Prue
I woke up with a major headache. My vision swam as I sat up. I kept my balance for exactly one minute. Then I fell back. "I need some Advil or something." My head throbbed even more. I decided that it was best not to talk. I made a few motions with my hand and a bottle of Advil and a glass of water glided onto my bedside table. Though I knew that the Advil would do nothing, I gulped them down, wishing that Paige could heal me. Unfortunately, my injury was mental and not physical. It would have to go away on its own. I figured that if I pretended that the medicine could work, then maybe it would.
Paige and Piper had been up and about for a while. I had a feeling that Phoebe wasn't going to get up any time soon. I couldn't blame her.
I heard as Piper lightly knocked on Phoebe's door then opened it. "Phoebe, I've got breakfast for you. Come on. You have to eat."
Even though it pained me terribly, I continued to listen.
"No, I don't," Phoebe said flatly.
"Do you want me to force feed you?"
Phoebe didn't answer.
"I'll be back in a few minutes. You better be done by then." I heard the door shut. My door opened silently. "Morning, Prue," Piper whispered. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I got run over by a train. How 'bout you?"
"I don't know." She shook her head. "It's just so much to take in. I can't believe that they're dead."
"Me too," I said with a sigh. "So what's on the schedule for today?"
"Rest for you. A meeting with Dumbledore for Paige and I."
"But I feel fine. I can go." I tried sit up, but yet again, I fell back. "Whoa. No, I guess I can't."
"You are to stay in bed all day."
"You don't need to tell me twice. Who's going to take care of Wyatt? Phoebe doesn't seem to be very aware of anything."
"Chris, as usual."
"Ah. When are you leaving?" I asked.
"Right now," Paige announced.
"Ouch." I winced.
"Sorry," she whispered. "Are you going to apparate, Piper?"
"Might as well. I should brush up on that."
"Good idea, but go to the other room," I said. "Apparation makes too much noise."
Piper nodded. "Okay, hon. Get some rest. We'll see you later."
They left. I rolled over and fell back to sleep.
A quiet conversation was what woke me up a while later. Chris and Phoebe were talking. Chris, I could tell, was rather alarmed by Phoebe. I was feeling good enough to use my powers, so I quickly astral projected into the room.
Chris was backing away from Phoebe. He looked totally freaked out.
"Don't you think I'm pretty?" Phoebe asked him, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Phoebe, I am not interested."
"Sirius wasn't interested either." She started to sob.
"Phoebe, don't do this," I said softly.
She didn't look at me or show any signs of having heard me. She only threw herself onto her bed, crying heavily.
"You can go," I told Chris. He was glad to get out of there. "Phoebe?"
She heaved a great sob and flicked her wand at me. I found myself back in my body. There was no point in trying to talk to Phoebe again until she decided to talk. That was definitely going to take a while.
CRACK. CRACK. CRACK. CRACK.
"Prue, if you don't cut if out, I'll send you to the underworld!" Piper yelled from somewhere downstairs.
CRACK. "What are you talking about?" I asked sweetly.
She gave me the evil eye. "You'll make Wyatt fuss."
"Sorry. I just feel so great! I'm doing magic again, and I'm fully recovered."
Piper had to smile. "Well, try to be a little more quiet."
"How's Phoebe?"
Piper's smile faded at the mention of Phoebe. "Not good. She won't talk to me."
"Or Paige. Or Chris. Or me. She's really taking this hard."
"Well, it did just happen. She's got a lot of guilt to deal with, especially with her abilities. It's not like anyone can ever fully get over a death."
That was something we both knew well. "What are we going to do today?"
"Dumbledore arranged a meeting with Fudge."
"Ugh. That man really gets on my nerves."
"Same with me."
"Good morning, sisters," Phoebe said as she walked in. She looked quite composed. I could hardly believe that this was the same Phoebe I had talked to an hour ago. I was immediately suspicious.
"You're in a very good mood," I said.
"Why shouldn't I be? Life is good; life is great!" She grinned widely.
Piper and I exchanged looks. "Are you feeling up to a meeting with Fudge?"
"With gusto!"
This new Phoebe was an improvement, but it was clear that Phoebe had used a spell to achieve her new state. We would take care of her after the meeting. Perhaps it was taking the easy way out, but I didn't have many options.
"Paige, we're leaving," Phoebe called up the stairs.
Paige orbed in next to us. "Let's go."
CRACK. We appeared in the middle of the Ministry of Magic.
"Are you the Halliwells?"
We turned and saw a young woman sitting at a desk.
"Yes, we are."
"The Minister is ready for you."
I mentally sighed and led my sisters into the office.
"Ah, the Halliwell sisters," Fudge said. "It's good to see you. Do sit down."
Cornelius hadn't changed very much. The only thing different about him was the fact that he looked a few years older.
"Well, it certainly has been a long time since we last met. Again we are brought together because of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Dumbledore told me that you will be joining the Order and helping us to fight He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."
So he still couldn't say Voldemort's name. "We indeed will be doing that," I said.
"Your help will be priceless." He then started to explain his battle plans. We occasionally interjected a thought. I was pleased to find that he quite realized that he didn't think he was all mighty.
Thank goodness they know what to do. I've never been very talented at planning battle strategies.
Voldemort's appearance in the Department of Mysteries had humbled him nicely. He could take constructive criticism quite well now.
"Thank you so much for all that you're doing for the resistance. It really is appreciated."
"It's the least we can do, Minister," Phoebe said sincerely.
"Call me Cornelius."
I smiled. "We'll see you soon."
At home, we burst out laughing.
"He's a young man in an old man's body," Phoebe said with a smile. The phone rang. "That's Jason." She ran off into the other room. A few minutes later, she came back into the room grinning from ear to ear. "He's coming in for a visit next weekend."
"What about Sirius?" Paige blurted out. I threw her a severe look.
Phoebe showed no reaction. "What about him?"
"Are you over him?"
"He's dead. There's no use pining over a lost love."
My worry increased. There was no way that Phoebe could have gotten over Sirius so quickly. I searched through her thoughts, but they were giving the same message.
I lost contact with him. It's not like we were close. I swear, they're more upset about him than I am. I don't see what the big deal is.
"I've got a lot to do. Give me a call if a demon attacks." She disappeared before we could say a word.
"She—"
Piper's words were cut short when an owl flew into the window. She opened the window. The owl flew in acting as if had happened.
"Who's it from?" I asked.
"Dumbledore. Our induction into the Order will be taking place next Saturday."
My trouble-alarm went off. "Phoebe won't like that," I said, frowning.
"I know. I really don't see why she likes Jason so much. He just doesn't seem like her type," Piper responded.
"Yeah, but it's Phoebe's choice," Paige said.
Suddenly, a memory popped into my head from nowhere. "Oh! I forgot to show you the book."
"What book," Paige asked.
"Our eternal youth journal." The journal came zooming down. "I just found it again. It's really funny."
We plopped down on the couch and read through the journal. One of the entries that we lingered on was the one where Lily had written about one of her secrets.
We have brought in a guest writer, Lily Evans. Of course, that last name will soon be changed to Potter, won't it Lily? Phoebe had written.
NO! I love James, but we won't be getting married for a while.
So that's an affirmative to the question of marriage. After all, he won't be getting any until then.
Phoebe, you have a sick mind!
Thank you!
Phoebe, you're getting away from the main topic. Lily has an interesting secret to admit. Spill it! Piper had written.
Yes, before we die of anticipation.
Do I have to?
Yup!
Fine. Well… In my first year, I had a huge crush on Sirius.
He is damn sexy, isn't he?
Ew. I'm so over him. I also had a crush on Remus. But that was back in the third year. I'm over him too.
Good thing. Piper would get jealous.
Hush, Pheebs. So Lily, did you have a crush on Peter?
EWWWWWWWW! GROSS!
Just a guess, but I'd say that's a no, Piper had written.
You guess correctly!
Hey, who's the psychic here? I know, I know. Hush, Pheebs.
Hush, Phoebe.
Any more secrets to share?
Well…
You do. I can feel it.
That's cheating and it's creepy.
Please tell us. Didn't I sound like Piper?
Hmm… It's not my secret to tell.
Please?
Here comes Grams.
Signing off.
The other interesting entry was one that we had never read before. Phoebe had entered a secret entry at the very end. It was the entry that we had specifically banned.
I am going against my sisters with this entry. I'm allowing the boys to write an entry. Hopefully my sisters won't find it until much later. Anyways, the boys are James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew. I thought I'd include them in this, even though they have that Marauder's Map.
Hey, how'd you know about that? James's familiar writing said.
I'm a very talented psychic. Of course, Prue also knows about it. She read your minds.
She read our minds? I thought she had some sort of code about that stuff, Sirius had written.
She does. However, she can't always stop her telepathy.
Remind me to not think around Prue, Sirius had said.
You think? was Remus's comment.
Hey!
No fighting in this journal.
Sorry Phoebe.
Well, I have a purpose for this conversation.
Oh no.
What is it?
I'm creating a special remote control. It'll be like a time turner. I need your help.
Cool. What do you need us to do?
I need you to help me convince Piper to try a copy spell.
Why do you need a copy of Piper?
So that I can put the copy's power into the remote.
She shouldn't be too hard to convince, Remus had said.
And what methods do you have in mind, Moony?
Okay, don't even get into that. She's my sister, for goodness sake. Bad mental image.
I didn't know that you were sensitive about anything.
I'm a woman of mystery. So will you help me?
Of course we will.
Thank you! We'd better get started. Phoebe signing off.
"Well, here's another thing to talk with Phoebe about," I said.
"She never told me that she was making a time remote control," Piper said.
"Classic Phoebe."
Paige gasped. "I think I know what happened to Phoebe."
Piper
"Leo! I know you're busy with that Elder stuff, but get your butt down here." I waited anxiously. "Leo"
"Leo's never busy. He's always here," Paige pointed out as she looked up hotels in England.
"Leo!"
The usual blue light lit up the room. "What is it? What happened?"
"Phoebe isn't sad anymore. You took away her emotions," I said simply.
"No, I didn't. She asked me to, but I wouldn't do it."
"So what happened to her?" I wondered.
"I don't know."
"Well, it's kind of obvious," Paige said, not taking her eyes off the brochure. "She must've channeled his powers. She used to do that all the time when we were younger, remember?"
"All too well," Prue muttered. "So can you put her back to the way she was?"
"Of course."
"Thanks. Hey, am I allowed to blow up Lupin?" I asked.
Leo raised his eyebrow. "What?"
"Maybe just a finger?"
"No, you can't blow up Lupin. Why would you want to?"
"Just a little revenge."
"No."
"Fine. You can go now," I said.
He orbed out.
"Oh, I found the perfect hotel," Paige said. "Let's make reservations."
"You sure are taking control of the situation. Don't you have a real job?" Prue asked.
"Not yet. The temp agency hasn't gotten anything for me yet."
"Ah. Maybe you'll get a job at the Ministry," I said.
Paige caught my eyes. "Feeling a little warmer towards the magical world?"
"I never had a problem with the magical world. Just Lupin."
Lupin... I would have to see him again on Saturday. At least I had some great hexes on hand. Revenge would be quite sweet.
Friday morning I discovered why I had so enjoyed the time when Prue had had a job. She was currently between jobs, for reasons I did not know and did not dare to ask about. I knew that she would have stayed home even if she had had a job, but that didn't factor into my early morning irritation.
"Get up! We have to get ready," Prue sang as she threw open the curtains.
I burrowed under the covers. "We're apparating! And the initiation isn't until tomorrow."
"We have to get set up in England."
"What?"
"Paige wants to do some sightseeing, and I want to visit some of the old haunts."
"It's too early," I grumbled.
"It's nearly noon. Late night?" Prue asked mischievously.
"No." In truth, it had been a late night. I had been flying. I had never told my sisters that I was an animagus. Even I was surprised that I had held out for so long.
"Whatever you say." She fake coughed the word 'Greg'.
"I'm up."
From that moment to the end of the day, my sisters dragged me all over England. They were far more nostalgic than I was. I was most happy when we settled in at the hotel.
"That was great," Phoebe said through a mouthful of chocolate frog. She was still perky. Her cheerfulness was starting to get on my nerves.
"I guess."
"You guess? Piper, you are such a downer."
"Admit it. You love England as much as we do." Prue was sporting a silvery wizard's hat.
"I can't believe that we've been living like muggles for all these years," Paige said. "These wizarding products are great."
As they chatted, I thought of what I was going to do on my own tour of England. For some reason, I wanted to fly somewhere. It was an undeniable urge, and I knew that I was going to be flying that night.
The night air rushed by my feathery body. I could hear everything. I could practically feel all the life in the world. It felt wonderful. I hooted, loving everything about flying.
I glided skillfully onward. Something was pulling me through sky. There was an urgency pulsing in me. It was like I was out of my body. I had broken the earthly bounds. I was at a higher level. I had never felt anything like it before.
The urgency grew to a climax as I settled into a tree by an apartment building. I peered into the window. Someone entered the room. He was turned away from me. I waited impatiently for him turn. My curiosity always was more acute when I was in my owl form. I had to know who he was. After an eternity, the man turned and I saw his face. I would have gasped if I had the ability. I flew swiftly to the windowsill.
The man was Remus Lupin. He looked terribly worried and stressed. Compassion for him rose up inside me. Despite the past hurt, I was still in love with him.
Suddenly Remus spotted me. He stared at me for a moment. I couldn't tell if he recognized me or not. I found the answer out quickly when he came over. Before I could fly away, he opened the window and brought me in. I struggled quite a bit, but he held me firmly.
"Hello, Piper."
My bright eyes bore into him. I hooted softly, flew up into the air, and changed. "How did you know?"
"I have never seen any other owl with such a unique mark."
The hatred that I had fostered for him had disappeared. How could hate the man that was standing before me? He was the same one that I had loved for so many years. I had only one problem with him. "Why did you do it?" I softly questioned.
"Do what?"
"Break off the engagement. You never gave me a good reason."
Remus looked genuinely confused. "You broke off the engagement."
"What?"
He went over to the desk and pulled out a letter. "You sent this to me."
I read it. "Remus, I can't go through with the wedding... I don't love you anymore... Don't come after me... Piper?" I looked up at him. "I didn't write this."
"This came with the letter." He placed the familiar ring in my hand.
I looked at the ring, wondering if I could really trust my eyes. "But… I threw this at you after you broke off the engagement."
"What happened that day?"
"You came over late at night," I said. "You told me that things weren't working out. It was the day before that letter was written."
He was silent for a few moments. "I couldn't have been with you. It was the full moon." He again paused. "You know, I've only just realized how much this handwriting resembles Wormtail's."
"Polyjuice potion?"
"It would appear."
"But why?" I asked.
"Well, Voldemort couldn't have the Charmed Ones getting in the way," Remus said. "He had to get rid of you."
"So he sent Wormtail. Was Peter always like this?"
"He always needed to be protected. Voldemort turned out to be the best protection."
I sighed. "Well, now that that's cleared up..." I looked at him closely. "No offense, but you look like hell, Remus."
"It's not easy being a werewolf. So many restrictions."
"I want to hear about what happened. But first..." I placed my hand on his cheek and brought my lips to his. The old feelings of warmth and comfort filled me as we kissed. "I love you, Remus," I said when we ended the kiss.
We talked for most of the night. I ended up sleeping in his arms. I had forgotten how wonderful it was to share a bed with Remus.
The sound of Remus's voice was what awoke me the next morning. "Piper."
"Hmm?" I held onto him, breathing in his delicious scent.
"You have to go to your sisters."
I snuggled closer to his body. "Can't I just stay with you?"
"Your initiation is today. You can't be late for that."
"I suppose." I closed my eyes again.
"Here." He slipped something onto my finger. I opened my eyes to find that the engagement ring was back. "Does this still apply?"
"Yes!" I was engaged yet again.