Chapter 1: Enter as a guest, leave as a friend

The evening of June the 5th was rather unremarkable to the residents of the street Grimmauld Place. Through the open windows parents could be seen tucking children into bed, friends gathered around their televisions, lovers making up after a quarrel. The moon was nearly full, but no one would be able to tell due to the black clouds further darkening the night sky. All seemed to be still.

Pop! The noise cut through the quietness of the evening.

A woman appeared in the shadow of the houses. She began looking at the houses, searching for one in particular.

"Damn city suburbs. Can never find anything. Everything looks so cookie-cutter," she mumbled. Unlike the residents of the sleepy street, this evening had not been average for her.

Evelyn Turner, a 27 year old American witch, had traveled across the ocean via portkey at the request of one Albus Dumbledore. Of course it couldn't have been a smooth trip, no the portkey had to malfunction and put her in Tokyo instead of London. This error made her 4 hours late for a meeting at 12 Grimmauld Place, the Order of the Phoenix headquarters. She was now trying to navigate her way up the street, for the 3rd time mind you, because who can see anything let alone tiny house numbers and street signs in the dark.

Eve slowly walked back up the street until she came to a small square.

"Number 10, 11, 13, 14 – what the?" She stared intently at the place where number 12 was clearly supposed to be. She stuck her hand in her jacket pockets, "Where's that stupid note? Ah, here."

The headquarters of the Order of the Pheonix may be found at number 12, Grimmauld Place, London

"Number 12, Grimmauld Place, London. Well, that's a lot of help, Dumble-"

As soon as she said the words, a grimy looking house popped into place between numbers 11 and 13. The paint was peeling off the door, showing its age. Eve jumped back as a black wrought iron gate came up through the ground, inches away from where she had been standing.

"Geez, talk about the gates of death," she muttered as she made her way up to the door. She knocked and waited for a few moments but no one came. After several attempts at knocking she tried the doorknob and found it unlocked. She opened the door and poked her head in. A long hallway met her eyes, carpets worn and wallpaper peeling. Old gas lamps on the walls were lit and gave the hallway a gloomy, eerie feel.

Eve quickly stepped in and shut the door. "Hello?" The house was seemingly still as she slowly crept down the hall. "This is seriously reminiscent of the Shining right now," she whispered to herself. Portraits hung haphazardly on the wall, black with age. She heard muffled yelling from the door at the end of the hallway and she walked faster down the hall towards them.

As Eve approached the door and voices, she turned to look at some of the old pictures on the walls. Nothing was very discernable but as she turned to look at one with a creepy eye peering out, she tripped and fell face first.

Crash!

Eve winced as the voices that had been getting steadily louder were now completely silent. She stood up and put the offending item, what appeared to be a severed troll's leg, back into position. After she was sure her cheeks were no longer hot with embarrassment, she slowly took the final steps to the door. She breathed deeply, hand on the knob. "I can do this."

She twisted the doorknob before she convinced herself to walk back out the way she came. Door open, the room looked to be a sort of big kitchen/dining room. Around the large table in the center were about 15 to 20 persons, all of them staring directly at her.

Eve took a deep breathe before saying, "Sorry I'm late, my portkey was redirected to Japan."

The words had left her mouth right before a blur with pink hair bowled into Eve, almost making her fall for the second time that evening.

"Evie!"

Recognizing the voice with a laugh she yelled back, "Dora!"

The metamorphmagus known as Tonks pulled out of the hug at arm's length so the girls could look at each other when an amused voice broke in with "Dora?"

Tonks whipped around and fixed the person who had posed the question with a venomous glare and fire colored hair. "Call me Dora, Mundungus Fletcher, and I'll Bat-Boogey your sorry arse in a second flat." The offender wore a horrified expression as Tonks turned back to Eve.

"Dumbledore said we had someone joining us for a mission, I didn't know it was you! Why didn't you owl me you numpty!" She emphasized her point with a punch to Eve's arm.

"I didn't owl you because Dumbledore said it was supposed to be a secret, Nymphie"

The fire colored hair was back. "Don't call me that! Come to think of it you haven't owled me since that nutter you call a friend tried to pull your pants- Ouch! What was that for?!"

Eve had pinched her before hissing in a low voice, "Not here you idiot!" She glanced at the room full of people staring even harder than before as her cheeks turned red.

Tonks seemed to realize her mistake as Dumbledore interrupted the two.

"I am extremely sorry to break up what seems to be a truly heartwarming reunion between friends, but we do have business to attend to." He smiled and motioned at Eve, "If you would be so kind, my dear, to join me here at the head of the table?"

The two friends shared a brief smile before Eve made her way over to the head master. He put his arm on her shoulders as he turned them to the table full of people.

"As I was saying before, we have someone joining us to help with the mission concerning the group of people in France we are trying to recruit." He smiled once more and squeezed Eve's shoulder as he said, "This is Evelyn Turner. She is a witch joining us all the way from America where she is an auror and an active member of a group fighting against Death Eaters."

A wiry looking man with crazy curls two seats down on the right-hand side piped up, "I imagine we'll give you a bit more excitement here than you would get in America, eh?"

Eve was silent for a moment before asking, "Excuse me? What's that supposed to mean?"

The man's smile wavered for a moment before he replied, "Well, you can't have too much trouble, right? The real fight is right here, in England."

"Why, because Voldemort's here?" A few people winced at her use of the name.

Unaware of the hole he was digging himself, curly top continued, "Of course! It's much more dangerous here, what with the Death Eater activities in broad daylight and the ministry on its way to ruin. You-know-who and the trouble he and his lot cause is certainly more prevalent here. It's got to be more violent than anything you could have experienced in America."

"What's your name, curly?"

"Sturgis Podmore."

"Well, Mr. Podmore, you are quite certain of yourself aren't you?" Despite it being a rhetorical question he nodded. Eve internally rolled her eyes before continuing in a too sweet voice with a too sweet smile on her face. "I had absolutely no idea that the fight we've been having with the Death Eaters in America weren't as bad as they are here. I'm certainly going to have to tell that to all of the victims back home. I'll have to let the mother to the 12 year old twin girls who were kidnapped, in broad daylight mind you, and tortured and disfigured beyond recognition because of their background before being left on their front porch for their parents to find know that she shouldn't be bothered because it's not as bad as it is in England. I let the muggleborn women who have survived Dark Revels and the unspeakable things done to them there know they should be happy they aren't in England because I'm sure they would be more miserable than they are now. I'll let the families of the countless muggleborns and half-bloods who have been brutally murdered for existing know to get over their grief because people in England have it worse." She roughly rolled up her left sleeve revealing a gruesome scar on her arm that spelled out the word mudblood and shoved it under his face. "I'll be sure to remind myself that spending a week being tortured for information and dying for 2 minutes really wasn't that horrible compared to England when I have another nightmare about it."

She dropped her smile as she rolled her sleeve back down and leaned over until she and the man were eye to eye.

"Just because you're busy with the goings on of England doesn't mean you should be ignorant to the struggles of others. Because our country is vastly bigger than yours, we have more Death Eaters and more territory to cover. It doesn't mean that what we're going through is more important than what's happening here. Just because Voldemort is located in England does not mean that other people in other countries aren't going through the same hell you all are dealing with here."

By the end of her speech, Podmore was slouching in his seat with a very red face. The room was silent as they regarded Eve, whose young face showed a deep sorrow that aged her.

A throat cleared, "Well, you certainly have quite a bark, Turner." The man who said that was sitting beside Podmore in the chair closer to Eve. He extended his hand to give hers a firm shake. "The names Alastor Moody. According to Tonks and her time working with ya, your bark is much worse." He looked at Podmore and said, "Ya should be glad she didn't lay into ya more'n that. She's got a nasty reputation she does."

"Thank-you, Alastor," Dumbledore interrupted. "We should all remember the danger of the present time we are in. No one takes more priority than anyone else and each life affected or lost is a tragedy." He looked at everyone sitting at the table before smiling his famous smile. "On that note, I believe it's time for dinner. Please make our guest feel welcomed."

Podmore swiftly stood up and exited the room as the other people in the room relaxed and began talking. A short, red-haired woman approached Eve and took Dumbledore's spot.

"Welcome to London, dearie! I'm Molly Weasley and that red-haired man over there is Arthur, my husband. The four boys you see further down the table with red hair are four of my children. The others are upstairs as they're too young for to be in the Order yet. Well, all with the exception of one." Sadness seemed to take over her face for a moment before she gathered herself. "Supper is in a moment, you must be absolutely famished after you trip." She peeled off Eve's jacket and insisted she put it in the closet with the others before walking off to the section that was the kitchen.

Tonks reappeared and gave Eve a knowing smile. "Quite the mothering spirit, Molly is. She'll treat you as if you're one of her own." She tugged Eve down the table. "Come on, I'll introduce you to people." She led her over to the other end of the table, stopping and giving names, until they ended up to a group stood, consisting of the four red-heads Mrs. Weasley pointed out. The four Weasley boys stood with two other men of about mid-30's.

"Guys, this is Evie." The red-head whose hair was longer shook her hand first.

"I'm Bill and this is Charlie. The twins are Fred and George. We apologize in advance for our mum. She can be a bit, erm, too mothering sometimes." Charlie grinned as Bill was speaking and shook Eve's hand as well.

"You've been here not five minutes and you've already put Podmore in his place. You'll do well here."

Eve grinned along while the others chuckled. "He reminds me of someone I know in the US so I have experience in that area." She chuckled before looking at Bill and saying, "As for your mom, she seems really sweet."

"Just wait until she's waking you up early in the morning and giving you cleaning instructions. Doesn't matter how old you are, you're never too old for Molly Weasley to give you a proper tongue lashing," a man who with shoulder length hair and a gaunt face said. He shook her hand and introduced himself. "Sirius Black. I have to apologize as well for the state of this old place. It's pretty rubbish but it does its job as headquarters."

"This is your house, then?" Eve asked.

He nodded, "It was my family's house. Been passed on for centuries. We've got a bedroom cleared out for you but just be careful you don't go into any marked rooms. The Black family didn't favor muggles or muggle borns and I would hate for you to run into any of the nasty curses. We're all working on getting this place cleared up and safe."

"Good to know. You might want to warn people about the gate too. I was almost made a human shish kabob when it came up through the ground."

At that moment Dumbledore appeared at Eve's side.

"I hate to interrupt introductions but if you wouldn't mind following me, Miss Turner and Remus, I have some business to discuss with the both of you before the supper Molly has prepared."

Eve and the man who she now knew was named Remus followed Dumbledore out of the kitchen and into a small study off of the hallway. Waiting with his back turned towards them, was a man Eve had seen briefly when she first opened the door to the kitchen. He had shoulder length jet black hair and when he turned around Eve was drawn towards his equally dark eyes that were assessing her. He wasn't the most handsome man with a nose that was a bit large for his face, but there was something mysterious and off limits about him that intrigued Eve. He seemed to be done his silent assessment of her as he looked at Dumbledore with a bored expression on his face.

"Let's make this quick, Headmaster, as I have other responsibilities to see to this evening and we are already running behind." His silky voice contained some disdain towards herself as he finished his sentence. Clearly, he was not happy that he had been delayed because of Eve.

Dumbledore, however, just smiled at the man. "Surely you can spare us a few more minutes, Severus." He turned to Eve and said, "This is Severus Snape. He is a professor at Hogwarts and is a spy for the Order. He is the one you will be assisting with brewing potions, as we discussed."

Dumbledore had apparently not discussed this with Severus Snape because the man who had been gazing at the clock whipped his head around to all but glare at the old man.

"I don't need help brewing potions, Headmaster," he insisted with force. "I am very capable myself, which I believe I have already proven as I have been the potions professor for 15 years. I have never been unable to do either of my jobs for the Order." He looked Eve over once more before adding with disdain clear in his voice, "And I certainly don't see how some child who likely is an amateur potions assistant is going to be able to meet the high standards you know I have."

Eve smiled sarcastically, "I'm 27 thank-you and I'm not an amateur and I'm definitely not someone's assistant."

Dumbledore interrupted him by holding up his hand. "I am not questioning your abilities, Severus. I am merely giving you the help you are going to need this year. You will have a very busy summer leading into the school year and I need you to be able to focus on other things without having to worry about brewing potions. I have already made arrangements with Miss Turner and my word on this is final."

The look on Severus Snape's face was definitely not what Eve would consider pleasant and she knew then that things with this man would not be smooth sailing.

Dumbledore turned back to her and continued as if his exchange with the now sullen potions master hadn't happened. "You will be brewing potions with and for Severus here. I expect that the both of you have much that you will be able to exchange." He then motioned to the other man in the room. "This is Remus Lupin, whom you have already briefly met. He is the one who will be needing the Wolfsbane potion."

Remus Lupin now looked tense and uncomfortable. To ease some of his apparent apprehension, Eve smiled and extended her hand. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Lupin."

"Please just call me Remus," he said quietly. "So you know about my, condition?"

"Dumbledore only told me in advance so I would be able to be prepared. I can assure you that anything we need to discuss regarding your health and the potion is strictly confidential and won't be told to anyone without your express permission."

"Miss Turner works with an organization in America that is a research hospital for magical illnesses," Dumbledore supplied.

"It's an international research foundation that was originally started to find cures and relief for people who suffer from Werewolfism. I understand that you take the potion developed by Damocles in the 70's?" Remus nodded. "I want to preface what I'm about to ask you by saying that you don't have to do anything you don't want to. If you're uncomfortable at any point, please tell me and we'll stick to your routine. That being said, I do work with a research foundation and I work specifically with werewolves. There has been a new Wolfsbane potion created and it's a bit different from Damocles' potion. Instead of taking a goblet every day a week in advance, you only need to take one the evening before the full moon. It relieves all of the same symptoms but is gentler on your body and I've been told that it tastes far better than the original potion. Is that something you're interested in trying?"

Remus looked unsure as he asked if she was sure it was safe. Dumbledore answered for Eve, "Remus, this potion has revolutionized the way werewolves are able to live their lives."

"It's entirely up to you if you want to do this treatment. As I said before, if you're uncomfortable, we don't have to change anything from your regular routine. If you want, take some time to think about it." She reached into her bag and shuffled things around a bit before pulling some pamphlets out and handing them to Remus and Snape. "These give you a clear outline of what the potion does and how it works. Just let me know when you decide."

Dumbledore clapped his hands together with a twinkle in his blue eyes. "Well then, that's a good idea. Now, Severus, since you have other things to attend to all that's left for me to say is that I expect you to be back here in a couple days to meet with Miss Turner about the potions that need brewing." Snape nodded curtly before promptly exiting the room. The front door slamming was heard only moments after he left. "Now, let's go eat."

The three made their way back to the kitchen where dinner was in full swing. There were more red-headed teens at the table along with a girl with wild curly hair and a boy with dark messy hair and round glasses. She was sat beside Tonks across from the curly haired girl, Hermione and Ginny Weasley. Harry Potter, the boy with the glasses, sat beside Sirius further down the table and Bill and Charlie sat on either side of Eve and Tonks. The twins, Fred and George, immediately made Eve laugh harder than she had in ages. She found out that Charlie worked with Dragons and Bill worked at Gringotts bank and was engaged to one of his co-workers; a fact that Ginny Weasley seemed to be totally thrilled about, not.

She was asked lots of questions about America and what she did for a living and how she knew Tonks. She and Tonks told the story about how they worked an auror case together, an international kidnapping. By the time dinner had ended, Eve felt as if she had known these people for years instead of hours. She laid in her bed giggling over a prank Fred- no George (or was it Fred) had pulled on his youngest brother, Ron the surliest of the Weasley clan by far. She drifted off to sleep fairly quickly and for once she didn't dream of the horrors she had seen in her past.

AN: The first chapter is done! I have loosely edited but it's midnight here and I'm exhausted so there could still be some mistakes. If there are, my apologies. Eve has met some of the gang and they all seem to be getting along well. Except for Snape of course, because it's not going to be that easy ;) Thanks for reading and I hope that you have enjoyed. Please let me know what you think! ~J