The sender of the note was sitting in the Hog's Head, his tall wizard's hat so low on his brow that his face was invisible. He was nervously stirring his teaspoon in a cup of tea as he waited impatiently for the kraut to come. He checked his watch.

Five to ten.

He scoffed. Goddamn Beilschmidt, always with punctuality. Couldn't he arrive early once in his life? Bloody Germans...

The sender scoffed. If the Dark Lord, or his fellow Death Eaters ever found out what he was doing, he was as good as dead. But damn it all, what choice did he have? He couldn't just sit and watch as the Dark Lord carried out his plan... even if it could get him killed, he had to do something.

But then he heard the door swing open, and he saw Ludwig get in. The sender gave him a good look as he walked to the bartender to ask for him. He looked more like a man than he remembered. He even had a bit of stubble. But it was only natural. It had been, what, more than ten years since he had seen him the last time... however, he noticed how his clear blue eyes held the same serious look, and his hair was still slicked back. Still, he was thankful that he was not wearing his Auror uniform.

Finally, Aberforth pointed to the sender, and Ludwig went to sit at his table. He started with no bows and scrapes.

"Hello. You must be I'll-Know-Soon-Enough."

I'll-Know-Soon-Enough nodded.

Ludwig's eyes narrowed. "If you want to talk to me, you'll have to show me your face. I don't like talking to anonymous people. It's terribly rude."

The sender sighed and said "Always a royal pain in the ass, you are, Beilschmidt." but complied. He took off his hat, and Ludwig's jaw fell open. The man looked a bit more weathered than he remembered, but his big green eyes and huge eyebrows were unmistakable.

"I can't believe it! You! Of all people, you! What the hell! Is this a joke?"

Arthur shook his head and sighed. "I wish it was, kraut."

Ludwig's look of surprise remained firmly lodged on his features. Then it morphed in one of pure despise.

"What the hell does a filthy Death Eater like yourself want from an Auror? If this is a trap..."

Arthur groaned. "Look, bloody hear me out, okay? You think I like being here? You know that I could be killed if I was found out?"

Ludwig's gaze remained hard. "Oh, that sure would be a tragedy. Don't worry, if that's the case, I'll gladly attend your funeral."

Arthur wanted to cry. "Beilschmidt, please, will you let me bloody talk or not?"

Ludwig sighed. He pinched the bridge of his nose really hard. "... talk. And please, make it quick. I don't want to be seen in your company for longer than it is strictly necessary."

Arthur lowered his eyes. "... I changed my mind. I don't want to be a Death Eater anymore."

Ludwig's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Then go into hiding. Disappear. Run away like the coward you've always been."

Arthur bit the inside of his cheek. "I... I don't want to run away. I... want to switch sides. I don't want to fight for the Dark anymore."
This time, Ludwig let out a joyless laugh. "Please, Kirkland. I remember you from school, we were in the same year, you know. You have always hated Muggles and Muggle-borns, and you were quite close to Riddle. You've always loved the Dark Arts. Why should I believe you?"

Arthur swallowed. "... I know, it sounds hard to believe, no need to rub it in my face, you bloody git. But... but I changed."

Ludwig scoffed. "Oh yes, you changed! How cruel of me to treat you like this! Why don't you come over at my house, so I can tell you about the Order right away, and we'll have a nice catch-up chat. I'll even let you meet my wife and kids! Won't that be just jolly good?"

Arthur closed his eyes. "... the Dark Lord is after Alf... Jones. I can't let him."

Ludwig's eyes narrowed. "... what did you say?"

Arthur swallowed, and hung his head in his hands. His voice took a desperate tinge. "It's because he's in the Order! The Dark Lord decided to go after you one at a time, and the first one he decided to get is Jones, because he's famous, a popular Quidditch hero, and his death would be widely publicized as his doing! I can't let him do it!"

Ludwig couldn't believe his ears. "... Kirkland? Are we talking about the same Jones? Alfred F. Jones? Blond, blue eyes, obnoxiously loud?"

Arthur scoffed. "Of course I'm talking about that Jones! Who else?"

Ludwig was speechless. "... I thought you hated the guy?"

Arthur seemed to be close to tears. "I never hated him, okay? I was stupid. I... oh God, if you tell this to a single soul..."

Ludwig's eyes were open so wide that his eyeballs could very well fall in Arthur's tea. "You love him! ?"

Arthur recoiled as if Ludwig had raised his wand at him. His face twisted. "I... I... I don't want to love him, goddammit! That's freaky, that's disgusting, he even has Muggle relatives, he was a Gryffindor, he's American, he's ..." then he stopped and took a deep breath. His voice sounded very resigned when he spoke again.

"Fuck this. I love him. I loved him ever since he was a second year with a big head. I'm a fucking fag. I'm a disgusting poof. That's it."

Ludwig could not believe his ears. "You... you... I can't believe you! You always treated him like dirt, you called him every name in the book, you taunted him every chance you got!"

Arthur seemed to be getting very nervous. "I know, okay? I... I didn't want to be in love with a guy. I didn't want to be a fag. For a blood traitor, even! A Gryffindor! But fuck it, I am. I tried and I tried, but these bloody feelings won't just go away. And now, the Dark Lord wants to kill him! I can't have that!"

Ludwig didn't know what to say. "I can't believe this. You, one of the first to follow Riddle... you..."

Arthur seemed to become smaller under Ludwig's stupified gaze. "I know, okay? I know! Look, you have to keep him safe! You have to tell him that he's in danger! You... please, I'll do anything!"

Ludwig took a deep breath. Calm. He needed to stay calm. "Anything, Kirkland?"

Arthur slumped over the table. "... yes, goddammit, anything. Hell, even if you asked me to chop off my arm with the Dark Mark, to kill myself, I'd do it. Anything at all. Just... keep Al safe. The Dak Lord wants to make an example of him. He'll torture him, he'll do terrible things to him. Alfred... he doesn't deserve this destiny."

Ludwig's eyes softened. He could relate at least a bit to Kirkland, now that he thought about it. The both of them were in love with someone that society had trouble accepting. Just, Ludwig had chosen to go with his feelings, unlike Kirkland, who had decided to suppress them out of shame. But now, he was willing to change his mind... to fight for what was right... he would even chop off his Dark Mark arm...

Ludwig took a moment to get a good look at Kirkland. He looked completely miserable. Ludwig felt a rush of pity for the man.

In the end, he sighed. "Kirkland, I need proof that you're here of your own free will, and not as a trap from Riddle. Prove that to me, and I'll take you to see Dumbledore right now."

Kirkland sighed. "... I have no proof I can give you, you git. Just my word."

Ludwig decided to insist. "Your word is not enough."

Kirkland groaned. "I know, okay? I didn't exactly win your trust in these years! But there's nothing I can do to convince you. What do you want me to do anyway?"

Ludwig looked at Arthur straight in the eyes. "You do know that Jones is going to marry in three weeks, right?"

Arthur looked like someone had dropped a ton of bricks on him. He looked at Ludwig in horrified surprise. "WHAT! ? To whom! ?"

Ludwig answered. "To Belle Van de Vos. Do you remember her?"

Arthur's voice was thick when he spoke. "... really now. They were always good friends... fuck..."

Ludwig nodded. "Yes. What do you say, Kirkland? Do you still want to protect him now that you know the truth? That he's not gay, that he could never be with you, and that he's going to marry someone else?"

Arthur lowered his eyes. He started wringing his hands. He looked very ill at ease. "... I... I..." then he hung his head low. His voice ws shaking. "Shit. I don't even care. It doesn't matter. I'm just that much of a fag. Al... he never had a reason to wait for me. I never gave him one. Fuck. I hope that Van de Vos will be a good wife for him."

Ludwig smiled. "So you're willing to help the Order anyway? Even if Jones will never return your feelings?"

Arthur's voice was heavy with unshed tears. "Fuck you, Beilschmidt, stop saying that! I understood you the first time! It's not like I can stop feeling like this just because he won't return my... you know... l-love. I have no choice. Al has to be safe. Al doesn't deserve to die like a dog. Even if he will never look my way. He has to live. If the Dark Lord kills him, then I... I..."

Ludwig chuckled. "I was joking. Jones is not getting married. Actually, he's been single for a year or two."

Arthur's eyes shot up to Ludwig's, a betrayed grimace on his features. "You... you bastard! Why in the hell did you... I was going to get a stroke, you bloody git!"

Ludwig got up. "Sorry, I had to see if you were willing to really do anything. Oh well. Come on now. I think Dumbledore will very much like to have a word with us tonight."


Dumbledore was talking to Alfred about the next move of the Order, safe in the Headquarters, when they heard someone knock at the door. The two men exchanged a look of suprise, then Dumbledore said "It's open."

He smiled when he saw that it was Ludwig. "Ludwig! I thought our next appointment was in a week?"

Ludwig looked at Alfred and seemed a bit taken aback, then turned his attention back to Dumbledore. "Uhm, I know. But something really good has come up. You better come with me right away. I have... someone... that needs to talk to you."

Alfred let out an annoyed noise. "Really, Lutz? Tonight? Can't it wait?"

Ludwig looked at Al as if he was a pretty interesting TV program. "... I think you should come too, Alfred."

Dumbledore and Alfred exchanged another surprised look. Then Dumbledore said "Alright. Lead the way."

Arthur was wringing his hands while he was sitting in his couch. He knew that Beilschmidt would not be bringing him to the Headquarters before he spoke to Dumbledore, but it didn't bother him. He just wanted to make sure that Al would be alright. That he would be safe. If he had to discuss the terms of his safety in his house, in the Headquarters or on the moon, he really didn't care.

However, he jumped out of his skin when he heard someone knock.

He took a deep breath, squared his shoulders and got his most annoyed look on before opening.

And there were Beilschmidt, Dumbledore and...

"JONES! ?"

Ludwig chuckled and said "Hey Kirkland. We're here too, just so you know..."

Alfred's eyes had widened in complete and utter shock. Arthur! Of all people, Arthur! His eyes became hard. "Oh. Hey, Eyebrows. Fancy seeing that a vile traitor like yourself wants to talk to the Order..."

Arthur sent Ludwig the dirtiest look he could muster. "Why in the hell have you brought him along, you bloody kraut? !"

Dumbledore decided that it was enough. "Please, boys. We're all grown-ups here. Arthur, Ludwig here tells me that you have something to discuss with me. Is it true?"

Arthur suddenly lost all his confidence. "I... I... oh, fuck it. Get in, quick. If someone sees you..."

All three of them obeyed. They went to sit down in the living room, though Alfred chose the farthest spot possible from Arthur.

Dumbledore said "Perfect. Now that we're comfortable, could you tell us what's the matter, Arthur?"

Arthur sighed. He didn't dare look at anyone present in the eyes. He blurted out "The Dark Lord is after all of you. He decided to hunt you guys down one at a time. He's going to start with you, Jones."

Alfred sat up straighter in his armchair and gave a snort. "Then let him come at me. I'm not scared. I'm a hero. I'll teach him a lesson!"
Arthur shot to his feet before Dumbledore could reply. "You obnoxious little git! Don't you realize that if he does come after you, you're as good as dead? Use that hamburger-filled brain you have once in a bloody while, will you?"

Alfred got up too. Dumbledore and Ludwig could only witness the exchange.

"Oh yes, because you care so much, don't you? I'm not as dumb as you think I am, Eyebrows! Why would you care if he killed me? You would be fucking happy, and I know it!"

Arthur looked very piqued. "I would be happy? I WOULD BE HAPPY! ? You don't understand shit, you fucking yank! You are every bit as dumb as I've always thought you were!"

Alfred's eyes were crossed by a fleeting murderous light. "Well, excuse me if I think that! You've always told me how much of a worthless fuck I am, so now you'll forgive if I am a teensy bit skeptical about your... change of heart, if you have one, that is!"

Arthur retorted in pure anger "You really are a tactless idiot! Why do you think I sank so low as to speak with a member of the Order to make sure you didn't end up with an Avada Kedavra between the eyes, eh?"

Alfred grunted. "Get off my case, you bloody Brit! I'll be fine! And I don't remember asking you to come and play hero! I'm not going to swoon and let you come and rescue me, you filthy Death Eater! You want me to owe you one, don't you? You just want to stay out of jail! Since you know that You-Know-Who can't win in the long run, you decided to switch sides like the slimy son of a troll you are, to get some credit and stay out of Azkaban when the time comes!"

Arthur was turning very red. "Are you bloody blind! ? The Dark Lord will lose in the long run! ? I don't think so, since people as thick as you are in this pathetic Order anyway!"

Alfred whipped out his wand and hissed "Say that again, you bastard. I dare you."

Arthur seemed to be this close to burst in tears of anger. "Alright, since you are such a thick troll, I guess I'll have to spell things out for you! I fucking love you, you bloody yank! That's why I want to switch sides! Happy now?"

Alfred looked like someone had slapped him in the face. He looked in dazed surprise at Arthur and said weakly "... come again?"

Arthur turned around with a fierce blush on his cheeks and crossed his arms tightly over his chest. "You heard me right the first time, you yank. I suggest you get your hearing checked."

Alfred didn't know what to say.

Dumbledore, however, muttered darkly under his breath as he handed ten Sickles to a grinning, smug Ludwig.


Feli heard the fire roar, so she got out of bed and went to greet Ludwig.

He looked tired, but also had a small smile on his lips.

She went to him and kissed him on the cheek. "Hello, Ludwig. Ve, why the smile?"

Ludwig gave her a kiss too, then said "Hello, Feli. You didn't need to wait for me. It's almost two o'clock."

Feli shook her head and guided him to the couch. "No, ve, I wanted to know what is going on. Here, sit down, I'll bring you something to drink."

Ludwig did sit down, and waited until Feli came back with two steaming cups.

She sat down beside him and she asked "So, ve? What happened?"

Ludwig smiled and sipped his tea. "... something glorious has happened today, Feli. A Death Eater has betrayed Riddle and decided to work for the Order."
Feli's eyes widened in very pleased shock. "What! ? Ve, really? A full-fledged Death Eater?"

Ludwig nodded. "Yes indeed. The guy received the Dark Mark and everything. However, he decided to switch sides today."

Feli smiled and asked "And why, ve?"

Ludwig smiled. "Because he's in love with one of the Order."

Feli said a surprised "You don't say, ve! Who's the lucky girl?"

Ludwig made himself a bit more comfortable. "Guy."

"Ve?"

Ludig answered "Guy. This ex-Death Eater is in love with a guy. Alfred, to be precise."

Feli's eyes widened. "No way! Really? Does Al know, ve?"

Ludwig chuckled. "Yes, he does. Kirkland confessed right there in front of us. I knew he would. I even won ten Sickles off Dumbledore for that."

Feli laughed. "Really, ve? And what did Al say?"

Ludwig smirked. "I wouldn't know. Right after Kirkland confessed, Al kind of kicked me and Dumbledore out. And I don't think they played chess, so to speak."

Feli looked more serious now. "Really now? I never knew that Death Eaters could love, ve..."

Ludwig sighed. "You know what I think? I think that in the long run, Riddle will lose. Because his Death Eaters are humans, and all humans can love. And if they do, it brings out the best in them. It changes people, love. And Riddle will pay very dearly for not having understood that."

Feli sighed and leaned on Ludwig's shoulder. "Well, ve, I hope you're right."

Ludwig smiled. "Believe me, I know. If I hadn't met you, I would have ended up a Death Eater too."

Feli shivered. "Ve, maybe you're exaggerating..."
Ludwig shook his head. "No, Feli. Before we met, I too thought that wizards were superior to Muggles. And I think that in my seventh year, when Riddle asked me if I was up for a "little game" I could have very well told him that I was. But thank God I had already met you, Feli. You spared me a life of misery and darkness. You gave me something to fight for. You changed me."

Feli blushed. "... ve, you're welcome, I guess...?"

Ludwig smiled and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead. "Thank you for everything, Feli. I love you."

Feli smiled and hugged him tight. "I love you too, ve!"

Ludwig took advantage of her hug to pull her on his lap and kiss her neck.

Needless to say, that night they didn't make it to the bed.


Hang on cause there's one last chapter!