Chapter Ten: New Recruits

Lily and Julia were chatting on a play date that officially was for Harry, Parvati and Padma but unofficially was for themselves.

"I can't believe how much I love them. I did not even think it was possible." Julia leaned and quite spoke as if it was a secret, "I refuse to tell her but now all those things my mum did to protect me that I hated make sense now."

"I know. I wish I could have told my mum how much I appreciated what she did. She always said, 'When you have children you'll understand' now I do." Lily paused on the brink of indecision, "Julia, I have to ask you a very serious question."

"Oh …" Julia pretend to shivered, "Did I forget to turn in my homework or something?"

"No. What I have to ask you and I want you to honestly answer and I will not judge you no matter you answer. If Voldemort," Julia gasped but Lily continued her question, "were to gain power would you for the safety of your family go along with his rein or fight back? … no judging … promise."

"Wow you weren't kidding with that serious question but were you? Even if I thought it would truly keep Padma and Pavarti safe I would know it would only be temporary. The girls have the," she used hand quotations, "'right' blood status, Amril first generation in England but he is a pure-blood and I'm a half blood, but I do not think they could ever be truly safe. Say You-Know-Who conquered or what is he calls it 'liberated' wizards he would go on to taking over the Muggles. Any one who did not agree to help dominate Muggles would be killed and I could never do that."

Lily sigh in relief, "That is what I thought but I had to ask anyway. What about Amril does he feel the same?"

"Well I do not know that I have asked him that question in those words but yes he does." Julia leaned closer to her friend and took her hand, "Lily what's going on … is there a reason for you to ask me all this now?"

"Yes there is but I will have to tell you why I asked later. I need to work something out first. Do you think that you, Amril, and the girls if you want, could come to dinner with me and James tomorrow?"

"I do not see why we couldn't." Julia smiled and said slyly, "You're not going to try to get us to join a cult or anything are you."

Lily's heart went into her throat, "O-Of course not, don't be silly."

"Well I need to go home now. Amril gets off work soon and we are having dinner with my parents."

"Alright see you tomorrow."

Julia was unable to perform complicated magic like appearating herself and two more due to the fact that she had given birth so recently. No one knew why but new mothers lost their magic for a week after they gave birth, and suffered from a sever loss of power for at least a month after giving birth. Julia cast the (simple) spell on Parvati and Padma and so they could comfortable travel though the Floo, before grabbing a handful of Floo Powder and traveling home.

"James! Do we have any potatoes?" Lily shouted across the house

James entered the room, "Look under the cupboard dear."

"No I looked already, Fine I'll do it the wizards way. Accio Potatoes."

The cupboard flew open and a sack of potatoes came from the bottom shelf. James tried to stifle a laugh, while Lily frowned. "Don't you laugh at me James Potter. I looked there twice and I assure you they were not in there."

"Of course they weren't dear. What time are Julia and Amril arriving?"

"At eight. Set the table please."

James flicked his wand and four place settings appeared on the table. "So what is the occasion?"

"I'm going to ask Julia and Amril to join the Order."

"What! Lily you can't just ask people to join the Order. There are protocols; everyone has to have two

members vouch for them."

"I know that I'm one and you're two."

"But I barely know Julia and I've hardly spoken to Amril. I can't possibly vouch for them."

"Your wife's word isn't enough?"

"I trust you Lily but I like to know a person before I put my life in their hands."

"Alright well ask them what you will but they are going to get suspicious so keep it to a minimum if you can."

At that moment there was a knock at the door.

"That'll be them."

Lily opened that door, "Come in." Lily and Julia embraced and Amril and James shock each other's hands.

Lily indicated the couch, "Sit please, I just have to check on dinner." Lily walked to the kitchen and waved her wand at the stove, the potatoes cut and peeled themselves and dropped into the boiling water. Other ingredients began mixing themselves in a pan.

"What did I miss?" Lily sat on the arm of the chair James' was sitting in.

James answered, "I was just asking Amril what he did for a living."

"I make security devises," Amril polished his glasses, "trip alarms and such. People need protection these days."

Julia smiled, "Amril is being modest, he came up with mutable alarms charms. One if an animal activates the alarm, one for Muggles, one for friends, and one for enemies. That way people know what to expect."

"That is impressive." James effectively acted nonchalant, "So have you ever had the one at your house go off?"

Amril answered, "Yes we had it go off the other day. You know we live at the edge of town right?" Lily nodded, "The other night the alarm went of indicating a enemy had been the one to trip it, we prepared ourselves. We looked out the window and Bellatrix Lestrange was crossing the street we live on. There is no doubting she is working with You-Know-Who. She was in her sixth year when I started at Hogwarts some of the other students told me about the ways she treated Muggle-borns. I saw some of it myself. But she was clever never getting caught using Dark magic and the students were too frightened to tell what she did. But I'm digressing. It looked as if she might be coming to our house but she just passed on by. We figured she must have been going to the Malfoy house. Their property begins where the town ends. They must have an Anti-Apparation charm in place. So she had to Apparated in town."

Lily gave an I-told-you-so look to James, "That must have been frightening."

It was Julia who answered this time, "It was, luckily we have numerous defensive charms in place even if we didn't need them that particular night."

At that moment the kitchen timer gave a ding.

"Supper's ready."

Lily served her guests and during dinner they talked mostly about their children. Once dinner was over everyone moved to the living room for tea.

Lily was unsure if she should ease into the situation or directly tell Julia and Amril about the Order immediately. In the end she went for a mix of the two, "So you both know the Ministry while publicly saying they are doing all they can to fight Voldemort," Julia and Amril jumped, "but that really isn't getting the job done."

"Lily," Julia's voice was full of astonishment, "Why do you say You-Know-Who's name?"

"I'll get to that shortly just let me tell you the whole thing and then I can answer your questions okay?"

Amril and Julia nodded.

"As I said the Ministry isn't stopping Voldemort, but there is a group called the Order of the Phoenix who are trying to do what the Ministry can't. James and I are members of the Order. We, the Order, work outside the Ministry though there are a few Ministry employees who work for the Order as well. The Order has been successful in stopping a lot of Voldemort's plans. But I will not lie to you we have lost people too. But we could always use more people to help in the fight. I know you, Julia, you are not the type of person who is going to sit back and let Voldemort take over. You either Amril. So what I was wondering is if you would be interested in joining the Order."

Julia stuttered, "Um … wow … I … Amril?" she turned to her husband, "I well …. I understand the need

for the Order but I'm really going to have to think about it, there is no way I can decided tonight. I have about a million questions but I don't know which one to ask."

"That's okay." Lily replied, "You can owl me, well don't ask any questions in the letter, but I can come and talk to you and Amril do you have any questions?"

"I have several actually. Did you and James found the Order or are you just the leaders? Are there many members or only a few and who are they? I don't mean to come off as accusatory but if I and going to risk not only my own life but my family's I need to have all the facts."

"I understand Amril. No James and I are neither the founders nor the leaders of the Order. We do not have an official leader. But that is not to say we are unorganized. Though the person who often runs the meetings and who is also the founder is Albus Dumbledore. As for the other members I cannot mention any names other than my own, James, and Albus. It wouldn't be safe to announce all of the members' names to anyone outside the Order . If you join you will of course meet the other members."

"Not that I don't trust you Lily or you James." Amril said in a not so confident voice, "I like to speak to

Professor Dumbledore before we agree to anything."

"Sure." James replied, "Albus would be willing to meet with you. I not sure how soon he is free but we will tell him to contact you."

The clock chimed, signaling it was ten o'clock. "Is it that late already? I have to get to my parents so we can get the girls."

"Alright." Lily said as she got up to give her friend a hug.

"Bye James." Julia said.

"Bye Julia."

A figure wearing and cloak which covered their face walked up to a seemingly empty building. The figure pulled up the sleeve of their left arm and placed it in front of a small crack in the exterior of the building. Suddenly a sound like the dozens of locks releasing was heard and the door to the building opened.

The figure walked into the building and made several turns down many halls until they came to a door with an elaborate picture of a snake coming out of the mouth of a skull engraved on the wood of the door. Outside the door stood a sentry, "What are you doing here?" the sentry hissed.

The cloaked figure spoke, "I have an appointment. You know how our Lord would react if you cause one of his servants to be late."

The sentry opened the door then steppe aside. The cloaked figured entered a dark room containing only a thrown like chair near the rear which sat on a pedestal. The figures bowed low.

"Rise." said the man seated on the thrown, "What news do you bring me?"

"My lord, I have discovered that one of your servants has turned spy for the Order."

"Who is this traitor?"

"Severus Snape, my Lord."

The man seated on the thrown gave a high cruel laugh, "You truly believe that I would not know if one of my servant turn spy? Lord Voldemort knows all. Snape has become a member of the Order on my command. He is spying on the Order while they think he is really working for them."

"Why do you need another spy? Is my Lord not satisfied with the information I bring him?"

"You dare to question me?! My plans are not for you to know of or question. I need someone who can bring me real information about the deep inner working of the Order. The information you bring is trivial the movement of those who you inform on could not even dream of matching my skill. I might think you heart was not really into my cause, you know what faith you would be condemned to if you tried to betray me so you not?"

"Ye- Yes my Lord." the clocked figure stuttered.

"You shall report back to me in three weeks time. If you do not bring me any real information I shall not be so forgiving about your blunders."

"Thank you my Lord." The figure walked backward out of the room. Once on the street the figure turned and with a pop was gone.

Amril and Julia left the Potter residence by floo. Once they were gone Lily flicked her wand at the dishes and they began to wash themselves.

"Do you think they will join the Order?" Lily asked her husband.

"I don't know love," James replied. "I think they would be good additions. From what and remember and from what you told me Julia might well be an Auror with the dueling skills you have. And Amril certainly seems capable coming up with all those security charms. I hope they join, Merlin knows we need all the help we can get."

"I want Julia and Amril to join of course or I would not have asked them. But I can't help but feel a pang of guilt as long as the spy in the Order remains undiscovered. I worry I'm putting my friends in more danger than they can imagine."

At the moment Harry started crying in the other room. "I'll get him." James said

Lily looked at the clock, A quarter to eleven. Albus rarely gets to bed before two these days I'll write him the letter now.

Albus,

There is a couple I want to join our acting group. The bird who graduated ahead of me at school. They seem interested but want to speak to you before deciding to join. You can contact them when you have the chance to meet them James and I would be willing to come along.

Thanks,

Lily

p.s. My friend wanted me to ask you why the painting on the third floor was moved.

Lily went over the letter. I think he be able to tell who I am talking about. She walked toward the Owl nook, "What about you Milky? Can you tell who I'm talking about?" Milky turned her head at the letter then hooted. "Well I've always thought of you as the Albus Dumbledore of the owl world so if you get it he will." Lily folded the letter and told Milky to take directly to Professor Dumbledore.

James sat in the arm chair, "Well your son is now fast asleep."

"That's good." Lily walked past entering the kitchen. As she walked past James he grabbed her arm and pulled her into his lamp and gave her a kiss. "You looked a little preoccupied so I thought I would give you a distraction."

"Thank you I was."

Albus Dumbledore was sitting at his desk staring at some rather complicated look charts when he heard a small tapping at the window. He got up and opened the window, "Hello Milky what have you got for me?" Milky handed Albus the letter.

He looked over the letter, Actor's group, the order … bird, a Ravenclaw … moved painting, ah Julia of course and Amril.

Lily,

Assuming your friends are free I can meet them at the theater at noon on Wednesday. You and James can come along if you think it would help.

Albus

"Take this back to Lily please." He reached for a sherbet lemon and gave it to Milky, "Now Don't tell Lily I gave this to you, she is so picky about you having sweets."

James was already asleep when Milky returned and Lily was nearly so, after she handed Lily the letter Milky gave a small burp. "Did Albus give you candy again?"

Lily read the letter and made a mental note to speak to Julia in the morning.

Lily woke at seven with Harry. After a breakfast for them both Lily prepared to call Julia. She took a hand full of floo powder, called out Julia's house, "Julia?"

Julia let out a scream and turned around with her wand raised, "Merlin Lily! You scared me to death."

"Sorry Julia. I was just letting you know that Albus can meet you on Friday at noon if that works?"

"Yeah, that's fine. Where do we meet him?"

"Down the Muggle side of the street from The Leaky Cauldron there is a pub called The Talon. Tell the barman you are meeting with Mr. White and he will lead to one of the privet rooms. Also would you like me and James to join you? We don't have to of course."

"No that's fine you and James come along. We might have questions for you too."

"Alright I'll see you on Friday."

"Bye, Lily."

Lily pulled herself out of the fire and spent the rest of the day pleasantly at home.

On Friday Lily woke early. She packed all the things Harry might possibly need and put them in a bag with an Undetectable Extension Charm. Then she picked up Harry and made her way to Sirius and Remus' flat.

She knocked on the door and heard, "Who is it?"

"Lily and Harry Potter."

Sirius opened the door with his wand pointed, "Ah so it is."

"Well at least you're prepared."

Lily sat Harry down and he walked over to Sirius. "Well how is my favorite Godson?"

"I think I have everything you will need in the bag." She said as she handed the bag to Sirius.

"Lily did you pack your whole house in here. It must weigh four stone."

"Wait until you have children Sirius then you will realize that you can't go anywhere without what seems like a months worth of supplies and you will still have managed to have forget something."

"I'll keep that in mind should I get the urge to reproduce. Now go away. Harry and I have man business to attend to."

"Sirius don't even think about putting Harry in the sidecar of your motorbike."

"Wow mom, your no fun." Sirius joked.

"It comes with the territory." As she was nearly out the door Lily surveyed the flat. "By the way where is Remus?"

"I don't know actually, he was being very mysterious about where he was going to be today."

"Alright, Harry make sure Uncle Sirius doesn't get into to much trouble."

Lily checked her watch; she still had forty-five minutes until she had to be at The Talon. She Apperated to London and spent her time in a record shop. Thirty minutes later she exited with two new albums.

She walked to The Talon and went to the bar, "Hey Jim, I'm meeting with Mr. White and a few other associates to-day. Is anyone here yet?"

"Mr. Gardner is here Ms. Doe."

"Thanks," Lily said as she walked away. Inwardly she chuckled. Lily had picked the code name for herself. She picked the name from the Muggle term for an unidentified person. James assumed it was a reference to his animagus form.

As she entered the room James stood up. "Ms. Doe how very lovely to see you again."

James kissed her hand. "And you Mr. Gardner."

"You know I rather enjoy all this espionage." At that moment James grabbed Lily, dipped her and planted a kiss on her lips.

Lily and James were unaware that someone else had entered the room. The person cleared their throat.

Lily stammered, "Oh Professor … I …"

Albus smiled, "Lily this isn't Hogwarts, you can't get in trouble anymore if I walk in on you and James kissing."

"Oh right." Lily flushed at her momentary relapse into a school girl, "Julia and Amril should be here any minute.

Right on cue there was a knock on the door. Jim the barman walked in with Julia and Amril behind him.

"Do you folks want anything?" Jim asked.

"Firewhiskey." Amril said.

"What was that? Firewhiskey? We only stock English liquors."

Amril looked to his wife; Julia spoke this time, "Ginger ale for the both of us."

"Sorry Professor Dumbledore." Amril said sheepishly. "I forgot that Muggles don't drink Firewhiskey."

"Quite understandable Amril these things happen."

Jim knocked and brought in the Ginger Ales. Amril reached for his wallet and pulled out Sickles and Knuts, "Yeh from out of town? Edgar asked.

Albus replied, "Visiting yes, just put in on my tab, Jim."

Once Jim left Albus pointed his wand at the door. "Silencing charm you never know who might be listening."

Julia spoke, "Sir if we could get right to it. Could you please tell us about the Order?"

"Certainly and please call me Albus since you are no longer my student such formalities are not really necessary. What questions do you have?"

"Well we were wondering is joining the Order really going to make a difference with the war? Have you actually stopped any of You-Know-Who's plans?" Julia asked.

"Quite a few actually, if we get information Voldemort," Julia and Amril flinched, "Is planning something several Order members will show up to try and stop whatever he might be trying to do. But we also do a lot of preemptive work. Just like Voldemort we have ears many places. Often times we learn new information at the same time he does."

Amril spoke this time, "Lily told us that people have died working for the Order, is that a common occurrence?"

"Yes and no. People are dying because of Voldemort-"

"Professor please stop saying his name." Julia implored.

"Julia think of it this way." Lily said, "If you do not use his name then he has power over you and I for one refuse to let Voldemort have any control over me."

"Well it still scares me." Amril said, "Please go on Professor."

"As I was saying you can't go to any Wizard and he or she not know someone who was killed because of Voldemort. The Order casualties are higher but at the same time we are responsible for saving more lives than we have lost as well as seeing that more Death Eaters are put in Azkaban than the Ministry at the moment. We just do not get the credit being a secret organization."

"So say we do join what if there is a mission we do not want to be a part of or if we change our minds and do not want to be members?"

"You have the right to refuse to be a part of any mission. As for leaving the Order that would also be your choice. Most people find that once they see how much the Order really does that they are more committed than when the joined but we have had on occasion someone leave. But you must understand that you will be entrusted with a few secrets and we expect anyone who joins to be keep those secrets when the leave."

"Do you think you could give us a few minutes alone?" Julia asked.

"Sure." Lily said as she James and Albus left the room.

Around a half a hour later Julia and Amril beckoned Albus, Lily and James back into the room.

Julia spoke, "We've decided that we will join the Order."

"Wonderful," Albus said, "If you have the time now we can show you the headquarters."

"Yeah we can do that." Amril replied.

Albus pulled out a piece of parchment and tapped it with his wand. "Memorize this."

Julia and Amril looked at the paper for several seconds. "Okay."

Albus set fire to the paper. "If you will follow me we can walk to the headquarters." They all left the bar and walked several blocks. Lily, Albus and James stopped and looked at two stores, a grocery and a clothing store.

"Why did we stop?" Amril asked.

"Think about what was written on the piece of paper." Lily said.

Amril and Julia looked confused but then did as instructed. Suddenly a new building formed in-between the two shops. Julia gasped, and Amril jumped backwards.

"The Phoenix Theatre?" Julia asked, "Okay what just happened?"

Lily smiled. She too had been shock when a new building suddenly appeared but watching other's reactions was fun. "Come inside and we'll tell you."

"As you may have realized this building is magically concealed." Albus said as the walked down the rows of seats. "What you probably didn't realize was the type of magic used. This theatre is concealed by the Fidelius Charm which is the concealment of secret."

"Inside a single living soul." Albus and Julia said together.

"Very good Julia."

"Thanks I remember reading about it in seventh year but I didn't think it had been used in hundreds of years."

"Well you wouldn't unless the secret keeper told you." James said.

Julia blushed, "Oh, right."

"As I was saying the Orders headquarters are concealed with the Fidelius Charm and I am the secret keeper. You will find that you will be unable to tell anyone where the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix is located."

"But surely Muggles remember there was a theatre located here?" Amril asked.

"They may have memories of visiting the theatre but they cannot vocalize any memory to do with the geography of the theatre, it's all part of the charm."

Albus pointed to a row of seats indicating that they should all sit. We have weekly meetings here at the theatre, though on occasion we do meet at the bar we were just at, there we use codes names, I am Mr. White, Lily is Ms. Doe, James is Mr. Gardner. I'll let you decide what you want yours code names to be."

"Oh! Can I be Mrs. Lennon?" Julia exclaimed.

Lily let out a snort but quickly tried to turn it into a cough. Lily knew Julia had had a crush on a member of the Muggle band the Beatles. Julia cried for hours when she learned of John Lennon's murder.

"Mrs. Lennon it is." While he said nothing Albus had a knowing twinkle in his eye. "You use other Order member's code names if you need to mention them in a letter. Never mention any specifics about missions or Intel because owls can be intercepted. It is also advisable not to use your own owl if sending a letter to an Order member you were not friendly with before joining. If you have to mention the Order in letter refer to it as our acting group."

Amril let out a long low whistle. "Wow you guys have given this a lot of thought."

James shrugged, "It is war after all."

"We have a meeting tomorrow here at the theatre. You can meet some of the other Order members. You will need to apparate a few blocks away try to apparate some place different every meeting if you think you are being followed make several random stops until you are sure you have shook the tail."

"Shaking tails I feel like a spy," Julia said.

Lily put her hand of Julia's shoulder. "That just what you are becoming."

"Well that is it for your first orientation any questions?" Albus asked.

"Yes what times are the meetings?"

"Ah forgive me Amril; the meeting is at five in the afternoon."

"I guess we will see you at five then," Julia replied.

"Until tomorrow." Albus inclined his head. "Now if you'll forgive me I have another appointment."

Albus got up and excited the theatre.

"Well." Lily raised her eyebrows, "What do you think?"

"I think I can't believe I am a member of a clandestine organization that is working to undermine the greatest threat to the Wizarding world." Julia said.

"It does take a little while to get accustomed to the idea."

"What would my mother say?"

"Mine would say, 'Lily June Evans I don't care how old you are you still have to listen to your mother and I forbid you to go off and play wand wars'."

"I think that is about what my mum would say, but it's not as if I can tell her can I."

"No just tell her you have taken up bridge and need her to watch the girls once a week."

"Speaking of the girls we need to go pick them up."

"See you tomorrow, don't forget to walk a few blocks before you Apparate."

With that Julia and Amril walked up the aisle and out of the theatre.

"We should go pick up our little one too," James said.

The next day Lily and James were able to sleep in, Uncle Sirius decided that bedtimes are for fuddy-duddies and keep Harry up two hours longer than usual.

Harry would be going to the Order meeting along with Lily and James. Hagrid was more than willing to sit out during the meeting to watch Harry and catch up of business later.

Once awake the morning slipped by fast for Lily, before she knew it, it was four-thirty.

"Ready Lils?" James asked.

"I think so."

They Apparated ten blocks away from the Phoenix Theatre. Once near the theatre they fell 'into character'. Today they decided they would act the tourist. Lily had learned that sometimes the best was to be inconspicuous was to draw attention to yourself.

The Potters went into the theatre and made their way to the stage were a large table was set up. James sat next to Remus who had already arrived. "Hey Moony."

Harry reached his hand out to Remus, "Rem'mos."

"Hey Harry." Remus put Harry on his lap, "I missed seeing you yesterday."

At that moment Peter entered looked worst than ever. He pulled the chair next to Lily out.

"Pete?" She said meekly, "Would you mind sitting next to Remus?"

Peter seemed suspicious of Lily's request, "I-I yes."

"Thanks. We have new members today and I wanted to save them a seat next to me."

Most but not all of the worry left Peter's face, "That's fine Lily."

As if on cue Julia and Amril entered the theatre. Julia looked excited and a little scared. Amril looked shocked at the number of people present. Lily waved and they sat next to her.

Chatter filled the stage for several minutes as the last of the Order filled into the theatre.

As usual Albus was one of the last who arrive. "Good afternoon."

Everyone stopped their individual conversations. "First off I want to welcome a few new members. Julia and Amril Patil."

All eyes went to Amril and Julia. "Why don't you tell everyone a little about yourselves?" Albus said.

Amril stood, "Well I'm Amril and I work in security charms. Julia and I have been married a little over a year and we have twin girls Padma and Parvati." He looked at his wife.

"I'm Julia well right now I'm a Magical Art Restorer but last year I was Hogwarts Defense teacher."

"How long did you have the post?" Edgar Bones asked.

Lily rolled her eyes. Julia realized that the rumor the Defense teaching post was cursed must be a common topic of conversation for the Order.

"That's Edgar Bones. " Lily said to Julia.

"Eight months." Julia said.

Julia thought that she heard the man named Edgar say 'told you' to a man next to him.

"Who vouched for them?" A woman's voiced asked but Julia did not see who asked.

Lily spoke, "James and me."

"Did we say something wrong?" Julia asked obviously assuming the woman was wary of her.

"No, you're fine Albus people normally tell how they heard of the Order."

Albus spoke again, "And it looks like are other new member is here now."

A man with a Mohawk hopped on stage full of confidence. He looked somewhat familiar to Lily but she was not sure where she knew him from.

The man spoke, "I'm Joshua Figg. I'm the current Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts and before that I was a dragon trainer."

It was obvious Joshua had been told what to expect by someone.

"Hey sis," he said quietly as he sat next to Alice. "Alice Longbottom asked me to join the Order. You may not be able to tell because I got the good looks in the family but Alice is my sister."

Joshua gave a little yelp as a small red welt came up on his arm, "Mean sis."

Alice put on an innocent look but rolled her eyes, "He's such a baby."

Lily smiled it was clear that Alice and Joshua must fight like this often but it was also clear that they got along well despite the joking.

Soon the meeting was over. Some people left immediately and others stayed to socialize.

Julia and Amril stayed to meet some of their new colleagues.

"You probably meet before but this is Sirius, Remus and Peter." James indicated his best friends, "Marauders, this is Julia and Amril. Julia was two years ahead of us and Amril was three, they were both in Ravenclaw."

"Marauders?" Julia asked.

Lily answered, "A silly nickname they gave themselves right after starting at Hogwarts."

Alice, Frank and Joshua walked over to the group.

"Hey Alice!" Julia said.

"Hey Julia."

"So you already know each other?" Lily asked.

"Yep Julia and I were both in the Ancient Runes club." Alice answered, "Have you met my brother Joshua?"

"So you're the one who got the Figg looks?" Sirius asked always ready to joke with anyone.

"That's me." Joshua said, "But I'll admit Alice got some of the brains."

"Thanks Joshua." Alice said.

Joshua turned, "You must be the Professor Patil that my students all mention in such high regard."

Julia blushed, "Really? They talk about me? Is it conceited to ask who mentioned me?"

"Not at all. I haven't heard anyone who didn't like you. The second and third years especially. Actually one of them mentioned you too Lily."

Lily looked confused, "Me?"

"Yes Charlie Weasley told me about the Potions class you taught. He said he wished you were the new Potions teacher rather than that as he put it 'shampoo deprived snake.'"

James, Sirius, Remus and Peter all laughed more than happy to hear the students didn't like Snape. Lily on the other hand looked torn.

"Well Charlie was a sweet boy but I'm sorry Severus is having trouble connecting with the students."

"You know Professor Snape then?" Joshua asked.

"We all do actually he was in the same year as James and I. He actually a member of the Order actually."

"Really?" Joshua looked around to see if he had somehow looked over Snape. "Where is he?"

"At Hogwarts or maybe he's with …" Lily's voice trailed off.

Alice finished Lily's sentence for her, "Snape is a spy for the Order, he worked for Voldemort but now he's with us. It's best if you aren't heard talking about anything other than class schedules with him at Hogwarts."

"Oh the Order is really organized." Julia said.

"We are. Albus knows what he's doing. He fought against Grindelwald too so he's done this before."

"That true, I hadn't thought about the fact that Professor Dumbledore fought Dark Wizards for a long time."

Amril looked at his watch, "I'm sorry everyone but we need to go pick up our girls. Lily, James if you need I'm sure Julia's mother would be willing to watch Harry during Order meeting too."

"She'd love having another kid to watch." Julia added.

"Why don't you find out for sure before we make plans you never know."

"Alright I'll ask her bye." Julia said as she and Amril got up to the leave.