A/N: We are nearing the end of their time at Hogwarts. After this chapter, things will really start to get going. Thank you for staying with me and this story. I am having so much fun writing this story!
Graduation was upon them before they knew it. And on every seventh years' mind was the ongoing war, and how they were all going to suddenly become a part of it somehow. For six seventh years, they were becoming very aware of what was coming, and how they would prevent it.
Gathered together one last time in the Room of Requirement, after having made sure Peter was fast asleep in the dormitories before they left for the room, the group of friends went over everything they knew one last time.
"So we are still no closer to getting the diary or the locket," Sirius said, thinking of that conversation with his brother.
"I haven't talked to Severus, but I had hoped I could get a chance before we leave tomorrow," Lily said. "He's been close to Malfoy, maybe he can somehow get the diary from him."
After the room was silent for a few minutes, each lost in their own thoughts, Marlene finally broke the silence.
"Have you all figured out what you're doing?" They all looked at her as if she grew another head.
"McKinnon, that's kind of what we're talking about now," Sirius finally said.
"I mean, other than this. Dorcas talked about taking healer courses, and Lily-" she paused, looking at Lily, silently asking if she should go on.
"Lily what?" James asked, turning to his girlfriend.
Lily realized everyone was looking at her. Gathering her Gryffindor courage, she looked at them all and said, "I'm joining the Order."
After a minute of silence, Sirius whooped, causing the others to jump. "Yes! I knew I liked you Evans!"
James looked at his girlfriend with pride in his eyes. Lily couldn't help but glance at James to see what he thought of it. James grabbed her hand and said, "Well Evans, looks like you're stuck with me after school too, because I'm joining the Order too."
Lily expected it, but she still smiled with appreciation.
"And of course, yours truly will be in the Order as well," Sirius piped up.
Remus rolled his eyes. "Of course, wherever James goes, there shall be Sirius."
"Following along like the faithful pup he is," James grinned.
Sirius glared for a moment before turning to Marlene. "So, McKinnon, what are you going to do?"
"I'm going to join the Order, but I'm also going to try to become an Auror. I think I could be dead useful being in the Auror department."
"Frank and Alice give you inspiration, did they?" Remus asked.
"Yes, and honestly, who knows how many people in the ministry are on his side, so it couldn't hurt to send information on to the Order," Marlene said determined.
"Very noble," Sirius said with a look in his eye, before he shook his head and looked at Dorcas. "And you're going to train to be a healer?"
"Oh yes, I think we'll need as many healers as possible, especially with this war building. I mean, granted, if we end it the way we hope, it'll be a shorter war. And I think I'll join the Order also," she said with a glance towards Remus.
Sirius, noticing the glance, grinned and looked at Remus. "Now Moony, what will you be doing with all of your free time?"
Remus shrugged. He knew Sirius and James knew his reservations about leaving school. Because of what he was, it would be very hard to get a job, but he couldn't say anything in front of the girls. "I'm not sure what I'd be useful for," he shrugged. "But I'll join the Order if Dumbledore allows me."
"Why on earth wouldn't he allow you? You're absolutely brilliant!" Dorcas exclaimed, causing Remus to blush.
"Look, it's getting late. After gradation, we'll all be headed home. We better get some rest," Lily informed her friends.
They all got up and headed back to their dormitories. James pulled Lily back and after the room's door closed, he pulled her close. "Not that I'm surprised, but I'm glad you're joining the Order."
Lily sighed. "I just want to find the rest of these horcruxes and kill Voldemort, and I just don't see me focusing on anything else."
James cupped her face so she could look him in the eye. "Lily, we will stop Voldemort. We will prevent that future we saw! I promise you that!"
Lily smiled before embracing him tightly, holding onto his promise.
oOo~oOo~oOo
It was official, the seventh years were finally graduated and about to start their lives away from Hogwarts. Despite all that was happening and going to happen, Lily couldn't help but smile at those around her. Graduates hugging friends and teachers, saying their last farewell. She had spent the better part of her life here, she had amazing friends, she had an amazing boyfriend, but she knew it would end. After getting off the Hogwarts Express one last time, she would head home to see her parents and her sister. She would have to tell them what was coming, and that she would be right in the thick of it. She wasn't sure how her parents would take it, but she knew how her sister would. Petunia had grown very cold towards her as she continued leaving for Hogwarts. When she had first found out she was a witch, Petunia had treated her like she was air, ignoring her and sticking her nose up at her, as if she was nothing but mud under her shoes.
Lost in her thoughts, she failed to noticed someone come from behind her and pull her into an empty classroom. Turning around she saw Severus closing the door. "Sev! You really should give someone notice that you're going to drag them into a classroom," she said almost breathless.
Severus avoided looking at her, instead looking out the window at the activity outside. "Lily, it's happening tonight."
Lily's smile dropped and she looked at her friend with sadness in her eyes. She stepped towards him and said quietly, "Becoming a –"
"Yes," he hissed. "And I'm not the only one. There's a fair few of us he wants to 'initiate'," he hissed.
Lily didn't know what to say. She knew it was going to happen, but now that it was here, she couldn't quite grasp it. "Sev, I hope you know that even if you are a Death Eater," she choked out, "you will still be my best friend. I know you will have to do things you don't want to do, but just know I will never judge you. Because you are taking a great risk being a spy for Dumbledore, for us, and we will forever be grateful."
Severus looked at her and nearly felt his heart break all over again. But he couldn't dwell on it anymore. He had accepted that Lily would never be his, but to have her in his life as a friend, alive, is what mattered the most now. "I know my mission, and as soon as I can I will send you notification of it."
She knew he was referring to the diary. With a few tears in her eyes, she nodded, looking down. Hearing the students heading to the train, she grabbed him and wrapped her arms around him tightly. He wrapped his arms around her hesitantly. "Be safe Sev," she said before letting go and walking out the door, leaving Severus standing there, wishing she had held on a little longer, wishing everything had turned out differently.
oOo~oOo~oOo
As soon as graduation was over, Sirius managed to duck away from his friends and make a beeline for the abandoned classroom he had met Regulus. Early this morning, he had gotten a note delivered by an owl from Regulus, wanting to meet Sirius there after graduation. As it had been very early it had been delivered, his friends had failed to notice the owl or the note.
Running into the room, he saw his brother pacing, looking extremely nervous and a bit sick. "Reg, are you alright?"
Regulus looked up and Sirius could see the dark circles around his eyes, as if he hadn't slept in weeks.
"Sirius, I – it - it's happening tonight," Regulus stuttered.
Sirius didn't need to ask what he was talking about. He knew. Sirius sighed heavily and walked towards his brother. "Reg, I-"
"Were you serious about Dumbledore helping me?" He asked suddenly.
Sirius started and stared at him for a moment. "Of course! We can go see him now before we leave."
His brother hesitated a moment before nodding. Sirius walked him out the door towards Dumbledore's office, walking fast in case his brother changed his mind. The climbed the stairs after giving the password, and knocked on Dumbledore's office door.
"Come in," came his calm voice.
Sirius felt he had to push Regulus inside the room before he closed the door. Seeing Dumbledore, Regulus stood a bit taller.
"Ah, Misters Black, this is a surprise. I surmised you would all be on your way to the train," Dumbledore said.
"Sir, my brother wanted to –"
"Sirius said you could help me," Regulus said firmly, looking directly at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore looked at him for a moment before saying, "Help you with what Mr. Black?"
Regulus hesitated a moment before saying, "I am to be initiated as a Death Eater tonight, and I don't wish it."
After two minutes of heavy silence, Dumbledore stood and walked to Regulus and Sirius. "Mr. Black, I find you coming to me, asking me for help, and telling me this, admirable. I will help you, but you must become a Death Eater," he said calmly, looking at Regulus to see his reaction.
Sirius expected it. He knew they needed Regulus to get the locket from Voldemort. But seeing the look on Regulus' face made Sirius look at Dumbledore with a bit of surprise.
"B-but I want you to help me get away from it," Regulus said shocked. This was not how he expected this conversation to go.
"Mr. Black, there is more going on than you are aware," Dumbledore started to say. Regulus' eyes opened wide and looked at Sirius. His brother had said those very words also. "I am afraid that to reach our goal, Voldemort's end, we need you go become a Death Eater."
Regulus looked from Dumbledore to Sirius and back again. "Sirius said those very words. May as I what more is going on?"
Dumbledore nodded. "You may, but I'm afraid I cannot tell you everything. You are not practiced in the art of Occlumency, therefore, Voldemort will delve into your very mind and know everything we know. We cannot have that. I will tell you bits, but if you choose to accept the task I set before you, I will have to modify these very moments in your mind. If you choose not to accept the task, I will have to obliviate the entire memory from your mind."
Again there was heavy silence while Regulus contemplated his options. Looking at his brother, Sirius gave him an encouraging look and nod. Regulus looked back to Dumbledore and nodded.
"Very well, now have a seat. I will send a note to the train to delay it so we can complete our talk before you two leave."
Sitting in the chairs, Sirius looked at his brother and grinned. Regulus was going to be a spy for them. He was going to save Regulus. He would make sure nothing happened to his brother this time around.