DISCLAIMER
Buffy the Vampire Slayer belongs to Joss Whedon, and Harry Potter to J.K. Rowling. Star Wars is the property of George Lucas. No money is being made from this story which is purely written for mine, and others, entertainment.
14 February
"Happy Valentine's Day!" Alice and Frank opened the door to their manor, welcoming Buffy and Remus inside.
"Thanks, you too!" Buffy grinned at them. "Is the rest of the Order here already?"
The Order had decided to celebrate Valentine's Day together, rather than with their respective others – unless they were in the Order as well. After everything, Dumbledore felt they needed a get together that wasn't a meeting about the war, but rather just a time to relax and laugh: and what better occasion than during the holiday of love?
"Almost everyone," Alice answered. "Sirius isn't here yet and neither are Caradoc and Eliza. Personally, I think Caradoc's on a personal strike against all the pink around this time of year."
Remus smirked. "So you don't think they'll show up together? They seem pretty tight nowadays, ever since Buffy first paired them up during her training sessions."
Frank rolled his eyes. "Not that tight. I'm fairly certain they're just friends, and it doesn't surprise me: while Caradoc may be a big softie underneath his tough exterior, he's best served in small doses. Besides, Eliza would be mad to try and enter a relationship with someone who runs at the slightest show of affection."
Just as he finished that sentence, two pops of apparition were heard and four jaws dropped as Caradoc showed up – with Eliza.
"Bonjour!" Eliza said with a smile. "I hope we're not late."
"Who cares?" Caradoc grumbled.
"I-I didn't expect you to come, Caradoc," Alice said weakly. "I didn't think this holiday was your thing..."
"It isn't," Caradoc muttered as he stepped inside and made his way to the Longbottom's large sitting room, Eliza, Remus, Buffy, Alice and Frank following behind. "But Dumbledore had the gall to send her over," he gestured to Eliza with his head, "and bug me until I gave in and agreed to come."
Eliza smirked in satisfaction.
"Right...so...you're not together?" Remus asked, almost walking into Eliza's back when both she and Caradoc abruptly froze in their steps.
"...Together?" Caradoc choked out after a long pause.
"Umm...no," Eliza shook her head wildly, her face red. "Definitely not."
Buffy pouted as they started walking again, finally reaching the sitting room and the rest of the Order. "But you'd make a great couple!"
Caradoc and Eliza threw her identical horrified looks. "By Merlin's beard, what's wrong with you, woman?" Caradoc demanded to know.
"What isn't?" James sniggered and Buffy stuck out her tongue at him before taking a seat beside Lily, wearing a rather baggy top. Come to think of it, Buffy frowned, the fashionista in her protesting, so was Alice.
"Well!" Dumbledore stood up, clapping his hands together. "Let me just begin to say how pleased I am everyone took the time to make it here tonight."
Moody snorted. "Were forced, more like," he muttered at Benjy Fenwick, whose lips twitched at the gruff Auror's complaint.
"I have decided we should start up the evening with a little game!" Beaming, the Headmaster held up an old, tattered wizarding hat that had the Order stare in incredulity. The hat was filled with pieces of bright pink parchment. "Now, everyone, just draw a note from the hat and one by one, we'll follow the instructions that are written on them!"
"Albus," Minerva McGonagall almost whimpered. "Is that...the Sorting Hat?"
"Yes, it is!" Everyone jumped as the hat in question began to talk. "And can I just say that while I welcome the break from my normally rather monotonous life, this particular assignment is degrading!"
Edgar Bones coughed uncomfortably when Dumbledore handed him the upside down Sorting Hat, a wide smile still on his face as the Headmaster completely ignored the hat's protests. "Sorry," the Wizengamot member muttered to the hat as he drew a piece of parchment from inside it.
"What kind of game is this, Albus?" Marlene asked, one of the few not to wear an expression of doubt, disgust, worry or disbelief.
"Oh, just something in spirit of the holiday! I want everyone to grow closer and more comfortable around each other," Dumbledore answered cheerfully, causing Gideon and Fabian to burst out into identical grins.
Caradoc closed his eyes in defeat. "I was afraid of that," he muttered.
"I feel your pain, laddie," Moody said, slapping the younger man on the back. "Believe me, I do."
"Well, it could be fun?" Buffy half-stated, half-questioned, not minding a game so much as she minded the fact that Dumbledore had been the one to come up with it.
"And it will be!" Dumbledore promised. "Buffy, why don't you start?" He gave her an encouraging look, and sighing, Buffy unfolded her parchment, quirking an eyebrow at the contents. "Read what it says out loud."
"Umm...everyone with red hair, say something that most people may not have known about you."
"Well, I'll start," Dorcas said after a brief pause. "Something most people probably don't know is that my favourite number is six because in Swedish for example, six is spelled sex." She smirked as Gideon, Fabian and numerous others wolf-whistled appreciatively.
"We're next!" Fabian said. "And since Gideon and I know practically more about each other than ourselves, we'll tell you something about the other. Gideon snores. Loudly."
"I do not!" Gideon protested.
"Yes, you do," Fabian sing-songed. "You sound like an angry boar."
Gideon flushed as the Order sniggered. "Well...you sing in the shower!"
Fabian gasped. "Traitor! You promised never to mention that to anyone!"
Gideon shrugged faux-innocently. "I've got no memory of that."
Lily chuckled at the twins. "Before you two begin to hex each other senseless, I believe it's my turn." She exchanged a meaningful look with James, who nodded and both stood up. "Something about me that most people – other than James and Sirius – don't know, is that I'm pregnant!" She practically squealed, even as a deafening silence fell over the room. And then, it was broken by loud cheers of congratulations.
"That's awesome, Lily!" Buffy grinned, hugging the red-head, feeling a slight bump against her stomach as she did so.
"When are you due?" Peter asked curiously.
"End of July," Lily answered, earning herself a loud gasp from Alice.
"No way!" The blonde exclaimed. "End of July? Me too!"
"You're pregnant as well?" Marlene exclaimed in surprise, and even more joyful exclamations broke out. Alice flushed, having forgotten for a moment she hadn't told anyone except Frank, Augusta, Lily and James.
"Yes...Frank and I were planning on telling everyone today. So...surprise!" Alice grinned, and Frank wrapped an arm around her.
"Well, hell, Alice," Moody grumbled, rather put out at the fact that this would mean he'd soon lose one of his best Aurors.
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Lily exclaimed, her face breaking out into a wide grin. "I bet our kids are going to be the bests of friends."
Dumbledore wore a smile as he congratulated both couples, though his eyes lacked a twinkle as the implications of the news sank in. Two children born at the end of July... born to those who had thrice defied Voldemort. It seemed that the possible end of Tom Riddle was coming closer, just as the prophecy predicted. And while that made him happy, it also made him sad and worried, knowing that it put four of his Order members into an even greater danger than before.
"You're having a baby too, huh?" A slightly hoarse voice said from the door to the sitting room, and everyone turned, coming to face with Sirius Black. "I suppose congratulations are in order. And sorry I'm late."
"N-no worries," James stammered, not having expected him to show up. It seemed like his best friend had finally gotten his act at least somewhat together since his and Lily's visit: Sirius had shaved and showered, and he was wearing clean robes. However, there was no mistaking the paleness in his face, or the dark shadows adjourning his eyes – it was apparent that he was still grieving deeply for Mandy.
"Thanks, Sirius," Frank said as the Black slouched down in a hastily conjured seat.
"So...what are we doing?" He asked uncomfortably.
"We're playing a game," Remus said hesitantly, wondering if Sirius was still mad at him. "Umm...there's probably a parchment for you in the hat if you want it."
Sirius only nodded slightly, but did not acknowledge Remus in any other way. "Remus, it is your turn to draw!" Dumbledore called, and hesitantly, Remus pulled up one of the pink notes from the Sorting Hat.
"Tell everyone about an embarrassing moment for you," he read and immediately flushed as James, Buffy and most of the Order hooted. "Headmaster...is this really necessary?"
"Absolutely!" Dumbledore insisted, nodding firmly.
"Well...James, Peter and Sirius already know this, but while in fourth year, I was setting up a prank in one of the girl's bathrooms." Coughing uncomfortably, he tried to ignore McGonagall's glare of death. "However, James had messed up the potion I was rubbing onto the toilet seat, which was supposed to yell insults when someone sat down... Instead, the toilet in question got loose from the floor and proceeded to chase methrough the school, while throwing insults at me." He threw James a glare even as the rest of the Order practically fell over laughing, and even McGonagall's lips twitched. "Which reminds me, you never apologized for that."
James held up his hands in defeat. "Sorry. But you can't be sure it was my fault!" He smirked. "Maybe you rubbed the toilet the wrong way. Get it? Rubbed it the wrong way?" He burst out laughing at his own joke, while most of the other people groaned at him.
"James, honey," Lily said sweetly, "please don't take this the wrong way, but your puns suck most of the time, unless they're thrown at Voldemort in the heat of battle. Which really isn't that great of an idea either."
"Hey! You're right there with me," James huffed, and then he let an eyebrow rise. "Besides, who's the more foolish: the fool, or the foolwho follows him?"
Buffy began humming on the Star Wars theme, even as Lily's lips twitched. "True."
Caradoc shook his head. "Mad. The lot of you."
"You'd be singing a different tune if you'd seen the awesomeness that is Star Wars!" James protested. "By the way, Buff, when is the second movie released? You promised there'd be more of them!"
Buffy wracked her brains to try and remember. "I'm not sure. It might be this summer or autumn, I think."
"Excellent! I can barely wait!" James rubbed his hands in anticipation. "What about you, Pads?" He asked Sirius, in an attempt to involve him in the conversation.
Sirius managed to bring up a small smile. "Sure. Should be fun."
"Could we get back to the game?" Moody grumbled, feeling the conversation had gotten quite far off the tracks.
Dumbledore beamed. "Why, Alastor!" He exclaimed. "I knew you'd warm up to it. Why don't you draw next?"
Moody groaned even as Caradoc sniggered evilly from beside him.
During the course of the game, it was revealed that Moody liked Dr. Who, Dumbledore disliked Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Benjy had a phobia of bees, Hagrid liked to cook and Eliza to photograph. It was also revealed that Minerva enjoyed listening to the Rolling Stones, Edgar's favourite colour was yellow and Marlene used to own a dog named Betty even though it was male. Something else that was made known was that Sirius hated betrayal (this said with a pointed glare at Remus), Caradoc liked to sleep in on weekends, Frank's worst fear was dying alone and Alice's was that of losing her child.
After the 'meeting' was called to a close, Sirius was the first out the door, quickly followed by Remus. "Sirius, wait!" The lycanthrope called. "We need to talk."
Sirius whirled around, eyes blazing steel grey. "What about?" He demanded to know.
"What happened to Mandy is awful, and I understand that you blame me," Remus said. "I blame myself as well. But what happened was bad luck, okay? I didn't let her get taken on purpose – "
" – Didn't you, Moony?" Sirius interrupted. "Are you sure? You heard what I said in there – I hate betrayal. But you...I want to believe I can trust you, but I can't."
"Why?" Remus asked.
Sirius gave him a long look. "You know why."
"No, I don't!" Remus exclaimed. "And frankly, I'm tired of you acting like this! I can't help what happened in Hogsmeade – I reacted to Buffy getting hurt, and I'm not going to apologize for that, even if I'm deeply sorry for what it led to."
"This is not just about Mandy!" Sirius hissed.
"Yes, it is, and you know it," Remus said sharply. "I know you suspected me of being a traitor before, but whatever it was that made you think that wasn't enough to get you to act on it. Not until Hogsmeade."
Sirius gave him a deep glare. "Believe what you want. I don't care. In fact, I'd prefer it if you'd stay as far away from me as possible."
"You're being unreasonable," Remus said through gritted teeth.
"No, I'm not. I can't help what I feel, Remus, and right now, all I can feel toward you is disgust." With that, Sirius turned around and stalked out of the manor.
Buffy, who'd been watching the confrontation with worried eyes, walked forward and put her hand on Remus' shoulder. "Come on. Let's go home. Sirius' will come around."
Remus slowly shook his head. "I'm not so certain he will."
A knock on the door interrupted Severus' peace, and his eyes narrowed as he put down his firewhiskey, moving to open the door. "What do you want?" He said shortly, only slightly startled at the identity of the visitor. "And how did you find this address?"
"It wasn't that difficult. Aren't you going to let me in?" Dorcas Meadowes asked, looking up at her tall sort-of-but-not-really boyfriend. Wordlessly, Severus held the door open for her and the Order-member stepped inside, looking around curiously. "Nice place. It's very...muggle," she commented.
"It is muggle, what did you expect?" Severus said, walking back to his chair in front of the fire.
Dorcas sat down in the sofa, hands clasped in her lap. "I just came by to wish you a happy Valentine," the red-head said, looking slightly uncomfortable. Snape snorted in derision. "And to see if you were alright," she added.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Severus asked calmly.
"Well, I heard about your father's death," Dorcas mumbled. "It must have come as a bit of a shock."
"Not really," Severus said mildly. "To be honest, I expected it to happen sooner or later."
Dorcas looked confused. "You expected him to drown in the river?"
Severus snorted. "No. But I expected him to die." He threw her a meaningful glance and Dorcas blanched.
"You killed him?" She asked, incredulously.
Emotionless black eyes looked back at her. "Now, did I say that?"
"You didn't deny it," Dorcas muttered, a shiver racing up her spine.
"True," Severus acknowledged.
Not sure if she wanted to know the truth, Dorcas changed the subject: "So this is where you're going to live from now on? Rather than at You-Know-Who's Headquarters?"
"For the most part, yes," Severus eye quirked. "Don't worry: you're still welcome in my bed." He sipped slowly at his firewhiskey.
Dorcas eyes narrowed. "That's still all I am?" She asked. "A bed-partner, even after all this time?"
"That, and a source of information," Severus answered, and then chuckled. "Oh, don't look so disappointed, Meadowes. You knew this was nothing but a business-arrangement when we started – why would a few months have changed anything?" Severus smirked, even though he inwardly felt slightly guilty: he knew he was an arse towards Meadowes most of the time, but what else did she expect? He didn't do emotions. He didn't care about her, and if she thought that would change just because they shared a bed and some information from time to time, then she was delusional. No, she was only convenient. There was only one red-head he really wanted and Dorcas Meadowes was not her.
Dorcas didn't answer. "I guess I should leave," she said instead.
"Perhaps you should. Unless you have any new information on Lily, of course."
Dorcas bit her lip. "Yes, I do. But it's rather personal."
"Personal?" Severus asked mildly. "Well, now you've gotten my interest up. Do tell."
"Why should I?" Dorcas challenged and Severus' eyes grew cold. He placed his fingertips an inch or so above his Dark Mark, relishing in the way the Order-member flinched at the action.
Severus smiled. "I see you understand. Don't forget our agreement, Meadowes. It would be all too easy for me to turn you in as the traitor you are. It's your call."
Dorcas jaw clenched. "Lily is pregnant," she finally said reluctantly.
Severus forced himself not to flinch in shock. "Oh?" He asked mildly. "When is she due?"
Dorcas shrugged. "End of July, if all goes as planned. That's all I know."
"Hmm...well, I expect you can see yourself out." Severus nonchalantly picked up a potions magazine from the table and pretended to begin to read, even though he was unable to focus on a single word. Dorcas' lips pursed in displeasure as she stormed from the room angrily. "Oh, and Meadowes?" Severus asked mildly and Dorcas came to a stop in the doorway, looking hopeful.
"Yes?"
"Don't just show up here without an invitation, next time," Severus said, knowing she was hoping he would ask her to stay, or wish her a happy Valentine in return. The very idea of that was laughable.
Dorcas glared, and left the building, the door slamming behind her.
CRASH!
The vase and the glass of firewhiskey that had been standing on the table smashed into the floor with a loud sound when Severus swept it all away with an angry sweep of his arm.
Pregnant.
Lily was pregnant.
With Potter's child.
The prophecy... Images of newspaper clippings that Severus had been reading with fervour, desperate for any news of Lily flashed before his minds' eye...hailing the Potters as heroes. Born to those who have thrice defied him. How many times had James and Lily stood before the Dark Lord and openly mocked him, defied him?
The Ministry – One time.
St. Mungo's – Two times.
Hogsmeade – Three times.
And the baby was due at the end of July. The seventh month. Born as the seventh month dies.
Inwardly, Severus trembled and felt himself grow cold with the realisation he may have unintentionally put the woman he loved in grave danger. His plans to kill Black were forgotten. While he was vulnerable at the moment, doubtlessly completely destroyed by his girlfriend's fate, he just couldn't bother with him, even though now was the perfect time to strike. If the Dark Lord saw Lily as a threat because of the prophecy...because of the baby she carried...
The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches… Severus' fists clenched. Everything had been so clear just a few minutes ago: he was going to kill Black, let the Dark Lord take care of Potter, expose Meadowes as a traitor, and then, nothing would stand between him and Lily again.
But it seemed fate itself was against him: a whole new set of problems he had not foreseen had shown up, problems that might include the Dark Lord himself.
Could he be sure the Dark Lord would spare Lily? Could he be sure that she would be given to him, like promised? Or would that promise become null and void when it was made clear she was the mother of the child that might be his downfall? Severus sat frozen in his chair, lost in thought, his mind a whirlwind of emotion.
15 February
Knock, knock.
Sirius' head flew up from where it had been resting against the table-top as he heard the noise of someone knocking on his door. Blearily, he glanced at the watch hanging from the wall: it was four in the afternoon.
"Come in," he croaked out, and a second or so later, the door opened, revealing Albus Dumbledore in the doorway.
Sirius blinked in surprise and hastily stood up, swaying slightly on the spot and accidentally knocking over his glass and the nearly empty bottle of Odgen's finest. "Headmaster. What a lovely surprise," he drawled. "Can I get you anything?"
Dumbledore threw a casual look around the mess of Sirius' apartment. "A cup of tea would be welcome."
Sirius frowned. "Sorry," he slurred. "I'm out of tea. In fact, I'm out of a lot of things. Now, alcohol on the other hand...that I have."
"I think I will pass, thank you," Dumbledore said and sat down on Sirius' sofa, once he had cleared it of the bunch of clothes strewn on top of it. "I was pleased to see you at the meeting yesterday, even if you were a bit late. I think your friends appreciated your presence."
Sirius let out a bark of laughter. "Yeah, I bet. Because I'm such pleasant company nowadays."
"Nevertheless," Dumbledore said smoothly, "I took your attendance to mean you were feeling better." He glanced at Sirius hung-over appearance and the empty bottles around the apartment. "It appears I might have been a little too optimistic in my thinking."
Sirius snorted. "There's no need to worry. I'm still up for Order business. Do you need me for something? It's not every day one gets a personal visit from Albus Dumbledore himself."
"Well, Sirius, the truth is I wanted to see how you were doing," Dumbledore admitted. "I can see now that we also need to have a little talk."
"Fire away!" Sirius exclaimed, sinking down onto the chair he'd previously vacated and looking expectantly on Dumbledore.
"You cannot go on like this, Sirius," Dumbledore said bluntly. "You say you are up for Order business, however, from the look of things, I'd have to respectfully disagree." His blue eyes lacked their normal twinkle as he stood up. "Miss Walker would not have wanted this for you. She would have wanted you to fight, and your energy is wasted on a bottle."
Sirius smiled humourlessly. "Is this an intervention, Headmaster?"
"Yes," the Headmaster said. "I need my Order-members clear-headed and ready, and I'm sure the Auror department feels the same way about their recruits. I understand you are grieving, but until you pull yourself together, you are not of any use in this war."
Sirius pursed his lips together. "Is that all?"
Dumbledore sighed. "Yes. Believe it or not, Mr. Black, I did not come here to lecture you. However, I would be more than glad if you take what I've just said to heart. There are people who still need and love you, Sirius. Do not forget that."
16 February
"A report, my most loyal follower," Voldemort told Peter, who swelled up at the praise. "What news from your Order?"
"Not much my Lord," Peter said, bowing. Voldemort rolled his eyes, something that Peter didn't notice. "The last meeting with Dumbledore was more like a game."
"A game?" Voldemort let an eyebrow rise. "Well, if the old coot has time for such things, perhaps I ought to plan something that will keep him busy. But, game or no game, what did you learn?"
"Not much of interest, my Lord," Peter admitted. "Just silly things, like spare-time interests and likes and dislikes. There was…one thing, though I am not sure what use knowing this will be to you."
"Try me," Voldemort prompted, leaning back against his throne.
"The Longbottoms - and Lily and James - they – " Peter hesitated.
"Yes?" Voldemort prompted. "What are my dear rivals up to?"
"They are expecting, my Lord," Peter said. "Lily Potter and Alice Longbottom are pregnant."
Voldemort froze. "Pregnant, you say? Does either of them happen to be due at the end of July?"
"As a matter of fact, both of them," Peter answered, and Voldemort clenched his fists.
"Both of them," he repeated softly as the prophecy Snape had told him crossed through his mind. "How very interesting…"
18 February
Moody looked up from his cubicle at the Auror department, his wand and a curse at the ready as a shadow fell over his desk.
"Reporting for duty, sir," Sirius told the Auror with a mock-salute.
"Sirius," the Auror grunted, slowly lowering his wand. "I wasn't expecting you back at work yet."
Sirius shrugged. "It's not like I've got anything better to do, unless sitting in my apartment and staring at the walls are considered better."
"Well, I am pleased to hear it," Moody said gruffly standing up and slapping Sirius on the back. "I find that grief is best challenged into putting some nasty bastards behind bars. Ready to take out some Death Eaters?"
Sirius smirked humorlessly. "Just point me in the right direction."
Moody chuckled. "That's the spirit. Well, you know where the rest of the recruits are. I expect you'll team up with Potter for training as usual?"
"Might as well," Sirius agreed and began to walk towards the large area in the Ministry reserved for Auror training.
"Hey, lad," Moody interrupted and Sirius came to a stop.
"Yeah?"
"Glad to have you back."
22 February
Buffy anxiously looked at the watch hanging on the wall for the twentieth time in less than an hour. She couldn't stand the wait. Impatiently, she began to pace across the room.
"There's no need to worry, Buffy," she said out loud to herself. "Everything's going to be fine. No one is going to get hurt just because you're not there. Don't blame yourself. I am in no state to help until I get my emotions under control. And now I'm talking to myself. Great." She sighed in frustration, clenching and unclenching her fists.
Buffy was voluntarily sitting at home while the rest of the Order was out helping in another Death Eater attack on the country, this one in a heavily populated muggle area. Buffy knew she would be more of a hindrance than help until she managed to get over whatever block she was suffering from that kept her from going all out in a fight and made her a liability.
The fact that she was staying behind willingly however, didn't make the wait any easier. Half of her was itching to go out there – and at the same time, her other half was screaming that she wasn't ready, that she'd get herself, or someone else, killed. Buffy felt a sharp twinge in her chest – if she'd fought better in Hogsmeade, or even stayed behind, would Mandy still have been taken? Or would she still be here, with her memory intact?
Glancing at the clock again, Buffy fought the temptation to open her empathic connection to Remus to try and figure out what was going on from the emotions he was experiencing: she knew it would be stupid to try – she and Remus were still working on developing and controlling their bond, with mixed success. And they'd never tried in when they weren't in the same room, or close to it. To try it across the country when Remus was in the middle of battle would be idiotic – what if she disturbed him and made him loose his concentration?
Finally, fed up with just waiting and fretting, Buffy ventured down into the basement and decided to vent her frustrations on the equipment there, imagining it was Voldemort she was punching rather than a sandbag. Her temporary outlet ended rather suddenly, however, when she punched it a little too forcefully and she accidentally kicked it off its hook and across the room.
Buffy slumped down onto the training mat with a pout. She was tired of feeling this way, of doubting herself, of not being of any help. She wasn't used to feeling helpless – she was the Slayer, damn it! She'd overcome impossible odds too many times to count. Whatever life threw at her, she could handle! Or so she had thought.
"I wonder what Giles would do if he knew about my issues…" She mumbled out loud, her lips twitching slightly as she realized he would do what he always did: wipe his glasses and consult his books. Absently, Buffy wondered if there even were books on this.
Suddenly, Buffy wished she had insisted on learning more about her predecessors while she had the chance. Maybe she should have made a serious attempt to look through Giles' old Watcher Journals, rather than only doing it while trying to find an image of a costume that would impress Angel… Goodness knows that hadn't helped her out anyway. Buffy sighed. She couldn't believe she'd thought being a Slayer in Sunnydale was hard. Compared to being in a war against Voldemort, it was a piece of cake.
"Buffy?" A voice suddenly called from upstairs and Buffy ran up, coming face to face with Lily and Alice.
"Is the battle over?" She asked, breathless.
"No," Alice said, rather sourly. "It's still going on, but Lily and I are being forced to sit it out." She made a grimace. "Dumbledore went nearly berserk when he saw us on the battlefield – quite uncharacteristic of him, really – and Moody was quick to back him up, saying we should know better." She snorted.
"Well, you are pregnant," Buffy pointed out hesitantly, earning herself two identical glares, and she coughed uncomfortably. "Anyway, how did you convince Frank and James to let you come in the first place?"
Lily snorted. "That was easy. Both of them are mush in our hands, right Alice?"
Alice smirked. "You couldn't be more correct. Anyway, from now on, both of us are off active Order duty, so we've come to join you in wait and misery."
"This is going to sound really insensitive, but I'm kind of glad," Buffy admitted. "I was going crazy waiting for news with nothing to distract me. Was the battle going well when you left?"
"I have no idea," Lily said honestly. "Maybe, maybe not. Both sides seemed pretty even, number-wise, anyway."
"Well, here's to hoping," Alice said optimistically.
Published: 11/08 -11
Trivia
- "Who's the more foolish: the fool, or the foolwho follows him?" – Obi-Wan Kenobi to Han Solo: Star Wars – A New Hope.
- Dumbledore's dislike of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans: at the end of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, we learn Dumbledore lost his liking for the candy after coming across a vomit-flavoured one in his youth.
- Hagrid liked to cook: we all know of Hagrid's tendency to serve rock cakes...the man might like to cook – but that clearly doesn't mean he's any good at it...
- Voldemort can be summoned by his Death Eaters if they press a finger against the Dark Mark, which is why Dorcas flinches when Severus places his fingertips above his as an implied threat that he is more than ready to do so.
- Maybe she should have made a serious attempt to look through Giles' old Watcher Journals, rather than only doing it while trying to find an image of a costume that would impress Angel… Goodness knows that hadn't helped her out anyway. In the BTVS season 2 episode Halloween, Buffy looked through Giles' old Watcher Journals to find out what the women wore in Angel's time. The costume she ended up wearing fit the bill, but unfortunately it also turned her into a lady who faints at the sight of danger…
