24th of June 1995
Tonks was pacing nervously all across her studio apartment. She was a bit angry at Kingsley for sending her home like that. She wanted to be there, and be useful. She could help him, or Moody, no matter he ignored her. She could stay at Hogwarts, looking after the students, anything, just not being home. Tonks felt just like those Hogwarts students, sent away without any word of explanation. She heard them commenting that while escorting them, and she totally agreed with them. But, knowing professor Dumbledore, he will tell them exactly what happened, maybe even before Kingsley tells her. She noticed Fudge arguing with Dumbledore, while she gathered the students, but didn't really hear what was that about.
She thought that Fudge is a coward, hiding in his office, handing everything important to Scrimgeour, who passed it to Kingsley. "Kingsley would be a great Minister, but right now I don't like him," Tonks thought, still angry at Kingsley. She opened the bottle of butterbeer, taking a sip right from the bottle. It was two hours since she came back home, and she wanted answers, but didn't want to disobey Kingsley's orders. Mary and Audrey sent her letters by owl post, informing her that they got home safely. She did the same.
Just when she thought about sending an owl to that bloody Kingsley Shacklebolt, she heard someone knocking on her door. Tonks jumped, and the bottle almost slipped from her hands. She rushed to open the door, and when she did, she saw Kingsley standing in the hallway, looking distressed.
"That's not constant vigilance, Tonks, where is your wand? And you didn't even ask who it was," Kingsley scolded her, and walked into her apartment.
"Oh, come on! You sent me here to wait for you like I'm incapable of doing anything. I want to know what is going on, and you will not leave this apartment until you tell me," Tonks spat at Kingsley, her pink hair morphing in the most alerting shade of red.
"Oh, I'm sorry if I did what I know it was the best in the given moment," Kingsley said sarcastically. "Hold that attitude, will you?" started putting some protection charms on her apartment.
"What in the bloody Merlin's name are you doing, Kingsley?" Tonks asked confused. Why would he charm her place?
"Will you please, shut up for two seconds?" Kingsley raised his voice a bit. "And if you have another butterbeer, I would be delighted to have it." He lowered his voice again, still charming the place. Tonks was now even more furious because he was acting all suspicious, and too bossy. But, she took another butterbeer from the fridge, and handed it to Kingsley when he put his wand down.
"Cheers!" Kingsley said right when he opened the bottle, and he knocked his bottle into her. They both took a sip.
"Now we can talk. Or, better, I will talk, and you will listen. We don't have much time because I have a meeting with Fudge," Kingsley said, and waited Tonks' affirmation that she understood him. She was still angry, but she nodded. The both sat on her couch.
"Firstly, Mad-Eye never got to Hogwarts. Barty Crouch Jr., who was in fact alive all this time, somehow managed to knock Moody out, and he kidnapped him. That same man pretended to be Mad-Eye, put Harry's name in that Goblet, and did everything he could to ensure that Harry will win the Tournament." Kingsley took another sip, and Tonks was looking at him speechless, with her eyes so widely open that she felt like they might pop-out of the sockets. "Mad-Eye is alive, he was at Hogwarts hospital wing, so I guess he will be as good as new tomorrow. You know that there is no better healer than Madam Pomfrey."
"Oh my… I don't understand. Why would Crouch's son do that?" Tonks was confused, but relieved to hear that her old mentor will be okay. What is a year of being kidnapped to Mad-Eye Moody? Vacation?
"And this is where it all gets fucked up," Kingsley said, and Tonks choke on the sip of butterbeer she took when she heard Kingsley swearing. "He wasn't working alone."
"If you say that Sirius Black was helping him, I will literally burst into flames," Tonks said, because she didn't want to be wrong about Sirius. After the talk she had with her mother, she really wanted to know the truth, and maybe, just maybe ease out her mother's disappointment in her entire family. Kingsley burst into laughter.
"I thought you figured it all out by now. Sirius Black is a murderer and a criminal as much as I am, and you know that I'm not. It was Peter Pettigrew. He was the secret keeper, he betrayed the Potters, he killed those Muggles, and cut off his finger to make it look like Black destroyed him. He's animagus, just like Sirius Black, so he lived like a rat with the, get this, Weasleys for years," Kingsley was amused now.
"Scabbers? Percy's rat?" Tonks was now overwhelmed. She even thought of Black being the animagus, but never mentioned it to Kingsley, although she wrote it down in her files.
"That's the one. Black escaped Azkaban when he saw that photo in the Daily Prophet. He turned into a dog, and walked away. Something he could do anytime during those twelve years, but didn't until he had a proof that Pettigrew was alive. Last year, he didn't want to kill Harry, he wanted to get Pettigrew," Kingsley said calmly, and took another sip of butterbeer. Tonks jumped at once.
"A-HA! I knew it! I fucking knew it! I knew that this Pettigrew bloke is not an angel! Ha!" Tonks shrieked.
"Calm yourself, woman. The story is not over," Kingsley scolded her, and looked at her, waiting for her to sit again.
"Sorry… Go on," Tonks was a bit ashamed, but still proud because of her job well done.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you any of it earlier, but my position as a head of that investigation became crucial, and it was imperative that no one knows about that. Of course, Dumbledore knows everything, and that's why he wanted Moody to teach at Hogwarts. Those leads about Tibet? As fake as Lucius Malfoy's story about serving Voldemort under Imperius curse. I made it all up, I'm glad it amused both you and Dumbledore," Kingsley said proudly. And he had a reason to be proud, whole wizarding world believed those rumours.
"So, where is Black? I assume you know," Tonks asked, trying to control herself.
"Of course I do, and you saw him too, earlier…"
"That dog! I knew that there's something wrong with it. I've never seen a dog at Hogwarts before," Tonks interrupted him.
"Oh, and what do you want? A golden star for extra effort?" Kingsley didn't like to be interrupted like that, so he gave Tonks a look. "Barty's son succeeded in his plan. The cup was a portkey, and it took Potter and Diggory right into You-Know-Who's hands."
"So, he really is back?" Tonks flinched, and she felt goosebumps all over her body.
"I'm afraid so. And that's why I'm here. And please, no interruptions now. Fudge handed Crouch Jr. to the Dementors, and that's the main problem. He refuses to believe that You-Know-Who is back, and he argued with Dumbledore really hard. I'm still surprised with the calmness Dumbledore has in himself. However, Fudge is too stubborn, paranoid and afraid to do anything, so he basically called Dumbledore mental, and refused to work with him. Without his confession, there's no proof of anything, and I'm sure that Fudge will do anything in his power to make people think that Harry Potter cannot be trusted. But, that boy is something, and we must ensure he is safe."
"Then fuck Fudge, and his non-sense! What about Sirius Black then?" Tonks said, as she felt the rebel in her rising, but regretted it when she caught Kingsley's look. "Sorry, go on."
"Black's gone to inform Remus Lupin, and some others about tonight's events. The others that were involved in the Order during the first war. And that's why I'm here. When Moody accepted the teacher's post, he asked me to look out for you. You've really proven yourself capable, intelligent, and skilled. And Moody told Dumbledore about you, and your special abilities," he said, pointing at her still red hair. She shook her head, and turned it back to pink. "The point is, Dumbledore agreed with Moody, and me. We could really use your help. He sent me here to invite you to join the Order of the Pheonix."
"The Order of what now?" Tonks looked at him shocked. What is all this about? Moody talked about her to Dumbledore? And Dumbledore wants her to join what? And Kingsley is a part of it? What is happening? The thoughts rushed through her head.
"It's a secret society, Dumbledore is the leader. We must fight You-Know-Who, and the Ministry won't do anything about that. We must take the matter in our own hands, and we need capable people. You don't have to answer tonight, I understand if all of this is a bit too much now," Kingsley said, secretly hoping that Tonks will accept.
"Were you confunded today? Of course I'll join! The whole point of being an Auror is to kick some arse, and I would love to kick some Death Eaters right in the face. And Moody is a part of it? Yes! A guerilla secret society? Where do I sign up?" Tonks shrieked with excitement.
"Tonks, I'm really glad to hear you so eager about this. But, I must warn you. It's dangerous, and we don't know how will the things turn out from tonight. No one can now about this, you understand that?"
Tonks now thought about her mother and father. Her mother would join this cause, for sure. Everything You-Know-Who wanted was everything why Andromeda Tonks lost her family. She lost her sister to his cause, even though she's not dead. But if Kingsley said not to tell, she wouldn't.
"I do, I do. I'm sorry, you know how I get when I'm excited. But it only shows you my honest reaction, I really want to join. If You-Know-Who is back, I don't want to sit in the Ministry, and do Scrimgeour's homework all the time," she tried to control herself, and for once she managed to hold up her emotions.
"Alright. I will let you know when our first meeting will be, and where. We haven't discussed where the headquarters will be. I won't be asking you if you're sure anymore. You're not a child, Nymphadora, and I expect from you to behave yourself," Kingsley said pleased.
"Don't worry. Even if I embarrass you and Mad-Eye, you don't stand a chance, he will kill me first," Tonks joked, and they cheered with the butterbeer. "For the Order, then!"
Both of them downed their bottles. Kingsley still looked a bit tense, and Tonks wasn't mad at him anymore. This whole plan has Mad-Eye written all over it. Once again she was so grateful to have Mad-Eye Moody in her life as her mentor.
"Oh, I have one question. Who's with us?" Tonks asked Kingsley cautiously. Maybe her mother already knew about it.
"Well, Dumbledore is the leader. I think all of the Weasleys are in, Lupin, Black, Sturgis Podmore, Dedalus Diggle, that old Elphias Doge, Emmeline Vance, you know her, bunch of Hogwarts professors, and I guess Hestia Jones will now join. You know her?" Kingsley tried to remember all the people who will definitely join the Order, some of them again, some of them for the first time.
"I do. She worked with that old toad Umbridge, and quit last year. She's quite funny, I don't know how she managed to work with Umbridge for three years," Tonks didn't like Umbridge because of her superiority complex, and Umbridge didn't like Tonks because she wasn't usual, and a Slytherin pureblood. Something Tonks was supposed to be, given her mother's heritage.
"Well, yes. She helped me and Arthur couple of times when we did some work for Dumbledore. And she is, after all, some distant cousin of Alice Longbottom, so I guess she will indeed join," Kingsley said, and got up. "My time is up, Tonks. Take care of yourself, and we'll see each other at work."
"Oh, I still have so many questions!" Tonks wanted to know everything now, but by Kingsley's lack of reaction when hearing her words, she figured she will have to wait for a while. Then, he turned just as he reached the door.
"Okay, one more. Shoot."
"Hmm… Were you in the first Order, too?"
"No, not officially. But I strongly agree with Albus Dumbledore, and I will do whatever I can to help his cause. Just like I did back then when I was just an informant. See you, Tonks!" he turned, and opened the door. He was gone.
Tonks was overwhelmed. Everything Kingsley just said, it was so much to process. She already knew most of the people Kingsley mentioned. Well, she heard all those names at least once. She still remembered Sirius from his visits when she was just a little girl. He was the cool cousin, always bringing her toys that changed colours just like her hair. But she didn't remember any of his friends, and they all were at her parents' house at least once when she was there.
Last week she even saw Remus Lupin. It was the day Kingsley came back from his Muggle Prime Minister mission, and they went for a drink after work. Right when they were walking down the Diagon Alley, Lupin was leaving the apothecary carrying one small bag in his hand, and passed by them. He greeted Kingsley with the polite nod. Tonks would recognise him anywhere. She spent nights looking at her notes, and their files, so she remembered every detail of them, including the pictures, and of course Remus' face scar. He looked tired, and shabby, like he wasn't sleeping well. Even in person, he did look a bit older than he really was. Little did Tonks know that she saw Remus on the first day after the longest night in the month when it comes to Remus Lupin.
She, of course, knew all of the Weasleys. Charlie was the same year at Hogwarts like her, and she met Bill there too. And their parents knew each other from their days at Hogwarts, so they spent some holidays, and a couple of family lunches together. She met the rest of the Weasley children during her first Hogwarts summer break. Tonks liked the family atmosphere in the Burrow, and she loved playing in the fields with Bill and Charlie. When they were a bit older, they would keep an eye on the younger ones, while their parents would share a cup of tea after one of many delicious meals made by Molly Weasley. Tonks was a bit envious of Charlie, who was always complaining about his brothers, and little sister. When surrounded with the Weasleys, Tonks couldn't help herself, and she felt kind of lonely. She didn't have any brothers or sisters, and she refused to believe that all the siblings are like her mother's. Still, she was glad that she had Charlie in her life. He was her oldest friend, even though they didn't see each other that much anymore.
Most of the Order's members she met while working, and during her Auror training. Those were quite interesting people who Dumbledore gathered, and Tonks was happy to become a part of it. She never felt like she belonged in the Aurors Office. She liked her job, and was happy when she got in, but most of her colleagues made her feel unwanted there. Like she doesn't belong there. She felt that way before. Because of her metamorphmagi abilities, she was quite popular in Hogwarts. But people weren't interested in her, or what she has to say, only what she could do. It became tiring, and that's why Tonks started doing all of her shenanigans.
Tonks started to clean out her table from the Marauders investigation notes. She doesn't need that anymore. She found out the truth, and she will be meeting two out of three living Marauders soon. Still, she was kind of nervous. She felt like all of those people Kingsley counted were more capable, and skilled than her. What if she comes out as the worst of them? She knew that her hair is turning indigo blue now, like it always did when she felt a wave of low self-esteem. "It will be okay, I can do this. I will do this!", she repeated this mantra in her head. And she really needed a shower.
She took a quick shower right after she finished putting away the notes, and laid down on her bed. Her thoughts were still buzzing, but she had to admit it was all so exciting too. Today was supposed to be something entirely else. She was supposed to go to the festivities with Audrey and Mary, have a little fun, visit Zonko's, and just go home. Instead, all four of the Tournament champions were attacked, and one was killed. Mad-Eye was kidnapped. Sirius Black is innocent. You-Know-Who is back. Fudge won't budge. She became the part of guerilla Order. And then it hit her. She didn't find out who that red haired woman was. Damn it! She knew that she forgot to ask Kingsley something. But she will, the first time she gets a chance. For now, she chose to fall asleep, her body too tired to fight her overwhelmed mind.
The summer night air was warm, and heavy. Sirius was running out of the castle, almost knocking out Mrs Norris, who was lurking in the front courtyard. There wasn't time to waste. He must get to Remus' as fast as he can. If Pettigrew is joined with Voldemort, his only disguise is compromised, and he cannot waste any time. He will again use Buckbeak's help with travelling. He ran as fast as he could. Harry was safe, and that was all that mattered. And when he's at Dursley's, he is safe too. Dumbledore really thought of everything.
Even though he was in his animagi form, his mind was working so fast. What will happen now? Will Dumbledore send him somewhere far away now? He won't leave, though, and nothing could change his mind. He must stay close to Harry, as close as possible. Remus will agree with him, won't he? Sirius entered Hogsmeade lost in his thoughts. It was empty, and he was sure that the Aurors were here somewhere. He should be quick. Right when he reached the village's exit, he noticed the light coming from Gwen's house. And in a second, he decided to make a short break. In another, he scratched her door, trying to get her attention. He didn't have to wait long, though. Gwen opened the door, and he heard her whispering.
"Come in, fast."
He jumped into her house, and she closed the door. The black dog turned into a man in a second, as he knew that her house is well protected, and that he's somewhat safe there.
"Is Harry alright? Severus told me to leave when he figured what happened to that poor Diggory boy," Gwen said with serious concern in her voice.
"Yes, he is. A bit shocked, but he will be fine. What's up with you and Snivellus, anyway?" Sirius didn't like or trust Snape, and he couldn't imagine why Gwen liked working with him.
"Don't call him that. I would leave anyway, even without him telling me so." Gwen crossed her arms on her chest. "However, I believe his judgement, and he has Harry's best interest at heart, even though you don't think so."
"Alright, I can't bother about him now. I came to tell you I'm leaving. I will stay at my friend's for a while," Sirius said, not wanting to compromise Remus.
"Lupin's?" Gwen asked, lifting her eyebrows. Sirius was once again shocked how she knew everything
"Well, yes. But I couldn't leave without asking you… How did you know something will happen tonight? I never lied to you, so I think it's fair that you do the same now for me," Sirius was determined to know at least something about her. He stayed at her place for two weeks, but she never told him anything about herself. He knew her name, that she went to Hogwarts, and that she was sorted in Ravenclaw. He knew that her parents are dead, and that her mother took her to Woodstock when she was barely one. And he knew she's really, really good at potion making, and cooking too. But, most things about Gwen were still a mystery to him.
"You're right. Come," she headed into her basement, and he followed. Again, with only her hand moving, the light was on. He never went there before, and was surprised to see that she wasn't joking about those shackles. She opened the door of her potions room, and let him in first. She closed the door, and opened the chest that was placed in the furthest corner of the room. Sirius looked at the content of the chest, and was now confused even more than before.
"Are those…" he wasn't even capable of finishing the sentence. Gwen closed the chest, and sat on it.
"Prophecies, yes. You see, I'm a seer. Well, kind of. My mother's family, complicated and long story. The point is, I can see things. I see visions, not exactly what will happen, but I see things that are leading to it. Today, I saw the Triwizard Cup, and the angel statue. But I didn't remember it. You see, if I'm alone and nobody hears my words, it's kind of useless."
"I don't understand. You weren't alone then? And where were you since December?" Sirius stood in front of her, demanding answers. Some things were now clearer, but he was still full of questions. Still, he knew that his time is limited.
"I was alone. It was right before I saw you entering Hogsmeade. And that's why I headed to see Severus. He is highly skilled legilimens, and he managed to get part of what I saw. But it's still a puzzle to me, because I don't understand what happened. And I was on a trip, had to do some business."
"The cup was a portkey, and the statue you saw… It must be from the graveyard. The portkey took Harry and Cedric there. Long story short, Peter Pettigrew killed Cedric Diggory, and helped Voldemort gain his body back. He is back, Gwen," Sirius informed her, still under the impression of Harry talking about what happened. He must get to Remus as soon as possible. Gwen will have to remain a mystery for now.
"Don't say his name," Gwen hissed, and stood up. She was terrified with the information he just gave her, and Sirius noticed that, but decided not to ask why. Like most of the wizarding community, she was probably just scared.
"The point is, he's after Harry. He wants to kill Harry, and I won't let that happen," Sirius said proudly, determined to protect Harry even with his own life.
"Sirius," Gwen came closer to him, only one step divided them now. "I won't tell you what to do. But please, don't act before thinking twice."
"Dumbledore told me to go to Remus'. He gave me another task, for the both of us. So, I will be staying with him for a while. Take care, Gwen," he said, and pinched her cheek. Then he turned to leave the room, and right when exiting the room he looked at her again. "I hope I will meet you again. I still have a couple more questions for you," he said with a smirk, and walked away.
It was just past midnight when Remus Lupin decided to lift his head from the books, and get himself another cup of tea. He wasn't so sleep deprived as usual, but he was too anxious to fall asleep, so he buried himself in the books. He was still waiting for the news from the Triwizard Tournament, and was a bit worried now. It was supposed to be over by now, but he knew nothing about it.
He exited the house, and sat on the porch steps in front of his cottage. The summer air, and the sound of the sea soothed him, just like the tea he was drinking. The last full moon was two weeks ago, and it wasn't that bad. He was actually surprised by that, but didn't want to question his luck. The day after that he was even able to go to the Diagon Alley, and get some remedies. He was limping, but he didn't even need his walking cane. The Diagon Alley was quite empty, and he liked it more that way.
He didn't see any of his acquaintances, except Kingsley Shacklebolt. Kingsley was accompanied by, what Remus presumed at first, some young witch on Auror training. He was quite surprised when he noticed the Auror badge gleaming from her robes. She had short pink hair, in sort of the punkish style, something you don't see on an Auror, well ever. And she wore big clunky combat boots, even though it was summer. Remus instantly remembered Sirius wearing similar boots during their whole fifth year, including the summer. When he passed by them and walked away a bit, Remus felt something unusual. He felt like she was familiar to him, like she knows her from somewhere. But he knew that can't be possible, because he would definitely remember a woman with… And then he remembered. He remembered Andromeda Tonks' recognizable Black cheekbones. And he remembered Sirius' pink haired baby cousin. And he remembered article from the Daily Prophet, about new Aurors, mentioning Nymphadora Tonks. He couldn't help, but turn around. He couldn't see her face anymore, but when he took another look at her pink curls, he knew who she was.
He was now staring at the forest, thinking about how fast the last 13 years passed by. Everything changed, yet he felt the same. The same melancholy, he felt in 1981 when Sirius accused him of being a traitor, the same burden that sat on his heart from the night Lily and James were killed. He gave up on the idea of things getting better. Most definitely after the year of teaching at Hogwarts. Remus really liked the job, and was devastated when he had to resign. But it was the right thing to do. He endangered Harry, Ron, Hermione, and even Snape. He wouldn't be able to forgive himself if he did anything to them. He was then more sure than ever that normal job, and normal life just can't work with his lycanthropy. He stood up, ready to try to get himself to sleep, but he heard a loud squawk. He turned, and saw Sirius on a hippogriff. "This can't be good," Remus thought.
"Moony… I'm glad to see you awake, I would hate myself for waking you up," Sirius said, and rushed to give his friend an awkward hug. Remus was now confused one.
"Sirius, is everything okay? Is Harry alright?" he asked, nervous and tense because of the possible answer.
"Harry's good, but something did happen. Voldemort's back, and that fucking Peter Pettigrew helped him. Voldemort fought Harry, he saw James… and Lily…" Sirius was talking incoherently. He always did that when being overwhelmed, and in a hurry.
"I don't understand," Remus looked at him, his eyes wide open. He definitely won't sleep after this. "Let's go inside, so you can tell me exactly what happened. Did Dumbledore send you?"
"Yes," Sirius' answer was short, and he entered Remus' cottage. Remus instantly went to get a bottle of cheap firewhiskey from the cupboard.
"It isn't from your father's cellar, but it'll do," he said like he is apologising. Sirius was surprised by that because after twelve years in Azkaban, everything outside felt and tasted like God himself made it.
"Cheers," he said when Remus' gave him a glass.
They placed themselves in the armchairs again, just like three months ago. Sirius told Remus everything, while they drank all of the firewhiskey. Every detail he could remember. Remus was trying to process all of it. Mad-Eye kidnapped, the portkey, Cedric Diggory dead. He was mortified when he heard that. Cedric was a clever young man, excellent in his class. But that didn't matter. Peter Pettigrew killed him. Like he was nothing.
"I can't believe Peter would do this," Remus sighed. "For fuck's sake…" He stood up and threw his now empty glass into the wall. It smashed to smithereens in a second. He was angry. Angry at himself for not trying to find Wormtail this whole year. He was angry, even for ever speaking to Peter Pettigrew.
"Fuck Peter Pettigrew, Moony!" Sirius yelled. "Don't lose your focus." Sirius was right. Remus Lupin was the calmest person ever, but when he got this angry, he was unstoppable. Sirius was more hot-headed and acting in the moment, while Remus' head was more like boiling until all the hell broke loose. "Yes, we should kill him, and the only thing I regret is not doing so, but now Harry needs us. Both of us, Remus."
Remus sat down again. He knew Sirius was right. And he knew he must hold his temper now more than any time before.
"You're right," he said silently. "What shall we do? What did Dumbledore say to you?"
"Well, we should inform the others. He already talked to that Kingsley Shacklebolt, who leads the investigation about me. I guess he's still an ally, Dumbledore trusts him. Oh, I saw Andy's daughter today. She's really grown now."
"I think I saw her too. I was in the Diagon Alley, and she was with Kingsley. I figured only after that who she was," Remus chuckled. It wasn't an usual reaction from him, but that must be the side effect of too much firewhiskey.
"Moony… Do you think this is a start of another war?" Sirius asked silently, his voice cracking. Last time he lost everything. They both did. Even the thought of another war was too frightening.
"Well, I suppose it is. The first war didn't really finish, though. Voldemort was defeated, but he wasn't dead, and the war will finish on the day he's finished too. I just don't know how will we do that," Remus was calmer now. It is what it is, and the main goal is to keep Harry safe. They mustn't lose focus. "I wonder what our next step will be."
"Well, after we do our task, we must wait for Dumbledore's instructions," Sirius said nervously. "Don't really get the man, but I can't really do anything else."
"Then we'll wait. I'll notify the old Order's members in the morning, and you'll stay here," Remus said with a no-argument tone of voice.
"Right," Sirius was not pleased with it, but he didn't want to fight Remus.
"We should go to sleep, Padfoot," this was the first time Remus called Sirius like that since forever. Sirius was surprised by that, but firewhiskey numbed his reactions. "It's better if we at least try to sleep on all of what happened," Remus said, stood up and headed to his bed.
Sirius turned into a black dog, and curled in the armchair, while Remus took the bed. The tension was still in the air. They both knew that they can't delay their talk anymore. But not tonight, they were too drunk, distressed, and tired for that.
Three days passed since the third task of the Triwizard Tournament, and Gwen was now strolling through the Diagon Alley. She needed the money, and more potion ingredients. She visited Gringotts, and the Goblins were even more unfriendly towards her. They didn't like her since the day she claimed her inheritance. If she didn't, everything in her family's and her father's vault would become theirs. And then she never even visited any of those vaults. But she didn't care, she didn't like Goblins anyway because they lied too much for their own good.
She visited Madam Malkin's and Flourish and Blotts, too. She wanted some new robes, and she never visited Diagon Alley without buying at least one book. It was a ritual of hers, and she dreamed of having a library full of books. Well, she in fact had three of those, but she didn't want them because they were her father's. She bought the ingredients at the apothecary, and figured she will need to pay a visit to a Knockturn Alley too. Some of the ingredients were not really illegal, but not really legal too, so they weren't sold in the Diagon Alley.
She turned into the dark passage leading to the Knockturn Alley. Gwen disliked the stench of that passage, and all of the creeps that occupied the Alley's entrance. She felt goosebumps on her back, like someone is watching her, but knew that she can't just turn to check. Maybe her choice of an attire drew up too much attention. She was wearing a purple light blouse, and a pair of dark, loose high-waisted jeans. She combined that with platform sandals. She felt comfortable in Muggle clothes, more than in wizarding one. But this time, she felt anxious with all the attention, so she pulled out newly bought robe and put it on.
When she made her purchase, and exited the Knockturn Alley's apothecary, Gwen headed straight back to Diagon Alley. Yet, she still felt like someone is still watching her. She made a slight turn, to look over her shoulder, but her hair was loose, and blocked the view. But, she noticed that someone is heading the same way as her, and stopping when she stopped. She stopped by the random shop window, pretending to look what's inside of it, and figured that she really is being watched by two men. They were looking ordinary for the place, and she couldn't get to see their faces better. "I must get out of here. The Leaky Cauldron. They won't dare to follow me there," she thought.
And she did exactly like she thought; and managed to keep her normal walking pace, pretending not to notice anything. They followed her through the Diagon Alley, waiting for her even when she stopped at Wiseacre's. She was a bit nervous, and scared now. Who were they, and why are they following her? Gwen's only goal was to get to the Leaky Cauldron, take the Knight bus, and get the Hogsmeade safely. She hurried her pace now, and she noticed her followers did too. They must've figured that she noticed them. But it didn't matter. She entered the Leaky Cauldron, and they didn't follow. She was safe. For now.
Who followed Gwen, and why? And what's up with her and Snape?
Did Remus and Sirius had their talk? (Spoiler - Yes, they did, and it will be in the next chapter.)
And what about Tonks? Will she still be so eager to be in the Order after the first meeting?
A lot of things will happen in the next chapters, so stay tuned. Don't forget to let me know what you think!
P.S. I will post some more drafts and stuff on my tumblr account. If you like my writing, or this story, you can follow me there for more content :)