Pure Sinners

James was late, very very late. 

He had been watching television with Lily, well he had been watching her whilst she watched television, and had completely forgotten about his drop-off with Dumbledore. He had quickly made up some excuse, that he hoped Lily was too focused to hear before he practically ran from the building. His duffle was stashed in the broken toilet in the lobby of their apartment complex, it wasn’t a great hiding place but it worked. James quickly detoured to pick up the bag before hi-tailing it to midtown. He ducked into a dank alley, looking for the old man. 

“Long time no see” came a feminine voice that most defiantly did not belong to Dumbledore. 

James turned quickly, head spinning as he took in the towering girl before him. “Dorcas?” he greeted opening his arms for a hug, “James” Dorcas acknowledged before she clocked him in the face. 

“Fuck!” James exclaimed, dropping the duffle bag and clutching his burning cheek. “what the hell was that for?" James asked angrily, Dorcas scoffed “You missed two fucking drop-offs, for all I knew Riddle connected you to me and you were lying in a ditch somewhere” Her voice was scathing but her eyes were wet and James deflated. 

“W-what do you mean connected to you?” He asked as he replayed Dorcas’s words. 

“You don’t know?” She asked, obviously shocked. James shook his head as she frowned. 

“Let's get out of here” she demanded as she grabbed the duffle from the floor and led him out of the alleyway. James watched as Dorcas hailed a taxi. 

He had an awful feeling he was going to miss dinner. 

As it turned out, the DE had been after Dorcas for about a month, after they found her attempting to hack into one of their private servers. James suddenly felt very stupid for dismissing the mess inside Marlene's apartment as some jilted friend, or jealous squatter. She filled him in on her and her girlfriend's sudden move into hiding. And was now was pacing the floor of James’s apartment, which looked even emptier than ever before.  

“He said he’d tell you” she began as James watched her walk. 

“Are you okay?” James asked the question that had waited patiently on his tongue for the better part of an hour. Dorcas nodded, waving away the question just as Lily would have. 

“Marls freaked a bit, but she’s alright now. We're staying with your Ma.” She paused turning to face James as she said “She’s real mad at you, by the way”. James nodded. He knew she would be. “They didn’t do much. Sent me a letter, I ignored it - even joined the field unit for your case. Thought it would send a message” She rolled her eyes and James knew she must have argued with his mother about the decision.  “They trashed Marlene’s place and drank her nice red wine…we were saving that for…well I don’t know but we were saving it” She spoke mainly to herself as James attempted to maintain his straight face. 

“I was going to call you, but Dumbledore wouldn’t give me the number” She looked livid “said it was a security issue, fucking knobhead”. James just nodded along with the blonde, it was nice not to be on the receiving end of Dorcas’s anger.  

“I just don’t understand why he wouldn’t tell you” she repeated for the 10th time as they waited for Dumbledore to arrive at the flat. “Probably because he knew I’d leave to find you the second I knew you were in danger” James shrugged, he didn’t try to understand why Dumbledore did the things he did. Dorcas opened her mouth to argue just as a knock sounded at the door, James strode to answer it - ignoring where Dorcas’s hand rested over her tazer. The door opened and James was enveloped into warm arms.  

His mother still smelt like cloves.

James hugged her harder, ignoring her disapproving words. 

“Can't believe you….Who do you think you are…?,  Is this how I raised you..?” James smiled into her shoulder, muttering into her hair. “Missed you too mum” the grey-haired lady paused “I missed you son” she spoke as she pulled away, revealing a smiling Dumbledore in the doorway.

 “Don’t smile at me you old coot, I’m mad at you” James winced at Dorcas’s choice of words but Dumbledore’s smile did not falter.  “Come in” James offered as he guided the newcomers towards his dining room table.  

“Explain!” Dorcas demanded before Dumbledore had the chance to sit. “Explain what my dear?” The old man’s smile widened, showing rotting teeth that James had never noticed before. 

“Why didn’t you tell him” she expanded as though talking to a child. Dumbledore nodded “I believed it would distract him from his task. Which I now see he has completed” His had waved towards the open duffle on the table. It wasn’t much; just video footage James had stolen from the warehouse, as well as some of the paper files from Lily's room, he had even included the remnants of their tainted whisky so Dumbledore could examine the truth serum in its original form. Dumbledore leafed through each part of the evidence before he spoke “Yes, this should be more than enough to charge the 25 known members of Riddle's gang”. Dumbledore clutched a rough map of Headquarters in his wrinkled hands. 

“What about the rest” James spoke without thought, Dumbledore’s smile widened “What happens when you cut the head off a snake James?”. His voice was sharp, pointed towards James as it sailed through the room. 

“It dies” Dorcas offered, her box braids swinging about her head as she looked at the maddening man. Albus nodded, standing he asked the still-seated members of the table “Shall we alert the SWAT team?” The question was rhetorical but all participants nodded. Dumbledore walked spryly towards the door, “Hop-to officers, we have a snake den to destroy”. James’s legs moved woodenly after the old man, the pit in his stomach opening with every step he took.

The precinct was quiet as James waited restlessly for the SWAT team to return. He had wanted to be a part of the search team but Dumbledore had forbid it, telling him there was no point in outing him as an officer in the event any members escaped. James had nodded although he didn’t really see the issue. Their SWAT team was one of the best in the country and had only lost one person in the 10 years since James’s father had overseen the new recruitment methods. James’s eyes darted towards a picture of the old man on his desk, he didn’t know why he kept it there. Like some kind of reminder of everyone's unreachable expectations.

 James sighed, placing the photograph face down as he switched on the computer.  

He was elbow-deep in his third game of snake when Dumbledore burst through the precinct doors. James was moving towards him quickly, only stopping as the elderly man raised his hand. A trail of officers (both SWAT and enforcement from desk duty downstairs) began leading Death Eaters in for questioning. James’s eyes widened at how many they had caught, Dorcas smirked at him as she opened the holding cell doors. The prisoners shuffled towards the cage, James thought the movement made them look like a poorly conducted conga line. 

“You!” Cried a voice from the back of the line as a blonde-haired man broke away from his detaining officer. 

The force hit James in the stomach and forced him onto his back as the blonde man raised his head above James’s. James blinked at the angry man above him “Malfoy” he greeted pleasantly as his ribs begged for relief. 

“You fucking traitor” Malfoy spat and James nearly laughed at the accusation. Two officers wrenched Malfoy off of James, one holding his arms whilst the other punched him in the stomach. James simply stared in mild disbelief as Dumbledore allowed his officers to beat Malfoy bloody. After what felt like hours but was only minutes Dumbledore spoke “Officers, if you’d be so kind as to show Mr Malfoy to the interrogation room. I believe he would like to go first”. The officers nodded, dragging a limp Malfoy towards the end of the hall. 

“My office James” Dumbledore asked as he swept past the stunned boy. James looked around the bullpen, everyone was simply doing as they ought to. Everyone was acting as though they hadn’t even seen Malfoy or the officers who detained him. James turned swiftly on his heel, following Dumbledore into his office. 

He gestured for him to take a seat - James declined. 

“Very well, although I do have to warn you the news I have to share is unpleasant” The grey-haired man paused for a split second before continuing. “The raid went very well indeed and between the two teams we managed to round up over 40 individuals..” James’s heart clenched as images of wild curls filled his head. “..a few members managed to escape and two members managed to facilitate the escape of Riddle before fleeing themselves” Dumbledore's face was angry and James realised they must have stolen Riddle out the form under the chief's nose. 

“Was anyone hurt?” James asked unsure whether he was asking about the team or the detainees. 

Dumbledore shook his head, “no officers were harmed beyond a few bumps to the head and some bruised egos.” His silver eyebrow raised itself as he spoke “Malfoy was injured as he was detained, slight bruising on his ribs.” James blinked and nodded accepting the news that Dumbledore was perhaps a dirtier cop than he had thought.

 James didn’t mind, he wasn’t exactly a perfect police officer - and anyway, it was Malfoy. Dumbledore smiled, reaching for a biscuit to dip into the tea he had been making as he spoke. “Now I need you to look at the escaped members and see if you can identify them” James smiled, finally something to do. 

“Yes sir” he said as a knock sounded on the office door. 

An assistant James didn’t recognise entered, handing Dumbledore a stack of papers which he quickly slid towards James. James’s eyes flitted down to the first somewhat blurred face of a man, covered in black. His eyes were blue, and from the looks of the shoddy photo he hadn’t showered in a while. James didn’t recognise him, “I don’t know him” James said moving the picture aside to ease at the next. Dumbledore nodded, sitting back as he sipped his tea.  

The second picture was of a short blonde man, the photo was clearer but James didn’t recognise him either. Shaking his head James pulled the picture from the pile and sucked in a sharp intake of breath. 

“Ah yes..” Dumbledore spoke, misinterpreting James’s reaction to the photograph. “..she’s rather pretty, isn’t she? The hair’s a dead giveaway, some of the officers said they recognised her from other footage over the years but no one has a name.” James tuned him out, focusing instead on the picture before him. 

Lily's face was an expression of pure calm but James could tell from the set of her jaw she was pissed. Her body was placed strategically in front of Riddle who looked to be fleeing through a metal door. His desk sat in the corner of the room and James realised they were in his office. How had he never noticed that door? It hadn’t been on any of the existing maps for the building - and his definitely couldn’t remember seeing it before. A hand jutted into the frame, wrapping around Lily's wrist - as though attempting to pull her away from Riddle. The hand was covered in tattoos and James knew instantly who it was. His finger moved to the hand of its own accord, James’s fingertip tracing the path along Sirius’s arm and off the photograph. 

“Sirius Black,” Dumbledore said and James looked up, gesturing for the man to go on. “ Son of Orion Black. Currently supposed to be touring in Afghanistan, has been for the last 3 years. Obviously, he is not, but the important question is why. Why is a Black, a man with considerable money and influence risking jail time to work as an underling for Riddle?” Dumbledore paused, thinking as he spoke. His wrinkled finger landed on top of Lily’s perfectly curled hair and James wanted to cut it off. 

He wanted to take the penknife from his pocket and saw away at the crooked bone until it gave way beneath him. 

He wanted Albus Dumbledore to scream in pain for daring to touch what was his. 

James blinked. 

“..all roads lead back to her, whoever she is Black obviously wants to protect her.” His hand pulled the picture away, revealing another of Lily's back as she ran after Riddle only this time Sirius stood resolutely in front of her - his face was volatile and he looked ready to kill. James stared at Lily's hair, his fingertips already mourning the loss. 

Dumbledore sighed, leaning back into his chair. “Facial recognition got nothing, no fingerprints, birth reports, nothing. She’s a ghost.” He sounded frustrated, but more than that. James stared at the man before him and couldn’t help but feel as though the matter was personal. James watched as he stared at Lily's head with the same disdain he reserved for Riddle.

“You don’t recognise her do you James?” Dumbledore’s voice was hungry as he lent forward slightly. James’s breathing stilled and he debated his answer. He had promised himself he wouldn’t turn them in, he knew it would have been too hard, but he had never imagined his boss would have already known of Sirius or that he would have a personal vendetta against Lily. 

James opened his mouth to tell him, ‘No.’ ‘I do not know that girl’ he would have said if the knock on the door had been a second later. “Come in” Dumbledore said turning away from James’s breathless form, a head appeared in the doorway. The officer spoke as James stared to the blood on his hands. “Malfoy would like to talk to you” he said, leaving as Dumbledore nodded. James watched as the old man rose, grappling for a walking stick James had never seen him use before. 

“Shall we?” He asked and James nodded, stealing one last glimpse of his friends before following the chief down the hall. 

Malfoy looked awful. His left eye was swelling shut and he was breathing as though he had run a marathon. “Mr Malfoy, I was informed you’d like to speak to me” Dumbledore’s voice was calm as he sat opposite the blonde boy. Malfoy nodded, grimacing at the action as he stared at his cuffed hands. His eyes flitted to James, where he stood behind Dumbledore and his frown became a smile. 

“He’s going to kill you, you know” he said genially and James felt a chill run through him. 

Dumbledore coughed bringing the attention back to himself, “I assume you’d like to offer some answers in exchange for a plea deal. Is that correct Mr Malfoy?”. Malfoy scowled, nodding angrily at the old man. 

“Very well, then we shall begin,” Dumbledore said and James lent his back against the dark wall of the interrogation room. 

“Name?” Dumbledore asked as Malfoy scowl deepened. “Lucius…Malfoy” he added as though it meant something to the officers. 

“Age”  “29”

“What did Riddle offer you to get you to join his ranks” Dumbledore went straight for the gut and Malfoy bit his bottom lip before answering. “The usual money, fame, a place to work”

Dumbledore hummed and spoke as though just remembering something. “Ahh, yes. You were the one who invented Riddle’s truth serum.” Malfoy’s eyes went wide and he looked to James, who simply fought back his smile. 

“I want a lawyer” Malfoy said and James was surprised it had taken him this long. James turned to go fetch the man who was currently waiting impatiently by reception. “No.” It was a quiet word but James froze at the command. 

“No? What do you mean no?” Malfoy’s voice was frantic and James felt slightly sorry for the man. 

“No, I’m afraid you cannot have a lawyer. Would you like to continue Mr Malfoy?” Dumbledore asked as he examined the handle of his walking stick. 

“No, you old cunt. I want a Lawyer!” Malfoy yelled at Dumbledore who seemed unfazed. The old man simply blinked before striking Malfoy across the face with the end of his walking stick. 

The man’s head whipped to the side and James spotted something white fall from his mouth. Malfoy looked back, his smile was bloody as he said “You can’t do that, you and your fucking officers are going down when I get out of here”. Dumbledore simply lowered the stick, speaking as though Malfoy were six “We are allowed to use appropriate force in order to detain and secure a criminal individual, such as yourself..”

Malfoy snarled “Brown will tell them. You always have had a hard-on for the truth” Dumbledore lifted his shoulders into what could be considered a shrug. “Sergeant Potter, do you feel as though my force was unreasonable?” Dumbledore asked and James saw Malfoy still at the name. He watched as the blonde realised he was not just simply an informant. 

James shook his head unable to speak. It didn’t matter, his allegiances had already been declared and Malfoy’s shoulders fell. 

“I shall ask again Mr Malfoy. You were the one who invented Riddle’s truth serum” It was a statement, not a question but Malfoy nodded all the same. 

“How old were you when you joined the Death Eaters?” Malfoy mumbled something neither he nor the captain caught, before swearing and saying normally.  “20” his voice was hard and James sensed this was a sore spot for the man. “Is that the usual age for new recruits?” Dumbledore asked and Malfoy nodded “anywhere from 18 usually”. James watched as Dumbledore caught the word.

 “Usually? So you mean there have been exceptions to this rule?” Dumbledore asked, voice interested for reasons James didn’t care to know. Malfoy nodded, only speaking when Dumbledore asked. “Black was the most notable, he joined at 16…” Dumbledore nodded, urging the man to continue “the only other one was…” Malfoy hesitated, looking to James as he spoke “Lily”. 

Dumbledore hunched forwards “Lily? Who is Lily?”.  Malfoy blinked quickly at James, obviously assuming James had told the chief of his team. James shook his head, the movement slow and small only caught by Malfoy. 

“Lily Evans” Malfoy coughed out, eyes locked on James’s

“Does this Lily have curly hair?” He asked and Malfoy nodded, looking anywhere but Dumbledore. 

“I want you to tell me everything about Lily Evans” Dumbledore demanded and James watched as Malfoy weighed up his options. 

“I want protection.” The words spilled from his lips quickly “if I tell you about her, Riddle he’ll kill me. I want you to swear, I’ll be protected”. He was looking at James now, he wanted James to promise. 

Dumbledore turned to him, gesturing for the boy to agree. James nodded, suddenly feeling so much pity for Malfoy. “Y-yes, I promise. I’ll do whatever I can” James’s voice was croaky and he blinked quickly at the way Malfoy smiled slightly. He must be hallucinating. 

“Alright..but I don’t know much. Lily is Riddle’s right hand, she’s 20-something and has been a Death Eater forever. He adopted her, or rescued her or something?” James was astounded to realise how much Lily had told him compared to what the other gang members knew. “She started showing up at meetings when she was 14 maybe? She was young and people didn’t like it….Riddle he’s very soft on her” Dumbledore’s eyes glinted at the news. 

“She’s good.” Malfoy said looking at James’s feet “at most things, but she’s not a bad person not like he is” Dumbledore waved away the words, he didn’t care. “She works with Sirius, and another guy Lupin but he’s useless.” Malfoy scoffed, and James’s fists clenched without thought. 

“I think her and Sirius are dating? Or fucking or something? But she could also be doing the junkie? Either way, they are protective of each other, if you get one you’ll get the other.” Malfoy blinked as though realising his information was useless. James shook his head at Malfoy’s wicked eyes and he waited with bated breath as the blonde decided the fate of his life. 

Malfoy could have easily told Dumbledore how much information James was holding back. He could have told Dumbledore that James knew the girl, that they had been on the same team. He could said something about how James knew where they lived, knew where they went. He could have said anything but instead, he said… 

“He’s going to kill you” his voice was hollow, and James knew the words didn’t bring him the comfort he thought they would. His eyes were round and all James could read in them was pity; pity and fear. James wasn’t sure who the latter emotion was for but he returned it anyway.

 Malfoy blinked again and James suddenly thought he saw him - Lucius, a blonde man with an absent father and too much money. A scared boy with long hair and good manners.  A person who deserved much more than this. “They are going to come after you, they’ll know what you did and they will find you” his warning was directed solely to James, ignoring Dumbledore’s presence in the room.

James nodded, opening the door for Dumbledore as he stood to leave. James followed him out, resolutely not looking back to Malfoy as he yelled “She’s going to kill you! You know she will, you won’t stop her!”. His voice echoed, his words were true.  

James shut the door.    

Dumbledore turned to him, “Witness protection will come for you tomorrow morning. For now, your mother is downstairs” his voice was curt and James nodded, turning away from James as he spoke again. 

“Thank you, James,” Dumbledore spoke softly and James pretended not to hear him.