Summary: Katie Bell has lost everything to the Death Eaters, including her promising Quidditch career. After the death of Oliver's parents, sister and brother-in-law, the two become the legal guardians of Oliver's young niece. But when Katie is offered a unique job from the Order of the Phoenix, she becomes more and more entwined with the war against Voldemort. Can she get out alive? Or will she die in the process?

AN So sorry guys, I have an explanation at the bottom for my disappearance. I know it isn't good, but I didn't want to give you all a crappy story! You'll see what I mean in my normal author's note!

Sorry if you've forgotten what happened, so did I... oops. Please go back and reread if you have to, please don't give up on me!

"Katie? Ed wants to see you," Lucia informed me, popping her head into my office.

I looked up from my story that I was working on. "Right now?"

"Yes, in his office."

I stood up, slipped my wand into my pocket and headed to Ed's office. I figured we probably had another mission coming up or something. Or perhaps I was going to get a chance to monitor someone on my own; do a little infiltrating in the Ministry.

"Ah, Katie. Good," Ed gestured to the chair as I walked into the room.

I shut the door behind me and sat down in the chair, looking to him expectantly. He placed the normal anti-eavesdropping charms on the room.

"Katie, are you doing anything tonight?" Ed asked.

I thought for a second, "Nothing but attempting to cook."

"Good. Can you get someone else to cook? We have a meeting we must attend tonight," Ed replied. "I just found out that the Order is meeting and you have to be introduced as soon as possible. The Order is a skeptical bunch. They're afraid you're not on board with the war."

"What kind of meeting?" I asked.

"They've decided to hold a dinner meeting. You'll need to wear dress robes. But other than that it should be fairly routine. I will come and get you at 7:30 tonight."

I nodded, "Is there anything else?"

"I'm probably going to want you to take a case, but we'll discuss that tomorrow. I'll see you tonight. Take the rest of the afternoon off."

"I'll see you at 7:30 then." I replied, heading out of the office. I grabbed everything from my desk and headed home, saying goodbye to Lucia on my way out.

When I got home, I headed upstairs to find Oliver sprawled across the bed. He appeared to be sleeping so I opened the closet as quietly as possible and started my search for dress robes. I was having no luck when a few seconds later I felt Oliver's arms encircle me and chin came to rest on the top of my head.

"What are you doing home so early?" He asked, placing a kiss on the top of my head.

"Looking for something to wear to the dinner party I just found out about. I'm leaving at 7:30."

"Last minute dinner party?" Oliver asked, "On a Thursday?"

"The Daily Prophet covers everything, what can I say?" I sighed, "And I have nothing to wear."

"Leanne's about your size, isn't she? You could borrow something from her."

"Oliver you are a genius!" I exclaimed, ducking under his arms and running down the hallway toward Leanne's room.

I threw open her closet and froze, just staring at the array of clothing in front of me. She had everything from sweatpants to ball gowns.

"Nicking my clothes again, Katie?" Leanne asked from behind me.

I spun around and grinned at her sheepishly. "Dinner party. I don't have dress robes."

"Ah, then I've got you covered. Hmm. What color? Ah, yes, here you go."

Leanne disappeared into the mass of dress robes for a few seconds and resurfaced holding one that was a gorgeous wine color. She held it up and looked at it appraisingly. "Yes, that should work wonderfully."

"Thanks, Leanne! You are an angel!" I exclaimed, taking the robe and draping it across my arm.

"I do try. Now, no nicking my clothes."

"What are you doing home so early?"

"I always get off of training early on Thursdays and Fridays but you aren't ever around to know that."

"Oh, right."

"Besides, I think the real question is why are you nicking my dress robes?"

I sighed. "I can't really talk about it, but there's a dinner party tonight that I have to attend. Ed is coming at 7:30 to go over there."

"I know this job is important to you, Katie, but you aren't ever home anymore. It really isn't my place, but Oliver and Ali really need you right now. You can live very comfortably off of Oliver's inheritance and income."

"Leanne." I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples, "I know they need me, but there is a war going on."

Leanne's ice blue eyes got wide and she quickly closed the door and placed an anti-eavesdropping charm around the room. "Katie, you didn't. Not after Oliver's entire family was killed in this war!"

"I did. Leanne, Oliver doesn't know. You can't say anything to him. Promise me you won't say anything to him!"

"Katherine Anne Bell! You have to tell Oliver. You know how he feels about the war!"

I cringed, thinking back to the fight I had witnessed between Oliver and his sister when I was in the hospital after the Necklace Incident. They hadn't realized that I was awake and I wanted it to stay that way.

"How can you be in the Order when you have Ali?" Oliver demanded. "Katie wasn't even in the Order and look what happened to her! An innocent bystander! How can you get in the middle of this when you are trying to raise Ali?"

"It's because of Ali that we're in the Order!" Leslie had roared back. "We want her to live in a world where she doesn't need to worry about ending up a victim like Katie did! Alan and I know the risks."

"You could die! Then where would Ali be? It's bad enough that Mum is in the Order even after Dad's death. Ali won't have grandparents, what if she doesn't have parents too? Leslie, you have to think about her!"

"We did think of her. Oliver, do you want her to grow up and graduate into a world where You-Know-Who is in power? Believe me, Ol, Ali was our top priority when we joined the Order. This isn't some sudden decision. Alan and I talked it over with each other and with Dumbledore."

"But you could die. All of you! You're getting involved too deeply in something bigger than you!"

Leslie was silent for a minute and then said simply before walking out, "Some things are worth dying for, Oliver."

I looked at Leanne and took a deep breath before echoing Leslie's words. "Some things are worth dying for."

When Ed came to get me at 7:30, I was dressed and ready to go. I had started towards the fireplace when I stopped. "Hold on a second, Ed."

"Katie, we really ought to be going. They'll be waiting for us." Ed replied.

"This is important Ed and it'll only take a second. I promise."

Ed nodded and I headed into the room where Oliver, Ali, and Leanne sat playing a game. We liked to keep Ali busy as much as possible so she was constantly going to Kent's house or Amanda and Ashley were coming here. Ali was never truly alone, in case she ever needed one of us.

The three looked up at me and I smiled at them for a second before walking over. I kissed Ali on the head and gave Leanne a hug. Ali looked at me questioningly but Leanne had understanding in her eyes and she nodded at me as if to say be careful.

Then I turned to Oliver and gave him a kiss on the cheek and wrapped my arms around him for a brief second. "I love you, Ol."

"I love you too, Kat." Oliver's eyebrows were furrowed together in confusion.

"I just... I thought I should say it." I gave him a sad smile before kissing him again and heading back to the kitchen.

"Why did she do that?" Ali asked in a wavering voice, "Mum did that before she would..."

"...go on an Order mission." Oliver finished quietly to himself before adding reassuringly to Ali, "Kat just wanted to say a proper goodbye."

"It's a good idea to these days." Leanne spoke up, "She said something to me earlier about making sure we always left on a good note because things are so... uncertain."

"It's just a meeting." Ed said seriously as I walked into the kitchen.

I met his eyes with my own and held his gaze. "I've seen families ripped apart first hand. Nothing is certain."

Ed simply nodded and neither of us felt the need to add anything as we both knew exactly how uncertain the times really were.

AN Yay go team! I'm sorry this took so long, but I wasn't sure what to write and I knew if I tried to force anything it would come out as a muddled mess. But thanks guys for being patient with me. Next time, you can badger me as much as you want!

Love From,

MotherCrumpet