Sirius Black stared at his friend in shock. He wasn't going to believe it. No, this could not be true. No one in their right minds would have let this happen.

"I refuse to believe this," he said flatly.

"Believe it, Padfoot," said James in triumph. "I have beaten you once again."

"No bloody way." Sirius stared at the chessboard in disbelief. "It's impossible for you, you of all people, to beat me four times straight!"

"Moony, could we have your verification here please? Have I, or have I not checked Padfoot's king into next week?"

"In case you haven't noticed," a weary Remus reminded his friends, "we're in the middle of a war."

"Exactly. A just war, against Prong's cheating army."

The small white chess pieces on James's side of the board began waving their fists angrily at Sirius.

"We're on a recon mission tomorrow, Moony. We need a break. Trust me when I say we're fully prepared."

Remus raised his head above a mountain of parchment. "I would appreciate some help. I can't track Malfoy down."

"His house is a little hard to miss, Moony."

"You know what I mean. I know he was involved in the Prewett's murder, but he has aliases for the whole day, and there isn't a single discrepancy in any of his movements."

"Okay, maybe someone is lying for him," offered Sirius, bored with the game.

"Really, you think so?" asked James sarcastically.

"I know that, Padfoot," interrupted Remus, "but he's covered his tracks well."

"I think you should keep it down," said Peter, as he entered the room. Arthur Weasley is in the kitchen with Lily."

"Oh Merlin, I forgot. The Prewetts were related to Molly, weren't they?"

"Well, this has put a dampener on the evening," Sirius moaned.

"If you could be serious about something for once in your life - "

"But I'm always Sirius."

"If you make that stupid joke one more time – " warned James in mock threat.

A sharp knocking on the door of the Potter house brought a sudden end to the conversation. James stood to take Harry from Lily as she looked through the spy hole.

"It's alright, it's Dumbledore."

Opening the front door quickly, Lily invited an ashen-faced Dumbledore inside. Remus and James stood to greet their old headmaster as Sirius remained staring at the chessboard. Peter had disappeared again.

"Sirius, get up," hissed James, "Dumbledore is here."

"Oh, right. Hello sir, I didn't see you there."

"Please, sit down. I have some news for you all. I was going to wait until the meeting of the Order, but I must speak with you first James, and you Lily."

Sirius and Remus stood to leave, but Dumbledore called them back.

"You may stay. Your friends have need of you. Where is Peter?"

"Oi, Peter!" yelled Sirius, "Get out here, Dumbledore's got news!"

Peter returned looking flushed and nervous. He sat next to Remus as his eyes continued to dart all over the room, avoiding Dumbledore's gaze.

"There is no easy way for this to be said. Another of our group has fallen. The McKinnons have been killed."

The room became suddenly quiet. Sirius stared at Dumbledore in genuine shock this time. Peter's breathing became quite heavy as Remus put his head in his hands. Finally, James broke the silence.

"When?"

"Last night. Aurors are still working on the scene."

"Why?" asked Sirius quietly, "Why them? What did they do?"

"Drawers and chests had been raided and smashed to pieces. They had valuable information, and the Death Eaters knew it. I must ask you all to be extra vigilant at this time. It is not known that any of you are in the Order, but you are most certainly suspected."

"What do you want us to do?"

"I'm afraid there isn't anything you can do. Your mission tomorrow must go ahead as planned; there is no time to alert anyone else to any changes. You must be careful."

A heavy silence returned to the room once more. The four Marauders shifted uncomfortably in their seats, unusually anxious about their next bout of rule breaking.

"Lily, James, I must speak with you," Dumbledore turned towards Remus, Sirius and Peter, "privately."

Sirius, Remus and Peter turned to leave immediately. Once the door was closed, Dumbledore turned to Lily and James with a grave expression upon his face, mingled with concern.

"There is something you need to know, both of you, and no one else must know this. I understand that both of you trust your friends, but if you value your lives you will put your trust in me."

"Sir, what is it? Has something else happened?"

"It concerns your son."

Lily held Harry close to her as James put a comforting arm around his wife.

"Harry is barely five months old, Professor. What can he have to do with any of this?"

"Quite a lot, I'm afraid. Voldemort knows who you are. He sees you as one of his biggest threats. However, he is unsure; the situation as he sees it is unclear. Another couple that you know well match the same description. I believe you will be safe for some time, but precautions must be put in place."

"Emm…" began James, "you've lost me. What are you talking about?"

"I'm sorry to both of you, but I can't say anymore here. These walls have ears."

"But… the only people out there are our friends."

"Yes," said Dumbledore quietly, "I know."

Sirius waited impatiently outside the door.

"What could they be talking about?"

"Anything, who knows?"

"Worried about tomorrow, Moony?"

Remus could see that despite Sirius's light air, he was afraid.

"I am now, Padfoot."

"Yeah, me too."

Silence fell between the three friends once more as they listened to the low incoherent mumblings of Dumbledore in the next room.

"I can't believe that about the McKinnions," Sirius continued hastily. "The Prewetts were only just… I mean…" he fell silent.

Peter wandered over to look at a painting on the opposite wall.

"We're being picked off one by one, aren't we?" asked Sirius suddenly.

"Don't say things like that, Padfoot."

"We are though, aren't we?"

No one could give him an answer. There was no one there that could admit to the awful truth.

They were losing this war.