Chapter 1: Logan's Story

I lay in the grass with my head propped up on my hands listening to the unsuspecting Alicia Weasley talk to her sister in law Ginny. They didn't like for the 'kids' to listen to the few horrible rumors that had been going around about some Muggle being tortured or some witch disappearing and then reappearing in Africa. It was rumored that some maniac wizard was going around and causing a serious uproar. I knew it was Lily, though I didn't know exactly what had really been done. That's the problems with rumors; you never know which ones are true.

"Riley, if you must listen please come over here and do so instead of acting like a spy," Alicia called. Maybe she wasn't as unsuspecting as I had thought.

I stood up and wearing a sheepish look walked over and sat down with Ginny and Alicia. Ginny was laughing.

"That's better. You've been over there every night this week and I was getting tired of it. At least you're more subtle about trying to hear what we're discussing. Lauran has been coming out to 'see if we need anything' every five minutes and Celeste and Greg are 'watching the sunset' from Greg's window," Alicia pointed up at the window where the silhouettes of Celeste and Greg Weasley were just barely visible.

"I thought you would be a tad more creative than the commando impersonation," Ginny remarked, sounding disappointed.

"I'll do better next time," I replied.

Just then an owl flew up and dropped a letter in my lap before soaring away. I quickly opened the letter and immediately recognized my father's hand-writing. The letter read:

Riley,

Sorry things haven't gone as planned. I hope to see you before your school starts the term, but chances are not looking good at the moment. We have had no luck in finding Moresby or Lily. Progress is extremely slow. I'll write again soon,

Dad

"It's from dad," I said handing the note to Alicia. I hadn't gotten very many owls from dad since he went looking for Lily and Moresby after they disappeared after the end death of Corrine Hodgepeckins during the Tri-wizard Tournament last term. I knew he wouldn't find them but nobody else was as sure of that fact as I was.

The doorbell rang and Celeste called, "I'll get it," as she ran down the stairs.

I thought about following her and then decided against it since Colby was supposed to be coming that night to stay for a few days. Celeste hadn't seen Colby since the end of school and I didn't fancy watching their happy reunion. But apparently I was wrong about our guest because…

"Greg, come here! Logan and Morgan are here and Logan looks pretty beat up!"

My interest was immediately heightened and I sprinted to the front hallway where Celeste, Logan, Morgan, and Greg had assembled.

"What happened?" I asked taking Logan's arm and pulling him into the kitchen and into a chair.

I took a minute to examine his injuries. Logan's right sleeve was completely shredded and his arm was bleeding from multiple cuts. He had a bleeding cut running down his cheek and a black eye. I shook my head.

"Go get Alicia," I said turning to Lauran who had just walked in, "Morgan, are you hurt?"

"No," Morgan replied sinking into a chair, "Is he okay?"

"I'm fine, I just got a little beat up," Logan spoke up.

"I think he's normal," I told Morgan grinning.

"Greg, I need to talk to you. We may be facing some difficulties…" Logan trailed off as Alicia and Ginny hurried into the room.

"Well, I can have you fixed up in a minute Logan. Would you two like to stay here for a couple of days? We'll call your parents and ask them if it's okay." Alicia grabbed her wand and quickly patched up Logan.

"That would be nice," Morgan replied politely, "Thank you."

"It's no problem, you're always welcome here." Alicia and Ginny left the room.

"What happened?" I demanded, sitting in the chair next to Logan.

"Nothing," Logan lied.

"Then how'd you get so beat up? Did you fall down some stairs?" I asked sarcastically.

"Well-" Logan was cut off by the doorbell.

Celeste hurried to answer it. Lauran hovered behind me curiously. I was about to tell her to go listen some more to Alicia and Ginny when Celeste called from the foyer, "Lauran, Dean came too!" Lauran hurried off.

"Come on, we'll go upstairs into my room," Greg said ushering us out of the room, "It's okay to tell Riley about the mission Logan. She'll understand, after all we're talking about Lily."

"What?" I asked sharply.

"It's a long story," Logan said.

"I've got time," I replied.

"Okay, then I'll start at the beginning. First of all I've been working for the Ministry this summer. They wanted a few kids who had been at Hogwarts to help with the hunt for Lily and Moresby and Morgan and I got picked. We've been helping all summer, doing spy work in Moresby's old groups and things like that.

"Well, last night was supposed to be our final night. I went down to this pub and pretended to be waiting for my mum when I was really listening for any clues as to Moresby's whereabouts. Morgan was stationed in the rafters wearing an invisibility cloak and acting as a look out.

"We were about to leave when Lily and Moresby walked in. Lily recognized me and they caught me. I struggled and they beat me up pretty well. Morgan realized that she wouldn't be any help if she was caught too so she waited until they were asleep and rescued me. We had to hide in the forest and then came here as fast as possible. It's safe because none of that gang is going to venture within twenty miles of London, not to mention Riley."

I sat shocked at Logan's story. Lily was getting worse than I thought.

"If they weren't sure to be long gone by now I'd go after them," I said angrily, "But there's nothing we can do but get you to report to the Ministry and get them on the hunt."

"I'm glad I couldn't get out last night," Greg said, "if they beat you up imagine what they would have done to me."

"I was wondering where you'd been sneaking off to every night," I commented, "You've been tagging along with them haven't you?"

"Yes, I wanted to help catch Lily," Greg replied.

"Logan tomorrow we're going to pay the Ministry of Magic a little visit, but we'd better alter your story a little bit. They don't think Lily's bad, remember?" I thought about how we could change the story just a little and make it sound like Lily was being held against her will.

"We'll tell them the real story only modified so it sounds like Lily asked Logan for help and Moresby caught on." Morgan said, "Can we eat? We haven't eaten since dinner last night."

"Come on, we've got plenty of food," Greg led them downstairs, "Coming Riley?"

"No," I replied thinking about what I had just heard. I was positive that Lily was causing trouble and was determined to let the world in on the truth.