Re: Checking Up On the Potters
Remus looked at Lily and frowned a little before returning his gaze to Harry. He took a deep breath and tried to think of a way to explain something he didn't fully understand.
"We can't even say that Peter has him, Harry. We really don't know what happened. But if Peter did get him, he had help and he took your dad when he was vulnerable. Your dad is a very good wizard, Harry, but even good wizards can be taken by surprise and overwhelmed if they're attacked randomly. If he was attacked, he wasn't expecting it and he wasn't prepared."
"As for why James," he said to Lily. "That, I can't answer either. I imagine, if it was Pettigrew, it's because James was a big part of what would have been victory for You-Know-Who. If Pettigrew is deranged, he might have targeted James because he's got some sick fantasy planned to re-imagine what might have been if the Death Eaters had succeeded. And if he's in his right mind, I can't begin to think what he wants. If he's in his right mind, it means he's working with others and things are moving in a direction as they did before. And that is not a good sign of things to come. I imagine, though, he's just being held to catch our attention. If they'd killed him, they'd find a way to tell us."
He bit his tongue, refraining from suggesting the other plans he imagined they had in store for James. Harry was mature and fairly well-versed in his family history during the War, but Remus didn't want to upset him by putting ideas of torture and Ministry-baiting in his head.
"I know you want to help, Lils," he added. "And I know you'd never compromise a mission on emotion, but it's better for you to stay home. If James has indeed been captured and is being held by someone with bad intentions, it's important you stay safe. They'd warded the house, I saw, but if any more information is released about who might have James, I think we should take extra steps for you and Harry to remain safe."