Return Of The Father (Harry Potter fanfiction) **COMPLETED**

:: Chapter 32: A mental battle ::

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"I DON'T CARE, SIRIUS!"

Sirius, for once, had absolutely no idea on how to tackle a particular situation. How was he supposed to handle a hot headed, anguished fifteen year old wanting to go on a rescue mission to save his recently brought back to life father who was currently in the hands of Death Eaters? Harry wasn't the only one who was upset, however. Everyone was in a state of panic and extreme worry, and Sirius felt sick to the core. It had been twenty four hours since James had been taken, and he, Remus and the rest of the order had spent most of it following leads, only to return each time dejected. They had no idea about what James's state was, and in addition to his nearly overwhelming amount of worry for their best friend, Sirius and Remus had to calm James's distraught son.

Harry's state of anger and worry had escalated the night before, and he had snuck into the fireplace of the guest room and had flooed to Grimmauld Place, demanding an explanation. Ron and Hermione had of course, accompanied him, but were now back at Hogwarts, having made up a story to Umbridge about how Harry was ill in the Hospital Wing having an exremely contagious illness that he had gotten from his last trip to Hogsmeade, and was under strict private surveillance by Madam Pomphrey. Umbridge seemed to have more value for her own health than Harry's disappearance , and had accepted the story when Dumbledore verified it.

Now, Sirius and Remus had a very worried and irritable teenager in their hands.

"Harry," tried Sirius again. "You have to stay put. James wouldn't want you to--"

"I DON'T CARE!"

"Harry," said Remus weakly. "We'll get him back."

"And I'm going with you!"

"James wouldn't want you to risk your neck for him." Sirius said firmly, though not sternly. He understood Harry's worry, seeing as he felt it himself.

"He'd do the same for me, don't even bother denying it, Sirius!" argued Harry hotly. Sirius didn't have a reply to that.

"We're working on it, you know that," said Sirius gently. "Your dad is one of the most stubborn and strongest blokes I know, he'll be alright."

"He won't be if he stays there too long!" said Harry. "It's been a day, Sirius!"

"I know," said Sirius softly. "I'm worried about him too, you know that."

"We're all worried," said Remus tightly. "But the important thing now is to think rationally and try to work up the next part of our plan."

"You've been saying that since yesterday!" said Harry hotly. "What's the next part of your plan?"

Sirius and Remus exchanged a glance, at a loss of what to say. Cold dread twisted Harry's insides.

"You don't have one, do you?"

"Of course we do," said Remus. "We--"

"Remus!" called a voice. Molly walked into the living room of Grimmauld place with a worried look. "Dumbledore wants a word with the two of you. He says that he has a new lead."

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"Dammit," James muttered to himself.

Beads of sweat trickled down the sides of his face. James was fighting to stay conscious, but he was so tired. . .so exhausted. . . so broken. . .it would be nice to just die here. . .

No, said a tiny voice inside his head. You're not leaving Harry, Sirius and Remus. Not now.

James shook his head and raised his head upright with difficulty. He was stubborn-- he wouldn't give Bellatrix the satisfaction of knowing that she'd beaten him. No matter what happened, one of James's famous traits: stubbornness, would stay with him. So did recklessness with an equal amount of pigheadedness. He had been an idiot for lunging towards Peter, falling for their trap.