and enchanted to sparkle even in the dark. The center would be several small, tiny diamonds that formed a smaller star, that when pressed, would allow the locket to open. It had cost James a good 80 Galleons, and 10 Sickles, plus he had to sneak out and lie to her just to get the locket the next day.

James stopped struggling, letting his head and hands fall to the floor as he continued to stare at the locket, remembering the priceless look on Lily´s face, and hearing her laughter mixing with his as she attempted to stammer out a thank you. James didn´t care though, the look on her face and the fact that he could make her happy was enough for him and worth all his inheritance and money in the world.

Still in his dazed state, James attempted to try and speak, knowing that if he didn´t say or do something, she would knock him out in about a second. Before he was able to say her name though, two, bright flashes of light streaked through the night and in an instant, Lily was crumpled on top of him.

James immediately shot up, holding Lily in his arms, and pulling back her hood. Dark red hair tumbled out and loose strands fell on his robes contrasting with the deep black; it was definitely Lily.

James buried his face in her hair and breathed in her soft and sweet floral scent as his heart was torn between emotions, his feelings of pure ecstasy for finally finding Lily and seeing the locket around her neck once more, anger at whoever had tried to attack her, and a realization and spreading dread that she was definitely injured, and very badly so also.

James checked for her pulse, and panicked when he couldn´t feel it. He yanked his hood off and hurriedly pressed his ear to her chest struggling to hear through the thick robes, his heart pounding painfully, faster and harder than before, when he detected no sound.

Shifting Lily gently and quickly to his other arm, his left hand reached for her neck and he prayed silently, hoping that he would feel a pulse here (it´s easier than trying to find it on the palm). Seconds ticked by and James almost screamed out in agony when he finally felt the presence of a very weak, but present pulse.

Feeling as if the weight of the world was now gone, James let out his breath, and kissed her gently. He had almost lost her again. James turned his head as Sirius and Tracy both rushed towards him, both shouting

"OH my god James are you alright?"

"Did we get them?? We could barely see you two fighting down there, but I saw your something glint in the light and figured it was your glasses and that you were on the bottom."

"Thank god you´re alive!! I saw what was happening and fired the first curse that came to my mind. Who is it? Did you take off the hood yet?"

"Yea was it Malfoy? Crummy bastard...are you really okay though? Did the person get you too bad? We got another five tonight, they´re being taken to Azkaban right now by Aurors, residents finally came to their senses and called for help."

Tracy and Sirius were about to reach him, when James turned around, all the way this time. Sirius´ jaw dropped in surprise, and he stopped talking mid-sentence.

His face paled in an instant and he started to shake visibly. Tracy was also trembling like mad, her face was pale, her eyes glimmering with tears. She passed out a minute after and Sirius, luckily, had enough sense still to catch her.

Half-dragging, half-carrying Tracy with him, he made his way over to James, and without a word, the two of them Apparated back to the Three Broomsticks, the two girls in their arms.

After Floo-ing from the fireplace of the Three Broomsticks to Hogwarts, Dumbledore took one look at the quartet and immediately directed them to the Hospital Wing. After laying the Tracy and Lily down on separate beds, Madam Pomfrey gave both Sirius and James some Calming Potion to ease their minds. Sirius was still pale and hadn´t said a word since the incident, which was a miracle since he usually had the most to say. James had a deadened look in his eyes and was trembling slightly. As the two waited, Professor Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey were able to wake Tracy with out much trouble, she had just passed out from shock.

After questioning, it appeared that Lily was hit with Stunning Spells from Sirius and Tracy and the Revival Spell (not sure it´s called that but it´s "Ennervate") wouldn´t wake her. The power just one of those spells coming from either of them would have been enough to knock her unconscious for at least a day, but with two of them coming at her, and Lily already in her weakened state, she was now in a coma.

Madam Pomfrey and Professor Dumbledore both took a look at Lily, and they even called in highly trained MediWizards from St. Mungo´s to check Lily out, but nothing could be done. No one knew when Lily would wake up...if she could wake up.

As the first day passed, Tracy and Sirius were both sent home with Sleeping Potions, but James refused to leave Lily´s side. After kissing her on the cheek and making sure all the monitors were still hooked up alright, he took her hand in his, and slept uneasily, waking up every hour to check on her. The night passed slowly, and when dawn finally came, James was curled up in a ball next to Lily, who was stiff as a board, still holding on to her hand.