DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of it! Except maybe the typos...I'll claim those.
A/N: Hey all! I'm baaaaack! I can only get online at school though, so I'll have to use my time at home typing the chapters I handwrote over the past few weeks lol. I hope you enjoy this chapter. It strays a bit from the main story line and YES I did use some of the actual text from book five. That is all JK's I don't claim to have written it myself. It just seemed to fit so much better. Please leave love as always. I'll start replying to reviews soon. Thanks!
WARNINGS: I don't think there is any for this chapter. Trust me, there will be for later chapters (evil grin). One warning: it's unbeta'd! Sorry...
Ch 12.
The Other Side of The Advance Guard
"Sturgis Podmore? Sturgis Podmore!" Mad-Eye Moody growled as he read the last name off of his list. It was four o 'clock on August the seventh, and the Advance Guard was getting ready to take off for Surrey.
The door of the kitchen opened quickly and in walked a short wizard with a square jaw and straw coloured hair. "Sorry I'm late, Mad-Eye. I had guard duty at the Ministry and Arthur was late in taking my place.' Sturgis explained as he sat down in an empty chair at the dining table.
Moody glared at the man, but checked his name off the list without a word. "Ok, so everyone is here. Now, you've all memorized your jobs and your position in the flying formation, correct?" they all nodded and looked around to make sure everyone else had done their jobs, too. "Good. Severus explained to me yesterday that the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters aren't any the wiser to this plan, which is good for us. However, do not let this information fool you," he paused and stared around, "Constant vigilance!" he shouted, making the entire room jump. "We'll wait for Dumbledore's cue to leave. Until then, study your maps and plans for a while. No one is to leave this house." Moody growled as he stumped out of the kitchen.
Sirius was sitting beside Remus, reading his instructions and map over the werewolf's shoulder. "What does that mean there?" Sirius asked, pointing at a set of arrows turning endlessly in a circle around six names on the map. It was the flight positions of the Guard.
Remus glanced up at the map before returning to his notes. "It means that those people are to switch positions every so often. Harry will be surrounded, constantly," Remus reassured his lover. Sirius had been more worried about the mission than Remus had been himself. It was actually kind of cute to see him in a father-like panic over Harry's well-being.
"Oh, I see. And this 'H' in the middle is Harry?" Sirius asked for the thousandth time, his heart beating faster in anticipation. He was not only worried about his godson, but excited to finally get to see him again.
Remus rolled his eyes and rolled up the map and his notes. "Yes, Sirius. That 'H' is Harry. Stop being so worried, Padfoot. Harry will be fine with us. I won't let anything happen to him, you know that," Remus said with a smile.
Severus glanced over at the two men. The fact that they were obviously together didn't really bother Severus in the slightest, and that was a bit disconcerting. It wasn't that he disapproved of homosexuality, he didn't really care either way on that matter. What was bothering him was that he felt happy for them. After all the hell he'd been through with Sirius specifically, Severus had been hell bent on wanting Sirius to be miserable. This change in emotion was partnered by his growing concern for Harry. What was wrong with him? Since when did he have a heart? After Lily had died, so had his heart.
"Is everything alright, Severus?" Remus asked as he raised an eyebrow at the man who had been staring at him and Sirius for a good three minutes already. Remus found it slightly amusing, though he didn't know why.
Severus blinked and cleared his throat, looking back down at his papers. "Yes, fine," he muttered, trying to hide the small blush that had crept onto his cheeks. If he hadn't been so pale, it wouldn't have been so obvious.
Sirius frowned slightly, looking away from Snape. "I think he fancies you, too," Sirius whispered into Remus' ear. He was only joking, but Snape's weird behavior had been increasing ever since their first Order meeting, and it was starting to bother Sirius.
Remus spluttered and spit out the tea he had just taken a sip of. He coughed and tried to clean his mess up as he laughed. Severus Snape, fancy him? That was not only hilarious, but a bit frightening. There was no way. Plus, Remus knew for a fact that Severus was straight. "Sirius, you prat. Shut up," Remus whispered as he cleared the tea off of his map.
Sirius was laughing as well, patting Remus gently on the back. He looked over at Snape, who was raising an eyebrow at the obvious shows of affection. Sirius quickly moved a little further away from Remus, blushing.
Everyone in the kitchen was staring at Remus and Sirius, curious and just a bit confused. Thank Merlin that Moody had stumped in right as Tonks had opened her mouth to speak, glaring slightly at the two men.
"I've just received Dumbledore's cue to leave. Everyone gather their brooms and meet in the front. Remember not to make your brooms too obvious, there are muggles living on this very street. Let's go." Moody bustled out of the room, his own broom laying across his shoulder.
Everyone stood up and made their way out of the kitchen, the incident only a few seconds ago seemingly escaping their memories for the time being. Everyone had left except for Remus, Sirius, and Severus, who was writing on a piece of parchment quickly. Severus looked up and saw that they were the only three in the kitchen. With a sigh, he stood up and stowed away his map and instructions, making his way towards the door. He paused to lay the parchment face down on the table, then pushed open the door and left.
Sirius watched Severus go, frowning in confusion. "What on earth was that about?" Sirius said as he reached for the parchment.
Remus shrugged and shook his head. "I've no idea. What does it say?" Remus asked as Sirius began to read the note. Sirius pushed the parchment towards him, looking slightly annoyed.
'Don't flatter yourself, Black. I don't fancy your boyfriend. I do suggest, however, that you two be more careful about displays of affection. Harry is a lot more intelligent than most people in this house and will pick up on it quickly. Potter also has a tendency to not keep his mouth shut. So unless you want all of the wizarding world to know, keep it in the bedroom.'
Remus frowned, blushing a little. "Well, apparently Tonks isn't the only one who knows. I think he knew about us back in Hogwarts, though. He's right, though Padfoot. Harry is very intelligent, he'll figure it out," Remus said, lighting the parchment on fire with the tip of his wand then vanishing the ashes.
Sirius sighed and nodded. 'I know. We'll have to be more discreet. You'd better go before Moody bursts in here with a search party," Sirius said as he stood up. The fact that Severus knew was not what had upset him. His slight on Harry was what bothered him.
Remus stood up and pulled Sirius into a hug, smiling. "We'll survive. And he can wait, I want to say goodbye." he leaned in and kissed his lover passionately, running a hand through his silky black hair.
Sirius kissed Remus back, pressing himself firmly against the werewolf. "Be careful, Remus," Sirius whispered as he pulled away. He wished he could go along with the Guard, but knew it would be better for everyone if he stayed.
Remus kissed Sirius again before pulling away and walking towards the kitchen door. "I will be," he whispered as he pushed open the door and left, leaving Sirius alone in the musky and dark kitchen.
It was freezing, especially that high up in the sky. Severus pulled his disillusioned cloak closer to him as he scanned the sky for any sign of movement. He could see the mist of his breath as he checked his watch; six forty-five. He grumbled as he turned and scanned the sky in the opposite direction. So far, so good. There was not a plane, bird, or any other flying thing in sight. It was slightly cloudy, however, and the air was very damp with the threat of rain. The sun was setting fast, and Severus would soon lose what little light he had. No matter, his vision was excellent in the dark.
Severus flew in a circle, extremely high above the square houses of Private Drive. He flew a little to the left and scanned the land below. He spotted the familiar river and located the park in which he had met Lily Evans. It was old and starting to fall apart now. Severus sighed, his breath misty against the cold once more. It felt like a hundred years ago that he had met the fiery red-head. With a sad sort of smile, he flew back to where he was supposed to be, scanning the skies for anything around number four, Private Drive. He felt old, looking down at Lily's old house and remembering the first and only time he had ever been inside...
"Lily, I don't think this is a good idea, what if she comes home early?" Severus was eleven years old, and walking up the stairs of Lily Evans' house, following the red-head up.
"Don't be such a kill joy, Sev. She said she'd be with her friends for a couple of hours, I heard her talking to my mum. I want to know what that letter said," Lily said as she walked over to Petunia's bedroom door and pushed it open quietly. She looked around the room and tried to decide where to look first; the desk. She walked over and began to look through the paper littering the wooden surface.
Severus was standing in the middle of the bedroom, taking in the look of Lily's sister's room. It was very bright and girlie, with dolls and stuffed bears piled onto the pink bedspread across the medium sized bed. It was very different from his own dark and dangerous looking house.
"Come help me look, Severus. I can't find it," Lily said as she ruffled through the top drawer. She had been sure she had seen the envelope that morning at breakfast.
Severus moved forward, looking around at the papers on the desk. "I still think you've been mistaken. Muggles can't contact Hogwarts, they don't have an owl and they can't send it through muggle post. Hogwarts letters only come by owl," Severus explained. Just then, his eyes fell onto a large envelope with the Hogwarts crest on it. "Lily." Severus tapped Lily lightly on the shoulder and pointed to the envelope.
Lily turned to look at what Severus was pointing at and immediately grabbed the envelope. "I told you I saw it!" Lily exclaimed as she quickly pulled the letter out of the envelope and began to read, Severus standing over her shoulder to read it as well.
A few minutes later, Lily folded the parchment back up and put it back in the envelope. She placed the envelope exactly where they had found it and led the way out of Petunia's room and into her own, Severus following behind her. "She asked to go to Hogwarts with me...Sev, I thought she hated me for being a witch." Lily said quietly as she sat down on her bed and pulled a stuffed animal up to her chest and hugged it.
Severus sat down beside Lily frowning at the look of sadness on Lily's face. He didn't want Lily to be sad, it made him sad too. "Well Dumbledore is right. If she doesn't show any signs of magic by age seven, she won't receive her Hogwarts Letter. She's not magical, Lily. It happens all the time," Severus explained, trying to make Lily feel better.
Lily sighed and tossed the stuffed animal behind her, looking over at Severus. "I know, but I still feel horrible. At least Dumbledore was kind about it." Lily stood up and moved to look out her window at the darkening sky.
Severus stood up and followed her, standing beside her and looking out towards the bright full moon that was beginning to surface. "There must be wizards working undercover in the postal service who deal with magical mail. I don't see how else her letter could have gotten to Hogwarts." Severus said lightly, afraid to upset Lily more.
Lily nodded distractedly, still looking out the window. "Yeah, I guess...Maybe you should go home now, Tuney will be home soon. Want me to walk you?" Lily asked as she turned and smiled at Severus.
Severus smiled back and nodded. "Yeah, I'd like that." They both left the house, walking slowly back towards the river and Spinner's End. Severus paused at the park, smiling at Lily. "I think I'll go alone from here. I don't want you going into my neighborhood, it's not a very nice place," Severus said as he walked closer to the fiery haired Lily. "Listen, Lil. Petunia will be fine, don't worry about her. We're going to Hogwarts in a week! Don't let this ruin your excitement," Severus said excitedly.
Lily smiled widely, walking forward and hugging Severus tightly for a few seconds before backing away. "Thanks, Sev. I can't wait to go to Hogwarts with you. See you here tomorrow after lunch?" Lily asked, motioning towards the park.
Severus smiled as he felt butterflies erupt into his stomach. He had never been hugged by anyone but his mother before. "I can't wait either, Lily. Of course, tomorrow after lunch sounds good," Severus said as he began to walk slowly backwards.
Lily giggled and waved as she too started to walk backwards. "See you then!" Lily called as she turned and started walking home a bit faster now. It was already after dark, she would be in trouble if she didn't hurry home.
"Goodbye, Lily!" Severus called, smiling to himself and making his way back home, feeling ten times happier than he'd ever felt before...
Severus glanced down at his watch; seven-fourteen. He scanned the sky quickly, taking in every star and cloud, but seeing nothing more. He looked down and saw nine little dots standing in the backyard of number four. He pulled out his wand and waited for his watch to say seven-fifteen before shooting up red sparks from his wand tip. He watched as the nine dots mounted nine sticks, which were obviously brooms. He scanned the sky once more, turning a full circle and looping around one more time. Nothing. He raised his wands and sent up green sparks as his watch ticked seven-twenty.
Severus moved higher into the sky, his hands freezing to his broom as he watched the nine figures grow larger. He saw a blurry figure on the broom in the very center and saw that Harry had been disillusioned. He was about fifty feet above the formation of fliers, watching the sky around them. The nine figures grew smaller and smaller as they flew back towards London; the people above, below, and at either side of Harry switching spots every few seconds.
RSRSRS
Sirius was sitting at the kitchen table, surrounded by the other Order members. He felt awkward without Remus there with him. Dumbledore was cracking a few jokes as entertainment as they all waited for the Advance Guard to arrive with Harry. It was already nine-thirty, and they still weren't back. Dumbledore wasn't expecting them till ten, but Sirius felt slightly uneasy.
Molly bustled out of the kitchen and said she was going to check if she could see them coming yet. She was just as worried, if not more, about Harry's safety. A few minutes later, Severus Snape walked in, storing his broom in the corner and taking a seat which was much closer to the front than his normal seat.
"Ah, Severus. Everything went well, I assume? Are you ready to give that report, then?" Dumbledore asked with a smile. Everyone else in the room was staring at Snape, waiting for something to happen.
Severus nodded slowly, looking over at Dumbledore. "Yes, everything went according to plan. They should be here shortly. And yes, I'm ready, sir." As soon as Severus had said this, the kitchen door opened and in walked all of the Advance Guard.
Sirius beamed as Remus sat down beside him, sweeping his gold and gray hair out of his eyes. "Where's Harry at?" he asked quietly, looking around but seeing no sign of his godson.
Remus smiled and shook his head. "He's not allowed in the meeting. You can see him afterwards," Remus whispered, taking a sip of his tea and looking towards Dumbledore, who was smiling at him.
Molly walked back in quietly and took the seat beside her husband, looking over at Dumbledore with a slight blush on her cheeks.
"Ok, I call this meeting to order. Good evening to all! I hope everyone on the Advance Guard found the mission safe and fairly easy?" everyone nodded in agreement and Dumbledore beamed. "Good. Now let us turn our attentions to Severus, who has made a report on all he knows of Voldemort's plan to seize the Prophecy." Dumbledore nodded to Severus and sat down, looking at him expectantly.
Severus stood up, feeling like he was under a very bright spotlight. He pulled out a folder and ruffled through a few pieces of parchment before pulling one out and setting the folder back down. "Since I last spoke to Lucius Malfoy, it has become clear that the Dark Lord knows a lot more than we thought before. He knows specifically where in the Hall of Prophecy his particular Prophecy sits. Malfoy has confided in me that the Dark Lord has been getting his information from the same Unspeakable who is under the Imperius curse, and has been working on this mission for some time now. I believe whoever is Imperiused is fighting it, however, because there is still no sign that the Dark Lord knows that only the people to which the Prophecy pertains can remove it from it's place. Lucius also told me that he has reported to the Dark Lord of some suspicious people lurking around the corridor around the same time the Death Eaters are keeping watch. He is under the impression that the Ministry has caught on, and is watching Lucius and Selwyn, the other Death Eater who goes with him on these watches. He isn't any the wiser to the Order, but the fact that he saw a few people in the corridor at the time is enough to make me believe that the Order Guard are not being careful enough. I was asked to go on a watch with Lucius and what I saw confirms my beliefs. I saw the top of Podmore's head, plainly visible in the corner, the cloak covering the rest of him. If I had not steered Lucius away right then, Podmore would have been found for sure. It is my strongest suggestion that the Guard members use extreme caution while on duty," Severus finished, looking around at Dumbledore and sitting back down.
Dumbledore stood up and looked around at everyone, his eyes resting for a second on the pale face of Sturgis Podmore. "Thank you, Severus. I had already been under the impression that Voldemort had been trying to get into the Hall for awhile now. What I didn't know, however, was that he knew the precise location of the Prophecy itself. Would you mind telling us where Voldemort believes it to be?" Dumbledore asked, inclining his head back towards Snape.
Severus nodded. "Row ninety-seven, shelf thirteen, sixth from the left," Severus recited quite easily, as though he had memorized the information on purpose.
Dumbledore frowned slightly and nodded. "That is indeed where the Prophecy is located. This is most disturbing, as it shows the Dark Lord is one step closer to the Prophecy," he paused and looked around, "I thought I had made it very clear that no one was to be seen while on Guard duty in the Ministry. If we were to be discovered it would mean not only hell from the Ministry, but from Voldemort himself. I am trusting that you all redouble your efforts to stay concealed while on duty. If anything of the sort should happen again, we may not be so lucky as to have it avoided. Now, we have one more report to listen to before I will dismiss you. Since it is so late, I will not keep you all here for too long. Sirius, are you ready?" Dumbledore asked as he looked towards Sirius.
Sirius smiled and stood up. "Sure am, sir. There wasn't very many books on the Department of Mysteries for obvious reasons. However, I did find a few books who mentioned some specifics. As you enter the Department, you end up in a circular room, with black doors all around. They're not marked at all, but it is said that the Unspeakables know a spell to reveal which door they need to go through. Once one door is closed, the room spins, making the door impossible to distinguish from the next without the spell. It's a deterrent to keep unwanted personnel out. There is also a room called the Time Chamber. This is where the Unspeakables study the aspects of time. The Ministry's entire stock of Time-Turners is also kept there. That is as much information as I could find. Everything else simply said that the Department could not be discussed," Sirius finished, feeling slightly disappointed in himself.
Dumbledore nodded and stood up as Sirius sat back down. "Thank you, Sirius. Your discoveries about the entrance to the Department are most helpful, as I've never heard of it before. We will have to do some research to find out the spell the Unspeakables use. Is there anything more?" Dumbledore asked, looking around at everyone.
Sirius raised his hand, feeling childish. "Actually sir, I have a question. Harry is going to want some answers after being left in the dark for most of the summer. What exactly are we supposed to tell him when he asks?" Sirius said, motioning towards himself, Remus, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.
Dumbledore studied Sirius for a few seconds. "Very good question, Sirius. I believe Harry should be told the truth, to an extent. I suggest you tell him only what he needs to know, but not everything. Do not mention the Prophecy, however. I don't want Harry knowing just yet. Anything else?" Dumbledore looked around, but no one raised their hand this time. "Very well, I motion that this meeting be adjourned," Dumbledore said with a smile.
Moody, as always, rolled up the parchment he had been writing on and stood up himself. "I second the motion, meeting adjourned! Good work on the Guard mission everyone," Moody said as he turned to leave.
Remus smiled at Sirius as he stowed away his report. "Don't look so bummed, love. That was actually very informative," Remus whispered, leaning towards Sirius.
Sirius smiled and looked towards Remus, shaking his head. "I was very distracted during my research, thanks to someone," he whispered back with a soft chuckle.
"I need to have a quick word with Molly, I'll be right back," Remus said as he stood up and left the kitchen. He walked up the stairs and towards the front door, where Molly and Tonks were seeing the last few people out of the door. Remus pulled out his wand and helped restore the locks and bolts with Molly and Tonks. He turned to see Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and the Twins all walking down the stairs. He smiled as Harry got his eye and smirked at him.
"We're eating down in the kitchen," Mrs. Weasley whispered, meeting them at the bottom of the stairs. "Harry, dear, if you'll just tiptoe across the hall, it's through this door here -"
CRASH.
"Tonks!" cried Mrs. Weasley exasperatedly, turning to look behind her.
"I'm sorry!" Wailed tonks, who was lying flat on the floor. "It's that stupid umbrella stand, that's the second time I've tripped over -"
The rest of her words were drowned out by the horrible sounds of Mrs. Black, screaming and shrieking as the curtains over her portrait sprang open. Remus and Molly ran forward and tried to pull the curtains back over the screaming woman, but they wouldn't budge. Tonks was apologizing profusely as she dragged the heavy trolls head off of the floor and set it right again. The other portraits along the wall began screaming and yelling in pain, making the noise almost unbearable.
Sirius came charging out of the door leading down to the kitchen just as Molly was stunning all of the portraits in the hall, shutting them up instantly. "Shut up, you horrible hag, shut UP!" he roared, seizing the curtain Molly had abandoned.
Mrs. Black's eyes went wide and she pointed a long-nailed finger at Sirius. "Yoooou! Blood traitor, abomination, shame of my flesh!" she shrieked.
"I said- shut - UP!" Sirius roared again, and with a stupendous effort, he and Remus managed to force the curtain closed again. The old woman's voice died and an echoing silence fell. Panting slightly and sweeping his long dark hair out of his eyes, Sirius turned towards his godson, smiling lightly.
"Hello, Harry," he said grimly, "I see you've met my mother."
A/N: Well I hope you all enjoyed that update. I'll give you another in a couple of days perhaps. My posting is catching up to my writing, so I need time to get ahead of the game. Thanks for sticking with me!
