Book One: The Birth of the Order
Chapter 2
"So where exactly will this be? the Order of the Phoenix, I mean. Will we have a base or headquarters?" Marlene asked.
"Dumbledore says we'll be meeting in the Hogshead pub in Hogsmeade" James replied to Marlene. "We'll change headquarters when needed. I don't know what Dumbledore is going to ask us all to do. We may be spying on death eater affairs to gather what their next move will be and stop it. I'm sure we'll have to duel so I would start practicing spells again."
"We should arrange for some dueling practices together. Since we will most likely be fighting alongside one another it would be best to know one another's strengths and weaknesses." Remus suggests.
"That's a good idea, Moony. For all who have decided to join, Dumbledore has invited you to the meeting tonight."
Sirius raised an eyebrow. "But the Hogshead? Isn't that a little public for a meeting like this?"
"We're meeting upstairs in a private room. Apparently Dumbledore knows the bartender" James replies.
Remus nudges Sirius. "They have the firewhiskey you like there. I'm surprised you of all people would object." He says with a smile.
Sirius smirked, "I wasn't complaining, Moony." He finished the last of the firewhiskey he had ordered in agreement with Remus's statement.
"Just what we need, Black to be less sober than he already appears." Tabitha smirked at her own remark and leaned back in her chair while fiddling with her claddagh ring.
He gave Tabitha a grin. "I'll just pretend to be sober, Delaney. I've gotten good at it." He pushed the empty glass farther away from himself, leaning back in his chair.
Remus looks between the two of them. "Sirius is a friendly drunk though. He has a temperament of a puppy dog."
Lily cleared her throat to keep everyone on topic then looked to James "So what time is the meeting?" She asked as she sipped her butterbeer.
"In a couple of hours to go over some things with Dumbledore," James replied with a grin, handing Lily a napkin. "That is a lovely butterbeer cream mustache you're wearing" Lily took the napkin and wiped her mouth quickly. She saw Peter sitting at the table and staring downward. "You've been quiet, Pete."
"Huh?" He looks up at her and glances to everyone else who has now started staring at him. "Well, I just think you lot are all talking about it like we are going back to school. Practicing duels, getting into mischief… it all sounds fun and exciting but what James said about possibly dying… well, am I the only one that resonated with?"
"I don't know what Dumbledore has planned for us" James said to Peter, "but I'm sure there will be danger." He tried to hide any signs that he was worried. "But I know this is the right thing to do." Just as James said the words, he noticed a familiar figure pass the window before them. A slender, tall boy roaming the streets of outside. It was someone he hadn't seen since school. He stood up, letting go of Lily's hand. "I'll expect to see you all tonight then." He looked down to Lily. "I'll be right back, I just have to go to Gringotts and make a deposit. You go ahead to the ice cream shop. I'll catch up." With that, he exited the leaky cauldron and headed out into the streets of Diagon Alley. Not two seconds into his treck, he spotted the boy again among the crowd. "Regulus?"
The boy stopped and the house elf beside him looked back and said, "They're coming for you, Master Regulus." Regulus glanced over his shoulder to James. His eyes were cold and stern and his face was the typical countenance that every Black carried. He met eyes with James for only a moment before turning and hurrying through the crowd towards Knockturn alley.
James chased after him, weaving through crowds of people. "Regulus! I just want to talk!"
Regulus stopped and turned around, his wand at the ready "What do you want?" They stopped in a small alley, secluded from the crowds of Diagon alley.
James held his hands up to suggest he had no plan to harm Regulus or his house elf. Still, he stayed on alert in case Regulus didn't comply so he could dodge a spell. "Alright. Just lower your wand...and we can talk."
"Just a talk, eh?" He glanced over James' shoulder to ensure nobody was with him before lowering his wand. "What is it you want?"
James looked around to make sure no one could see them. "I want to offer you a way out. You don't have to do Voldemort's bidding. If you leave the Death Eaters, I can offer you protection through Dumbledore. I know you think this is what you're destined to do. I know you think this is what your parents want for you. But I'm telling you. If you stay with Voldemort, he's only going to use you and once he has what he needs, and from the first mistake you make, he will kill you. You're 16-years-old. You're in way over your head."
"I'm not falling for this, Potter. I know that this is just one of your classic schemes."
"Regulus, I'm not joking" James's expression was serious. "You don't know what you're dealing with. You won't be alone if you leave the Death Eaters. You could go back to school. Sirius I'm sure would be more than happy if you choose to join us. What I'm saying is, the Death Eaters don't have to be your only option. You can leave all this behind you."
"Can I?" He said it with more sarcasm than anything else.
James nodded, "Yes. Just trust me."
Regulus didn't say anything for a long moment. His expression softened and he looked as if he was truly debating the choice. "Master?" His house elf pulled on his sleeve. "We have to leave this place." Regulus didn't break his eye contact from James until a voice was heard up the ally.
"I would listen to your elf, Black."
James looked up and saw the slender young man walking up behind Regulus. "Snape."
"Potter." He stared down his long nose at him, his wand in his hand. James noticed and quickly, but calmly said, "I don't want trouble."
"That's a change. What do you want, Potter? Want to steal another friend from me?"
"I don't recall that being how it happened."
"What a surprise. Perfect Potter never remembers his faults only his triumphs. Well, here is a failure for the books, Head Boy." He looked at Regulus and nodded up the ally. "Let's go, Regulus."
The younger boy turned and started up the alley, only for James to call after him. "Regulus…" but he was stopped when he heard Sirius' voice calling him from the street.
Snape gave a little bow and smirked. "Your followers are waiting, Lord Potter." With that he turned and James resisted the temptation to have a row then and there.
Elise Starke, a petit and attractive young woman hurried down the cobblestone road, muttering to herself while tucking away her ministry badge. Bloody animagus registrations had her working past quitting time and now she was late. Lily had contacted her late the night before, letting her know to meet at Diagon Alley. Dumbledore had also mentioned on his last ministry visit that he was holding a meeting to discuss forming an order and he advised her not to miss it. If worst came to worst she could get the details from Dumbledore once the newly formed Order reported back, but Elise was always one to love being in the thick of things. Up ahead she spotted Peter and Remus, both of whom she had gone to school with, though they never ran in the same circles. They seemed to be either on the lookout for someone, or utterly lost. Dumbledore had said that James was heading the meeting, so wherever Peter and Remus were, James couldn't be far. "Hey there. You guys alright?" Elise asked quietly as she approached them.
Remus turned around and saw Elise. He didn't know her that we'll but remembered her from school. "Elise! Yes, we just seemed to have misplaced James." He said joking as he kept an eye out for him.
"Found him," Sirius shouted as he ran up to the group, James behind him, and prevented Elise from responding. "Oh, hello…" He looked her up and down and tiled his head as he pondered from where he remembered the attractive young woman. "Starke. Elise Starke, isn't it?"
"Sirius. Good to see you again. Also, it's good to know you remember people from school outside you four lads. Speaking of, where is Potter? Lupin here says you've lost him."
Sirius pointed over his shoulder, not removing his eyes from Elise. "On his way. I found him near Gringotts. Apparently he needed to make a deposit." He looked to Remus and Peter. "Total lie, by the way. I just can't get him to admit what mischief he was really up to."
Remus grinned and looked back to Elise. "You were saying." Lowering her voice, Elise answered him with three simple words: "Dumbledore sent me." There is a surreal silence between them until a voice from behind breaks it, causing Peter to jump.
"Elise, come on! I said I was sorry about keeping you late!"
Her co-worker's voice caught Elise's attention and she closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose before pivoting around on one foot to look behind her.
"N-Nessa?" Peter said as his fears were confirmed and Nessa McCrimmon approached. She had managed to get herself situated in Animagi regulations after she left school. Her affinity for magical creatures and her uncanny senses inherited from her Seer great aunt had made her a perfect candidate for the job. Just the night before she had been late working on an assignment with Elise, and now, she being who she was, was sure she was the reason Elise seemed so agitated. She was busily trying to catch up with her active coworker.
"Nessa, I'm not angry at you. I was upset because I was supposed to meet fo- friends." Having caught herself from divulging her actual mission, Elise quickly stepped between Remus and Sirius and attempted to throw an arm over both of them. It was awkward, both men having been much taller than her, so instead she linked her arms through both of theirs. "See? Frienddds." Elise reiterated, peeking at both of their faces, as she was sure they were not amused.
Just up the street, Lily and Tabitha were approaching. Crimson had vanished from the pub and Marlene went to inform others about the upcoming meeting at the Hogshead. "Lily, you know it had nothing to do with you."
"You leaving? I know Tabs. I just wish you would tell me why. You used to tell me things all the time."
"We were kids."
"I know. It was a different time. Still, I'm always here for you."
Tabitha nodded and smiled as they walked. "Thanks, Lil." She looked ahead and stopped when she saw Elise with her arms over Sirius and Remus. "Did one of the boys get a girl? I thought they were the lone wolf and eternal bachelor."
"Not that I know of. That's Nessa. You remember her. I don't think I ever introduced you to Elise Starke."
"Starke? Oh, the girl one year younger than us but always got top marks?"
"Yes, that's the one."
"I remember her brother. Talkative bunch."
"Come on." She beamed as she thought of seeing her old friends again, but Tabitha fell slightly behind as they caught up with the boys at the same moment James did. "Girls," he said. "Sorry I took so long. Nessa and Elise, good to see you again. How goes the ministry game?"
"You know," Elise said with a shrug then hugged Remus and Sirius. "It has it's good days."
"Clearly," Tabitha mumbled.
Elise would have had to have been blind to not see the shade that Tabitha threw at her. Taking a moment to cover her embarrassment, she dropped her arms to her sides and shifted slightly away from the two men. Stepping toward Tabitha, Elise offered a smile and a hand to shake. "Hi, I think I was a year behind you at school, but I remember seeing you around the commons."
"Good to see you again, Elise," said Lily as she looked over at Tabs.
Tabitha glanced at Elise's hand then to the look on Lily's face. She shook hands still with a blank expression "Tabitha Delaney. You'll have to forgive me. I knew a lot of people, being a secret keeper of sorts in common room. People got mixed up and I don't remember meeting you." She removed her hand and slightly stepped back towards the boys in a protective manner. Remus noticed the way Tabitha was acting and gave Sirius a look that clearly asked if he knew what was going on.
Sirius merely shrugged and looked to Nessa. "Red. Good to see you haven't changed. Working in a fancy ministry job and still terrifying Pete." Nessa gave a smirk to Peter which seemed to make him stiffen.
Elise looked at the others and brought the conversation out of its awkwardness. "So, uh. I'm sorry if I missed the get together. But I am interested in, you know, joining the "league." If you all are interested in having me, I'm a very good asset to have."
"Of course, Starke. The more the merrier," James said as he took her hand and shook it. He couldn't help but glance at Nessa, wondering if she would also offer her aid. Dumbledore had spoken to her but she had been reluctant to give a definite answer. She wasn't ready to be thrown into a war. James seemed to read her thoughts. "War is coming whether we like it or not. We need all the help we can get. We're meeting tonight with Dumbledore in the top room of the Hogshead."
"Keep your voice down, James!" Peter said as he looked around nervously.
"Ok, Pete, I'm sorry. Let's get some ice-cream in you and maybe you won't be so tense."
"You think you can bribe me with food?"
"Yes," Sirius, James and Remus said in unison and Peter looked offended. He held his nose in the air but still marched into the ice cream parlor.
Lily laughed, "I'll join. Who knows the next time we will be able to just relax with a cone of ice cream? Tomorrow…"
"Is no good worrying about today," James said as her took her hand. He looked to the others. "Who else is coming?"
"I'll be two seconds," Tabitha said. "I've got to get some owl feed for Paddoc." With that she turned and walked to the owl post. Sirius watched her walk off as everyone passed him. Nessa looked to him and nodded to the ice cream shop. "Black?"
"You go, Red. I'll catch up." He then jogged after Tabitha.
Knockturn alley was a dismal place. The windows were blackened from the dirt that long had settled there and water from dark, damp corners leaked onto the stone streets. Among the odd characters that collected in this dreary corner of the world, was a girl named Ruby Hale. The recently graduated witch leaned against a wall and waited patiently for other members of Voldemort's ranks. It had been easy for her to make the choice to join, being an outcast from her own family she didn't have anywhere else to go. It was high time someone recognized her intellect as an asset instead of annoying and welcome her to a life she deserved. The clop of heels on stones brought her eyes up and she grinned at the sight of Regulus with his house elf. "Look who is finally here. Lord Voldemort's little prince."
"Don't call me that."
"What were you doing in Diagon Alley?"
"You have to walk through it to get here, you know."
"Yes, but it doesn't take as much time as you've been gone. Careful, Regulus. Someone may think you were having second thoughts about your loyalties."
"And yet it is I who have pure blood, not you. So if Voldemort had to weed someone out of the heard, who do you suppose he would start with?" His words silenced her but not before earning a cold glare. "That's what I thought," he said with a posh tone. "Now then, where is the meeting with the dark Lord?"
"He won't be joining us today."
"I'm not surprised."
"Sad? Don't worry, Regulus. I'm sure you'll have a chance to show off in front of him soon enough." Regulus couldn't even respond before a cloaked figure walked towards them. Ruby took out her wand, only for Regulus to take her wrist and lower it. The stranger joined them and removed her cloak, letting her dark hair fall down her back.
"Crimson," Regulus said. "What kept you?"
"Why does it matter?" Crimson asked. She had sneaked away after the meeting at the Leaky Cauldron. She used the excuse that she had errands to run and wouldn't have time to join the others for dessert at Florean Fortescue's. Ruby looked between Regulus and Crimson.
"Easy," said Ruby in shock. "It's not like you two to quarrel. Let's not break up the only unhappy couple in the alley."
"We aren't a couple," Regulus hissed. Ruby just shrugged her shoulders and began to walk to the back of Knockturn Alley. Crimson and Regulus stayed behind a bit while Kreecher took the cloak from Crimson with a tiny bow to her.
"She is her usual self today I see," Crimson said while watching Ruby strut away.
Regulus nodded back and replied, "Oh yes. She will do anything to prove herself more worthy than the rest of us."
"What do you expect? We have the head-start being pureblood. But you would be smart not to cross her, Regulus."
"I'm not afraid of that witch. She has nothing to frighten me with but words."
"Exactly. She has nothing to lose. I don't know if you recall but she was top of her class in school. She could best anyone at duels and hexes. Who knows how she has been perfecting her skills since. It would be wise for you to keep the peace."
"Don't start talking like you actually care about what happens to me, Crimson."
"Why shouldn't I? You're the only friend I've got these days."
"Oh? Well then if we are friends… tell me why I spotted you with Lily Evans in Diagon alley a little while ago."
Crimson met eyes with him briefly before looking around the rest of the dark alley. "Keep your voice down, Black. I don't want people getting the wrong idea."
"Oh, it's too late for that. At least, it is for me."
"She's an old friend. It would raise suspicion if I just stopped talking to her. Especially with your brother hanging about her, he won't fail to remind everyone about my family's loyalties."
"Why do you care about a blood traitor like him?"
"I don't. But I can't have anyone putting the idea in their minds that I'm a death eater. They… they trust me. I think I could use that to our advantage."
Regulus stared at her for a long time, trying to decide if he believed her words. "How do I know you haven't given this speech to them about us?"
"You don't, Black. However, I know you will still trust me."
"What makes you say that?" He asked as she walked up the street to where Ruby had wandered.
Hearing his question made her pause then look back with a smirk. "Because I'm also the only friend that you have got these days."
"Hold on, Sirius," Elise shouted as she caught up with him. "I have to mail something to my brother. Of course, it's more ideal that we speak in person but I don't have time for that."
"Sure, Starke." Sirius was quiet as they walked beside each other. He glanced over at her and noticed a look of concern on her face. "Everything alright?"
"How can anyone help but worry these days?"
"I suppose. But keep your chin up."
"You know, I can't tell if that is you being naive or optimistic."
"Me being naïve? Please, Starke." He held the door to the owl post open and gave a little bow to which she rolled her eyes then entered.
Tabitha was inside at the counter already ordering barn owl feed when she saw them both enter. She set a galleon on the counter and looked over her shoulder at Sirius. "What's she doing here?" She nodded back to Elise who was writing out a letter at a back counter.
"Well she didn't come in for the smell," he said wrinkling his nose. "You have a problem with Starke?"
"I just don't think it wise for a girl her age to be flinging herself at men."
"Flinging herself? Oh," Sirius smirked as he recalled how their greeting with Elise earlier may have come across as flirty. "She wasn't flinging herself, Delaney. Don't get me wrong, she is very pretty and I am… well, I'm me, but you've got the wrong idea."
"Oh…" She instantly felt guilty for judging Elise and glanced back to Sirius who was staring at the other girl now. She smirked and said, "Don't let Marlene see you looking that way. She may get jealous."
"Why, because she and I went on a few dates and attended the year-end party together? Not that you would remember any of that."
"If you're going to lecture me about leaving Hogwarts so suddenly I would rather not hear it, Black," She said it softly for she truley felt bad "I had my reasons."
"Clearly. I'm just more interested in what they are." He went to lean on the counter but stopped when he saw owl poo everywhere.
"I just didn't. I was ready to be finished with school, you know. Besides why do you care? I mean I know we were more civil to each other in our last year but it's not like I thought my leaving would offend you of all people." She turned and starred at some of the baby owls in the rafters.
"If you didn't think I cared, Delaney, why have you been avoiding me? Why have you been avoiding us all for a year?" He asked. Sirius wasn't entirely sure why it bothered him so much that Tabitha had left the way she did, she was right, after all, they had never exactly been close. They hardly ever exchanged glances in class except with a look of competitiveness or contempt. In their first year, Sirius and Tabitha became rivals. Their first conversation was one of bitterness and hostility. Since that day, Black and Delaney couldn't stand each other.
Now, frustrated by Sirius' prodding questions, Tabitha faced him and groaned in Irish, "le haghaidh an grá Dia, Black!" She motioned between the two. "Because of this. Be I knew you all want answers about why I left even though it's none of your bloody concern. Sometimes I think you're nosier than I am."
"Oh please," Sirius rolled his eyes, "I'm just wondering what could possibly have been more exciting than the wizarding world without that bloody trace on you."
"Black... I said I had my reasons. Curiosity is fun and all, Black, but don't try to figure me out." She ruffled his curly hair and walked out in front of him. "You'll just hurt yourself."
The Adventure Continues Next as We Meet the Enemy and Get to Know the Order
Dear Friends: I apologize for areas I had to add dialogue for your OC's and Cannons because there were some gaps. I hope I did them justice and nothing was out of character. I hope re-reading all of these comments on one page brings back memories. Love you guys long time, ok?