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Disclaimer: Sadly I am still not J.K Rowling; no matter how much polyjuice potion I take. Which means…I do not own Harry Potter or Sirius or James or Lily, Remus, Peter…etc. But I do own Charlie and the plot. I suppose that's a start.

Chapter Twenty One: A Few Big Days

"A choice must be made. Do you promise to combat the Dark Lord Voldemort and his followers with everything in your power; Will you give your life for your kin, your friends, your fellow wizards and witches and any muggles you come across who need your protection; will you stay true to our Order and fight for goodness and justice? If you agree say, So Sworn."

Charlie stared down at her hand, wreathed in bright blue flames, connected to those she cared about most, her sponsors—Sirius, Lily, James and Remus. She looked up into the icy blue eyes of Albus Dumbledore and held her breath.

She knew what her answer was. Or course she would do everything in her power to protect wizard kind. Of course she would try to save the lives of innocents everywhere, of the children in Hogwarts who were needlessly suffering as they watched their friends and relatives perish in the flaming destruction that Voldemort brought wherever he went. The question was: did she believe enough in herself to do it?

Could she, in a time of need, lay down her life for another? Charlie never thought of herself as particularly brave. She did just about everything she could in order to avoid confrontation. She did what she had to…she knew her answer.

Charlie took a deep breath and locked eyes with Sirius. He nodded his shaggy head at her, his grey eyes sparkling. He was proud of her, so glad that he would no longer have to keep secrets about what he did from her. So glad that she cared enough to fight back.

"So sworn," said Charlie with conviction, bringing her black eyes to rest upon Dumbledore's, daring him to question her motives. The blue flames encircling her hand became acid green.

His own eyes twinkled down at her and he smiled.

"By the order of this council, I now give you full status as an active member of the Order of the Phoenix. You will now owe allegiance fully to the Order and if it is found that you have betrayed us, your family and friends, you will be punished at full discretion of the council."

The flames burned orange and went out.

Charlie looked around at her friends and fellow cohorts for the Order. She grinned with pleasure.

"I present to you, our newest member to our family." Dumbledore swept his arms in Charlie's direction. A cheer went up.

"As your first duty," Dumbledore began, "Have fun and enjoy yourself."

Sirius swept Charlie to him, leant her back and kissed her. Cat calls were heard through out the secret headquarters, the loudest of which came from James Potter. Not wanting to be outdone, Lily pulled James to her, and kissed him senseless. It was going to be a good party.

The butterbeer had begun to flow freely and there was the carefree chatter of friends at ease. One of the Prewetts had broken out the muggle game of Twister, enlarged it to get more people to play and a wild game was in progress.

Charlie, Sirius, Lily, James, Remus, Peter and some old school friends were in a corner by the fire reminiscing.

"So, what is your special training?" asked McClaggen.

"Well, in addition to continuously learning. I have healing training, Potions, and Defensive magic," said Charlie, looking down and trying to be modest.

"Oh," James began, pulling Lils closer to him on his lap. "Don't let her fool you. She could have you flat on your back before you could draw your next breath. And as for healing...well."

Lily smiled at Charlie.

"I learned from the best," said Charlie, nodding at Lily. "Lils taught me everything she knows…Well…at least, she taught me everything I know."

There was a ripple of laughter around the group. Charlie reached out and took Sirius' hand. Sirius brought it to his lips and kissed her open palm.

"Has Dumbles talked to you about any missions yet?"

Charlie shook her head, suddenly worried. It had just hit her that she would be doing dangerous things soon.

A wonderful time was being had by all, until Louis Natoweski stumbled through the door covered in blood, one bloody hand trailing the wall. He collapsed onto the floor and was instantly surrounded by everyone, Charlie and Lily at the forefront giving him medical attention.

From his left ear to his right shoulder had been slashed open. The gash looked to be made from claw marks, three evenly spaced claw marks. There was a yellowish tinge beneath the red blood. His right cheek had been opened from the corner of his mouth to his ear and his tongue had been split down the middle. He had another set of claw marks on his stomach.

Charlie took a sharp intake of breath. So this is what they were dealing with. This was the enemy. They brutalized senselessly. What had Louis been doing that had caused him to be attacked like this?

Lily was shaking her head, tears in her eyes. She and Charlie quickly removed his clothing and worked their magic. They healed him as best they could in the space provided. Charlie siphoned off the blood and sanitized the wounds as Lily healed behind her. When they had him stabilized and he was taken to another part of the Headquarters to recover and so he could be questioned.

Charlie stared after him and his bearers. Sirius wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She instantly felt a little less worried and realized that she was shaking, whether from cold or fear, she didn't know.

Sirius gave her his leather jacket and a kiss. "I'll make you some tea; I'll be right back." He went off.

Charlie stared after him, her eyes avoiding the puddles of blood on the floor and the stains on the wall.

"Welcome to the Order," someone whispered in her ear. "Welcome to hell."

Charlie whipped around and saw no one except Peter, standing nervously away from her, his ratty eyes darking left and right. She shivered more violently.

"What do you think about these dishes, Chars?"

Lily held up two circular dishes in pastel hues.

"Go with the baby blues," Charlie said, smiling and going back to looking at silverware. Today was the day she and Lily were picking out things to furnish Lily and James' new house. It was furnished already, but it still needed some t.l.c. and some last homey touches. Lily thought dishes, pictures and curtains were just the thing. Of course, she was supposed to have gone with James, but he and the other boys were called into the Order on business…again.

"I think James will really like these," Lily said, as she picked out the six pack of dishes, bowls, plates and glasses in the pastel blue.

"Yeah, he will," Charlie said.

Lily put her purchase in the cart and sighed. "I wish he was here with me, doing all this homey stuff. He'd promised…"

"I know Lils," said Charlie. The war was hard on everyone. Loved ones never knew when they were next going to see one another. It made plans difficult, it made life difficult. It made the future…impossible to determine. "But you know how hard we're all working to stop…him. It won't be long now…and anyway," Charlie began, hoping to brighten Lily up. "You'll be married soon! Misses Lily Potter!"

Lily grinned. "Ooooo, who would have thought that was going to happen…ever, eh?" she giggled.

"Absolutely no one…other than all of Hogwarts."

Lily chucked one of the throw pillows she had picked up at Charlie.

"Hey, hey, hey! I'm just sayin'!"

The girls picked up silverware, drinking glasses and tea mugs and headed to the checkout line.

"I still can't believe I'm getting married."

"I still can't believe you're getting married," Charlie repeated.

"Oh god…What if he wants to have kids right away?"

"Didn't you talk about this already?" asked Charlie, placing the items on the belt so they could be rung out.

"Yeah…"

"And…"

"He wants to have kids right away. I don't, not with this war going on. And especially not with our JOBS! I mean…he's an auror and we're both in the Order, for Merlin's sake. I mean, what kind of life would our child lead if he was parentless?! Oh no! Our child is going to be an orphan!"

"Lils!" Charlie said, putting her hand on her best friend's arm. "Your child will never be an orphan. No so long as there are those around him who love him. And even if something did happen to you and James, Merlin forbid, it's not like Sirius and I or Remus or even Dumbledore would let him grow up alone!"

Charlie pulled Lily into a hug. "You know that, don't you?"

Lily had tears leaking down her face. "I do. Yeah." She sniffled. "This whole wedding thing has been driving me nuts. The planning and the preparing and…ugh. I'm starting to think eloping would have been a better choice. Then I wouldn't have to deal with place settings and all this other shite. Sure, every girl thinks it's just getting a big, beautiful dress and waltzing down the aisle on daddy's arm…but it's FAR from it, let me tell you."

"Well," said Charlie. "I hope you're writing it all down, because then I'll just take your instructions, tweak them, and make them my own."

"Oh hohohoh no," Lily laughed. "You'll be on your own for that one. Haha I'll help you out with advice…but that's it."

"Mean."

"Hey, sweet cheeks…that's life."

"And to think, I've been helping you with everything."

'Yes, but I'm going in blind. But when you get married, I'll tell you what to avoid."

Lily paid for her stuff, she and Charlie took the bags and walked out, back toward the new little house.

"I suppose that's ok. It's the least you can do for pressing me into Maid-or-Honor service. Which…let me tell you, you will be doing for me when I decide to be crazy enough to get tied down."

Lily laughed her tinkling laugh, her green eyes dancing. "I expect no less…just don't stuff me into a pink, fluffy, Little Bo Peep bridesmaid dress."

"Pink? Never," said Charlie. "I was thinking neon orange," she grinned wickedly.

"You would…you would."

The continued the fifteen minute walk to the Soon-to-be Potter's house in Godrick's Hollow and proceeded up the three front steps to the little porch and front door. Lily opened the door, after much cursing, as her arms were full. Charlie pushed open the door and Lily walked in.

"SURPRISE!!"

Lily dropped her bags, Charlie had made sure she only had the pillows, and put her hands to her mouth. Surrounding her were all her friends. Marlene, Alice, Cassie, everyone from the Order and old school mates. Charlie had thrown her a surprise bridal shower.

After a joyful and tear filled reunion, eating all the food and munching on cake, it was time for presents.

"Now remember, Misses Potter. The more bows you break, the more children you'll have!"

Everyone burst out laughing.

"If it meant sleeping with James Potter, who would care?!" shouted Hortense crudely. Everyone laughed again.

Lily carefully removed all her bows, and opened the first box. Then the second and the third. No bows had been snapped. On the next one, it broke neatly in two.

"ONE," all the girls shouted, giggling madly.

"Well, I suppose we have to have a single child," Lily called with a grin. She opened the box and found that it contained wedding night lingerie.

There were whistles and cat calls and another call of, 'model it over your clothes for a picture!'

Lily, being a good sport, quickly threw it on and a picture was snapped by Charlie. Lily sat back down and was starting on her presents again, when her front door opened and in walked James. He took a look around at all the girls and then looked at Lily. She shrieked and bolted into their bedroom. James had a confused, but utterly entertained look on his face.

"Oh Lily!" he called. "Did I see what I think I saw?! Lils, c'mere please!!!" And he made to follow her.

Charlie shook her head and caught James by the collar. "Ok, Loverboy. Out you get. Girl's time. Go hang with Sirius. Only a few more days now, and then, she's all yours…" and she pushed James out of his house, with him protesting all the while.

Charlie keyed into her and Sirius' flat and walked in. It was nearing seven o'clock, the sun was beginning to set and there were shadows over every thing in the small room she had entered. It had been a month and a half since Sirius had moved in and things were going wonderfully. Charlie tossed her bag onto the kitchen table and started making supper for herself and Sirius, when ever he came home.

She worked in the dark, preferring its tranquility and stillness. She waved her wand to light a few candles, but nothing more. She loved the soft light they created, as opposed to the harsh lights that were continually in her eyes everywhere else.

Charlie threw some chicken and vegetables on the stove, making a stir fry. They sizzled as she went to the refrigerator to get more ingredients for a sauce. There was a whoosh and Sirius came walking out of the fireplace, his face tired.

"Hey Chars," Sirius called. "I'm home. Something smells good."

"'lo Sirius," Charlie called. "I'm in the kitchen."

Sirius walked in and walked up behind Charlie. He wrapped his arms around her middle and hugged her as she worked.

"I missed you, babe," he murmured into her hair, tightening his arms around her.

"I missed you too," Charlie said with a smile.

"I love you."

His voice sounded sad, tired and defeated. Charlie could tell he was worried and stressed.

"I love you back, Sirius. Did something bad happen at work?" she asked worriedly.

Sirius sighed, let Charlie go and started to set the table. "Louis was killed today or perhaps a few days ago, we don't know for sure. He'd been missing for a few days."

Charlie gasped sharply.

"They sent us his body. It was mangled even worse than before," his voice caught.

"Oh Sirius…"

"There was no reason for it. He was just going on routine missions. He didn't know anything of importance. It was as if they just wanted to destroy him…to torture him for fun…" Sirius sank into one of the kitchen table chairs, his head in his hands, his elbows resting on the tabletop. "And I had to be the one to tell his family."

Charlie's eyes filled with tears and she walked to Sirius, put her arms around him and hugged him close. He was shaking.

"I had to knock on that door and bring that news and then bring them to the body. We couldn't even heal the wounds, Charlie. They bewitched the body so that it couldn't even be fixed for a decent funeral! What kind of people are we dealing with that would do that? Louis' family was beyond distraught. His mother fainted, his father had cried in consolably, his brothers and sisters…" Sirius trailed off and pulled Charlie around to him, sat her on his lap, and he kissed her. He held her close, as though he'd never let go, and kissed her harder.

He broke away from the kiss and their foreheads rested together, each breathing a bit more heavily.

"I'm sorry I brought you into this mess…"

"You didn't, Sirius," Charlie said, seriously. "I willingly jumped into it."

Sirius shook his head, his grey eyes darker and intense. "Stay safe, always."

"Stay safe," Charlie repeated to him. She kissed his forehead and his neck, nibbled his ear and ran her hands slowly along his body, unbuttoning his shirt, as she did.

Sirius began unbuttoning Charlie's blouse as well.

Charlie knew what she wanted to do, it was the right time. They had waited long enough. She stood up, still bent down to kiss Sirius and pulled him up to her.

"What about dinner?" Sirius asked, a smile playing on his lips as they moved backwards toward the bedroom and the chair tipped over.

Charlie waved a wand at the stove, everything froze. "We'll eat later." A wonderful feeling was infusing itself through her entire body.

Sirius backed Charlie into a wall and held her there softly, her body sandwiched between his and the wall. He kissed her neck and ran his hands through her hair. Charlie's knees weakened and Sirius held her up. She tipped her neck to his soft lips, loving the tingling that came when he moved them down and down and down. Charlie weaved her fingers into his hair and pulled, ever-so-slightly.

Sirius groaned, picked Charlie up, and together they stumbled into the bedroom. He tossed her onto their bed and lay down with her.

"Are you ready to do this, Charlie?" Sirius asked, his grey eyes becoming darker with passion.

Charlie unbuttoned the last button of her shirt, unhooked her bra and unzipped her pants. She kissed Sirius slowly, both their eyes closed. When she finished she said, "Yes, I'm ready."

Charlie opened her eyes and snuggled closer to Sirius' warm body, their legs entwined, Sirius' arms were wrapped around Charlie, and her head nestled in the hollow between his neck and shoulder. She felt warm and whole, just laying there in Sirius' arms. She never wanted to move, never wanted this feeling the go away, never wanted to wake up from the little dream world where everything was perfect.

She looked at the clock, three thirty in the morning. She kissed Sirius' sleeping lips. He smiled and opened his eyes.

"Hello beautiful," he said, tightening his grip around her and closing his eyes again.

"'Lo."

"Oh Charlie," Sirius said, groggily. "I love you so much."

"And I love you."

"Please don't ever leave," he mumbled, almost inaudibly. "To me, you are home. I've never had a real home and you're the closest I've come. I don't want to lose it."

That about broke Charlie's heart.

"I won't…ever, Sirius," she whispered back.

And they fell back asleep, wrapped safely in one another's arms and wishing that the wizarding war wasn't happening and no loved ones had to be wrenched from their families.

"What'll it be, Scummy? The usual?"

"Two pints o' yer finest, Miss Charlie. I'm entertainin' a lady friend tonight."

Charlie smiled at the almost toothless man before her and pulled him his pints. He paid her and tottered off to his table, where an equally toothless old woman sat. She shook her head and continued cleaning the bar and glasses. It was a slow Wednesday night, nearing closing time, quarter to eleven.

"Last call," Charlie sang out. "Closing time in fifteen minutes." She watched as her usuals cleared out, taking their empty glasses up to the bar and putting up their chairs to help her out. They personally handed her tips, smiled and were gone; all except for one person. A slim person, sitting alone in the corner. His hood was on and he looked to be asleep. Charlie looked warily at him, suspecting that it was Rosier. But she had to go over to him anyway.

She reached the far dark corner and reached out a hand. The cloaked man grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him. Charlie let out a gasp and hit him in the nose with the heel of her hand.

The hood fell back, revealing…a handsome man with dark hair. For a moment it looked like a younger Sirius, except the nose was different and the eyes were blue.

"Who are you?!" asked Charlie, grabbing her wand and pointing it at the stranger.

The man was holding his nose, his eyes watering. He pulled his hand away and checked for blood, nothing yet.

"I'm Regulus Black," he said, rather thickly.

"What do you want?"

"I'm here about Evan Rosier," Black said with a sigh. He looked up at the girl before him, his eyes trying to be cold, but coming across as sad. He took his hand away from his throbbing nose.

"And what does he want?" spat Charlie as she crossed her arms over her chest, looking around her to make sure he wasn't lurking around.

Regulus leaned closer to Charlie and whispered, "I'm sure he wants you…and to make my brother as miserable as possible. But, I'm here to warn you. Keep away from him if you can. Delay him as long as possible…"

Charlie shook her head. "And what? You think I've been wandering into his arms all this time?"

"Keep fighting as you are…" His head whipped around. "Don't mention anything about me…he comes." And with a flash of his cloak, Regulus Black was gone.

There was silence and then the bell above the door jingled faintly.

"Hello Charlie," there was a sneer implanted into the voice. The voice she knew so well and hated more and more each time she heard it. "I told you I'd be back…"

Hello Faithful readers! While I know you are all enjoying the REAL HP thing, I thought this would be a good diversion. SO, if you take the time to read, PLEASE review! That would be wonderful!

Until next time,

Keep a sharp eye ;)

Pupparoux