Sorry I haven't update in like forever, I have been really busy, holiday's boyfriend who is now an ex-boyfriend, a full time job and now x-mas but thanks to my dedicated readers, and please give me a review it'll cheer me up.
Chapter 4-orders and order work
Athena sat down at the table accepting the butterbeer Sirius offered her "I didn't mean to push my luck today" he said sipping his beer and staring at some unknown source "but I want Harry to understand he's not alone, he's got us here to help him"
"I know you do" she said quietly, running her hand through her hair "I want the same. I care for Harry, Sirius. I really do" she took her little box out of her robes "have you got a quill, ink and piece of parchment?"
Sirius nodded and when to the dresser he came back with a black feathered quill, a black jar of ink and a piece of yellow coloured parchment. "You're writing to your sister?"
Athena nodded and began to write "what's your sister like?" Athena stopped midsentence, she quickly read over what she'd wrote.
She looked up at Sirius "she's not my full sister- we have different mothers" he nodded "but she has curly hair and shockingly looks like me. Though she has different colour eyes" Athena recalled the last time she saw her sister, Artemis has only been sixteen, now she would be nearly twenty one. "What about your brother?"
Sirius's shoulder slumped "he died when he was eighteen" he said
"Oh Sirius" she didn't want to say sorry, because she hated it when people said that when she talked about her own brothers.
"Its ok" said Sirius kindly "we didn't really get on much- not when we were older anyway- he believed like my parents in the purebloods rule all. He then stopped talking to me; he didn't acknowledge me at school-especially when I was a Gryffindor. Then I found out he'd joined with my cousins and become a death eater" his eyes flashed "they were always a bad influence on him. Sadly though Regulus discovered too late he didn't want to be like them. He tried to leave the death eaters. But once you're in your in for life"
Athena smiled timidly "did you see him before he died?"
Sirius nodded "he came to me telling me he was sorry for everything he'd done" he blinked twice "I was shocked. I forgave him and he said he'd see me again one day. I didn't understand what he meant, and then next thing I know I hear through Dumbledore he'd died" he shrugged "I was upset, but he knew what he was getting himself into- hopefully like your sister?" he rose a black eyebrow
Athena nodded "yes she does" then she stiffened and turned back to her letter. Sirius opened his mouth to ask why but then he heard the kitchen door open and someone descend the three steps into the kitchen.
"Hey Mooney" he stood, acting too cheerfully "I'll get you a beer"
Remus nodded and walked round the table to sit next to Sirius, and opposite Athena.
Athena read her letter to herself in her head
Huntress (the code name they used)
First of all how are you? I feel like I've been ignoring you, even though we spoke by letter a few months ago. I'm writing because I need your help. No I'm not I trouble, I'm not hurt, I just need you to help me.
As you may know there are rumours circulating that You-Know-Who has returned. I therefore have joined an organisation. The Order of the Phoenix. I know reckless of me, but we're both reckless.
I've been given a mission and also protection. My mission is to ask you to spy on the Big Bad Wolf, I need to know what he's doing, what he thinks about You-Know-Who's return and when he's going to act?
The protection part is also from him, My Leader seems to believe that he will strike a deal to get me back to the Valley. I won't come you know that. Therefore I'm hidden away nice and safe.
Don't worry about me, but please don't get yourself caught. I really need your help. Please get back to me.
Wisdom
Athena nodded, that was good she would understand the coding
"How's your sister?" asked Remus, shouldn't Sirius be back by now?
"Fine, thank you" said Athena stiffly
Remus rubbed at one of the scorch marks from tonight's dinner on the table "how long are we going to carry on not talking?"
Athena didn't want to look up but she did grit her teeth "I have every right not to talk to you"
Remus sighed "yes you do" he said sadly "but will you?"
Athena then had to look up; he needed to see the look on her face "why?"
Remus saw the anger in her eyes and her face; in fact he saw it in her whole body language "because I've missed you" he said quickly before she could retaliate "I wish I could make it up to you-"
"You can't!" she snapped, Athena turned her head to the cellar door, Sirius was standing the other side, pretending he wasn't there to eavesdrop
"Please Athena" he was begging "I still- I still..."
Athena felt her heart leap, then fall when he couldn't say it "you broke me" he hissed "you left me broken, crying, pleading, begging for you to come" every word was a slap in Remus's face "you never came back, you never wrote. Friends, family-" she pointed to the letter on the table between them "managed to write, to see if I was ok. They cared, they love me. Obviously everything you said was a lie, because if you did love me you would have taken me with you or you would have come to find me!" she balled her fists "which is it?"
"I love you" he said. Her heart quickened but it wasn't enough to cool her off and to forgive him. That would take something much more. Take more time. Time she didn't even want to give him "I wrote thirty six letters! Here!" he took out a crumpled piece of parchment and shoved it at her
Athena opened the letter and scanned its contents
Dear Athena
This is my thirty sixth letter; I know I've sent no others. The truth is I just can't find the words, to say to tell you, how much I still care and love you. I want you, I need you. You're like the sun on my face after years of constant rain. A star in a black empty sky... I just can't even describe my need for you, my hunger. I only wish I knew where you were, so I could find you kiss you...
Athena growled loudly, something she did occasionally when angry or in defence. She screwed up the letter and threw it hard and fast at his head. Remus flinched as it smacked off his temple and flew off into the sink. He then looked at her, her eyes were blazing blue.
"How very poetic" she said standing up, towering over him "but you didn't send any letters. You didn't come and find me, even though I was willing. Stupidly willing to give you a second chance" her knuckles were turning white, he hoped she wouldn't hit him "but after a while I gave up. I stopped hurting. I got on with my life. All you are now is something that reminds me of the pain" she finished with another glare
Remus pushed back from his chair and stood up, now he towered over her, but she didn't flinch or back down "then why didn't you come to me?"
Athena bared her teeth "oh maybe because I had no idea where the fuck you were?"
"Language" he scolded
"Excuse me!" her voice rose "But I will use any curse words I want, when I'm pissed off"
Remus glowered back, she'd changed, and it was his entire fault "I'm sorry-"
"Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry" she stamped her foot "it's only a word, it means bloody nothing"
"It does mean something or it wouldn't be in the flaming dictionary!"
They both heard Sirius hiding his gruffly laugh
"Oh for Merlin's sock sake!" Athena thumped the table "do you know what, I'm going to try to be civil about this. But I won't pretend that I like this situation" in fact her heart was telling her she was enjoying it "so good night gentlemen" and that was it she walked out and went to bed.
Remus watched her go, then dropped into his seat and put his head in his hands. The cellar do opened "what have I done Sirius?"
"Well..." began Sirius putting a beer on the table for Remus "you ruined possibly the best relationship of your life. You left only leaving a stinking note, you never apologised never wrote to her. Then you get drunk and end up on her sofa. That surprised the hell at of her. You're in a really bad position you don't want to argue with her, all you want to do is kiss her and make up. You're still in love with her Remus"
Remus looked up and gave Sirius the 'you're not helping look'
"You asked Mooney" Sirius went to bed.
Remus walked slowly up the stairs to bed, he would have stayed downstairs, but he knew he'd end up drinking, and drunk. Then passed out on the floor where, someone would find him in the morning. That would just be embarrassing and he didn't think drink was the answer.
He reached the third landing his bed room was next door to Tonks's and Athena's. He knew that Tonks was probably fast asleep. But he could hear the shuddering of someone, someone who sounded like they were crying. He froze and the floorboard creaked. Dam she would have heard that.
Abruptly her breathing stopped, and he decided to stop putting her through pain, they could be civil. He went into his room and began to undress for bed. He wasn't going to give up though, as he climbed into bed. He would win her back
Athena listened carefully to the deafening hum in her ears "There are over a hundred there" she said nodding at the heavy curtains
Molly bit her lip "well they'll have to go" she already had her Gilderoy Lockhart book out and some spray guns
"I really wish you wouldn't kill them" said Athena. She still cared for magical creatures, even if she didn't teach anymore
"What do you suppose I do with them then?" Molly put her hands on her hips
Athena pondered for a moment "let me go into town" she suggested "I know someone who will buy them- we can go fifty, fifty on the money"
Molly's brown eyes bored into hers, then she sighed "ok" she said "but you remember what Dumbledore said" she pointed a fierce finger at her "you have to take an order member with you- and don't ask any of the children because I need them today"
Athena kissed her cheek "thanks Molly"
Then dashed downstairs as quietly as possible
She burst into the kitchen; Harry and Ron were sat at the table eating. Sirius was in the pantry and Crookshanks was curled up on a chair.
"Sirius have you seen Tonks?" asked Athena through the door
"Already left for work why?" asked Sirius coming in holding a bloody bag. Ron and Harry left the kitchen
"I really need to go out, is there anyone available?" Athena felt disappointed
Sirius shook his head "only one person" Sirius was grinning like a cat "and you won't want him to go with you"
Athena groaned "he'll have to do" she headed back up stairs and hovered in front of the door next to her room. She drew circles on the floor with her shoe, maybe she could just go alone? Yeah and be captured said her conscience. She didn't want to do this, but after last night she'd agreed they would be civil.
She took a deep breath and knocked, she composed her face as the door opened.
Remus's hair was slightly damp and his shirt wasn't fully buttoned. Athena swallowed; she could see his collar bone, and his chest. She felt the need to suddenly reach out to his skin.
"Athena" said Remus, he looked shocked "er- what brings you to my door?" the way he was joking made her snap out of her staring match with the pores of his skin.
"I need to go to town" she said straight "I have to take an order member and you're the only one here-"
He went to slam the door shut.
She caught it "ok, I don't have to take you, I would lik-lik-" she couldn't say it "I would appreciate you coming with me"
She looked up and he opened the door wide again "well, if you appreciate me-" he said, tasting the word on his tongue
"Coming" she said "I would like you to accompany me into town"
"What do you need to do in town?" he asked leaning against the door
"I've got business to do" said Athena simply "would you come?" don't get irritated she thought to herself.
He ignored her and looked at his battered silver pocket watch
"Would you please come?" she said through gritted teeth
"Of course" he turned away grinning "I'll just grab my cloak and we'll leave now"
Athena went next door and grabbed her purple cloak and they headed out the door. The sunlight was bright against her eyes but they soon adjusted. They walked across the street to the little ironed seating area, which was over growing with weeds.
"Leaky cauldron?" asked Remus, he held out his hand for her
"Yes" she swallowed as she took his hand, it felt so right but so wrong, as the electric current flowed through her arm in the tight squeezing darkness.
They reappeared outside the record shop next to the pub.
Remus was frowning "you weren't concentrating" he said
Athena froze her hand out for the door handle of the pub "what?"
"I was thinking of the exact spot where you're standing" said Remus "we ended up four feet to the right"
Athena shook her head and entered the pub "men" she said but she knew it was her fault
Remus and Athena went up to the bar; the atmosphere was friendly as usual
Athena climbed over the bar, and vanished into the back
"Athena!" hissed Remus; people stared as he ducked under the bar. He walked into the back and found Athena been hugged by a big cubby wizard in a chef's hat
"I'z haz missed you" cooed the man
"Pier it's been four days" said Athena, but she still beamed
"More like four years" said Tom the barman bustling pass to envelope Athena in a big hug
Remus cleared his throat loudly
"Employees only" growled Tom
Athena moved between them "It's ok Tom he's with me" Tom obviously saw something in her face that Remus didn't, because he put a hand on her shoulder
"Who is he?" asked Pier looking Remus over "is this the man? Is this the so called gentlemen?"
"Er-no" said Athena guilty
"Ah-ha Pier know these things" the man walked forward, he was shorter than Remus but his attitude was big "I is watching you, you hurt her, I hurt you" Remus saw the knifes on the kitchen work top twitch
He coughed to clear his throat of fright "yes-ok" he said nervously
"Pier, leave him alone" said Athena
"I thought-" began Tom
"Don't worry" assured Athena "Nothing's changed"
Tom nodded, but didn't drop his gaze from Remus "I thought you weren't going to be back for a while"
"I'm in town for some business" said Athena sadly "I don't know when I'll be back"
"You will be careful?" said Pier gently "Pier worries"
"I will, I promise" said Athena she gave them a hug each, and led Remus out of the backdoor, and into Diagon Alley.
The moved quickly through the crowd like experts knowing how to blend in and go unnoticed.
Athena however moved quicker, she moved ahead of Remus and then vanished
"Athena!" called Remus looking round, it was like losing your child, he panicked anyone under a cloak here could be a death eater or worse her dad
"What?" Athena appeared at his side, she shook her head when he sighed and led him across the street and down to one of the branching alleyways
North Alley was the biggest alley that contained second hand shops. The wizards and witches here made a good trade, but not as good as trade as the other shops. But Remus and Athena didn't care they spent most of their childhood's in this alleyway.
"In here" said Athena, they turned into a green fronted shop called Perry's Paws an' Claws a second hand store for old owls, and Athena's secret supplier.
The place wasn't filled with owls, like the Magical Menagerie, it had a dozen cages in the window. A shelf with a selection or rats, cats, toads and frogs. But the rest of the room was empty or covered in notices, advertising the hiring of strange creatures.
Athena went up to the desk and rang the bell.
An old man entered from the back door, he had cotton wool like hair that was red, but slowly turning white. He was pale and had wrinkles where he smiled "Athena!" he beamed
"Hey Perry" she said in return
"Business or pleasure?" he asked her leaning on the counter. Remus saw the way his eyes moved over Athena's body. He went to stand at her side.
"Always a pleasure" said Athena "I've got something to sell"
Perry's eyes lit up "selling? You never sell you always rent or buy"
"About a hundred doxies have become available to me" said Athena she leant over the counter deliberately so that Perry would cast his eyes down; when you want money you play to your advantages
Perry's eyes travelled down Athena's neck and collarbones "wh-what would I want with a hundred doxys?"
Athena stood up quickly "well if you don't want them then I'll take my business elsewhere" she backed away
"No wait!" said Perry "seventy sickles"
"One hundred" said Athena "sickle per doxy"
"Eighty"
"One hundred"
"I'm changing my price- eighty five"
"I can walk away-"
"Fine one hundred!" he stormed into the back to fetch the money
Remus folded his arms "pervert" he said
Athena hit his arm, "he can't resist a woman even if she's thin and ugly"
"You're not thin and ugly" said Remus "your clever, smart, funny, pretty-"
"Shut up!" snapped Athena. Perry entered the room again and she was thankful because she was blushing "I'll drop the doxies off tomorrow"
He handed her the money "if there are over a hundred then I won't pay more money"
"Deal" said Athena and they shook hands before she left.
Remus and Athena moved back into the crowd. They kept close together because there were more wizards around. Athena felt Remus touch her back as he led her into the pub where they travelled back to headquarters.
When they returned to headquarters, Athena found Molly with two overflowing buckets of doxies "Nice work" she said to them as Molly carried up a big tray of sandwiches.
"What price did you get on them?" asked Fred curiously
Athena raised an eyebrow; she could smell the five doxies the twins had hidden in their pockets.
"Hundred sickles" she said smiling
"Oh how lovely" beamed Molly as Athena handed her, her bag of coins, she'd actually given Molly sixty and she'd kept forty. Athena at the moment didn't need that much money, she had savings stashed away in a sock upstairs.
Athena helped move the doxies into the pantry downstairs and then excused herself from helping because she felt a warm sensation in her pocket.
Athena went into the living room and reached into her pocket and pulled out her message box. It was glowing gold and felt warm.
She opened the little chest; her face was flooded with light. In the chest was a small piece of parchment folded up into a little square.
The door behind her opened and Remus along with Sirius entered "Molly just informed us" said Remus
"What does it say?" asked Sirius eagerly
Athena smiled and unfolded the note.
Wisdom
First of all I'm fine. You however are bloody reckless to be going off and joining the Big Pointy Bearded Wizard. But you're right, it safest for you, however what you've asked me to do is tricky. I'm not in the Big Bad Wolfs good books at the moment and I've got Junior keeping a close eye on me. Don't worry though; I'm stilling willing to spy.
We've heard all of the rumours. But he's not sure. He won't act quickly; you know he's been cautious he's been in hiding for years. I however used my common sense, and have already been keeping an eye on him. He's been gathering our fastest runners; I think he'll send them out. Get some support encase he-who-is-not-to-be-named turns up.
I need to make sure though that you will stick by me, if I'm caught I want the orders protection, because he will kill me.
I won't ask where you are, but I hope you're well. I will keep you updated.
Huntress
Athena looked at the men, she'd read the letter aloud. Sirius looked amused and confused. Remus wore his thinking face.
"Big Pointy Bearded Wizard? Big Bad Wolf? Huntress and Wisdom?" Sirius asked "Junior?"
"Dumbledore, Greyback- Huntress is Artemis, Wisdom is me" said Athena "and Junior is my half-brother Troy"
"Oh" said Sirius like he'd missed a joke
"Code names Sirius, just encase anyone else reads the letter" said Athena explaining "I doubt that will happen"
"So, what does it all mean then?" he asked
"That he's not doing anything" said Remus pressing his lips together
"I wouldn't say nothing" said Athena "the fact been that he's gathering Runners means, he will rally support and join you-know-"
"Voldemort" corrected Sirius "what are Runners?" he sat down on one of the lumpy sofas. Remus joined him while Athena took the arm chair.
Athena looked at Sirius how much did he know
Remus however must have heard her mental question because he said "start with the basics"
Athena nodded "werewolf colonies, are practically all the same" explained "you have the Alpha-"
"Greyback" said Remus
"His two Senior werewolves-"
"Troy and Artemis"
"And then everyone else is ranked on how well they fight" concluded Athena "oh and there's the council"
"Council?" both men questioned
Athena realised that she'd neglected to tell Remus this on the day of her birth, after they'd- she stopped thinking about that straight away
"The Council or Council of Elders as they're known" she said "they sort of help govern the pack"
"In what way?" asked Remus resting his elbows on his knees and leaning forward
"They have to agree with the Alpha before he's allowed to change laws, join a cause or start war"
"So Greyback has to win their support before he joins Voldemort?" Sirius was catching on
Athena winced slightly "not really"
"Why not?" frowned Remus
"He's corrupted most of them already" shrugged Athena "apart from the Elder, Drake" she thought of the man, he was nearly eighty eight years old now. "Drake has never agreed with my farther" she explained "he's the one who stands by the laws and won't accept Troy or Artemis as his heir"
"He thinks you should take over?" guessed Remus
"Yep" that was why Athena didn't like Drake "but he's useful because he will slow the process of them joining down"
"How has he corrupted the others?" asked Sirius, he scratched behind his ear like a dog
"As the elders die, replacements are found. But it's a bit like the muggle Pope. They have to be over a certain age. So usually the eldest werewolves" Athena bit her lip "Greyback lowered the age though, his excuse been that not many werewolves live to see sixty" she shook her head "he only did it because he wanted Richard on the council"
"Who's Richard?" asked Remus cautiously
"A very evil man" growled Athena "he was bitten by the previous Alpha- purely accidental the Alpha himself was not a member of the colony and was trying to fight against what he was" she continued "but Richard didn't die, at seven years old he became a werewolf. From then on his parents hated him, they locked him in a cage- they were muggles"
Sirius was pale in the face. Remus just looked disgusted.
"He couldn't take it anymore" she explained "and broke free from his cage and massacred his parents and siblings in their sleep"
She looked up at both men who were frozen with horror.
"He has similar views to my father" she shook her head "he wants all muggles turned to werewolves, followed by wizards and liberate wizards so we can control muggles"
"World domination" said Remus plainly
"Exactly, it won't happen though" she said
"Why not?" enquired Sirius "if he agrees with your dad then what's to stop them joining Voldemort anyway?"
"Because Richard will never be able to take Drake's place- he's not next in line, there are three others before him" said Athena
"Easily taken out" murmured Remus
Athena shook her head again "that would cause a rift in the pack" she assumed "people would rise up against Richard"
"Greyback would take his side though"
"Then they would rise up against him"
"Name the people who would?"
"Artemis" said Athena fiercely "Bain- the best fighter. Carron one of the strongest among the women. And Emmett- there are plenty"
"But who would stand with Greyback?" retorted Remus
Athena opened her mouth then closed it, she didn't know.
"We'll have to tell Dumbledore about this" said Sirius "but you better write back first"
"And say what?" asked Athena "yeah I can offer you safety but it might be a lie because I haven't asked. No, I don't think so. We'll speak to Dumbledore. At least she's agreed"
They saw Dumbledore Wednesday night, when he came late to see Sirius regarding Harry's hearing.
"Okay I'll stay put" grumbled Sirius
"Don't worry Arthur will keep him safe" assured Molly, her and Sirius had made up after the other nights dinner
Sirius still grumbled on for another five minutes.
"That is good news" said Albus, once Athena had told him about her letter "of course we will offer her protection"
Athena nodded, of course he knew it was her sister, for sure now "I'll write back telling her the news and to keep us updated with anything he says or does"
"Thank you Athena" he patted her shoulder "also inform her that once things become more serious we will be sending a spy in"
Athena smiled "of course, I'll tell her of my visit-"
"No not you" said Albus; everyone stopped talking "Remus will go"
Athena's mouth fell open and she turned to Remus.
His face was filled with guilt, he'd known about this
"But I know my way there. My way round-" she stuttered
"Athena I will not have you in danger" he said voice full of authority "Remus will not be recognised. Unlike you. Plus you're father may expect your return. But I'd like you to do guard duty outside the department of mystery's this week after Tonks"
Athena just started at him shocked, he was right her mind taunted shut up she replied. "Okay" she managed
"Good" he smiled
Dumbledore left again, and they went to bed knowing that tomorrow would be an important day to Harry.