Chapter 14

The Mission

Going on a Honeymoon is something considered habitual for newlywed couples to do. It's a lovely tradition, really, and C.C. had always pictured hers would be spent in a paradisiac beach, lying alongside her new husband while sipping on a piña colada. She had imagined those wonderful days would be spent making love and simply revelling on the knowledge she now had someone to share life with. But, as it turns out, she had been wrong – something that had become almost the rule during these past months.

Her honeymoon didn't take place in some wonderful tropical paradise, but rather it transpired in her own penthouse bedroom – more specifically in her own king-sized bed. It hadn't lasted a few days, either, it only consisted in a couple of hours that were thoroughly spent making love and cuddling with her husband – and it was perfect. The producer hadn't been able to stop a delighted smile from stretching her lips when she awoke to find herself safely hidden in Niles' embrace while a pair of sky-blue eyes stared down at her. They had shared a good morning kiss before he had hopped out of bed to prepare them breakfast, after which they quickly stumbled back to their bed, anxious to reengage on the customary marital activities. Only when the last rays of the day kissed New York goodbye where they able to leave the bed, and not exactly because they wanted to. They had a late Order meeting to attend to, hence them having to begrudgingly disentangle themselves from one another when all they wanted was to lay together in their peaceful haven.

After they had taken a shower (together) and put their robes on, the newlyweds Disapparated to Hogsmeade. Darkness had already consumed Britain when they got to the little village, and the opalescent moon and stars were hidden behind a dense layer of black clouds, a tell-tale sign that a storm was coming. They could see Hogwarts' outline in the distance, the lights coming from its insides resembling little luminous orbs that flickered into the night.

"Let's step up the pace, we wouldn't want them to start without us," said C.C. as they neared the castle, the enormous oak doors already appearing into view. His answer was a displeased huff, which caused C.C.'s grin to widen. "What's wrong, Hazel? Still sore from last night's punishment?" she asked in a singsong voice and not even bothering to hide her amusement.

"You certainly know your stuff," he winced when a still-delicate spot on his behind began to ache as they made their way up the steps into the castle.

"You weren't too unskilled yourself, lover," C.C. leaned close to him, murmuring in his ear. "But I'll warn you now, if you misbehave again, there will be consequences."

"Don't tempt me, Chastity Claire," Niles growled back, stopping at the top of the steps to capture her lips in a quick kiss.

"Oh, well now you're just asking for punishment, mister!" C.C.'s voice was deep, and she kissed him back with enthusiasm. They were so engrossed in their little make-out session that neither of them heard the heavy doors being opened nor the footsteps thudding on the stone floor. Eventually – after it became evident that the couple wasn't aware they had company – a low, deep cough interrupted them, causing both Brightmores to swiftly break apart. Jumping slightly, they turned to face the person who had caught them. Severus Snape, clad in his usual long, billowing black robes, stood watching them.

"Professor Dumbledore sent me to see what was taking the pair of you so long," the potions master's voice held its usual tone of unimpressed. "The Order have gathered and the meeting is about to start. If you might care to prise yourselves off one another and follow me?"

The couple exchanged a look. It was obvious that the potions master was holding back a number of caustic comments; considering they knew they were already running late for the meeting, snogging at the castle's door was more than a little juvenile on their part.

"Of course Severus, we apologise for our tardiness," the butler replied, snaking an arm around his wife's waist.

"We simply got carried away, which is not uncommon for newlyweds," C.C. deadpanned, effectively breaking the news to her former housemate.

Severus quirked an eyebrow, and the hint of a smile appeared on his lips as he turned on his heels and gestured for the couple to follow. The distance between the entrance hall and Dumbledore's office was covered mostly in silence – although Niles and C.C. briefly murmured how they were going to break the news to the rest of the Order. Meanwhile, Snape thought about the many galleons he was about to get and in what he could spend them. Thankfully, the castle was asleep, and the hallways that would be usually bustling with students were deserted – although they did come across Filch's cat, Mrs. Norris, and also with Peeves, who gave C.C. a respectful bow. The poltergeist might be a devious troublemaker, but he had great respect for seasoned pranksters such as C.C. or Fred and George Weasley.

After Snape had given the password to the gargoyle that guarded the entrance to the headmaster's office, the three wizards climbed up the stairs and breezed into the room, where the rest of the Order was already sat around Dumbledore's desk. The headmaster was the first one to rise from his seat when the newcomers made their entrance, and Minerva followed him suit.

"Ah, Miss Babcock and Mr. Brightmore, welcome!" said Dumbledore as both him and his deputy headmistress made their way to the door in order to greet the two former students.

"It's 'Mrs. Brightmore', Professor," C.C. corrected the headmaster.

"I beg your pardon?" asked Albus before briefly glancing at Minerva, who was giving him a self-satisfied smirk.

"It's Mrs. Brightmore now," the producer explained, showing her ring to her mentors. She would have never thought so, but she truly liked showing it off. "We got married yesterday."

A shocked silence filled the room for a second, but shortly after, every member of the Order started to either give away galleons or receive them.

"Albus, it's time for you to pay!" Minerva chirped gleefully as she extended an open hand to her boss.

"Very well, Minerva," the headmaster brought forth a purse with a drawstring from his robes, opened it, and reached inside. "Fifty galleons, was it?"

"Fifty precisely," the Transfiguration professor agreed, receiving her money. "Thank you."

The gambling going on before their eyes stunned both Niles and C.C., who couldn't help but stare in bewilderment at their friends. Lupin was receiving a large sum of money from a visibly upset Elphias Doge while Moody, Snape and Tonks counted the money they had received as a price for their asserted bet.

"You were all betting all along that the two of us would end up married?" the producer eventually choked out, gripping her husband's forearm for support.

"Well, not all of us," Kingsley Shacklebolt replied carefully. "Molly and I felt that it was...in poor taste."

The Weasley matriarch nodded in agreement, "I don't think it's right to put a price on somebody else's love!"

She didn't notice as her husband pocketed the galleons that had just been slipped to him by another Order member.

"How long has this been going on?" Niles quizzed the gathered group. However, the people before them remained oddly silent.

"Since first they saw you two in the same place at the same time," Moody eventually answered, leaning one elbow on the table.

"We weren't even together then...!" C.C. lamely tried to defend herself. "We...we hated...!" her attempts at explaining that they couldn't possibly have known this was going to happen fell more and more flat, as each Order member gave a new piece of evidence.

"You went everywhere together."

"Neither one of you could stand the idea of the other getting hurt."

"You fought like you were already married anyway."

"Bu-but...! We didn't even know...!" C.C. kept on trying gesturing helplessly between herself and her husband, who had begun to smile softly.

Niles put a hand on her shoulder, "Give it a rest, love. I think we'll just have to concede defeat, and accept the conclusion that they knew something we didn't."

C.C. sighed, and slipped into a chair without another word. Niles followed suit.

"Well, maybe with current personal business concluded, we can proceed onto Order business?" Kingsley asked, drumming his fingers against Dumbledore's desk in an impatient manner.

"I concur," Remus nodded.

"Very well then. Let the meeting commence," Albus sat back down on his chair, and gestured at Snape. "Severus, my boy, would you please inform the Order of what you've heard?"

The snarky potions teacher gave a sharp nod at the old headmaster and straightened his back. Judging by the stony look on his face, the information he was about to deliver was most grave, and the mere thought of it made C.C.'s stomach tighten into a knot. "The Dark Lord is gaining allies," he finally deadpanned. "More and more creatures are engaging in negotiations with Him and there is number of them who already have decided to take his side – mostly those the ministry considers inferior or sub-human. He is planning on infiltrating the ministry slowly and silently. The Dark Lord wants to create confusion, to rise to power in the darkness. The strategy is to induce such fear people won't know who to trust," Severus stopped his speech for a second and glanced at the Brightmores, hinting that the information that was to come was especially pertinent to them. "He's also targeting well known members of the Order, so you must be careful – it's only a matter of time before people start disappearing again."

"That's what I was afraid of," Molly muttered, possibly to Arthur, but most likely to herself.

"Alright, we don't go anywhere alone. In this day and age, that's more of a given. What are we doing about the recruitment of magical creatures?" C.C. asked, leaning forward and planting her hands on the desk. They needed to form a plan, to get on gear and start acting; the more creatures joined Voldemort, the smaller their chance of victory would become.

"We have made some contacts, in an attempt to bring some certain groups onto our side," Remus answered her. "It has been...less successful so far than we might have hoped. But we are trying."

C.C. nodded. She had little experience with magical creatures, really. Her Care of Magical Creatures classes at school had probably been her worst because the thought of touching some of the slimier bug-like animals had repelled her greatly. But even she could see the advantage in having giants and other such creatures as allies. "Have you made contact with the different tribes of giants?"

"Yes, we have. Both Hagrid and Madame Maxime tried to parley them and get them to join our cause, but the mission was infructuous. However, there are some tribes that have yet to take sides, and our aim is to dissuade them to either aid us or – if they are unwilling to take our side – convince them not to take part in the conflict at all," said Kingsley.

"Then who is meeting the next tribe of giants?" Moody asked.

"We feel it is still best to send Hagrid," Dumbledore replied. "There will be some risk involved for him, but there is danger further still for full human Order members, meeting giants. Olympe Maxime has refused to accompany him once again, hence I am forced to ask for volunteers to create a perimeter, and keep out any Death Eaters attempting their own recruitment drive."

Barely a second had passed before Moody spoke up, "I'll go."

"Me too," Kingsley joined in.

"I will go as well," Remus nodded.

"And me," Tonks piped up. There was a moment of silence.

"I know it is a lot to ask, but is there anyone else who wishes to join this party?" Albus asked.

"I'll go, too," C.C. offered, raising her hand.

"Then count me in," Niles spoke up, taking her hand.

A thick, unpleasant silence suddenly swelled in the room. A few members of the Order exchanged looks, as though silently asking one another who'd voice what everyone but the Brightmore's knew. Both Niles and C.C.'s tensed as the void of unsettling silence extended for what felt like hours. The situation reminded Niles of the moment before a falling glass shatters on the floor.

"Mr. Brightmore," Minerva finally spoke up, her tone unusually soft and measured. "We appreciate you volunteering, but we must insist on you not taking part in this mission. Although Alastor has said your progress in training is remarkable, you are not yet prepared to fight Death Eaters or take part in a dangerous mission such as this one."

"What?!" the butler bellowed, looking between his former teacher and Alastor. "You expect me to sit here while my wife is out there venturing into giant tribes?! While she could be targeted by Death Eaters?! While she is putting her life at risk?! I thought I was part of the Order!" Niles voice became progressively louder as he spoke, his anger ablaze in his blue eyes.

"And you are!" Remus quickly interjected, placing a calming hand on one of Niles' shoulders. "But sending you in this mission could potentially jeopardize it, not to mention the risk it represents for your life!"

Niles scoffed, "So you can put your lives at stake and I can't? That's rubbish!"

"It's not the same, and you know it," C.C. said quietly, putting a hand on his thigh. She had remained oddly quiet until then, mostly because she was still thanking her lucky star for Niles not being allowed to take part in the mission. She hadn't wanted him to come along for – just as Minerva had said – even if he had improved his duelling skills, he still was not ready to go into this mission. She had fought a war before, she had a lot more experience than her husband had, and her experience told her that Niles – a middle aged butler who had begun duelling only months ago after years of not truly making use of his powers – shouldn't go. "Niles, I've fought before and I-"

"And you were in the brink of death once!" Niles yelled, slamming his fist against the table. His outburst started the whole Order – with the exception of both Albus and Severus, naturally – and once again silence settled in the room. Everyone watched with attention as the two spouses stared intently at one another, engaged in a wordless argument. Her eyes denoted both anger and firmness, while his – although angry – held a plea, too. He was the one who casted his eyes away first, a deep hurt darkening those beautiful sky-blue eyes of his; she reached out for him and laced their ringed hands together.

"Niles, look at me," she said, but he kept his gaze down. She heaved a sigh and repeated more forcefully, "I said look at me!"

Her firm command had an effect on him, for he begrudgingly looked into her eyes once again, hinting that – at least for that moment – he was willing to listen. "Niles, I know you are angry and I know that you want to fight, but you going on this mission would be foolish. You are not ready, while I, on the other hand, have done this before. You'll just have to trust me on this one and stay behind," she gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "I'll have excellent wizards by my side, and nothing wrong will happen to me. At most we'll be gone for a month or so."

Niles sat back in his chair, letting out an unbelieving huff. "A month? You will be gone for a month, and you don't expect me to worry about you? Or wish I had gone with you?"

"I'd be worried if you didn't, but there won't be anything for you to worry about!" C.C. reassured. "At most, we'll be spending a month in the woods, getting wet feet and waiting for Hagrid to come back to tell us how the day's negotiations went."

Niles sighed. He knew there was no way he was going to change her mind on this. Any attempt would probably just end in a huge fight, and as they were surrounded by other Order members, he didn't want to start that. He could tell she was set on what she was going to do, anyway, and there was nothing he could do but support her. She was right, anyway – he had every right to be concerned, but she knew what she was doing. He should try having some faith in her, in something like this.

"...Alright," he eventually conceded. "Fine," They'd probably still end up talking about it later anyway, but for now, he'd given his agreement.

"When do we leave?" Remus asked, turning his gaze from his friends, towards Albus.

"Two weeks from this day," the headmaster replied. "Please take adequate time to prepare yourselves, until then."

They continued to plan for the negotiations, including the gifts that would be brought to the chieftain of the giant tribe, as well as meeting places and scouting out locations on arrival. Once that planning was done, more Order business was discussed, and eventually the meeting was adjourned. The members filed out of Dumbledore's office, each aware of what they had to do. Except one, who was not quite sure what he was going to do with himself whilst his new wife was away for a month.

As soon as the pair Apparated back to their penthouse, they parted ways – C.C. locked herself in her study, while Niles worked around the house, trying to forget about the dreadful meeting that he just had attended to. But his efforts were fruitless… he was far too angry – no, scratch that, he wasn't angry, he was furious! He had joined the Order to protect her and now that they had just gotten married she was to leave for, at least, a month?! In his mind it was not fair…

He'd trained hard, he'd allowed both Moody and his wife to shoot spells at him for hours so he could be by her side and yet he wasn't allowed to do so! Deep down he knew the Order was right, he was not ready – after all, C.C. could still knock him flat on his back with barely any effort if she wanted to. What would happen if he faced a Death Eater? Chances were he wasn't going to come out of it victorious, even if he tried his best. At least not for now.

But he was so scared… so terrified of something happening to her while she was out there, without him. They had just found one another, and now she had to go? It all felt like some awfully bad cosmic joke.

Niles stopped dusting and sighed. The atmosphere in the penthouse was horrible; they had practically fled from one another and now they were ignoring an enormous elephant in the room. Did he want that? Did he really want this disagreement to turn into a fight? He loved her, and although he was still very much against the Order's decision, he was not going to waste precious time with his wife by being angry at things he had no control of.

Having made up his mind, he tossed the duster on the coffee table and headed towards her study. As he opened the door, he found her sprawled over her couch – the one she had placed just before an enormous window. He could see the beauty of New York through it; the many buildings surrounding theirs, the incandescent lights and the distant outline of the Statue of Liberty. It was no wonder why his wife had chosen to sit before that wonderful view when she was upset. Niles suddenly felt like an intruder, like he should wait for her to want to see him. Knowing his wife, she needed her space, but as he was preparing to retreat back into the living room she spoke up.

"Niles, I know you are there, come in. I think we should talk about this," the producer sat up, and patted the seat next to her. He took it, not looking at his wife as he made himself as comfortable as he could, given the circumstances. She waited for him to start speaking.

"I still don't like this idea," it wasn't much of an admission. Anybody paying even the slightest bit of attention could see that.

C.C.'s expression hadn't changed, "I don't expect you to like it, Niles. Contrary to popular opinion around here, I don't actually like the idea either! But I'm doing it because it's the right thing to do. If we can get powerful allies on our side, the war could be over sooner, and the sooner the war is over, the sooner we can have a normal life!" she sighed, her face softening, and she took his hand in hers, "Do you see where I'm coming from, here?"

Niles sighed, too, and looked down at the floor. Rationally speaking, he understood why she had to go while he had to stay. He did understand that the faster the order moved, the faster the war would end; but this was not a matter of rationality, it was a matter of the heart. How could he live when she was God knows where trying to convince giants of all creatures to join their cause? The last time Hagrid had gone to the giant tribes things hadn't ended well, and he was afraid something similar happened this time, too. Besides, they had an upcoming wedding to look forward to! They were supposed to be happy and planning everything, not being separated.

"I do understand," he finally admitted. "But it scares me. I am terrified of something happening to you and never seeing you again. And the thought of you… of us being… I can't ... I just can't," he trailed off dropping his head, his altered emotions getting the best of him.

C.C. cupped his cheeks in her hands and forced him to look at her. She then placed a kiss on his lips and rested her forehead against his. "Niles, nothing will happen to me. This is war, lover, and it's only going to get worse. I told you, I know what we are facing, I've already fought a war before. Missions like this are a necessary evil, and the best for both the Order and you is that you stay here. I know you don't like it, but as I said a few hours ago, you need to trust the Order – to trust me."

Niles wrapped his arms around his wife's waist and pulled her to him. He knew, and he trusted her… but he was human, and fear was enveloping him like tendrils. They had been at odds for over a decade, lovers for almost a year and spouses for barely days – week by the time she had to leave. The fear of losing her, losing the beautiful life they were sharing together, was suffocating him, and not being able to take care of her only made it worse. But, as much as he loathed to say so, they couldn't do anything about it; she was right, this was war, this was the heartbreak it entailed, but they had to keep going if they wanted to end the evil that lurked in the shadows once and for all.

"I am going to miss you," he confessed in a whisper, hiding his face in the crook of her neck. Her perfume soon crept into his nostrils, enveloping him in a warm sense of contentedness that was only enhanced by the feeling of her warm body close to his. She was there, right then she was there, with him.

"I know," she replied just as softly, threading her fingers through his sandy hair. "I'll miss you, too, but I'll be back before you know it," the producer made a pause, an idea surfacing in her mind. She smiled to herself – it would be a perfect way to distract him while she was gone! "Besides, you could spend the month planning the wedding. After all, we don't have much time left and I am sure Nanny Fine will be more than happy to help."

Niles thought what either of them had said over. Yes, he couldn't possibly live up to his promise to protect her if he let her go, but what about the promises that he had made by marrying her – to trust her, and respect her wishes? She knew what she was doing, he had to have faith in her in that regard. And if he kept himself busy enough, with planning the wedding, and work at the Sheffield mansion, it just might take his mind off the distance and the danger. The latter element, he reminded himself, was only a possibility, not a definite. They were only there in case of Death Eaters, not because the other side was going to be there.

Maybe this wouldn't be as bad as his imagination had already conjured up.

Niles released a long sigh, and covered one of her hands with his, "Alright. But promise me you'll try to contact me every once in a while, ok?"

C.C. was about to say no, that a Patronus could give away the location of their future hideout and, in consequence, the safety of the mission would be jeopardised. But looking into his worried eyes, she hesitated. She couldn't deny him this, not when he was already accepting staying behind. "I promise," C.C. eventually agreed.

And for the first time in the last hours, he smiled. Albeit a small smile, but it was an better than nothing. She returned the smile before planting a small kiss on his lips, glad that they had reached an agreement that 'suited' them both. The tender moment, however, was interrupted by the loud growling of her stomach.

"Do you want me to whip something up?" Niles asked, disentangling himself from his wife.

The producer shook his head no. "I have a better idea. What do you say if we go out for dinner? After all, we got married yesterday."

"If it's what you want, then we'll do it," he replied, still a little crestfallen.

"Thank you, lover," C.C. stood up, and offered her hand to him. "Let's get a shower and then we can go."

Niles arched an amused eyebrow at her "Are you suggesting what I think you are suggesting?"

"I wasn't suggesting we go one at a time, that's for sure," she pulled him to his feet and began to head towards the bathroom. "I should show you how much I love you as much as I can before I have to go."

Niles' stomach regained that sinking feeling as she mentioned her having to leave. But he knew she was trying her best to soften the blow. He then realised that particular phrase might have been something of an understatement, as she led him into the bathroom, pulled him to her and began to kiss him. As the kisses grew deeper and more passionate, C.C. pulled away – eliciting a groan from her husband – in order to turn on the shower, and the pair slowly undressed each other, before stepping under the water.

AN: Here you go! We thank you for reading this story and for reviewing :) Until the next time!