Book One: The Birth of the Order

Chapter Nine: Secrets

Hogwarts: 1975...

The young Lily Evans entered common room, a dazed look covering her face. Everyone else had gone to breakfast, but she was just returning from the hospital wing. McGonnigal had informed her that her best friend, Severus Snape, would be there for the rest of the day. The reason was left unexplained. Determined to find out what all the mystery was about, Lily skipped breakfast and visited her friend to get to the bottom of things. What she found, was unexpected.

Lily slumped on the couch and crossed her arms to think. "How could he say such horrible things?" Lily asked herself aloud. "Remus wouldn't hurt a fly, let alone-" She was stopped when a sniffle came from the stairway to the boys' dormitory. Lily jumped from her spot and walked over then stopped at the bottom step. She could see part of a boy, who was hidden as the stars curved around. "Who is that?" she asked and a startle sniffle echoed back to her. She leaned forward as far as she could, knowing the enchanted steps wouldn't allow a girl to set food on them. "Remus? Is that you?"

"Go away. I'm sorry, but… I'm not feeling well." He pulled his legs to his chest to hide them from view. "Remus, please come down. If you're sick you should go to the hospital wing."

"Madame Pomphrey said I could stay in my room today since…"

"Since what?" No answer came and the suble crying continued once more. "...Since Severus is in there?" She asked quietly. His lack of response, but increase in sniffling confirmed this for her. "Remus, go back to bed if you don't feel well."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"I just… can't." The truth was that the young 5th year boy had come down from his bedroom for some chocolate he had left in common room, but weak from the night before… his legs buckled on the way back up the steps and he could hardly climb up any further. Lily sat on the floor and leaned against the wall. "Severus said he can't leave the hospital all day. I think he's faking it though. He doesn't look injured to me."

"Did… did he say what happened to him."

"He said… he said he was attacked by a werewolf."

"...and… and do you believe that?"

"I didn't… until now." There was a long silence as Remus processed what she could have meant by that then he blurted out, "He told you!" Remus shouted between anger filled sobs. "That slimy git told you!"

"Remus, calm down. You didn't do anything."

"Didn't I?! I could have killed him. He's going to tell everyone and they'll run me out of the school on a rail."

"Remus, please…"

"As soon as my legs are up to it, I'll take my prefect badge to Dumbledore."

"Remus, you're overreacting. I'm sure you didn't mean-"

"Don't act like I'm innocent, Lily."

"You are."

"I'm a monster. He will be sure to tell everyone that."

"No you're not. And he won't tell the school."

"Of course he will. He's always wanted something to use against me and the lads and now he has it."

"Remus…" Lily was quiet for a long time after that. She was tempted to ask more questions. How many years had he dealt with the secret? Did the boys know? Certainly they had to. Did Dumbledore have to pull some strings to allow Remus as a student? She mentally hushed her curiosity and reminded herself that this was not time for school. The only question she did manage to let through her mouth was, "would you like some Pop-rocks?"

"W-what?"

"Poprocks. It's a muggle candy, but I find them remarkably similar to-"

"I know what they are."

"Oh… well I have some in my cloak pocket. I was just waiting on a friend to share them with." Remus is quiet for a while. Lily then heard some soft thuds. Remus inched his way down each step on his bum until he made it to the bottom. His eyes had dark circles underneath them, his face was cut and bruised. "Why are you being so kind, Lily? I've never seen someone so casual about this. Especially a muggle born. Plus, I could have murdered your best friend."

"Remus John Lupin would never hurt a soul. And maybe now Severus won't go snooping about."

"He wasn't Lily…"

"How else did he find you?" She held out the bag of poprocks and Remus stared at it. He didn't answer as he held out his hand to accept the candy, his eyes welling up with more anger filled tears as he thought over the night before and how his own friend had led Snape to the shrieking shack as a prank. A horribly selfish prank. Lily poured the rocks into his hand and grinned. "Besides, if Severus wants to continue to be my friend then I would hope he doesn't spread a word about this to anyone. And Remus…" He looked up at her green eyes and she gave him a serious look. "I'll be sure to remind him of that."

Godric's Hollow: 1979...

A dazed look covered Lily Evan's face as she sat in the faded grass outside James Potter's apartment. Before her stood the most handsome stag she had ever seen. It stamped his foot and snorted before holding it's head up high. "You're an animagus? I don't know if I should be impressed or upset that you kept such an incredible secret from me." The stage nodded. "When did you learn this? It had to be our last year." The stag shook his head. "After school?" He shook again. "James," She said impatiently and the stag changed back to James who said, "Our fifth year actually."

"That's not possible."

"Ah, but it is Evans." He crossed his arms and leaned on the tree. "We took two and half years to perfect the skill. Second year we started our research after finding out…" He stopped himself and glanced at her, reminding him it wasn't his secret to share. "finding out how good we were at charms like that."

"I see." She smirked at his lame cover up and added, "Did it have anything to do with a trip to the shrieking shack once a month?" James' eyes widened as he looked at her. "Wha- I don't… that is…"

"Severus was my best friend, James. Do you really think he wouldn't tell me about Remus?"

"Well-"

"And did you think he would have stayed silent about it to the whole school if I had insisted he do so?"

"Well I was wondering why he wasn't spreading rumors. I just thought Dumbledore was making him." He slunk down the tree and sat beside his fiance. "We wanted to help Remus, but he always insisted we stay away for safety. Then Peter saw in a textbook that animagi wouldn't be affected by a werewolf scratch." He scratched his head. "I can't believe you didn't tell me you knew!"

"It wasn't my business to tell. A lesson the lot of you learned the hard way," she said with a serious look and James rolled his eyes. "Don't blame me for what happened to Sour Grapes. That was Sirius' doing."

"James, aren't we a little old to still be blaming our mates for things?" Her green eyes cut through to his core and he looked down. "We almost lost him because of that…"

"Well don't worry," She said as she wrapped him in a side up. "The band stuck together."

"I mean it, Evans." He looked at her through his glasses with a sincere expression. "Remus has always been a flight risk and Sirius did let his pride come before his loyalty. I don't want anything like that to happen again."

"We aren't flawless, Potter. We all have faults. If we live without recognition of them, only then will we fail." She stood up and held out her hand to help him. "We should get back inside, though… Bambi." James took her hand and stood, but then pulled her into a hug.

"Remus…." Tabitha whispered as she gently poked the sleeping boy's forehead. "Remus? Wake up time." Remus heard her voice as his eyes fluttered awake, but the light gave him a headache. Tabitha was standing there looking at him with a mug in her hand. "Hey… whipped something up for you."

"What is it?" He looked at the mug in her hand and she passed it to him. Their fingers brushed and she quickly drew her hand away. "Thanks," he said softly. After one sip, his entire expression changed to one of disgust. "Good Godric."

"Hangover punch, is it?" Elise said as she arched her neck to examine the mixture. Tabitha nodded. "I hope I made it right. I'm a terrible cook."

"It's a little… overdone, but thanks." He took some more sips and then looked at the others. "I vote we don't drink before battles anymore." Elise chuckled at this but Nessa didn't seem as amused. "Or we could just learn right now that we are in a war and the time for games is over."

"Don't be so solemn, Ness," Elise said. "It was Lily's engagement night. They wanted to celebrate. Although, I agree… tonight may have been our last carefree night."

"Carefree?" Sirius said with a chortle. "You call that carefree?" He just shook his head and began to reach for his shoulder. "Don't touch it, Black," Tabitha said sternly. "Oh great," he sighed. "Now I have both you and Starke as my nurses." Elise rolled her eyes and stood. "Fine. Go ahead and touch it and have irritated boils on your skin for two weeks." With that she marched into the kitchen. Sirius smirked as she left. "Feisty little thing, isn't she?"

"Interested in her, are you?" Remus said with a tired grin. Sirius let out a chuckle. "In a girl like that? Don't be ridiculous."

"You're right," he sighed. "She's too smart for you."

"Oi! What do you know about it anyway?" He nudged Remus playfully but his tall friend didn't reply. His eyes glaned up to Tabitha who quickly said, "I… should make sure Elise doesn't need help. McCrimmon?" Nessa quietly stood and said, "You go. I'm going to wander for a bit." She made her way out of the front room.

She explored the small muggle-style flat and passed the room where Peter was watching television. He let out a moan and rubbed his hand. "Pettigrew? You alright?" He looked over his shoulder from where he was seated on the floor, his face looking particularly frustrated. "I forgot it wasn't a wizard tele. I tried to snag a sample of butterscotch. Blimey hard screen, this one has." Nessa chuckled then continued to explore. It was when she began descending the steps that her knees almost gave out. Fortunately she was able to remove her wand and whisper, "Arresto Momento." Before completely tumbling down the steps. She hurried outside and sat on the front step, looking up at what stars she could see.

Inside, Remus and Sirius sat quietly before Sirius said, "Did I offend you?"

"No, Padfoot… it's just."

"What?"

"Tabitha said she loved me. Does love me."

"Delaney said that?" He scratched his head. "I didn't even think she was capable of love."

"I didn't think I was capable of being loved," He rubbed the back of his neck and shut his eyes. "Why now?" He whispered to himself solemnly. Sirius looked at his friend. The full moon was only a few nights away and Remus' mood swings were unpredictable. Normally, he would be so on edge at all times that he would force himself to be solemn and sulky to try and fight the frustration. Poor bloke hardly got to relax and be himself. "Hey Mooney?"

"Hmm?"

"What do you think about her?" Remus didn't answer but opened his eyes and looked at his friend who added, "I mean, I know you lot got along together in school. Godric only knows why though. She's so bloody annoying and pushy." This brought a smile to Remus. "She's passionate."

"So? Do you… feel the same way?"

"... It doesn't matter. I can't feel the same way."

"Can I join you?" Tabitha said to Nessa as she joined her on the porch. The red haired girl looked back at her. "I thought you were helping Elise."

"I was. I'm afraid I'm better at potions than I am at cooking. I scortched the tea."

"How does one do that?"

"Believe me, I'm still wondering that." She laughed to herself and looked at Nessa. "So… you have druid ancestry?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Because I do too." Nessa looked at Tabitha for more of an explanation and the freckled faced girl said, "Our clan was the first druid clan in Ireland, actually. I think 6th century. Anyway, I don't know many druid spells. To be honest, I never wanted to learn them. Sometimes a family legacy can feel more like a burden."

"Tell me about it." She gave another glance to Tabitha. The Delaney girl now had a sad look on her face as if the story of her family pained her to think about. When Tabitha caught Nessa looking at her she perked up. "So why don't you work as an Auror?"

"Is Animagus Registry not groovy enough for a druid?"

"Oh, I didn't mean to imply anything. I'm just sure your qualifications… well, I just wondered."

"I took the job I did because of Elise. She's my best friend." The girl played with a curl on her face then said. "We will have to go back to the office soon. Dumbledore suggested destroying animagus records. It will be safer for those registered. They'll have ways to hide from you-know-who. Although, I don't see why-"

Suddenly there was a crash beside them as the rubbish bins by the building toppled over. Both of the young women stood and drew their wands. "Who's there?" They called into the darkness but there was no answer.

The Adventure Continues Next As an Unexpected Guest Arrives...

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