7

Never Easy

"That is not my son!" James said feverishly, as he paced in the drawing room.

Sirius Black and Remus Lupin exchanged long looks. James had been hostile since they had cornered him. Sirius sighed, turning his attention back to his pacing friend, who would on occasion run his hands through his already unruly hair.

"Would you stop pacing, mate?" Sirius asked finally.

James glared at him and continued to do so.

"James, this is not helping." Remus said, as he moved to sit in one of Number Twelve Grimmauld Place's over-stuffed sofas.

Sirius frowned. He looked briefly at Remus, who was looking extremely ill,as the full moon had only been a few days ago. "James, why don't we all have a seat?"

Once again, the only response Sirius gained was a glower.

Remus leaned back into the sofa, accepting its support. "It is Harry, who is lying in that room."

"No-."

"I know it is not the Harry you would have raised, James." Remus said interrupting James's rant. "Voldemort has twisted him."

"He is responsible for the deaths of others!" James finally slouched down beside Remus. "He tried to kill me!"

"He was raised by the Dark Lord!" Sirius pointed out. "What would you expect him to be teaching Harry to do?"

James began to rub his eyes vigorously. "I'm still hoping to wake up from this nightmare. He was better off thought dead."

"But he isn't dead, James, it is a reality that you have to face, not only for yourself, but for Lily and Dorian." Lupin said, as he looked at his struggling friend. "I know it will not be easy… it is never easy, but all the same, you have to cross that bridge."

James looked up at Remus when he mentioned Lily's name. "She doesn't need to know."

"Harry is her son, too." Remus pointed out to his friend. "She needs to hear it from you, not from others."

"Remus is right, James." Dumbledore said, as he stepped into the room.

"It will only hurt her more." James whispered mostly to himself. "He belongs to Voldemort not us. Harry will only see that."

Dumbledore nodded his head. "It is true that he is polluted with Voldemort's lies, but that does not mean that there is not hope. You are giving up on Harry far too easily."

"You didn't see the look in his eyes that night." James said tumultuously. "There was nothing there!"

Silently, Sirius agreed. In the few moments he dueled with Harry, the youth's eyes had remained cold and devoid.

"James, all I ask is for both you and Lily to try to reach him."

James looked out the window, his lips tightened. "I do not want to get her hopes up. She's been through so much."

"Lily will want to try." Lupin urged his friend.

James gave a curt nod. "Should Dorian be told as well?"

"That will solely be up to Lily and you." Dumbledore paused. "Though it is possible he might hear from other students." Dumbledore looked meaningfully at James.

"Death Eaters' children? Why? What would they have to gain?"

"One curious brother, and then, perhaps, a location. I especially expect young Draco Malfoy to play a key factor." The aged Headmaster bowed his head. "It is your choice."

"Choice?" James laughed bitterly. "Have him find out through a Malfoy."

Dumbledore nodded his head. "Perhaps we should all go up and check on our guest?" Without waiting for replies, Dumbledore started out of the room.

The three Marauders eyed each other before following. James was the last to leave the room, finding himself reluctant to meet his son. Once in the room, his face was like stone, as he stared at the sleeping form of his son. Dumbledore had just leaned down, touching a chain that hung around Harry's neck. James saw the Headmaster's eyes narrow, as he peered down on the shield-shaped pendant that hung on the silver chain. Dumbledore tried to slip it over the sleeping youth's neck only to have his hand shocked.

"Very clever of you, Tom." The Headmaster said aloud. "I believe we have found another Horcrux."

Harry's body burned with pain, and a moan escaped his lips. He had felt a slight tingling and heard muted voices around him discussing something. He picked out the word 'Horcrux'. His mind suddenly became more aware, and he fought to stay conscious. Slowly, Harry forced his eyes to open. The first person his eyes focused on was the most hated of his father's enemies, Albus Dumbledore.

The mudblood-lover reached next to him, grabbing a silver goblet. "I think this might be welcomed."

Harry eyed the cup, before turning his attention to the other three figures in the room. He recognized them, but chose not to acknowledge their presence. His head lulled to his left, away from the goblet.

"I promise that it is not poisoned, Harry." Dumbledore said friendly enough.

Harry answered by closing his eyes, willing death to come.

"You will have to drink eventually, Harry."

Still nothing. The Marauders frowned. James looked at the frail adolescent and sighed.

"You do go by Harry, right?" James asked, unsure if Voldemort had changed his son's name.

There was no confirmation or denunciation.

"Your wounds are not severe enough that you will die from them." Dumbledore continued. "It would be better for all involved if you would drink." The only response Dumbledore received was Harry tightening his lips. "In that case, we shall let you rest for awhile. But before I go, I am curious to know whether you would allow me to examine the necklace you are wearing?"

A smile crept on to Harry's face. As consciousness flitted away, he whispered. "Examine it all you like, if you can get it off."

James lounged restlessly in a chair before the fireplace, waiting for Lily to Floo to Number Twelve Grimmauld Place. His thoughts centered on one thing, how was he going to tell Lily? His mind went through the different scenarios, none so far had showed any promise. James exhaled his breath rapidly. He had never been good with words.

The fire before him turned green, and before long Dorian exited it, followed closely by his mother. Lily's eyes instantly began to brush over James's appearance. James smiled reassuringly for his wife, though he felt as if he were about to loose his stomach.

"Dorian, why don't you give me and your mother some time alone?"

Dorian's eyes narrowed apprehensively, but he chose not to comment on his suspicions. "Are the Weasleys here?"

"No, you will have to entertain yourself. But, the second floor is off limits." James looked strictly at his son over the rims of his eyeglasses. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Is there any particular reason-."

"Because your father told you that it is forbidden." James said sternly.

"I'll stay down here then." Dorian quickly added to his sentence. "I will also remain far away from the door."

"Thank-you."

Once Dorian had left, James turned warily to Lily, whose interest had peaked.

"Is everything alright, James?"

James motioned to a chair that was beside his own. "Mostly, yes."

"You're being awfully suspicious." Lily's emerald eyes suddenly looked tired, as she accepted the chair.

James rubbed his temples. "We found some interesting news today."

"Oh?"

"I'm sure you heard of the battle that took place tonight." James started slowly. "It was neither a clear victory nor defeat for us. However, we did manage to capture a very important figure."

Lily's brow furrowed. "James, I know you have something important to tell me, because you're beating around the bush. You always do when you're not sure."

"We caught the assassin." James throat suddenly tightened.

"James?"

Her husband's mouth moved, but no sound came out.

James exhaled and looked wretchedly at her. "Lils, I can't think of any better way to tell you this. Voldemort didn't kill Harry."

Lily's eyes widened.

James cursed himself for the hope that he saw in her beautiful green eyes. "Lils, he was using him as his assassin." He cursed himself further when he saw the horrified look on her face.

"WHAT?" Voldemort's eyes narrowed in fury. "AVADA KEDAVRA," the Dark Lord bellowed.

Malfoy flinched, as the Death Eater beside him fell to the marbled floor dead. Lucius wanted to flee, as Voldemort rose and walked to him. The Dark Lord's hand lashed out against him hitting him across the face.

"My Lord, there was nothing we could do. Black apparated too soon."

Voldemort wrapped his thin fingers in Lucius's hair and pulled roughly, so the Death Eater could clearly see his face.

"MY SON IS IN DUMBLEDORE'S HANDS." Furiously, he yanked Malfoy's head. "MY HEIR! IS IN DUMBLEDORE'S HANDS! I WILL NOT BE THWARTED BY DUMBLEDORE!"

Snape watched from the shadows, hiding his amusement.

"What is wrong with this picture, Lucius?" Voldemort whispered dangerously low.

"We can get him back." Lucius answered quickly.

Voldemort's eyes still flickered with fire. "You better get him back, Malfoy, or you will be sharing the same fate as him." He pointed to the lifeless body of the Death Eater.

Malfoy rose, visibly shaken. He bowed to Voldemort, before rushing out of the room.

Voldemort began to breathe regularly, but it did not last long. "REDUCTO!" A table to his left disintegrated. "SNAPE!"

Severus Snape reluctantly left his hiding spot. "Yes, my Lord?" He swept into a bow.

"You will help Lucius in this matter." Voldemort voice sounded almost calm. "I need you to tell my son that he is to remain well."

"How will I know him, my Lord?" Snape asked.

"He looks almost exactly like James Potter." Voldemort smirked, and knew that behind Snape's cool exterior, the potion's master was shocked. "I believe you were in the same year at Hogwarts."

"Your son should not be hard to find." Snape bowed and prepared to leave.

"Snape, time is of the essence, as my son is very obedient. He will follow my previous orders."

"I will waste no time." Snape's billowing robes whipped behind him, as he left.