Into the Hands of Fate

Chapter Seventeen

"Jonathan, what in the name of God are you doing here?" Requillo asked in bewilderment.

The latter smiled but said nothing else. He was a rather handsome man in his late forties with dark chestnut brown hair streaked with gray. His beard was much the same and his mustache as well. Professor Greggors' eyes twinkled with life restrained from him but shined much like the black of the night sky. He wore a deep dark cloak with something that seemed like the stars themselves glittering marvelously on it.

"It's been a long time, but I have been reassured that I have a purpose. And you are the one to help me fulfill that purpose."

"Purpose?" said Requillo. "I don't care about purpose right now, I care about seeing you again!" He tried to stand but Jon pushed him back down with the same gentleness.

"No, do not get up, you'll just hurt yourself all the more."

"I thought - from what I gathered at the school..."

"Yes, I had disappeared in a rather shocking way, I suppose. It hurt quite a lot, being sucked in and out," he murmured, as if to himself. Requillo looked at him in the dim light of the wand.

"Jonathan, you are going to tell me what happened aren't you?"

He sighed. "Never mind it, I'll recount the tale to you another time. At this current moment, however..."

And a light shined as if from no where. Requillo looked to the ceiling where the midnight sky showed down brilliantly and the stars winked teasingly at him. "Is - what...?" he stammered in confusion.

Jonathan smiled. "Hello, Fate. What do you wish me to do?"

"All in good time, Jonathan. All in good time."

And then the voice was gone. The light that shown down from the heavens, too, disappeared.

Jon turned to look at Requillo who was gaping at the now bland ceiling and laughed. "Bloody hell..." whispered Requillo.

"Yes, indeed."

Just then, the portal opened. A cloaked figure walked in. He snapped and all of a sudden, torches around the cell were lit and the two men gazed at the new one.

Jon helped Requillo up. "Is it time?"

Snape held up a hand for momentary silence and lowered his hood, brandishing his wand into the air. "Dirge O Nehsepak," he muttered. It seemed as if a wind swirled in the room. And then it was gone. "We can speak in privacy now. Professor-," he started, but Jon held up a hand.

"You can refer to me as Jon or Jonathan now, I'm no longer a professor at Hogwarts."

A shadow of a grin flashed on the other's face. He turned to Requillo. "Sirius was all for coming after you," he said.

"Is he all right? And Hallie? What about her?"

Snape held up a hand again. "They're fine, both fine."

"Hallie...Sirius...I remember them," said Jon with a reminiscent smile. "Troublemakers, they were. Hated each other too, boy did they hate each other."

Requillo laughed. "Hate each other? They hated each other?"

Jon looked at him in bewilderment. "Don't they still? I didn't think anybody could hate as much as they hated each other..."

A smile seemed to quickly pass on Snape's face. "Neither did I, but they're a couple now."

The former professor started in alarm. "I beg your pardon?"

Requillo grinned. "'Tis true."

"All-all right, if you say so."

"Er - well, back to the point," began Snape once again. The other two men looked at him. "I'm doing my best to plan your escape, but I'm afraid that you two will have to stay here for a few more days. Voldemort will be expecting an escape soon, so we must do it when he least counts on it."

They nodded resignedly. "Thank you, Severus," said Jon.

And then Snape left.

~*~

"On a lighter note," said Hallie. "I was planning on bringing some filibuster fireworks, but on account of a certain incident..."

Sirius grinned and shook his head. "No, I've got them," he said, holding a rather big sack. "Why are you all staring? It was a great waste of all these fireworks! How could I just let them lie there for some bloody child to pick up?"

"I think a child did pick them up," murmured James.

Sirius shot him a glare that turned into a laugh. "Perhaps you're right, but, nevertheless, here they are." He dumped them out.

"Oh my," said Peter with wide eyes.

"That's a great many fireworks," said Remus softly with a small smile.

Sirius and Hallie shared a grin. "Yes, it is, isn't it?" they said with a note of self-satisfaction.

~*~

Lily was lying on her side of the bed with a bright candle glowing beside her when James came in. She looked up from her book and welcomed him with a loving smile. She patted the space beside her and he came over gratefully.

"Boy, am I tired," he mumbled.

She smiled and suddenly let out a shout. And then she looked at her stomach that was just starting to take on a rather round surface.

"What is it? Is he coming?" James asked, jumping up in alarm. "Ok - uh - um-," he swallowed deeply and looked around in panic. "Should I pack a bag? Where do we go? Oh, right, the hospital...uh...let-let me - oh gosh, Lily, I-," but he cut himself off when she started laughing.

"No, he's not coming yet. I just felt him kick, is all," she said to him with a small smile.

He sighed in relief. "Oh good." She gave him a look. "Well, it's good that you're not having him now because I was in a total state of panic..." he said rather sheepishly. "I think I'll have to get up bright and early tomorrow to write down what I'm going to do when it is time."

She laughed and took his hand. Lily then put it over her stomach. He looked at her in question, but she just smiled and said, "Just wait a moment."

James sighed and sat down next to her, his hand lightly on her stomach. And then suddenly his eyes widened. He felt something pounding slightly under his hand. "Lily!" he exclaimed. "It's alive!"

She laughed once more. "He's alive."

"Yes, yes," he said in a distant sort of voice, "he's alive." And a smile came to his lips. "Hi, Harry," he whispered. Lily smiled to herself and watched him. "It's me, James, your dad." He looked up at Lily. Her heart melted. He looked so young and innocent, like a child. "Can he hear me?"

She smiled softly at him and touched his cheek tenderly. "Of course he can," she said softly.

He smiled back. "I'm going to teach you how to play quidditch," he said to Lily's stomach. "And I'm going to get you a broom. And then I'm going to get you some filibuster fireworks, and some dungbombs. And when you first start chewing, I'm going to give you some Bertie Bott's Every Flavor beans. And -," but Lily cut him off.

"You're not serious, are you?"

He just grinned and started talking to Harry again. "And I'm going to introduce you to your godfather Sirius, and your godmother Hallie, and Remus, and Peter. And then when you go to Hogwarts, I'm going to show you all the secret passages so you can sneak-," but then he closed his mouth and shot a look at Lily. "Oh, sorry, Harry, I forgot she was here too."

Then his serious face broke out into a grin that could light up a dark room as she gave him an indignant look. He hugged her tenderly and kissed her sweetly. "I'm just kidding, Lily, I love you," he whispered.

She smiled. "I love you too, James."

~*~

Tossing and turning

In the midst of the night

The Seer sees

What's to come of his fight

Down will he come

His flower in store

The last but not least

Will too be no more

He cries through the night

Begs it not true

But knows he can help it not

What shall he do?

And so the day toils

He's gray with worry

The answer must come

For the Dark is approaching...

~*~

That night, James tossed and turned. His control evaded ever so slowly. He cried out.

~*~

He's staring out the window, a sense of wrong within his heart. His gaze wanders to the red flowered beauty holding his son. A smile lights his face; his heart warms, but does not disregard that awkward feeling.

And then a shadow passes by.

He stands abruptly and looks out, his heart pounding in his chest now. His breathing slows and comes out in short gasps.

"No...no," he whispers. Hastily, he looks at his flower. "Lily! Run! It's him, he's coming!"

Her hand flies to her mouth and Harry, sitting on the floor with his toys looks at his parents. A smile of innocence bright on his face. He giggles, but silences himself at the troubled looks of his mum and dad.

"James," Lily starts.

He shakes his head, his eyes bright with tears. "Go, Lily, just go," he whispers.

Tears stream down her face. "James, I'm not going to leave you"

He sees the knob on the door turn. "Lily! Go! Go now! Think about Harry! Please go!"

She chokes on a sob, runs up to her husband and kisses him fiercely, then picks up Harry and flees.

James clutches his wand and holds it out before him with a trembling hand. In his heart, he knows what is to come, and it kills him inside.

"Lacelfurtonate!" he bellows as the figure steps into the doorway.

The latter takes a step back, touching the gouge in his shoulder, and glares menacingly at the hero, the valiant, the legend of the past. A laugh escapes his lips. It holds no mirth, just evil.

"Hello, James," he says. And then he raises his wand. James remains rooted to his spot. Anger courses through his blood, through every part of him. "Avada Kedavra!" escapes the lips of Voldemort before those of the other man.

James falls to the ground, his eyes wide with shock and full of pain.

He failed. He failed...

Voldemort arrives at the room upstairs, opens the door. Lily tries to push it closed but he's inside.

He points his wand at Harry. "No!" she screams. "No! Not Harry! Take me! Take me instead!" Tears won't stop falling. Her heart won't stop breaking. Her screams of mercy won't stop coming. "Please, please not Harry! Anything but Harry!"

"Step aside, you silly girl," he orders. His voice with a sharp edge of impatience.

"Not Harry! Please not-," but she falls to the ground, lifeless. He kicks her away. Her eyes are wide. Wide with shock and pain.

She failed. She failed...

Little Harry. Little Harry Potter was looking at his mother, then to the dark figure who killed her. His silence is questioning.

Voldemort raises his wand. Harry collapses in a lifeless heap. His eyes wide.

They failed him. They failed him...

~*~

"No!" James shouted. "No!" He looked around and jumped up.

Beside him, Lily slowly sat up. "James," she started.

But he was out the door. He raced to the nursery. The crib, it was empty.

He raced back to the master bedroom. "Lily, where is he? Where's Harry?" he yelled in panic.

She just smiled and hugged him. "He hasn't been born yet," she said quietly. "One more month."

He pulled away and looked at her. "He hasn't been born yet?" he whispered.

She shook her head and touches his face tenderly. "What's wrong, James? What's the matter?"

He swallows a sob and brushes his tears away. "It's the same premonition. It won't stop coming," he cried. He cried, and he cried with shame. "I failed him. I failed you...and-oh, Lily, I can't let it happen."

His eyes suddenly burned with a fierce fire. "It won't, it won't happen, I won't let it," he said. He stood up and looked out the window. He shook his head. "I'm not going to fail you, Harry, I'm not going to fail you."

~*~

Sirius sat in the chair, looking around. He remembered all the times he had been in this room and grinned. Just the memories of what he did to get in here made him smile.

Albus looked at him with a twinkling smile. "You're remembering your years here, are you not?"

Sirius laughed and nodded. "Yes, I am."

Hallie opened the door a bit. "Ok," she said. She gave Albus the book.

He sighed and opened it. "Thank you, Miss Forester," he said.

Sirius shot a look over at her and swallowed.

And then the fireplace erupted with flames and Severus Snape stepped in.

"Ok, they're coming," he whispered. He knelt down and pointed his wand at the flames. "Ensuenza Priviette!"

There they were. Jonathan Greggors and Requillo.

"Professor Greggors!" Sirius and Hallie exclaimed at the same time.

He grinned and helped his friend up. "I would have fixed you up, Requillo, but you remember from our days at school that I'm not the best person to do it."

The latter rolled his eyes heavenward. "I know you aren't, you took off a finger of mine last time you tried."

"Dad!" Hallie yelled with a bright smile. She ran over and hugged him tightly. And then she noticed the he held a stitch in his side. "Oh - oh my, you're hurt!"

He grinned and shook his head. "It's nothing, Hal," he replied.

She looked at him stubbornly. "It sure looks like it's something to me." She brandished her wand and had him fixed within minutes.

He smiled. "Thanks."

Albus stood up and shook Snape's hand. He then looked troubled. "Just do it, Albus," said the other man.

With a sorrowful sigh, Albus pointed his wand at Snape. Sirius' eyes widened and he stood up but Jonathan held him down. "Horrenduose!"

And stumbling with new injuries, Snape went back to Slytherin Castle.

"Professor Dumbledore," started Hallie, but he held up his hand.

"Severus has to pretend he was ambushed by you and Sirius," he explained. The others nodded.

"Er - Albus," said Jon. He looked meaningfully at the older man.

"Yes," the other replied. "Soon, very soon."

~*~

Requillo sat heavily down on the couch and stretch out on its length. His eyes drooped and he sighed. The days had been exhausting for him, but deep inside, he knew the worst was yet to come.

Some say, when people go to sleep, no matter their age, they look younger. Their eyes are closed, their worries gone; only dreams remain. They look like angels, sleeping peacefully.

But Requillo's features did not clear; they did not soften or become peaceful.

Hallie sat in the armchair before him, her face troubled.

Sirius walked in with three mugs of steaming hot chocolate on a tray. He looked to the sleeping form of Requillo to Hallie whose brows were knit together in anxiety. Carefully, he placed the tray on the table.

After picking up two mugs, he held one out to Hallie. "Here's your hot chocolate," he said softly, deliberately trying not to awaken the slumbering Requillo.

Hallie slowly looked at him and blinked her eyes in puzzlement. And then she seemed to remember who he was and what he was doing. She relieved him of the hot mug of chocolate and took a sip after giving him a smile in thanks.

He looked at her critically. In a loud yet soft voice he asked, "How can you drink it when it's so hot?"

She smiled sweetly up at him and took a long gulp. He chuckled and stuck his tongue out at her. "Scoot," he told her. She just smirked up at him and took another sip of her drink. He sighed. "All right, have it your way." And then he sat on her lap.

She laughed. "Sirius, get off!"

He just looked nonchalantly down at her. Then he took a sip but almost immediately, it flew straight out of his mouth. He made fanning motions. "Hot, hot, hot, hot, hot!" The young man shot a mock glare at the laughing Hallie.

"You had better fix that carpet before dad wakes up," she told him with a smile.

He stood up and pulled out his wand. After cleaning the stain and cooling his hot chocolate, he sat in the spot that Hallie made next to her for him.

"Oh yeah, Lily wanted me to tell you her baby shower's this weekend. She and Sarah are having a double party."

Hallie grinned. "That's right, I forgot about her. What did Frank and Sarah say they were naming their baby boy?"

"Neville," he replied.

"Mm, they should have named him Trevor."

He laughed and nudged her. "No, I rather think it's a good idea that they didn't. Otherwise, Frank wouldn't be able to find the poor baby." She laughed with him.

"Where are you and James and the other guys going to be?" she wondered.

He shrugged. "Dunno, maybe we'll go blow something up to make us feel young again."

She laughed and swatted at him. He caught her hand in his and kissed her fingertips. "You're not old! You're only eighteen!"

Solemnly Sirius shook his head and heaved a great sorrowful sigh. "Ah, but my dear, I'm turning nineteen in three months."

~*~

"How much longer until you're due?" asked Andrea.

"Four and a half months," replied Sarah.

And Lily said, "Two weeks." She looked plaintive. "Do I look old?"

"Not at all!" exclaimed Molly. "Dear, look at you, lovely as if you were still fresh out of school."

Lily laughed. "I am!"

The older woman grinned. "That's right, sorry."

"So Sarah, how's your married life?" asked Lynette. As Hallie's cousin, she was of medium height with hazel green eyes and silver-white blonde hair like Requillo's. Her face was always bright and seemed to always be ready for a smile.

Sarah smiled, a radiation of sunlight. "Wonderful," she replied.

"The old man not annoying you yet?" asked Hallie in surprise.

This made the other young woman laugh. "Seriously, you and Frank could be siblings."

Hallie's face contorted into one of disgust. "My brother? No!"

Lynette looked at each of them. "Do you guys miss Hogwarts?"

Lily looked over and smiled somewhat wistfully. "Yes, well, I do."

Hallie nodded in agreement. "Those were the days..." Lynette hit her shoulder with a grin. They had gotten to know each other more over the summer. Lynette went to an American academy of magic but had just recently moved into Manchester.

"How's your boyfriend?" asked Andrea with a small grin.

Hallie rounded on her little cousin. "You have a boyfriend?" she exclaimed in a rush. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Lynette put her hands on her hips. "Because I knew how you'd react."

"React? React like what?"

"React like you've never heard of what a boyfriend was."

Hallie blinked at her.

Lily leaned over to Lynette. "I think you have to speak in one syllable words, dear, otherwise she won't comprehend what we're saying." Hallie scowled at her. "I mean, she won't under - er - she won't know what we're saying." She looked at her best friend. "Do - you - get - it?"

"Lily, you're an arrogant, egotistical, tedious, pusillanimous-," but she closed her mouth when she saw the others break into laughter. She cleared her throat. No one stopped laughing. With a glare, she brandished her wand and muttered, "Peridone Shaminkle!"

Everyone in the room turned into a periwinkle pillow excluding Lily and Sarah. "I'm only excluding you both because you're pregnant and I don't want to hurt little Harry and little Neville."

Sarah's eyes were wide but a look of humor was upon her face. "I can't believe you just turned everyone into periwinkle pillows!"

Lily sighed grieved. "Well believe it, this isn't the first time."

"Yes it is!" Hallie immediately said defensively. "The other two don't count! Those times I turned Sirius into a pillow!"

Sarah burst into laughter. Lily rolled her eyes. "How old are you again?"

Hallie smiled and then changed everyone back. They just broke into laughter once more.

~*~

James grinned and Sirius shot one back. They looked to Remus and Peter who grinned back at them. At the other end, Frank, Evan (Lynette's boyfriend), Arthur, and Leo (who Andrea was currently dating) grinned at each other. Below, the little boy they hired counted to three and let the balls out. He then rushed to the sideline.

Eight figures on brooms shot around the bounds of the quidditch field.

Sirius zoomed downwards and pelted a bludger at Frank who gave a muffled shout and looped. "Hey!" he exclaimed.

Sirius gave him a sardonic grin. "Losing your touch, aren't you Frankie?"

The other man smirked and shot right past Sirius who yelled in surprise. "Seems you are too, old man."

James passed to Remus who nearly dropped it, but caught it all the same. He passed it back for Evan was shooting towards him.

Peter hung above, looking for the snitch. His expression was a sullied one. He wasn't very good at Quidditch.

Arthur watched James carefully fly at him and grinned when he caught the ball. He wasn't called the best goalie at Hogwarts for nothing.

James sighed, but grinned good-naturedly. He suddenly hollered in surprise when a bludger nearly beheaded him.

Turning around, he caught sight of Leo grinning at him. "Lost your touch, haven't you, Potter?" said the former Quidditch captain.

James grinned back.

The game was a tough one on account that both teams only had four players each. But all too soon, it was getting dark.

They arrived back at Frank's home covered in dust and dirt.

The girls stood up and looked at them. "What have you been doing?" asked Hallie in a resigned tone.

Sirius walked up to her and tugged on her ponytail. "Nothing," he said innocently.

Frank rolled his eyes. "We did too do something. We went to Hogsmead and blew up all the little village houses that you think are so cute," he told Sarah. "And then we took all the money in the cash registers. And then we took all the joke stuff from Zonko's. And then we-," but he stopped at the horrified expression on his wife's face. "Aw, just kidding you," he said with a smile.

"I rather think we've rubbed off on your husband," James told Sarah sorrowfully.

Andrea put a hand to her forehead dramatically. "Oh dear goodness, someone save the poor dear."

Hallie laughed and Sirius tickled her. She swatted at him with a mock scowl that ended in another laugh.

James came over to Lily and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned her head on his shoulder. He rubbed her stomach gently. "I hope he looks like you," he said softly.

She grinned. "So do I."

He looked at her with shock.

"Well, you don't want him to look like you do you? The poor dear!" She suddenly broke into laughter and he tickled her.

"Ah, I don't think that's a very good idea," said Molly in aid of Lily. "You might hurt Harry."

James immediately stopped. Lily caught her breath and shot a private smile at Molly for the help.

Arthur looked up at them. "No, it doesn't do anything," he said knowledgeably.

Molly glared at him.

"I mean, it does, it does, I'm just kidding you."

Leo and Andrea laughed.

"Hey, said Hallie, "where's my little cousin?"

They all looked around, but neither Lynette nor Evan were in sight.

Leo grinned knowingly. "They're probably in a room," he said.

~*~

"I - I don't know," said Lynette cautiously.

He smiled at her softly. "Don't worry, it's nothing bad, he's an okay guy once you get to know him. Better than that lot back there," he said motioning back at Frank's home.

She gave him a glare. "That's my cousin and my friends back there."

He sighed. "Sorry, I just, well, never mind, you'll see once we get there."

She had no idea where they were going, but Evan did. He was leading her right towards Slytherin Castle.

~*~

A week before Harry was due...

James rushed down the steps carrying the bag and opened the door to get the flying car and then stopped suddenly. "Oh no, I'm missing something, I know I'm missing something..." he said to himself softly.

"James!" called a voice from up the steps.

"Oh no, I've forgotten Lily!" He rushed back up the steps and carried her down.

"James, don't panic," she told him with a small reassuring smile.

He suddenly stopped and grinned down at her. "Aren't I supposed to say that to you?"

~*~

That night, Sirius, Hallie, and Remus went to the hospital with James. Peter wasn't able to make it because of another planned appointment.

James' paced in the waiting room, his heart pounding in his chest and beads of sweat glittering on his forehead.

Remus looked at him. "James, sit down, pacing won't do anything."

The other man didn't seem to hear a word said. Remus sighed and looked at Sirius who held a sleeping Hallie. Sirius grinned and shrugged but stopped when she stirred.

"Excuse me," said someone from the doorway. "Is a Mr. James Potter in here?"

James immediately stopped pacing and walked up to the doctor. "That's me," he said.

"Please follow me." The other two looked at each other.

The very next day, James and Lily's baby boy was born. They named him Harry.

Lily would be staying in the hospital for a few more days, and James insisted on being right there beside her. The doctor tried to force him home, but James kicked and hollered. In conclusion, he was allowed to stay with Lily.

~*~

A few months later, James woke up to hear a baby crying. He stood up and walked to the crib on Lily's side of the bed. She had refused to have Harry stay in the nursery so he backed down. He didn't mind if they're baby boy was in their room.

Carefully, he picked Harry up and walked down the steps. Harry immediately stopped crying. His eyes looked up curiously at the being before him in interest.

James smiled. It was just as if he was looking at Lily. Harry's eyes were the same verdant emerald green of his wife's while his hair was starting to show the same rebellious attitude of his self.

The baby in his arms wiggled a bit and gurgled. James took a seat in the armchair before the fire and smiled down at him.

"Hi, Harry," he said softly. "How're you doing?" The baby answered with an adorable giggle. James touched the soft fluff on Harry's head. "I love you," he whispered.

Harry reached out a hand and giggled again making James chuckle to himself. He put out his finger and felt his son grasp it tightly.

And then James was crying, crying to himself softly. His tears falling in sorrow down his face. Harry, who seemed to be thinking the same thing, was crying as well. Not bawling, but crying like his father. A soft flow of pain filled tears. The drops of acid burning on their skin, looking like the crystals of the midnight black sky.  

Come; stop your crying,
It will be all right.
Just take my hand,
Hold it tight.

I will protect you
From all around you.
I will be here,
Don't you cry

"Oh, Harry, I don't know what to do," whispered James, rubbing the soft peach fuzz on Harry's head, his other hand still occupied being held in the small grasp of the boy being held. "I just don't know what to do." He sniffed and wiped Harry's tears away and then his own.

For one so small,
You seem so strong.
My arms will hold you,
Keep you safe and warm.
This bond between us
Can't be broken.
I will be here,
Don't you cry.

Cause you'll be in my heart,
Yes, you'll be in my heart,
From this day on,
Now and forever more.

He looked into the fire, his eyes filled with anguish of a father in worry for his son.

In the depths of the flames erupted an image. It was an image of a young boy, a replica of the man looking into the fire. "Harry," whispered James in awe. The baby in his arms looked at his father, his tears bright in the firelight.

You'll be in my heart,
No matter what they say,
You'll be here in my heart, always.
Why can't they understand
The way we feel.
They just don't trust
What they can't explain.
I know we're different but,

Deep inside us
We're not that different at all.

The young boy in the fire smiled and spoke, but no words could be heard. James smiled through his tears. "I can't fail you, Harry, and I won't."

And then the boy in the fire looked straight at him.

And you'll be in my heart,
Yes, you'll be in my heart,
From this day on,
Now and forever more.

Don't listen to them
'Cause what do they know?
We need each other,
To have, to hold.
They'll see in time,
I know.

When destiny calls you,
You must be strong.
I may not be with you
But you've got to hold on.
They'll see in time,
I know.
We'll show them together.

"No, you won't fail me, dad," said the boy in the fire softly. And with a last smile, he vanished.

James leaned back in his chair. His eyes were bright, not only from his tears. "I know now, and I will save you," he whispered looking down at Harry in his arms.

The baby looked up at him with a smile. His tears were gone.

'Cause you'll be in my heart,
Yes, you'll be in my heart,
From this day on,
Now and forever more.

Oh, you'll be in my heart,
No matter what they say,
You'll be in my heart, always,
Always.

Courtesy to Phil Collins

For "You'll Be In My Heart"

James rested his head on the back of the armchair. He felt Harry breathing slowly and evenly and knew his son had fallen asleep. James too, fell into the land of dreams with a smile upon his face, and his heart filled with new hope.

~*~

James sat in Albus Dumbledore's office with building excitement. Jonathan Greggors followed the headmaster into the room and smiled at the familiar young man.

"It's nice to see you again, Mr. Potter."

James stood up to shake the man's hand. "You too, Professor," he said softly.

The other man laughed. "Yes, well, I'm not a professor anymore, please call me Jon." James nodded in assent and took his seat once more.

Albus' eyes twinkled and his half-moon glasses reflected the morning sun's light. He was searching in his desk for something or other, and finally, he found it.

"Ah, here it is," said the ancient man, pulling out a book. James caught sight of the glittering gold title The Book of Light. The letters swirled with life.

Dumbledore touched the length of the T, the B, and the L. The book suddenly swung open, light projecting from within it.

"Chantebra Lengorio," whispered Albus, his hands over the light. The rays of every color seemed to go through the man's fingers, but every so slowly, they dimmed, and soon, they were no more. Albus looked up into the two bewildered faces. "This is The Book of Light. It is a sacred text, thousands of years old. This is the book that will help us save the world," he said, looking at James.

The young man nodded, but felt a chill run through him, even though it was now Winter.

~*~

James went home that night, his mind swirling with thoughts. It was exactly one month from today that the Fidelius Charm would start working and time was running out. Tomorrow, he would do the spell that he hoped would save his son, that he hoped would save the world. Tomorrow.

~*~

He stood before the book on the mantle and chanted the words. His head swirled with doubts and words of reassurance from Lily, but mostly of worry for Harry. What if something went wrong?

"James," said Jon, looking at him squarely. "If don't want to do this, tell me now. Once we get started, there's no turning back."

James took a deep breath and said, "I do want to do this. It's our only hope."

Jon smiled at him. "You're a good kid," he said. He opened the book. After making the yellow light cease from shining from within it, he chanted, "Chantebra Lengorio, atfe sepak emot!"

A heavenly glow shown down from above.

Jon handed the book to James who received it with trembling hands. Harry lay on the mantle before him. He put his right hand upon the baby's forehead and with the other, he made a circle. "Chantebra Lengorio, atfe sepak emot!" The glowing light suddenly brightened to an almost blinding brilliance.

His heart skipped a beat and he looked down at Harry who was giggling and waving his arms about.

"From the power within

From the depths within me

Change to my will

My life's destiny.

From the power within,

From the depths within he

Change to my will

My son's destiny.

With the power of will

With the will of power

Take from my soul

At this rightful hour.

I call upon Fate

Your hand strong with power

Take from my soul

At this rightful hour.

From the power within,

From the depths of my soul

Change to my will

The future known.

The Dark One comes

Amid happiness and glee

Let him take not

What matters most to me.

Close does this story

Yet may another begin

Fate grant my wish

Take my power from within."

Another light shined down from above, this one with power and strength driving Jon to the ground. He called out, but James did not hear. His eyes rolled backwards, but still he remained standing, standing in a trance.

A wail hit the light and Harry screamed in pain.

A surge of angry torture rushed through his body and he jerked with pain. He tried to yell, but found he couldn't. He couldn't move, he couldn't breath, he couldn't see.

And then Harry's screams stopped, Jon's yells stopped, James' pain stopped. The light vanished and in it's midst was a golden amber stone hanging on a gold chain.

Jon slowly sat up and stared at it. He saw James collapse and Harry fall into more rushes of tears.

And then everything went black.

~*~

Sirius put on his coat and walked down the steps where Hallie greeted him with a smile. He took her hand in his and then went to James and Lily's house.

He knew, with a great pang of guilt, that this would be the last dinner that they would ever be together again. After that...it would only be him. Tears came to his eyes at the thought.

James, Lily, and Harry, alone, all alone for no reason other than that they have to be safe.

He brushed away his tears.

Hallie looked up at him. "Sirius, are you all right?" she asked, stopping to look at him.

He grinned. "Yeah, there's-there's just something in my eye."

She looked at him in disbelief, but didn't pursue the subject.

They soon arrived at Godric's Hollow and knocked on the door. Lily answered it with a smile that was just a bit sorrowful. She let them in. "Thanks for coming," she said.

Hallie gave her a look. "Did you expect us not to?" She looked around the room. "Where's Harry?"

James, who was coming out of the kitchen with a hot dish laughed. "That is always one of the first things you say."

Lily went into the next room and carried the little boy out. He giggled and waved his hand about where a filibuster firework was held. "James!" exclaimed Lily, taking it away.

There was a laugh from Sirius who stole it from her and lit it with a wave of his wand. It shot towards the ceiling and exploded. But Lily, who took every measure into precaution, had put charms all over the house for such happenings like fireworks getting shot inside. James came back out from the kitchen again with another dish.

Hallie looked at them both. "Are you trying to make us fat?"

Lily laughed and shook her head, handing Harry over to Hallie who received him with a happy smile.

She rubbed noses with the baby who giggled. "Aren't you the most adorable little baby in the world?" she said with a laugh. He took a strand of her hair and tugged. Her eyes widened. "Harry, you let go of my hair this instant."

And to her surprise, he did so. She looked at his parents in confusion. "Did you bewitch him to follow orders?"

They shared a look. Lily put her hands on hips. "Hallie, think of what you're asking. Besides, he only listens sometimes, not all the time."

"Well still, that's an amazing virtue for someone not even a year old yet."

Sirius came up beside her and rubbed the fuzz upon Harry's head. "He's going to play quidditch, isn't he, James?"

The other man laughed and walked over. "Of course he is! I've already ordered him a broom!"

Lily rounded on him. "James..."

"Just kidding!" But he winked at the other two.

He held his hands outstretched to Harry who did the same. Hallie laughed and handed him over.

Then there was a knock on the door. Remus smiled from the doorway and was invited in. "Where's Harry?" he asked immediately.

James came over and handed the boy to him. Harry greeted Remus with a giggle and a slap in the face. The others laughed. Remus grinned down at him. "You're a funny little boy, aren't you, Harry?" The baby giggled and reached to play with his hair. He leaned his head back. "No, I don't think so, I fixed it before I came over."

"It doesn't look very fixed to me," said Peter, who had arrived via floo powder. He rushed over and gave Remus a hair make over with his wand. It turned bright green and fell in curls. Remus' eyes widened.

"Peter!" he roared. Harry laughed and reached over. Remus handed him to Lily who had come over just in time.

Peter just laughed as his friend chased after him.

"No, no," said Sirius, a thoughtful expression upon his face. "Green isn't your color. I think...pink is so much better." He brandished his wand and muttered the spell.

Remus looked at the curls that were pink and stopped to glare at Sirius. "That isn't funny," he said.

Hallie leaned on Sirius for support because she was laughing so hard.

"Hey!" exclaimed Peter with a scowl at Sirius. "I liked that color!"

James looked at his friends with a stern gaze. "Now, now," he said. "Let's not fight." He then pointed his wand at Remus' head and then it became half green and half pink.

Remus looked at them all with a pout. "Fine then, pick on me."

Lily came over and gave him a hug. "Aw, poor Remus," she said to him and changed his hair back.

By now, Hallie was gasping for breath with Sirius laughing right with her as well as the others.

"Thanks, Lily," said Remus with a smile at her. He then looked at the others. "You know, I've picked up a few things from you guys." He took out his wand. "Especially from you, Hallie." They immediately stopped laughing. "Peridone Shaminkle!" Everyone was turned into bright pink pillows except Hallie and Lily, who remained standing. He looked at Hallie in surprise. "You-," but she cut him off.

"You can't turn me into a periwinkle pillow, Remus Lupin! It's my spell!"

"But they're not periwinkle," said Lily.

"I know that, 'cause like I said, it's my spell!"

Remus looked around at the pillows and laughed as he picked one up. "You're right, they are very soft!"

~*~

After dinner, they sat around the living room. The flames danced in the fireplace and cast haunting but homelike shadows around the room.

Harry lay asleep in Lily's arms. They lightheartedly chatted about just nothing at all, none but Sirius, James, and Lily knowing they would get no other chance to see each other again. There was, however, a sense of heaviness weighing down on them all.

~*~

James pulled Sirius aside. "Thanks again, Sirius," said James.

The other man shook his head. "Stop thanking me, I'm not doing anything you wouldn't have done for me." James smiled at him.

"I-I guess I won't be seeing much of you either," he said softly. Sirius looked away. "Are you - um - still going to stay with Hallie?"

This was something that Sirius had wondered during many sleepless nights himself. "Yeah, I think I will, but - but I don't know if I should...I mean, I don't want her in danger or anything, but I can't not be with her. Do you know what I'm talking about, or am I not making any sense?"

"You're making perfect sense," James responded. "I thought about that all the time. Was I hurting Lily by being with her...was it safe for her...was I endangering her? It ran through my mind endlessly, but I knew I couldn't live without her."

Sirius nodded, but looked a bit of a distance away. "Look, James, I got it," he said after a while. He took something out of his pocket and opened it.

James smiled down at it, then at his best friend. "It's great," he said.

Sirius smiled.

~*~

As the night went on, everyone seemed to be getting tired, and when Peter was tired, he became very cross.

"Can I hold Harry?" he asked.

"He's asleep, Peter," said Remus with a raised brow. "You might wake him."

"I won't wake him," was the reply.

James looked at Lily who said, "How about some other time? He hasn't been sleeping well lately."

"I said I wouldn't wake him."

James looked troubled at the different look in his friend's eyes. "I know you won't, but maybe another time, okay, Wormtail?"

Peter shrugged and stood up. "I have to go now. I'll see you all later." And then he disapparated.

~*~

James looked into the fire. His heart tore into pieces inside him. He was now alone in the living room. Everyone had gone home, and it was now late in the night.

A tear rolled down his cheek.

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven
I must be strong
And carry on
'Cos I know I don't belong
Here in heaven

He didn't bother to wipe away the tears that ceased to fall. While his body racked with sobs, his heart racked with pain. Why was everything so wrong in his life? Yes, he had all he could ever want, but the conditions in the life in which he had them were anything but what he wanted.

Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven
I'll find my way through night and day
I just can't stay
Here in heaven

In his heart he knew what was to come, but in his mind, he refused to know it.

Time can bring you down
Time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart
Have you begging please
Begging please

Lily came over and sat next to him in the large armchair. He held her and they cried together. Their tears helped to ease the pain, but both knew it would never leave.

Beyond the door
There's peace I'm sure
And I know
There'll be no more
Tears in heaven

They looked at each other. No words were said between them, but none needed to be. Their feelings were felt and that was all that was needed.

What was to come would come, and what was meant to be, would be. Lily and James knew this, but their minds refused to believe it. Because, in their hearts, it hurt too much.

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven
I must be strong and carry on
'Cos I know I don't belong
Here in heaven.

Courtesy to Eric Clapton

For "Tears In Heaven"