-Chapter 12-
"Prongslet?!" a voice yelled up the stairs.
An annoyed green eyed young woman looked up from the study in the Potter Manor, "What Sirius?" she yelled back, annoyed at being interrupted from her homework yet again.
"Have you seen Remus?"
"No, he is still at work!" she yelled back, before turning back to her paper and book.
"Ally!"
Rubbing her eyes with her hands, Ally sighed, "What?"
"Have you seen Kricket?"
"Try the kitchens!" she yelled back, rolling her eyes at being asked where the House Elf is.
A minute of silence passed.
"Ally?"
Her eye twitched as her quill snapped in half, "What?" she yelled again, trying to take calming breaths as she dug another quill out of her bag.
"Have you seen your Dad?" Sirius asked, his voice innocent.
"He's at work!"
Silence descended around the large study, and Ally sighed in content as she started on her paper once more.
"I'm bored!"
Ally shrieked in annoyance and jumped up from her seat, stalking down the stairs, "Sirius Orion Black you are the most annoying person!" she yelled, her eyes narrowing as she took in his startled face.
"Merlin what has got your knickers in a twist?" he asked, bemused.
Ally wanted to rip her hair out, ever since she had gotten home 4 days ago Remus and Sirius hadn't let her alone, if she was in the kitchen they were in the kitchen, if she were outside they were outside, if she was watching TV they were watching TV, she was surprised they didn't follow her into the bathroom.
Taking a deep breath to calm her anger, Ally ran a hand through her long hair, "Sirius you have not left me alone since I have been home!"
Looking offended, Sirius gave her a lazy grin, "But Ally it's always so boring without you here, and now that you are here all you are doing is homework!"
"I was almost finished when you interrupted me!"
"But Prongslet nobody hangs out with me when you're not here!" he whined.
Laughing her anger away, Ally ruffled his hair, "Fine what do you want to do Sirius?"
"Qudditch!"
Laughing as he jumped out of the chair and pulled her along, "Okay but when we are done I have to finish my paper!"
"Yes Prongslet!"
Ally laughed running off after him.
-Later that night-
"Allison!"
Ally turned, a bright smile gracing her face, "Dad!" she laughed as he pulled her into a tight hug, and ruffled her hair.
"Merlin have you grown?" he asked, holding her at arm's length.
"No Dad, I'm still my same height!" she grumbled.
James just laughed ruffling her hair once more before heading towards the refrigerator.
Rolling her eyes, Ally batted his hands away and grabbed the bowl of popcorn from the counter, "Want to watch a movie with Remus and I?"
"Actually I have some Ministry Officials coming over for a late night meeting," he explained, quickly chugging a glass of pumpkin juice.
"What?" Remus and Ally said in sync.
James gave the two a funny look, "Yes a late night meeting, Ally would you mind changing into something a bit more appropriate for house guests?"
Ally's smile slide off her face, a strained look crossing her features as she glanced down at her sweatpants and sweatshirt combo.
Remus meanwhile glared at the comment, "James!" he yelled in outrage, "Ally is home for only 2 weeks!"
James shook his head, "I know that Remus but things are happening." He stated calmly.
"I know that!" Remus roared back, "It has been happening for a long time now, you don't need to have a meeting when your daughter is only home for 2 weeks!"
Ally started to slowly slip out of the kitchen and up the stairs, leaving the popcorn and the arguing behind as she entered her room, closing the door quietly to not alert the two men arguing downstairs of her disappearance. She wondered over to her window that faced the gardens and opened it wide, wrapping her jacket around her tightly, she climbed out and up onto the top of the roof, moving her feet along the side rafters until she was sitting atop the Potter Manors Roof.
The roof seemed to be her only peace in the house, she discovered it the night she discovered Remus was a werewolf, she was 8, and ever since then she would climb up and sit on the edge when she was lonely, needed to think, or when she would watch the three most important men in her life run off for a full moon night.
The wind was heavy tonight, making her wrap her jacket a bit more tightly around herself. Her mind wondered, much like it always did when she came out onto the roof.
She had been home for 4 days now, the majority of her time spent between Remus, Sirius, and writing her friends, her father she hadn't seen once, besides tonight. She didn't know if he came home late at night and left very early in the morning or if he just wasn't coming home, but all she knew was that he wasn't around. At first she was pretty upset about his absence, but her time spent with Remus and Sirius overshadowed those down moments.
She felt slightly jealous of her friends, Neville was in Australia with his Gran visiting family, and Seamus and Dean's family were traveling to Iceland for the Christmas break. She had been over to Ron's a few times for dinner, while Hermione had written her practically every day. Draco had even written, telling her under no circumstances was she to enter into a closet tomorrow night at the meeting unless he was already in it.
The thought of her boyfriend-friend-or whatever he was brought a bright smile to her face. Draco had certainly treated her like a girlfriend, but they never really had that talk, so she really didn't know exactly what they were doing, but she was sure she liked it.
"James I have told you to get it together, Ally is growing up she's not a child you can't hide her away in a room, she's going to be off on her own soon!"
"Don't think I don't know that Remus!" James' voice drifted out from the open kitchen window. "I am trying to protect her!"
Remus' voice came out sounding like a growl, "Protecting her isn't ignoring her James, soon even you won't be able to protect her-"
"Shut the Bloody Hell up Remus!"
Ally sighed, bringing her knees up to her chest and resting her head upon her knees, looking out across the dark night sky, there were a few stars twinkling, the sounds of owls hooting and the trees rustling in the wind. She tried to ignore the loud voices of her Father and Uncle, after all the words they spoke were true, and she knew just what they were talking about.
Closing her eyes tightly, Ally laid back onto the roof to try and remember the times before her life revolved around whispered conversations, dark broom closet, and Dark Lords.
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"OH Ally I have missed you!" Mrs. Weasley's voice drew many head turnings when Ally made her appearance into the kitchen, as she swept the young girl up into a tight hug.
Ally laughed nervously, her cheeks flushed as the Order Members bellowed hellos to her from across the room. Her eyes met a pair of Silver, and she could feel her heart beat stop momentarily as her cheeks reddened even more, because less than 5 minutes ago she was getting felt up by those familiar hands, and those dazzling silver eyes had her hooked like a drug, while those strong arms had held her tightly in the dark cupboard closet under the stairs.
Christmas had passed, with much laughter and a hard to forget Weasley family Christmas dinner that Ally, Remus, and Sirius attended. Tonight was the last Order meeting during Christmas break, as in 2 days they would be heading back to Hogwarts to finish out the rest of the school year.
"Can't believe Mum allowed Malfoy to come!" Ron mumbled next to her ear causing her to jump.
"Merlin Ron!" she hissed, placing a hand over her heart and breaking eye contact with Draco, "You scared me!"
Ron gave her an odd look, "What has got you so jumpy?"
Shaking her head, she ignored the question and moved her eyes back to her obsession.
"Eh there is our favorite little Potter!" came two identical mischievous voices, as two hands shot out to ruffle her hair.
Ally laughed, ducking her head away to fake scowl at the two.
"Is little Potter upset-"
"Because we can surly-"
"Make you smile!" They finished in unison.
"Gred and Feorge!" she mock scolded as she swatted their hands away.
"Alright Children into the library, we have things to discuss!" James' voice sounded over the commission in the kitchen.
A few mumbles of complaint came rumbling out as the teenagers stomped up the stairs of #12 Grimwauld Place. It seemed to be a routine for the group, rushing up the stairs and preparing whatever form of how they were to spy on the meeting.
Ally was currently detaching the air vent that they would place their snoop-a-scope down, while Fred and George retrieved their equipment. Ron and Draco always seemed to be in a contest of glaring at each other, while Ginny played referee.
"Who invited you in here Malfoy?"
"Listen Weasel-"
"Ron!" Ally said in a warning voice, "Now is not the time to pick a fight with Drac-Malfoy!"
Ron's eyes bulged out of his head at her near miss, and she noticed the smirk that crossed Draco's voice just before she turned back to her work, her face bright red, and her breath coming in quickly at her near slip up.
"You-you nearly called the ferret by his first name!" Ron accused loudly, pointing his finger at her back like a child would when they were tattling.
Ally felt her face flush more, and she was currently waiting for the ground to open up and swallow her whole.
"Oh close your mouth Weasley you are going to start catching flies!" Draco's taunting voice sounded, drawing everyone's attention back to him, letting Ally take a sigh of relief.
When she managed to turn back around and controlled her expression, she came into focus with yet another glaring contest between Ron and Draco. Fred and George were both giving her a mix between questioning and knowing that she was choosing to ignore, while Ginny stayed quiet, watching everyone interact with little care.
"Shh!" Ally hissed finally, drawing everyone's attention to her as she crouched next to the vent. Soon four other bodies were all pressed in closely around the air vent, listening to muffled voices as the spoke about.
This was always the only time of peace between the 5 very different people, even before Ally and Draco became whatever it was they were, this was the one time no bickering happened, no name calling was said, and no one cared how close they all were.
"She is just a girl!" came the first voice bellowing through the scope, it was Mrs. Weasley's who always seemed to be the most vocal during these meetings.
"I know that!" came James' voice sounded, "But times are changing!"
"Times are changing?" came the sarcastic voice of Severus Snape, "They already have."
"Shut up Snivellus!" came Sirius' voice.
"Gentleman focus on the topic." Dumbledore's chastised.
Silence for a few moments before.
"You can't be expected to allow this James!" Molly was shrieking, causing even the teens to grimace.
"I must agree with Molly," Alaster Moody's voice sounded, "It's not safe to have Miss Potter trap zing around looking for these things with you Albus!"
Ally frowned, giving Ron a confused look.
"She will be with me-"
"She's my damn kid Albus not yours!" James suddenly bellowed.
Dumbledore's voice sounded amused when he spoke, "Naturally James, I just need her help is all."
"I don't like this idea, she is just a child, she shouldn't be used as some sort of weapon!" came Molly's voice once more.
"Ally Potter is no weapon Molly, however I have no doubt she will end this war-"
"You can't put that pressure on her!" Molly shrieked.
"She was born into it!" Moody argued, causing a few very strong loud words to be voiced back in his direction.
A hand on the small of her back had her relaxing into it slightly at the familiar feel, as it rubbed soothing circles.
"That doesn't mean she needs to be a part of every aspect of this war!"
"Are you mad Molly, do you not remember last year when we were keeping these kids in the dark!" Sirius' voice sounded.
A few sighs were heard, and Ally, Ron, and Ginny had the decency to wince at their stupid mess up that nearly cost a few lives.
"We can't continue to keep them in the dark it's not fair, they will go off searching for their own answers if they have to!" Arthur explained.
"If they haven't already-"Remus muttered.
Silence came across for a moment.
"What do you mean?" James' voice sounded serious.
"We keep calling them children but they aren't, and none of them have been for a long time, they have fought in battles, been exposed to things that even some of us haven't, you can't really believe that they haven't been doing their own research, their own exploring and putting the pieces together." He explained.
"They would not-"
"Last year they went to the Department of Ministry!" Remus growled, "The year before there was a tournament where Ally was transported to the middle of a damn graveyard to watch another student get killed!"
"Moon-"
"The year before dementours were stationed around Hogwarts due to Bellatrix Lestrange, the year before that the Chamber of Secrets had been opened-"
"Stop-"
"The year before that the damn Stone!" Remus finished, "Everyone of these children have been a part of these events, they know something is happening, and I am sure they have talked about doing something about it!"
More voices chose to speak at once causing a muffling sensation through the ear.
Static started to sound, before a loud screech sounded, causing all the teens to jump away.
"Merlin!" Ron complained, rubbing at his ears.
"What was that?" Ally asked, giving the twins a confused look.
Fred gave a lopsided smile, "We have been noticing sometimes during these meetings they haven't been working properly-"
"Sometimes they go in or out, or make that screeching sound-"Added George.
"We have tested them in other locations of the house when meetings aren't taking place-"
"They work just fine-"
"Which means-"
"Which means Dumbledore's interfering with them." Ally finished, not bothering to look up for an answer.
A silence descended upon the 5 teenagers.
"But why?" Ron finally asked.
"Use your head Weasel!" Draco sneered, "He doesn't want you to hear certain things!"
"You Ferre-" Ron started to hiss out, "OW! Bloody hell Ally!"
"Stop arguing it won't get us anywhere!" Ally lectured, "And be quiet they are speaking again!"
"People are disappearing daily!" Remus' voice sounded "We can only place our trust in so many people, and if we start turning on each other than we're doomed!"
"We are all being followed!" Arthur voiced, "Most days Molly won't even leave the house!"
"Arthur-"
"No Molly it is the truth, this hasn't been easy for anybody-" Arthur continued, "The Malfoy's and Severus are having to choice who the associate in public with, they are spying and having to do things that are going to start really questioning our trust in them, we must stay strong!"
"Arthur that is a bit overdramatic-" James started.
"OH really James, is Lucius and Severus poising as Death Eater's being dramatic, they have to kill when they go on these missions or be killed themselves-"
All the teens winced at the true statement.
"Soon Draco is going to have to join to keep any questioning at bay, do you think that is fair that a 16 year only boy is going to have to be exposed to that?"
Ally felt the hand beside her and grasped it hard.
"Soon Ally is going to have to go head to head with this monster and kill him, Draco, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred, George, Bill, and Charley are all going to have to fight in this same battle!" he continued on. "Severus took an unbreakable vow to protect Draco-"
"That is enough Remus." Dumbledore's soothing voice came about.
All eyes turned to Draco's whose voice looked deathly white at the declaration.
"We all need some time to digest this news."
"Our house was attacked this summer and Ally and Ron went out to fight!" Molly shrieked.
"Ally needs to realize who she is, it is way too easy for her to be accessed-"
"Hogwarts-"
"Hogwarts what?" James asked, "Don't say it is the safest place because it is not!"
"It is!" several voices sounded.
James made a muffled noise, "I have thought of taking Ally out of Hogwarts…"
Several voices spoke at once sounding very angry at the confession.
"I didn't!" James defended himself, "But these disappearances and killings are becoming more frequent, and Albus has been out of Hogwarts more times than not-"
"Doing research I assure you James."
"I know that Albus!" James growled, "But times are dangerous!"
The screeching sound came around again, this time not leaving.
The teens pulled back, turning the contraption off as they stared wide eyed at each other.
"Why did Snape have to take an unbreakable?" Ron sounded first, sounding every bit as aggressive as it came out.
"Ron-"
"NO Ally this is important!" Ron growled, "I'm not trying to be accusing, but why the bloody hell would Snape do that, he could die if it didn't work!"
Draco looked white, but sure of himself as he spoke, "Apparently the Dark Lord wants me to do a mission, I haven't heard all about it, and all I know is soon I will find out, and if I don't succeed Severus is suppose to finish it."
"How do we know that's true-" Ron started but Fred this time interrupted.
"Ron didn't you just hear Remus, if we start turning against each other were doomed!"
Ron turned accusing eyes to his brother.
"If Dumbledore trust the Malfoy's than I do to!" George decalred.
Ginny, and Fred nodded in sync.
Ron was glaring hard, but he didn't open his mouth again.
"What about these disappearances?" Ginny asked, "It sounds like they are getting worse-"
"They are." Fred and George said in unison.
Ally bit her lip, "Dumbledore has asked me to go on missions with him and look at memories with him all school year, it has all has to do with Voldemort."
Draco and Ron flinched at the name.
"What does this all mean?" Ginny asked quietly.
Ally sighed, running a hand through her long hair, "It means the war is going to be here very soon."
Ginny inhaled deeply.
"And it means we're all going to have to trust each other, even if things may look bad at the time." Ally continued, giving a pointed look to Ron.
"Are you parents really going to make you join?" Ginny asked quietly.
Draco looked up, his face white but determined, and nodded.
Ginny looked horrified, "How could they do that?"
Draco scoffed, "Weasley we're all about to be doing things we don't want to," he said, his voice like steel, "If you want to win this war you need to prepare yourself."