Days Go By by Jack Mason Potter

I know I have been bad and slow on the updates- I promise that none of this has been forgotten. I will finish this story and will publish the other stuff in my head. I have been waiting see how you guys like how I end the story for a long time- and you will get it- and yes, this will go further into the J/L couple years.

Thanks to exdiva55giants, anavihs, SLYTH3R1N, ItDidntMeanForever, brilliant incandescence, and Ksalxo for their reviews. They are very much appreciated.

Please review.

Thank you to my beta readers: Super Cara, pacesettergurl1 and Christinnz.

-Jack

Chapter 18:

Albus Dumbledore was sitting in his office doing a Muggle crossword puzzle when James and Sirius walked in.

"Hello Professor." James greeted.

Albus Dumbledore looked up. "Ah, hello, boys. I see that you received my letter. Either that or you were going to try doxies this time."

Sirius took a moment before he opened his mouth, but before he could, Professor Dumbledore interrupted him. "All in jest, Sirius. Say, you wouldn't happen to know the word for the lever that is on the left side of the handlebars for a motorbike?"

"Um, that would be the clutch, sir." Sirius replied.

"Wonderful." Dumbledore looked back down and filled in the squares on the newspaper. "Mechanics were a weak point of mine when it came to Muggle Studies. Speaking of motorcycles." He looked up and his blue eyes twinkled. "I believe yours has been getting some fine mileage. Care to fill me in?"

"Well… we were going for a ride-"

"In the air." Dumbledore interjected.

"Er, yes. When we saw these Death Eaters flying down towards this house. We wanted to warn the people in the house so James set off a firework. And then we managed to lure them away… and perhaps ran into some Muggle policeman… and the Death Eaters were still on our tails, so we had them collide with a car and took that as our cue to leave."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Well, lucky for you two, the disturbance was investigated almost immediately, and the Muggles have had their memories modified. Before then, they did give us your names. Now, leaving the scene, exposing magic in front of Muggles and having an enchanted motorcycle are some heavy charges…" Both James'and Sirius' faces looked horrified before Dumbledore continued. "However, I believe Arthur Weasley would be more than willing to help get those charges overlooked since you did save his family and he does work for the Ministry." The boys sighed in relief. "I believe his wife would like to meet her heroes, though; I know it is late, but it is easier to take care of it now. Shall we?" Dumbledore got up and gestured to his fireplace.

"Of course, Professor, but err- can I ask you one thing?" James requested.

"I believe you already have, but do go on." Dumbledore smiled.

"Ah, yes. Well, I was wondering why I was made Head Boy- I mean, I'm not even a prefect."

Dumbledore chuckled, "I believe by receiving that letter it would prove to you that that would not be the case?"

"Well, yes, and Max told me that there were a few cases where that happened, but I mean why me?"

The professor smiled in response. "James, there are quite a few people who think that you have grown up quite a bit and have become a very trustworthy young man. I think what happened tonight has been the epitome of the times we are facing. Your willingness to protect people only proves that I made the right decision by giving you a chance in a position where you could help your fellow students. I don't need to tell you that there are dark times ahead of us, and that there is work to be done for that to change. Now, that is enough chit-chat for now. You have one more trip tonight so that you both can get some much deserved sleep."

The fire in the McKinnon's living room turned green before Sirius Black appeared in it. He walked out and dusted some of the soot off. "Oi!" He said in greeting as he spotted Marlene.

"Shhhh." Marlene responded as she gestured to the sleeping children who were all curled up on some blankets on the floor.

"Oh, sorry." He whispered and looked around the room. "Where's everyone else?" Sirius asked when he noticed only Lily and Marlene were in the room.

"They're in the kitchen discussing matters." Lily answered. She was doing her best to stop herself from holding her breath as she knew who would follow in the Floo if Sirius was here already. Within mere moments, James Potter was coughing as he made his way out of the fireplace.

James took off his glasses and proceeded to clean them; when he put them back on the first sight he saw was Lily. Caught by surprise, his eyes widened for a second before he reflexively smiled and realized that of course Lily was staying over at Marlene's house. "Good morning. Where is everyone?"

"Good morning." Lily responded. "They're in the kitchen. It's a right out of the hallway."

"Thank you, I suppose we'll make our way there." James replied coolly, as he was trying to not look at Lily too much, his heart was racing. "C'mon, Sirius."

"What am I, a dog?" Sirius grinned as he followed James out. The boys were walking towards the kitchen when they heard the sound of a woman yelling.

"No, Gideon! This is not anyone's fault, I would have been at just as much risk at home or at Aunt Muriel's! The only difference would have been me being exhausted from dealing with her until the Death Eaters show up. I can take care of my own children, thank you very much!"

She backed out of the kitchen into the hallway where James and Sirius stood dumbfounded; both of the boys were thankful that she had sons, any daughter of hers would probably have the same temper. Spotting the boys waiting in the hall way, her face broke into a wide smile and she immediately engulfed them in a giant hug. "I am so glad that Dumbledore was able to get you here. You two were so brave- we're so thankful. Don't worry, my husband and Dumbledore will make sure the Ministry doesn't bother you two about the motorbike, all things considered." She spoke so quickly, James and Sirius could barely respond. "Oh, silly me, I forgot to introduce myself. My name's Molly. Now who's James, and who's Sirius?" Molly at that point had released the boys.

The conversation was a blur for James as his exhaustion began to set in. He tried to stifle a yawn as Sirius was introducing himself, but Molly had noticed. "Oh, you must be exhausted. I should let you two get to bed, and take my own boys home." She hugged the two again. "Take care, and have a good year at Hogwarts."

James remembered Molly moving into the living room and following her. It seemed as if a procession of red haired people held a child as they walked into the fireplace. Until there was only one red head, the one that mattered the most and James felt awake again, but for some reason still felt blurry. As his heart pounded, he smiled and waved goodbye, trying not to have his eyes linger as he walked into the fireplace.

"Alright, girls, I think that's plenty of excitement for tonight." Mrs. McKinnon announced as she began to tidy up the living room after all the visitors had left. "We appreciate the both of you staying up to help, but I think it's time for you both to retire."

Lily and Marlene sleepily nodded and walked out of the living room and up the stairs. Mr. McKinnon continued to stare at the fire until he was confident that the girls were asleep.

"Is he going to show up, tonight, dear?" Mrs. McKinnon asked her husband.

"Yes. Any minute now."

As if on cue, the fire turned bright green and in the middle was Albus Dumbledore's head. "Good evening, or should I say morning?"

"Yes, and the same to you, Albus." Mr. McKinnon replied. "As I have told you before, Molly Prewett, I mean, Weasley and her children are fine. The only thing that concerns me about her is the fact that Death Eaters tried to show up at their home."

"Yes, you and I are of a mind in that regard. As have noticed, the Death Eaters have become even more active."

"And that makes me concerned, Albus. They went after the sister of two of our members."

"You are confident that she was targeted because she is the Prewett brothers' sister, as opposed the wife of a Ministry official?" Dumbledore stated as he raised one of his silver eyebrows.

"Maybe both? It just seems implausible that it was just because Arthur works for the Ministry. No offense to him, but he is quite junior by comparison."

"A keen observation, and by that argument, I would say that you are likely correct."

"So we should expect that they will target our families now?" Mr. McKinnon replied with concern in his voice. "Look, when I joined I accepted that I will be in danger, but-"

"But the Death Eaters will harm anyone regardless of any alliance unless it is with them." Dumbledore interjected. "You know this."

Mrs. McKinnon came over and held her husband who began to shake. "Yes, Albus, we know." She agreed. "It doesn't make us wish we could find a better way to keep our only child safe."

"And that is what makes you parents. And it may come off the wrong way as I never had my own children, but your daughter would be proud to know that her parents are aiding in keeping everyone safe. Marlene would agree with me that everyone is at risk, no matter what, and it's best that we all fight in the ways we can."

"I would say that." Marlene stated as she walked in to the room.

"Sweetheart! What are you doing there?" Mrs. McKinnon asked as her daughter walked over.

"I'm sorry, I was tired, but couldn't sleep for some reason and wanted to talk to you." She ran over to her parents and hugged them. "I want to help. Those Death Eaters could have hurt those little boys. You said something about an Order?"

"Marlene," Mr. McKinnon said. "I need you to be in school. You have your whole life to fight."

"I'm of age, I could-"

"And that's admirable of you." Dumbledore interjected. "I promise you, Marlene, that we will need more people to help, and you will be more ready after you finish this last year. When the time has come, you will know what will be needed. Right now, where you are needed is with your friends, guiding each other to grow. Everyone tonight has done very well, and I have the utmost faith that it is a sign for things to come. Put this conversation in the back of your mind. You have had a lot to think about, and I will see you at Hogwarts soon enough. Good night, everyone. Thank you again."

And with a flash, Dumbledore's face disappeared out of the fireplace as the flames turned back into a red-orange color and sizzled. The family just stood there and held each other.