Chapter 5:

A Not So Happy Reunion

Hestia Jones sneezed quietly, groaning to herself as she proceeded to blow her nose for the thousandth time. She felt disgusting, with her greasy hair covered by a knobby, faded yellow hat she knitted several years ago, wearing one of her dad's bulky sweaters, and feeling like she was stuffed with mucus up to her eyes. She had been the first to arrive to the meeting—she couldn't shake off the compulsion to be painfully early to everything even when ill. She had watched everyone take their seats and watched them all naturally leave empty seats for members who were absent—like Dorcas Meadows, dead—like Edmond Bones, and now injured—Alice, Fabian and Moody. The holes in their circle were painful to look at, a physical reminder of how splintered and broken they all had become.

Hestia usually sat by Alice during these meetings; Alice was always nice and welcoming to her. Perhaps that didn't mean much since Alice was nice and welcoming to everyone. But still, it was nice to have someone to sit next to. The Order of the Phoenix was a difficult group to bond with, and especially so for Hestia, as she was the youngest of the group and the only Oblivator. Erasing people's memories for a job tended to make people slightly defensive around you.

She doubted that most of the Phoenixes even knew her first name.

A loud creak interrupted the rest of her pitying thoughts. She glanced at the door, and then was forced to do a double take as James Potter filled her vision. James Potter! She had heard, from Alice, of course, how he had left the Order to finish his Auror training in France. She wished Alice was here—she wanted someone to trade smiles with. The last and first time she had spoken to James Potter was when she was in fourth year, and hopelessly lost looking for the Astronomy tower. He had found her, in all of his cheerful, disheveled Head Boy glory and walked her to the tower. He had made some cheesy joke, but he had helped her feel a little less stupid for getting so lost. Now, instead of his trademarked rumbled clothes, he wore a pressed, button up white shirt, perfectly straight red tie, and black slacks with ease. His mouth was set at a firm line, his eyes dark and slightly brooding. As he passed Lily Evans, she tried to cover her laugh at the loud bang and rather startled look with which the redhead gazed up at him, while he didn't even glance at her. He didn't even look at the seat next to Remus, or glance at Sirius. Sirius's face hardened, and Remus simply watched with a calculating stare.

Not exactly the homecoming one would expect from close friends, Hestia couldn't help but think. Could it be possible that James hadn't told them he was coming? Why on earth did he show up now at all times? She heard the excited murmurs now, and watched as James sat on the left hand of Dumbledore, Moody's usual seat. Hestia finally took her eyes off of him, glancing around to see if anyone else caught that. Caradoc and Benjamin traded looks, Marlene raised her eyebrows and also was smiling quite broadly, Gideon tilted his head to one side and began turning to Fabian's empty seat, then stopped jerkily. Molly Weasley caught Gideon's jerk and offered a motherly pat on his arm. Dedalus raised both eyebrows so high they disappeared into his greying hair. Frank seemed completely unaware of his surroundings, reminding Hestia of a wizard without a wand. Lily remained frozen, eyes wide and roaming over his person, lips pressed together tightly. Sirius scowled, leaning back with his arms folded. Remus raised one eyebrow, glancing at Black. Dumbledore stood up and opened the meeting.

"I am pleased to see that so many of you were able to make it today. Many of you are familiar with the rumors that, due to recent events, the Order of the Phoenix may be disbanded." Hestia finally took her eyes off the drama playing out before her, and turned her attention to the tall, weary, wizard standing in front of her. "I have indeed thought much on that subject; however, we will press on. As long as there is some small hope, we must fight. We must never give up. That is what Voldemort expects. We must stand firm and united in our cause: To protect not only the wizarding world, but also the muggle world, from Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters." His piercing blue eyes sought out each face for a moment. "Each of you voluntarily joined for that purpose. You were informed of the hardships, the risks, and the pain that could come from this." He paused, letting his words sink in. "There is no turning back." His mouth was set in a grim line. "Miss Evans, your report, please." He sat down in his chair and Hestia watched Lily Evans as she bit her lip and stared down at the wrinkled parchment in her hand. Lily Evans cleared her throat and began.

"Alastor Moody, Alice Longbottom and Fabian Prewett all suffered serious injuries because of the ambush. Moody received deep gouges on his face, third degree burns covering his..." Hestia studied the redhead as she spoke robotically, going into Healer mode. In first year, she remembered quite clearly, Lily standing up in the middle of the Great Hall, and dumping a pitcher of pumpkin juice all over a certain, impertinent messy haired boy, and then charming a giant rain cloud to follow him all throughout the day, occasionally shocking him with lightning, all because he had referred to her as "that bird, who's a bit of a grouch." Obviously Lily had changed too from her Hogwarts days, but Hestia was still impressed that Lily had been able to recover her composure so quickly.

"So if my brother is almost completely healed, why is he fucking unconscious?" Gideon suddenly interrupted. His usually wide smile was twisted into a scowl. Lily sighed, and ran a hand through her hair, glancing at Dumbledore briefly to see if he would intervene. He seemed to be in the middle of a very important private conversation with James at the moment.

"Well, he's stable—" She began, but this time Frank spoke up, in a hoarse, rough voice.

"What's wrong with them?" He lifted his gaze up to her with a tortured expression. Hestia ached seeing his bloodshot eyes which spoke of many nights filled with worry and pain. Lily bit her lip.

"I don't know yet. We've just been focusing on the wounds we can see. It could be very dangerous for them if we tried and revived them at this point, without knowing what is causing their unconsciousness.. We are working on eliminating possibilities," Frank nodded and went back to examining the cracks in the floor.

"Are we allowed to visit them now or is that something that could worsen their condition too?" Gideon asked hotly, his voice gradually increasing in volume.

"Merlin's beard! How many times have I tried to explain it to you! Yes I am sorry that I didn't allow you to pop in while they were strictly in my care. I know how hard that must have been, not knowing how he was doing. However, I couldn't bloody deal with the distraction of a distressed family member as I was trying to keep them alive! Now that they are in a stable condition, you have to follow the specific procedures set and then you can go and see them." Lily grit her teeth and tried to regain control. Gideon opened his mouth and—

Creak! The door to the conference room suddenly opened, and for a second Hestia wondered if perhaps Voldemort himself showed up to finish them all off. After all that had happened in the past several weeks, she's decided not to rule out anything as impossible. But no, it was just short, plump, nervous looking Peter. Hestia turned her attention back to Lily, and saw her grin at Sirius, who didn't change his stony expression.

"I am so sorry I'm late! There was this giant—" Peter stopped mid-sentence, squinty eyes widening. "James! Wh-what? How-I can't believe it! You're here!" He exclaimed loudly, voice cracking a bit. Peter looked like someone just told him that the war was over. He stood there for a moment, staring at James and muttering to himself in disbelief. The messy haired man smiled uncomfortably and waved a little. Sirius and Remus winced. Hestia and many of the other Phoenixes, she noticed, couldn't help but grin at Peter's awkward antics. Suddenly, the pudgy man realized that everyone was staring at him and blushed, scurrying to the open seat next to Lily. There was an awkward pause.

"Thank you for your report, Miss Evans." Dumbledore nodded to her. "I would like to speak frankly, if I may. Until the cause is found, Mrs. Longbottom, Mr. Prewett, and Alastor Moody, will remain in their state and possibly worsen. There is a high chance that whatever the Death Eaters inflicted upon them, will be used again." He paused, letting his eyes graze over each Phoenix. "Mr. Potter has had experience with this matter. Which is why he and Miss Evans will construct a team to not only find the cause, but also a cure, and a way to prevent it." The room broke out in whispers, and Hestia glanced at Lily to see if her reaction. The color had drained out of the redhead's normally pale face and she stared at the old wizard blankly.

Then she began to laugh. Hysterically. A horrible snorting laugh. Tears rolled down her cheeks. The other Phoenixes silenced themselves, staring at the redhead as she leaned on Sirius, gasping for breath. James, Hestia saw, didn't look up from the table. Curiously, Lily's laughter cut off, and Hestia noticed Sirius trying to pocket his wand subtly. Hestia's left eyebrow raised. Dumbledore concluded the meeting, once everyone had settled down, and then, after a murmured word to James, he left the room. James Potter stood up and an awkward silence filled the room.

Benjamin Fenwick broke it, standing up and walking over to him, shaking his hand fiercely, welcoming him back. Dearborn followed suit, and, with his always solemn expression, said that he hoped that he made it here without too much trouble. Marlene, with her twinkling bright eyes, gave him a hug and a teasing grin, mentioning something about him owing her a firewhiskey. Hestia knew that now that the meeting was over, she should just leave. She had no real connections to James Potter, nothing to say to him. However, curiosity got the better of her, and so she sat, counting on her lumpy clothes to act as an indivisibility cloak, studying the scene before her. Lily, Sirius, Remus and Peter made no move to welcome him back, talking quietly amongst themselves.

With a smile, Hestia wondered if Lily had broken the Silencio spell Sirius put on her yet.

After a while, James disengaged himself from the many questions being spewed out at him, and slowly made his way over to his old friends. Besides Dumbledore, everyone had stayed, interested what exactly James would say to Sirius. Even Frank had hung back. Hestia lifted her large purse and began rummaging around in it, to give the appearance that she was not listening to every word which was spoken.

"Hey." Peter opened his mouth to say something back, but because of the rather frightening look Sirius shot at him, he closed it quickly, his teeth clanking together. Remus raised an eyebrow at him. Lily bit her lip.

"Wanker," Sirius spit at him. James smiled tightly and ran a hand through his hair.

"Look. I just arrived in England, and I could really use a place to stay for tonight." Sirius let out a dry laugh.

"Moony, I think something's wrong with my ears. Did the grand James Potter just ask me if he could crash at our place?" He said turning to Remus, a hard glint in his eye. The room went absolutely quiet.

"No, I heard it too." Remus raised both eyebrows at James expectantly. He sighed again.

"Come on, do you want me to beg, or I don't know, riverdance?" A corner of Sirius's mouth twitched upwards.

"Now that is interesting—you begging, not riverdancing—we all know you have about as much rhythm as a flobberworm. But, I think I'm still a no. Moony?"

"I don't know. I've certainly seen him beg enough times. It might be nice to switch it up. And it's been what, three years? Maybe he's taken lessons. People change."

Hestia couldn't see James's face—she could just see Remus and Sirius staring at him, waiting. Then, James ran a hand through his hair, his head dropped slightly, and Remus and Sirius turned around and began to leave.

She saw Lily finally open her mouth to say something, but then-

"Lils, you comin?" Sirius asked before walking out the door. Remus still did not look back. She nodded, and with one last glance at James, stumbled out of the room on the other side of Remus. Hestia got up to leave also, and as she did so, she noticed that Peter was still there.

"Hey James, if you want to, you're welcome to stay with me for a couple days." James smiled tiredly at him, and Peter beamed back.

"Yeah, that'd be brilliant Pete. Thanks." His voice sounded hollow. Clearly, that was not how he pictured the reunion to go. Hestia brushed passed James and Peter on her way out, thinking how grateful she was that she hadn't missed this meeting.