Ambushed.

James dropped off Lily at her parents' house after taking a long walk after the wedding was over. She had no idea why he was smiling so much throughout the wedding and the walk.

"I love you, Lily." He kissed her softly at the door.

She smiled.

"You want to come in?" She asked. "Have a cup of coffee?"

"No, thank you, Lil." He shook his head, holding her hands. "I have to go to the Order. Sirius has been sending messages for the past hour."

"Then, why didn't you tell me?" She asked.

"It was probably my longest break in a long long time." He told her, "I am not getting a luxury like this anymore."

"Can I join the Order?" She asked.

"It's your choice." He shrugged. "But, you should know that it will mean no contact with your family."

"What?" She looked a little shocked.

"Anyone who is in the Order, either has no family." He explained, "Like me. Or cut ties with all their family either they are kicked out or they leave to protect their families."

"Who leaves their family?" Lily asked, horrified. "Who does that?"

"Remus left his mother." He told her, "And, Sirius was kicked out."

"Oh…"

A white dog ran towards him.

"I gotta go, Lily." He groaned. "I have to go."

She held his hand. She wanted to tell him to stay. But, she knew she had to let him go. He wanted to stay. But, he knew he had to leave.

"I'll be back for you." He whispered.

"And, I will wait for you." She let go of his hands.

And, he disappeared. She went inside the house and sighed.

James Potter returned to the Order of the Phoenix for an urgent assignment to rescue a muggle girl mistaken for a witch. The Magical Authorities were closed down by Death Eaters. He returned the girl to her family with her memory erased. He came out of the muggle neighborhood when he got surrounded. He was surrounded by black hooded people.

"Uh-oh." He said.

Many Order members got trailed. He hadn't been trailed once. Because, he watched his back like a crazy person. But today...he was happy. He was happy with Lily. He was happy that Rainie was in town. He was happy that in fifteen days time all of them would have a day off together. Having Lily, Rainie and Sirius and Remus at his house gave him a sense of family. His house…..finally felt like a home again. It was the little things that made him happy. And, happiness had come after a long long time in his life. His guard was down. A spell hit shoulder before he could even take his wand out.

"Oh, God." He held his arm as old wounds opened, the ones that couldn't probably be healed completely because of the Dark magic that had caused them.

He didn't recognize all of them but many as he fell to the concrete floor with his body bloodied up. He recognized voices. Maybe, people would deny it because he was having a near-death experience. He knew Snape at the helm of this ship. Sirius's cousin Bellatrix, Lucius Malfoy and a few others from school. James felt as if he heard Wormtail. He removed the thought from his mind...Peter, he couldn't.

"I think that's enough! Snape." That squeaky voice. James could recognize that voice in a thousand voices. Just like he could recognize Rainie's or Moony's or Padfoot's.

"No…." He murmured. "It can't be."

It couldn't be him. He was weak….but he wouldn't betray his friends. He wouldn't attack James? He wouldn't..Would he? He was near death. And, he was far too hurt to stand up again. He had no idea where his wand was or he would have at least healed himself.

"Yeah, he'll die lying here anyways." He heard another voice. Caroline's. "I think you should leave him, babe."

Babe. That stung James. It wasn't that he wanted Caroline or he cared for her anymore. After what happened with his parents. After what he knew about her. But, still.....she was his first love. No matter how much he hated her...he never hated her.

"See, even she agrees." He heard Wormtail again.

"Oh, shut up, Wormy." Snape said.

James was dying and he would have died. He knew he was a loved man. He had family and friends. But, it wasn't enough to fight. But, those words...those two people who were some of the most important people in his life hurt him. A girl he had loved with all his heart. And, one of his best friends. The fire that woke him and forced him on his feet was vengeance.

He slowly found his strength and stood up. He walked in a direction he knew not. He thought he could do this. He thought he could make it. He could find some muggle place to heal himself but he didn't. He collapsed on a familiar street, though he wasn't sure where he was.

"Caroline…..I hate you." He murmured as his eyes closed. "I hate you, Wormtail."

James Potter woke up after four days and didn't recognize the room he was in. He tried to sit up but his whole body ached. He couldn't find his glasses. He still felt nauseous and weak. He walked towards the door weakly and swung it open.

"Ah, James." He recognized the voice of Mrs. Evans. "You are awake!"

A haze came towards James's eyes. He was feeling weaker already. His wounds were healed by magic, Lily must have done that. She was a good witch but she was no match for dark magic.

He tried to hold on to the door but he couldn't understand the distance between the door and himself. He crashed on the floor and groaned as he heard Mrs. Evans shrieked.