Chapter 6
"Thank goodness, food!" Josie giggled while sitting down in her normal seat on the high table end of their table. Lily and Rose slid into their seats on the opposite side.
"Excuse me, Angel of my heart that is Lily, you need to come and explain this whole mess to us properly so therefore you most certainly cannot sit there," Sirius called sitting down at his end of the table.
"Sirius, I politely refuse to move my seat, so you can understand what's going on. If you want to know you must come down here," Lily sighed pointing at a chair next to her.
"Lily of Life, Queen of my Future, I cannot sit where you are sitting due to certain people sitting at the table above you. How else am I to play nasty jokes on certain Slytherins? Come on, Lily baby. Please," Sirius pleaded with puppy dog eyes.
"Lily, Josie, and I are not moving Sirius. We are staying right here. Got it?" Rose asked while standing up in order to sit down firmly in her seat once again.
"Guys, I have an idea. Why don't we sit in the middle of the table? That way no one has to worry about being to close or being too far. Come on. Lily, Let's go," Remus cajoled and Lily joined him at a seat in the middle of the table. The rest slowly followed.
"My reputation is completely ruined now," Josie joked when they had all assembled. "I'm sitting with the Marauders!"
"Don't joke about such things. What you said was very true," Rose grumbled glaring at the amazed faces of people who walked into the Great Hall.
"Sush, Rose. Now this is what's going on…" Lily began.
Never again will the Great Hall be as silent as it was that night. Every ear was straining to hear what the group was saying. It was miraculous that they were talking to each, much less acting as if they were good friends for years!
Josie looked at her muggle watch and became alarmed. "Guys, we have to be in Dumbledore's study in three minutes. Do you think we can make it?"
Remus looked over at her and smiled, his hazel eyes twinkling. "We can do anything we want to, Josie. Of course, that is as long as you promise not to tell our secrets."
"Remi, just take us through the secret passageways already!" Lily prodded him gently.
"What!? She knows about the secret passageways?" James hissed in surprise.
"You have just set out to get me into trouble today, haven't you, Lils?" Remus asked with laughter in his voice. Lily just nodded and smiled very sweetly.
"Fine guys, lets go," James commanded getting up.
Lily was about to follow when she tripped over Rose's foot. It seemed to happen in slow motion. Lily slowly flying forward into a startled James - James catching Lily and staring into her beautiful emerald eyes, and then a big goofy smile appeared on his face.
"Thanks a lot, James," Lily muttered blushing and glancing at the floor.
"Anytime you want to fall into me, Lils, you can," James answered while pulling a piece of red hair from Lily's face.
"Come on, Lils, Come on, James. We're gonna be late. Dumbledore has already left the Great Hall and he has a passageway up to his room," Rose urged.
The group went flying down the hall. James dragged Lily by her hand at the front of the group. The finally made it to Dumbledore's gargoyle, which opened right up and the proceeded up the stairs and into a small office.
"Good morning, group. Did I miss anything in the hall?" Dumbledore asked from behind his desk, eyes twinkling mysteriously.
"Nothing much, professor. Just Lily falling head over heels for James," Sirius answered, pretending to pout. James noticed Dumbledore's eyes stray to where Lily and James were holding hands. James quickly let go.
"Ah well, isn't that interesting. Now, to business. You have all been explained to? And you've all accepted?" Dumbledore asked. Everyone nodded. "Good, because I'd like for you to leave tomorrow to go on your first mission. Lily and James are going to be in charge, of course, while you are away. Your mission is to find Isabelle Potter and guard her."
"What? Why must we guard my cousin? What's wrong?" James asked worriedly.
"She has been singled out, James. Voldemort wants her to his side next. She's not as strong as you or your family, but nevertheless, he wants her on his side," Dumbledore answered his face suddenly serious. "You all may go now. I'm sure you want to go and pack."
"One moment, Grandfather," Josie began. "Oops…I wasn't supposed to say that!"
"It's alright, Jocelyn. I am sure that it is fine that they know, though I do believe that Lily and Rose already knew. Go on," Dumbledore reassured, the twinkle once more back in her eye.
"How are we supposed to get to wherever Ms. Potter is?"
"Ahh, that is easy. There will be a portkey ready to take you to Paris in the morning. Goodnight children. Come give me a kiss, Josie, before I go to bed." Josie did as she was told.
"Goodnight Grandpa," she called as he disappeared into his bedroom.
"We're going to Paris," Lily whispered.