One
It was a quiet summer morning and the sun was shining brightly in the sky. Warm days like that one weren't very common in London, therefore, when one appeared it had to be enjoyed. However, Erin wasn't able of doing so. Only a few days ago she had received one of the worst news of her life: Albus Dumbledore had been murdered by Severus Snape. Erin had never liked him while she studied at Hogwarts but she never thought he would be capable of doing something like that.
She had been waiting for a little while, sat in a small restaurant in Diagon Alley. She was starting to worry about the person she had to meet there but he had never let her down so she stayed. When he finally arrived, Erin had already ordered a tea to make the waiting easier.
''Thank you for your patience, Erin.'' He said as he arrived.
''No problem.'' She answered while standing up.
She stretched her hand, politely, to the man who had been her boss in the last years, Kingsley Shacklebot. It had been a long time since they had seen each other and Erin wished the circumstances were different.
''How are you? ''Erin asked sitting down again.
''We've had better days, right?''
She nodded with a sad smile on her face. The truth was that she was afraid of what would happen from that moment. Hogwarts was no longer a safe place for anyone and neither would be the Ministry soon. Dark times were coming, she could feel it.
''Why have we met here, sir? '' She asked, confused.
''I thought this would be a nice place.'' Kingsley said. ''You don't need to call me sir; we've talked about it plenty of times. There is something I need to ask you.''
She looked at him with expectation. Erin didn't know what he could want from her.
''I'm afraid things are getting harsh now. There are going to be a lot of changes as well.'' He explained. ''A muffliato has been casted so I can tell you what I'm up to. I've been chosen to protect the muggle Prime Minister. ''
Erin had her eyes wide open, surprised. Everything had turned dangerous since a couple years ago due to Voldemort's return but muggles needing protection from wizards was something else.
''You won't be the Auror's chief anymore.''
''I'd still be. ''Kingsley clarified. ''But I'm not omnipresent, that's why I need you and many others. You know about the Order and it's pretty clear you want to join it.''
She nodded and took a sip of her tea.
''You are one of the best aurors of your promotion, perhaps the best. I'm going to grant you your wish but maybe not in the way that you want. You won't be taking part of field missions.''
''But'' She started doubting what she was going to say. ''What would I be doing then? I've never done anything else.''
She had never been left out from any mission that required her skills. She had hardly done paperwork so she couldn't imagine what he wanted her to do in the Order if it didn't mean fighting Voldermort and his followers.
''The task I'm given to you is quite important anyway, do you understand? There are a lot of people we can trust in the Order, Erin but you are the right option for this job. They've accepted so it's up to you. ''
''Fine.'' Erin sighed.
She was going to do whatever Kingsley asked her to do as she had always done before. In addition, it was the Order of the Fenix, Dumbledore himself had founded it. How could she say no?
''We shall enjoy our meal, then. ''She spoke. ''We may not have free time in the following months. ''
''You are right. ''Kingsley sounded a bit worried.
''What do I have to do exactly?''
All the mystery was eating her alive, but at the same time she was proud of what she'd achieved. It hadn't been easy to be noticed amongst so many proud Gryffindors and Ravenclaws. Erin could be brave too after all.
''You'll be my messenger, the spokesperson of any communication between myself and the Order and vice versa. You can intervene too, as long as is necessary. ''
It sounded to her as if she was going to be an owl but she didn't say a thing.
''You have another task but you'll understand it better when I take you to the headquarters tomorrow.''
Kingsley didn't give her any more details during that morning. They talked about their respective families, and his boss recommended Erin to say goodbye to her family and friends. The following day, she will be going away although she didn't know where she was heading. Erin did as she had been told but she stopped first to buy an ice cream at Fortescue. She indulged herself, just for once. She wasn't going to have a normal summer and she knew it; nobody knew when the war will end. They didn't even know if it would end. Erin enjoyed every single lick of her chocolate mint ice cream as if it was the first time she had tasted it.
She walked peacefully to her parent's shop, located in a street nearby Diagon Alley. The sun was still warming her naked arms. Erin had always loved summer, going to the beach, walking by the shore...everything she couldn't enjoy at the moment. She was willing to leave it aside.
She entered the shop's door, painted in a dark green tone and a bell ringed. It made the same sound every time a costumer walked in so her parents knew when someone entered. The shop was a bit chaotic; there were hanging plants in the ceiling and loads of shelves full of floral plants, aromatic ones and others. Everything you needed if you wanted to study herbology was there. Her parents were rather proud of her job. Erin thought that somehow she had let them down by not choosing to help them with the store. It would've been easier and she knew it, but she didn't want it easy. She wanted a job that allowed her to feel fulfilled and help others at the same time.
''Mum, it's me!'' She shouted when she passed the entrance.
The shop was empty at that hour so Erin grabbed her wand and hanged a closed sign on the door. She wanted privacy to talk to her parents. Turning around, she saw a head rearing from the central corridor. Her mum's face, Katherine's face, was unmistakable.
"Erin!''She said smiling joyfully.
She stepped of the ladder where she was standing and both met in the middle of the shop. They hugged and Erin felt her mother's comforting hands on her back. This gave her all the strength she needed. She wished she'd hugged her days before.
''Are you okay, honey? ''Her mother asked as they broke the embrace.
''More or less. ''She answered. Her mother touched her own blonde hair, as blonde as her daughter's. ''I guess you've heard about Dumbledore.''
The woman's eyes reflected sadness.
''Yes, it's everywhere now. We can't believe it.''
Erin felt the same; it was unbelivable that someone as important as Dumbledore had died in that way. The details of his death hadn't been revealed to the general public but she was sure people had already elaborated their own theories.
''Are your friends alright?''
''Yes. I've seen Kingsley today. The Weasleys are okay. ''Erin was particularly worried about Fred and George, who had been her friends since first year. ''Harry is fine too, as Hermione and the rest. Hogwarts is no longer a safe place. ''
Had it been a safe place anyway, all the previous years?
Her mother looked horrified.
''What will you do?''
Katherine was aware that Erin's job meant revealing secrets was forbidden but she still asked. Her daughter understood how worried her parents were ever time something serious happened. Fearing for her safety was completely normal but after more than three years they should've got used to it.
''There's something I have to do, mum. That's why I came; I do not know how much it will last. ''Erin leaned against the shelves for a moment. ''I won't have time to visit you and dad.''
She wished he had been there too.
''The only thing we have ever wished is that you never had to live a war as we did. ''Her mother said, referring to her and her husband. ''And now you'll have to fight.''
''Everyone is going to fight back. ''Erin corrected. ''If it is not safe for you and dad to be here I'll warn you.''
''Are you leaving now?''
Erin didn't want to leave her parents. She had rarely seen them in the last six months, and she hadn't had time to have a social life either. In moments like that, she missed her life as a Hogwarts student and all the freedom she'd had. At least, her job was reassuring.
''I'm going to see dad with you. We'll have dinner and I'll go to my place to pick some things. I'll be leaving tomorrow.''
Katherine nodded. She had glanced down in a way that let Erin know she understood but didn't share the risk that her job implied. They had a very different lifestyle.
Erin couldn't help but wonder what the following day would bring her.