D: I own a lap top and student loans. be jealous.

AN: Back at Jolly University but I have a little treat for you all... chapter 21!

Affairs in Order

The afternoons that seemed to follow the end of NEWTs arrived as long awaited sunshine following a dark winter. Many of the professors had lightened their homework load and remaining lessons were more life advice than academic learning. While some students still seemed to be suffering the after effects of NEWTs, jittery hands when opening post or compulsive reading for hours on end, Lily Evans was not among them. Rather she had fallen into the habit of spending her sunny afternoons along the lake under a tree, her lap often serving as the pillow for the just as leisurely James Potter.

"You know, other than the living hell the NEWTS put us through, this year hasn't been bad at all," James Potter smiled on one such afternoon, his eyes closed as he laid in ease, his head nestled on Lily's lap as her fingers messed with his black mop. "Sure Lord Moldy's tightened his grip on some things, but all in all..."

"All in all I think you've become quiet the optimist James Potter," Lily chuckled, as she leaned back against the huge tree that was providing them with both shade and privacy.

James opened one of his eyes as he looked up at her.

"I've always been an optimist Lily, how else do you think I'd been able to endured your constant spurning for six years?" He took hold of her hand and kissed her palm. "Padfoot said I was delusional, Moony thought I was up for the biggest disappointment in my life…"

"And Peter?" she asked tilting her head, to better view his face. "I suppose Peter thought I really had three heads and was going to eat you at any given moment."

"Nah, although you scared the rats out of him," James answered with an amused smile. "No Pete always thought I had a shot, but that's just because he takes turns on whose side he's going to be on and it just happens to be mine most times I talked about you."

"He's a good friend then, we'll have to remember his favor someday," Lily answered, turning her eyes from James to the grounds. She could see Gryffindor tower's windows aglow in yellow as they felt the last rays of sunshine for the day. Sun still kissed the Black Lake, its touch could be found on the green of the hills, the flowers now emerging from the ground and the song in the forest beyond the two Gryffindors. "I don't think I've ever noticed how beautiful Hogwarts is," Lily said in a soft whisper. " It's funny how we'll be leaving it soon, it feels as if we've just arrived."

"Every Gryffindor has to leave the Lion's den eventually," he said, sitting up and joining her in looking at the grounds. " It doesn't seem real that in a month we'll be gone. Have you…do you know what you want to do yet, when we leave?"

"If I get accepted into St. Mungo's Potion Institute, I'm going there," she said, keeping her focus on the top of Gryffindor tower, as though she was not ready to look full face into the unknown James was talking about. "Slughorn wants me to go study with the International group but that's too far. I'd spend two years interning in Switzerland and at the end of the day Mum and Dad are getting older, Vera will be stressing out over something or another, I'm needed here," she said defiantly as though she was listing off a well memorized speech.

She could almost hear the wind whizzing as James whipped his head back towards her. "You aren't turning the Corps down because of me are you? You know that the Auror Academy puts me away from you for a while, right?"

"I know that," she answered, her voice hard. Dear Lily Evans could have taken on the world but she just got twitter patted by that Potter boy, she was sure that'd be Slughorns words. She couldn't answer to Slughorn, but she was ready for James. "I like you Potter, but not enough I'd base my life plans off your post-Hogwarts educational pursuits."

"Is that so?" he asked, looking at her in a way Lily couldn't decipher quiet right. Have you said something wrong? It was just the honest truth. They had been dating, that was true. They had shared a kiss, and several more over the spring, but after Hogwarts, after they decided their career plans after he went into the Auror's Academy, after everything; what was their future?

"Well, not yet," she said quietly. "I'm not going to tie you down, and you're not going to do that to me, right?"

What Lily had long admired about her parents was their ability to stand their own ground. Their ability to rely so heavily on each other for encouragement and companionship, but also to be their own person when needed. To be strong for one another, but also strong for themselves. It was something she admired, and attempted to emulate. Marriage, especially marriage to James, wasn't on her horizon. Not yet, as Sirius had so lovingly pointed out following her NEWTs.

"Lily, if a man thinks he can tie you down you can trust he's a fool," the boy answered fixing his glasses, his eyes far away. "And although I'll admit to being a fool on many things, relationships included, I'd be an arse of one if I thought I could tie you down."

She smiled in the silence that followed. Enjoying the simple peace between them as the light began to dim from beyond the horizon.

"When do you find out?" she asked, breaking that precious silence. "About the Auror academy, you'll need to know whether you were accepted or not."

"I could get the letter tomorrow," his voice said evenly as she felt her sense of freedom disappear. "Apparently the department's been too busy with missing persons cases, between the Aurors and the Department of Magical Law Enforcement you're more likely to find yourself in an investigation rather than in a job interview."

"We'll just have to wait and see then, won't we? I'm sure you could write Frank Longbottom, he'd be helpful…"

"I could do that," he said, picking himself up from the grass and taking her hand, pulling her up as well. "But I have years to look forward to that and only a few more carefree days with you. And even with figuring out how I'm going to fight Moldy, you're always going to be my highest priority."

The kiss of sunlight on the grounds seemed to be fading, the rays of light fleeing at the close of another perfect, sunlit day.

"You're highest priority you say?" Lily asked as she laid her head into the groove of his shoulder. She could feel the warm touch of his lips on her head. She smiled at his declaration. How was it that he was always able to verbalize exactly what she was feeling, but always what she was unable to say?

(*)

"Any luck today Moony?" Peter asked the following morning, as he sat down to breakfast joining Remus who had just broken through another thin envelope from a department at the Ministry. Peter only had to look at the dejection on Remus' face to understand that today, just like days prior, there was no department that had openings for a highly educated, well certified, hardworking werewolf.

"Not today," Remus said with a weak, mocking grin as he shoved the letter in his pocket and fixed breakfast. "But it's alright, it was just the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Who wants to work for those loons anyway? Barty Crouch is inspirational yes, but his tactics of interrogation are raw at best."

"Don't worry mate, worse comes to worse you and I can go work at a Muggle post office. Mind you we have to do daily battle with dogs, but after a few full moons with Sirius can't be that bad, can it?" Peter chuckled, as he began his morning ritual of doubling the size of his plate with more food than a normal person would be able to digest in a day.

Remus could feel his lips form a smile. For all it was worth, Peter wasn't that bad of a friend to have. Each Marauder had brought something to the group collectively. Sirius had his street smarts and wit, as well as ability to get out of trouble with the female species. James shared many of Sirius' qualities in addition to his own perseverance, resourcefulness and loyalty to friends. Remus had once feared he'd be a risk to his friends, he had a good share of smarts and would do anything for the three friends who had taken so many risks for his sake.

Peter however, Peter was genuine in his concern for his friends. He didn't have the connections Sirius did, nor did he have the large inheritance James would one day receive, but Peter had the ability to find something to laugh about, something that could eventually fix the problem.

"Suppose the post office wouldn't be that bad. And after Greyback, I doubt another dog's bite would effect me," he joked as he opened the Daily Prophet and began the ritual scan of finding out who had died or disappeared since the last reading. Best get a number for when James and Sirius get over here, he thought, if you don't give them the headlines right of the back they'll spend the entire breakfast going on about Puddlemore and West Ham's match last night.

"Anyone die today?" Peter asked, as he dug into another mountain of a meal. "That we know anyway?"

Remus looked down to scan the headlines. Still no information on the whereabouts of Lena Rigby's murderer. A man named Gale and his cousin Rosie where found murdered in Devon, but aside from the usual obituaries, nothing seemed large or newsworthy until he saw it.

It was a photograph of a man in a Muggle suit, smiling up at him, a woman, Remus assumed, his wife, close by.

"Chew's that?" Peter asked looking at the picture with a spoonful of oatmeal in his mouth. "Zare they Muggkles?"

"Morning lads," Sirius greeted them, plopping himself in the seat across from the two, James joining him on his right. "Who's the bloke in the monkey suit? Another Muggle murder?" he asked, picking a small part of Wormtail's breakfast plate out for his own.

"If they were Muggles, the picture wouldn't be moving," Remus said turning his attention to the description under the photograph. Jesse Logan and his wife, Rachel, at the Muggle Prime Minister's Christmas celebration...

"Prongs do we know a Jesse Logan?" Peter asked, knowing better than to seek information from Remus when he read his paper.

"The Auror?" James asked as he began fixing his breakfast plate similar to Peter's "I know him, he's the one who signed off on my application and forwarded it to Crouch's desk. Why?"

"Because he's missing," Moony said, turning to a page and skimming through the article. "'Jesse Logan and his wife Rachel where last seen at the birthday tea of James and Audrey Callaghan, the Muggle Prime Minister and his wife, 27 March. Logan has been the leading Auror in charge of finding Death Eater Cells in Britain. His wife, half-blood, is the goddaughter of Mrs. Callaghan. Supposedly the Logans were frequent guests with the Callaghans. Their disappearance is shrouded in mystery, as Ministry officials did not acknowledge the disappearance until late last night, having cited that Logan rarely reported in. "Bunch of hogwash, Jesse was always in the office. Not like him to run off, they were hiding it, didn't want the public to know," one source said. Rachel's sister suspects foul play says representatives of the elusive singer Celestine...

"So Lord Moldy's going after the Auror Office now," James said in a low whistle, his own eyes staring at the picture in the Prophet. "Do me a favor Moony and hide that from Lily will you?"

"As if you can hide something like this from Lily," Remus sighed, looking up from the paper for the first time since finding the article, "You're a fool if you think you can hide disappearances from her. If this novice Rita Skeeter woman can put this together, no way of knowing where Lily..."

"Skeeter, what sort of name is that," Sirius scoffed rolling his eyes, "She's a one hit wonder. If that's her real name the Death Eaters will have her dead by morning for exposing something like this. And then that bit from the sister, please, we're in a war, now's not the time to suppose he's a killer. I swear all journalists are bloody busybodies…"

"But at the end of the day, she's telling us something and the Ministry's not, so I'll take the busy body," Remus mumbled, looking in James' direction, "Oi, Prongs…"

James couldn't understand what Remus was nodding his head towards until he turned around and saw the little second year. The boy stood tall, erect, his jaw clenched and his eyes in such focused if James didn't know any better he'd think the boy was born serious.

"What is it Kingsley?"

"Professor Dumbeldore would like to speak with you immediately," Kinglsey said in an even voice, handing James a piece of paper. He took the paper and instinctively put it in his pocket knowing it had that day's chosen password.

As he got up to leave he heard the bench move as Sirius, Remus and Peter also rise, as though on instinct from years of trouble making assume that it is an all Marauder summon to the headmaster's door.

"He said only James," the boy said firmly. "No Black, Lupin, Pettigrew, or Evans," he smirked.

"Thanks Shacklebolt," James says mirroring the boys smile. If Lily and I can crack a smile on Shackle's face… he smirked as he left the hall. Enjoying the fact that people were now coupling he and Lily together. It made him realize just how far they had come since her death glares on the train.

Yet as he made his way to the Headmaster's office he found himself realizing he was being summoned without his friends, without her. For some reason this realization that he was to be alone sent a deadly chill down his back and he wished for the slightest moment he had left the password and the cloak for Lily.

((*))

"Headmaster?" James called out, looking around the room for the beloved Head. He had never been called into the Headmaster's office for a social visit before. Most visits where usually a byproduct of a Marauder activity or most recently as part of his Head Boy duties, what was the reason for his most reason summon?

He looked around the sides of the room, his eyes fascinated by the whirling gadgets Professor Dumbeldore had gathered throughout the years. Past the collections of a century's worth of discoveries, he could see an old stone basin that James had seen in his father's study throughout the year. He knew better than to examine it, he had fallen into his parents more than once and he was fine not knowing the personal, intimate thoughts of Albus Dumbeldore.

He could hear something cooing behind him and he instantly turned. There, next to the Headmaster's desk stood a bird that to a Muggle eye, would look like the cross bread of a chicken, parrot and peacock. It's long red and orange feathers made the bird look as though it belonged in a sunset.

"Hello there," James smiled as he approached the bird.

"Hello James," a voice answered making James jump at once and turn around.

"For a minute I thought it was the phoenix speaking," James said as he greeted Professor Dumbeldore with an all-knowing smile.

"While phoenixes have many powers, I'm afraid Fawkes doesn't have the ability to speak; please sit."

Normally, this was the point in the visit when James would explain that his prank really didn't break any rules. But again, there was no break to explain. There was no reasoning, no case to plead, was this a pure social visit?

"I've never seen a phoenix before," James said looking at the bird, "Where did you find one?"

"Fawkes came to me when I was going through a rather trying time in my life," Professor Dumbeldore answered, adjusting his glasses as he pulled a letter from a stack on his desk.

"So that's how people find them? They just come?" James asked, while his eyes became fixed on the letter.

"In some instances yes. Their purpose is to heal, but also to cause a soul to become reborn. Fawkes has been a good friend, much like your friends Mr. Potter, if I'm not very much mistaken?"

James nodded, his answer not coming quick enough for Dumbeldore. "I hope they will continue to be there for you as you enter the Auror's Academy. Forgive me, but the acceptance letter is traditionally sent to the Headmaster first, and I wanted to congratulate you myself."

A mixture of utter elation and dread seemed to explode in James. Hadn't this been the moment he had waited for? Why is it you're wishing for one of those bloody birds now?

"That's fantastic!" He said with a smile, shaking Dumbeldore's hand. "Thank you Headmaster."

"You should be very proud James. It takes great effort and determination to get admitted to the program. Especially in these hard times," Dumbeldore said, handing James the letter. "Regardless of your entry, I still have another invitation to extend to you."

James' eyes had just begun to skim the letter; another invitation? What other job could Dumbeldore have that would be extended following the elite branch of the Ministry?

"Professor?"

"I understand that you have been in correspondence with Frank Longbottom, Fabian and Gideon Prewett this semester is that correct? Asking about joining them in a resistance?" James could see a sparkle in Dumbledore's blue eyes and suddenly the letter in his hand seemed meaningless.

"You're the resistance leader?" He asked, not in the least bit surprised. It only made sense. Dumbeldore was head of the Wizigmont, Headmaster of Hogwarts, and seemed to have achieved every accomplishment in the Wizarding world, why shouldn't he be head of the resistance force?

"And I want you to join us James. As a student in the Academy, we can have your eyes in the deepest circles of the ministry. You're talented, brave, resourceful…"

'What about the others? Remus, Sirius and Peter?" He interrupted unable to help himself.

'I will be calling them in individually throughout the day," Dumbeldore answered, waving his hand towards three envelopes he assumed where identical to his summons. At least you won't have to keep this a secret from them, his eyes focused on the three letters…three…

"What about Evans?" James asked, raising an eyebrow. "Surly you're going to invite Lily Evans in to your order?"

The sparkle in the Headmaster's eyes seemed to fade away. "Frank mentioned that Lily had expressed interest following the Stockport incident, but she hasn't made contact since…"

"So you're writing her off Professor?" James had to pause for a moment to control his frustration, "Professor, Lily Evans is one of the most talented witches of our year. You know that. You know what will happen we don't induct her into the order, someone else will, they'll go after her, she'll be a target and she won't join. they'll kill her!"

"We would be very remiss to let Miss Evans die," Dumbledore responded in a grandfatherly tone. "She has been accepted into the St. Mungo program; she will be studying in the same area as Miss Vera McKinnon and the Miss Alice Livesly. We can keep them safe together without putting them in the danger that would come if they where in the order..."

"But she's not going to want to be kept safe like a glass doll, she's a fighter," he said, in a moment realizing what all of those conversations, all of her stubbornness had really meant. "She'll be a good for the resistance…"

"I'll consider Miss Evans," Dumbeldore said, as though he was growing weary of the protests. "I have my reasons Mr. Potter, as you'll see in time. But until then, we'll be in touch."

As though he was one of his mother's house elves, he knew it was his time to leave. He turned, walking out of the room clutching his acceptance letter. In his mind, it seemed as though the carefree sunny afternoons with Lily where no longer his luxury, but that they were now limited thanks to the darkness he now had to face, without her.

He was going to be an Auror. He was going to be a member of the resistance. He was going to stop Voldemort; but one thing more certain, he wasn't going to see Lily Evans die.

((*))

Severus Snape imagined he could feel a spring in his step as he and Macnair emerged from the dungeons. He had thought it was to late for Lily; after Macnair's confrontation with her and Potter had been reported to the Dark Lord. There was rumor that this act of defiance could be the breaking point and the invitation should be revoked. He knew quiet well that Bellatrix was appalled that the 'Muddy Lily' was even being considered for a brotherhood she had so long been denied entrance to.

'"What can she do that I can't?"' Malfoy had written in the letter Macnair and he had just read. 'This is to be said of Black women, they are a stubborn lot; in many ways I resent my wedding if Narcissa proves anything like her sister. Rudolphus has no control over his wife and if anything she uses him as a pawn to get her a position as a Death Eater.'

Severus didn't envy Malfoy, or Rudolphus. Severus didn't believe you could love someone as a Death Eater. But he didn't believe he could love some one. Not anymore. The heart was the first victim of the Killing curse. His only option was no longer an option…

Unless you convince her and make sure someone kills him, a sickly sinister voice whispered in the corners of his mind. If you can make Lily come to her senses, if you can pull her from Potter, perhaps you could see if there was such a thing as a Death Eater who had a heart.

Severus knew it was too far a dream to wish. He knew that it would never be an option. But for the slightest moment, he could imagine the glow of standing next to her side. The warmth of her touch, her laugh…

"I'm glad Malfoy is married," Macnair interrupted as they returned to their dormitory, the cold of his existence rushing back to Severus, stealing the warmth he had just envisioned.

"And why would that be?" Severus asked dryly.

"Because perhaps now his letters will contain more news from the Dark Lord than it will him whining because he's marrying a girl who's sister is nothing but opinionated," his comrade grumbled, tossing Lucius letter into the flames. "You'd think after all the months we've been in correspondence with him we'd have gained some favor with Dark Lord, instead we're just sitting here."

"But we've gained the attention of the Dark Lord," Severus answered, watching his housemate roll his eyes. "If anything, our efforts to recruit Evans…"

"Our efforts? For your sake, you best hope you improve your efforts when you're working with her in Switzerland. Who knows how many strings had to be pulled to get you into the International Potions Cor-."

"Regardless," he interrupted, ignoring the insult. "I believe that separating Evans from him will help the situation. She'll be confused, weak, at the very least a Confounding charm will skew how she feels for Potter and then we can act."

"The Dark Lord made it clear he wanted the set, Potter and Evans…"

"And you made it clear that if we can't get him to cooperate we can find means to dispose of him," Severus snapped back, refusing to mention what else Macnair had said that night in the corridor, that perhaps Lily could meet a similar, more horrific end should she not cooperate either.

He watched Walden Macnair's eyes and for the slightest moment could see his mind. He knew Macnair had his suspicions that there was an emotion tying him to Evans. He could see the suspicions that any act of violence against his chosen Gryffindor would result in his own demise. Leaving the mind, Severus kept focused on his eyes, the hard, cold coals searching for weakness.

"Just make sure you're clear on your assignment," Macnair said, keeping his eyes on the stoic Snape. "You have been admitted to The International Potions Corps. Your mission is to convince Lily Evans that the Dark Lord is right in his beliefs of reforming the magical population. You are to convince Lily that her talent will be used for the betterment of the magical community. Above all else, you are to break her spirit. Convince her that if she doesn't cooperate, if for the slightest moment she believes us to be doomed to failure, then in that moment you are to break her. Break her spirit, break her body, break her soul until she is willing to submit to the Dark Lord. Can you do that?"

He gave a curt nod and pulled out his old potions book, skimming along the margins as if doing so will erase the terror that lingered in him at his housemate's words.

"Good, because if you aren't clear enough, I will be," the Servant of Death smirked. "And I tend to break things more than I fix them.

((*))

Remus was used to walking up to Gryffindor tower in the dead of night.

For years he had climbed out of the Hospital Wing or the Shrieking Shack on a monthly basis, walking up the constantly moving staircases in solitude. But in recent years, there had always been one or two Marauders near, by means of James' invisibility cloak laughing behind him.

Tonight was different. It was still a half moon; he had been to neither the Shrieking Shack nor the Hospital Wing. Rather he now knew why James had been taken from them that morning at breakfast.

Frank Longbottom and the Prewett brother had finally done it; they had convinced Dumbeldore the Marauders were ready to join the resistance.

He didn't know why Dumbeldore had insisted on seeing them separately. James was interviewed at breakfast, Peter at lunch. Sirius nearly had a heart attack when his summon came before dinner fearing that Dumbeldore had forgotten his stomach and was leading him into a starving evening…really Sirius, you're adored by the Hogwarts kitchens, even if you do starve we can get them to ready the fires at the drop of a hat.

He was summoned a few hours after Sirius. He had known when James returned it was something important, and when Peter was invited it had to be something all the Marauders were being offered. Remus still couldn't believe it, the Order. The Order of the Phoenix. It was real, and next to having real friends, the Order was the realest thing in his world.

"Salutis" Remus mumbled, walking the threshold of the portrait hole. It was near midnight, the common room all but empty save for two people on the couch. He was surprised they were back so soon, but then he remembered the sixth year prefects probably had duty that night. Still, the fact that they're already asleep is extrodinary…

At least theirs some love in the world, Remus thought, looking at James who was serving as Lily's pillow with slight envy. Her head was safely cradled, and the peaceful look on her face told him where ever she was, it was just her and James in a happy place only they'd know. He saw his friend's hand resting in her hair as if he had been playing with it when he feel into that same state of beautiful, sleeping bliss. The bloody world could be burning down but these two wouldn't notice as long as the other was near.

Remus gave a slight smile as he turned to head up the stairs to bed. He could suddenly feel his ankle tripping over something, nearly falling on the ground he was able to stop him and look at the paper that had nearly conquered him.

There was a picture he had missed earlier in the day when they read about the Aurora. Normally he never looked passed the cover or obituaries, but on the back where the occasional happy announcements were listed he saw a woman who he doubted had to worry any about the coming storm of darkness.

Remus looked to see a young woman, who was slightly pretty, glaring at the camera though a smile as she stood next to a man who seemed to have a weak smile. A side picture showed a strikingly beautiful witch listed as maid of honor. The fashion editor making ridiculous comments about how beautiful Ms. LeStrage's sleeves of green lace were, how classy and witty the Black sisters had grown, complements of their noble pedigree.

"Bloody Malfoy and his sister in law…" he thought to himself, grateful that he would never have the luxury of love. Tossing the paper into the fire, he went to bed, not noticing the stain on Bellatrix skin, carefully covered in her patterns of green lace before it was consumed in the fire.

AN: For some reason I can see the Society Pages of the Prophet being littered with Bellatrix and Cissy before Bellatrix lost her marbles and landed herself in Azkaban. The original Hilton Sisters? Who knows.

Anyways, you guys know what to do from here. Remember I love reviews and they are brain food when I'm working here at school. The semester's about to pick up as usual, but I'm going to try and update soon. After all, Missing Persons, Death and Orders-it's going to be interesting right? As usual, reviews are welcome as are questions, comments, concerns and out right "what the..."'s.

Hope you enjoyed!~KH