Hi—so this IS Under the Moon, but I decided to switch it up and go about things a different way. Very helpful for writers' block. This is the same story, but told in flashes to the Golden Trio's third year. We begin in late June, right after the TriWizard Tournament finished. Please review, and tell me what you think!
Chapter One: Quiet Face, Silent Mourn… (Radio by He is We)
Albus Dumbledore stepped away from his apparition point directly behind a particularly large oak tree. He knew she would be in mourning. He knew in the vampire community it was considered extremely impolite to call now, but he hadn't a moment to lose.
The setting sun bathed the white town home in pink light. His knock was answered by a footman in all-black livery.
"Ah, hello; I'm here to call on Mrs Abbadon," Dumbledore smiled serenely at the young man.
"Lady Adria isn't taking calls." The boy emphasised his mistress' title. Albus mentally shook himself; it had been less than a year since the Adria Malus he knew had become Lady Abbadon. She was no longer a bastard child with her mother's married name, but a member of an aristocratic vampire family in her own right.
"Of course, but there's an emergency concerning a friend of hers, and I thought she should hear it from me. The name is Dumbledore. I'll wait."
The headmaster's smile was friendly, but he made the footman's gaze in such a way that it was perfectly clear he wasn't going anywhere.
"I'll see if she'll receive you," he said reluctantly. Albus stepped inside the vestibule and watched the footman disappear into a room to the left of the small entrance hall. It was all parquet floors and glimmering gold sconces. He'd never been in Byron Malus' country seat in Hertfordshire, but he didn't think it would look quite like this. Malus was an old fashioned man, and based on what Adria had told him about her father, he would shun anything Muggle-looking in favour of the magical alternative.
The footman's steps clicked on the floor as he gestured to Dumbledore. "This way."
The footman showed Professor Dumbledore into the study, where Adria sat clad in a black Muggle dress and low shoes. Her hair was pulled up in a French twist, and she looked older, more seasoned, than she had just a year before. She didn't say anything, just observed him with sober dark eyes.
"I'm sorry to disturb you at this difficult time, Lady Adria,"
"You needn't call me that, Professor." She said politely.
"Mrs Abbadon, then." He took the seat she indicated to him on the settee next to her. "But I have some important business to discuss."
"Certainly." She said. Her cool veneer was perfectly in place. She felt Nicholas' absence keenly, but she was still a proper hostess and a good vampire, half blood though she may be—she could present a stiff upper lip with the best.
"I know in your time of mourning you might not have heard about the conclusion of the Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts this year." At her blank look he continued, "There was some sabotage using polyjuice potion, and one of my professors was a Death Eater in disguise. He arranged for Harry Potter's transport to we know not where, and there Harry says he saw Lord Voldemort come back."
"Come back." She didn't sound surprised at the concept.
"Apparently he was magically able to regain his body, and is on his way to regaining many of his former supporters: starting with the ones who managed to avoid Azkaban." Dumbledore studied her face for a moment. "Mrs Abbadon, I know you were a child when the Wizarding World was at war the last time, but I wonder if you had ever heard mention of the Order of the Phoenix?"
Adria racked her brain before answering. "Not as such, Professor; but my father's house was a stopping point for many a weary Death Eater, and I did catch a few mentions of 'The Order' at that time. I was mostly kept upstairs when my father had guests."
"Of course. The Order, as it is called, is a group of witches and wizards from all walks of life, who share a common goal; the defeat of Voldemort and his plan for the world. As of a few days ago, when Harry Potter saw Voldemort return, The Order reformed to stage some preliminary attacks."
"I see." Adria twisted the silver band on her finger. "Why are you telling me this, Professor?"
"Because, my dear, you are in a unique position; a vampire with pure-blood roots who does not necessarily conform to all she has been taught. Would that be correct?" Adria nodded. "I came to you about The Order today because you are singularly in place to provide us with information, should you choose to."
There was nearly a full minute of silence while the two people regarded one another. "Are you asking me to become a spy, Headmaster?"
"I am. I will not insist on an answer today, but I am asking you to consider just how useful you could be to us. You would not be our only undercover 'agent', as it were; we have several within Voldemort's ranks, and within different communities of his supporters. Death Eaters, criminals, werewolves…"
"Werewolves?" Adria asked, stomach dropping.
"That is the other reason why I am not asking you for an answer today." The Headmaster regarded her with kind eyes over his spectacles. "I would not have come if your husband hadn't recently met a tragic end—"
"You wouldn't have asked if it would mean me lying to my pure blood husband." She finished. "Nicholas was spending a lot of time recently with my father and his friends; and you know… you know who he is, and what he supports." Adria took a moment to compose herself. "You may not have asked for an answer today, but I am giving you one. I'll gladly join the Order of the Phoenix."
"Oh my dear, that is good news. I never like asking friends and colleagues to risk their safety, but I do thank you for your sacrifice."
There was a tense moment while he smiled at her, and Adria whispered, "How is he?"
To his credit, Professor Dumbledore didn't pretend he didn't know who she meant. "A little less well-fed than he was during his time as a teacher, but he does not seem overly concerned about that."
Adria scoffed, but it came out half-sob. "Of course not. Remus never did pay himself any attention. But he's… safe? At least for now?"
"He is." Dumbledore nodded. "He will begin his assignment after the New Year. It is not my place to meddle in this, Mrs Abbadon, but I am always glad to see a little more love in the world. If you were not widowed, I wouldn't have suggested this—seeing you attached to someone else would have pained him, I'm sure—but why don't you come to the next official Order meeting? You can meet everyone, have dinner, catch up—you'll know several of the members, including your uncle."
"Sirius is in the Order?" she asked.
"Oh indeed, he and Remus were members the first time around. With the Potters and Mr Pettigrew, of course."
"Of course." Adria echoed. "Thank you for your offer, Headmaster—I would like to attend the Order meeting with you."
"Wonderful. I will come and retrieve you this coming Tuesday at six o'clock." With a final shake of her hand, the Headmaster of Hogwarts let himself out.
She was different than she was even a year ago—and before that, Dumbledore had been struck by how different she'd seemed from the student he'd known. He'd hired her completely on a whim, because he needed a Muggle Studies professor while Charity Burbage was on maternity leave. Adria had shown up on September first, too late for the staff meeting but just in time for the sorting…
