A/n: Alas, I am updating. Thanks to my five faithful reviewers. I love you guys! *hugz* Thanks so much! Everyone going to see RotK this Wednesday?? You must! *sob* Unless you're like me and bought the tickets too late and *wails* are forced to see it on Thursday. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

R/n:

Noa9: *faints* Did you say you saw it last Wednesday? Or did you mean this upcoming Wednesday? Oh you so better not have seen it yet. I'll die of jealousy! LoL! LMAO. I know right, I'll be seeing Aurora everywhere. I'm sure you won't! Don't worry! You'll be too busy gaping at Legolas and the movie to even think about Aurora! Hehe. Thanks for reviewing last chapter. I'm a sucker for romance too *sigh* what can I say? Because of that, you will never find a story of mine without any kind of romance. Hehe! Well, thanks for the review! I hope this chapter is okay! Oh and yes, Aberforth is Dumbledore's brother ^_^

HiddenFlame: oOoOh. Your review was very cool. I liked how you pointed out specific things that you liked. Thanks a bunch! Hehe, I'm glad you are liking this. What happened to your story? It hasn't been updated in forever!!

MuffinLover: No, no. Don't worry. The book didn't say when Dorcas died. Marlene McKinnon has two weeks though! Fortunatly, Dorcas didn't have a timeline so I can extend it as much as I want. *lip trembles* but, alas, she must die. Tis no secret. *wails and saunters off, sniffling sadly* Thanks so much for your review! I LOVE hearing from you!!

Mojo: Heya hun. I just wrote your R/n for my other story and, alas, here I am writing you another one. Lmao. Yah, I always saw Sirius as relaxed and fun. Hehe. I don't think I will post the other Hp story. It was a Mary Sue and I'm scared of flames. LoL! I don't feel like burning up right now, thanks. It would have probably been a different Mary Sue but, still one. ^_^ Thanks for sticking with this hun *hugz*

Nkitty: I'm so sorry about your dad *sobs* I hope he's doing okay and you as well! Yay! I'm loved. *smiles happily* Hehe, I'm glad you like this story and the chapter. You're such an awesome person! Thanks for everything!

--

Dorcas woke early the next morning feeling better then she had in years. She couldn't remember why at first but then memories of Gideon came flooding back into her mind like a tidal wave. She sat up happily and went about her morning chores with a smile on her face and a spring in her step. After she had eaten a small breakfast, she decided to visit Sirius.

She took her cloak from her front door, stepped out, and walked across the overgrown street to where Sirius lived. The morning was chilly and she could see her breath as she pulled her robe a little tighter. She met Remus and Peter on their way out, both of them looking slightly tired. Dorcas realized that last night had been a full moon and that could only mean that poor Remus had undergone his painful transformation into a werewolf. He had been there for the picture and had disappeared as the sun had set. She couldn't figure out why Peter would be tired but she wrote it off as a result of the party.

"Good morning," Dorcas called, waving at them.

"For us maybe," Peter called back, grinning. "Not so great for Sirius."

Dorcas laughed as she passed them on the steps to the front door. She edged her way into Sirius' room, which was covered with dirty robes, and sat on the edge of his bed. A slight groan told her that Sirius was under all the covers.

"Not feeling so good?" Dorcas asked cheerfully.

Sirius' head emerged from the covers a second later. "Go away," he groaned, clutching his head.

"That's not very nice," Dorcas replied in mock indignity.

"Oh, it's you," Sirius said.

"Who else would it be?"

"Well, James came by this morning and nearly tortured me to death while singing. He only left because I almost threw up all over him-" Dorcas carefully slid off the bed and moved away from Sirius at this before he continued, "-and then he sent Lily over and she stuffed something down my throat." Sirius sat up a little before continuing, "I thought she came back."

"No, it's just me. Although I shou-" Dorcas paused as she felt her tattoo turn black and she shut her eyes in a cry of pain.

Sirius sat up quickly, "What is it?"

"I have to go," Dorcas replied fearfully. She was terrified. She hadn't spoken with Voldemort or seen him since he had attacked her last week.

Before Sirius could say anything, she Disapparated. Sirius sighed, groaned loudly, and leaned back against his bed, staring at the ceiling. "I'm way too hung-over for this," he muttered.

--

She re-emerged in a dark, dingy house. The floorboards creaked as she stepped forward. She pulled her Death Eater robes out of the bag that she always carried around and slipped them on quickly. Then she walked to the circle of onlookers and took her usual place. Severus was already there and he nodded to her slightly. Dorcas just realized that he hadn't been at the party last night.

"My friends," Voldemort's cold voice said softly.

"My Lord," they all murmured in reply.

"I have called you so that we may all be updated on where our dominion stands on this day," he paused and soon his long, pale body came into view. His face was covered with a hood and he was dressed entirely in black. If Dorcas had been a bit braver, she would have seen his red eyes glaring from beneath the darkness of the hood, but the moment he came into view, she diverted her gaze.

"For thirteen years I have steadily taken over this worthless world," Voldemort began. "People fear to speak my name, do you hear what they say? They call me He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. They call me You-Know-Who," he paused here and laughed a laugh that chilled the bone. "The Death Eaters who are wise enough to follow me are feared and the Dark Mark rises in the sky more often these days, a symbol of our power."

Dorcas listened to this and it dawned on her how true this was. Voldemort's power was the dominate fear in their world. He was known by everyone, he was feared by everyone. He had torn apart the magical world and he was only just beginning.

"I have Death Eater spies, I have Death Eater murderers, I have faithful followers," Voldemort paused here, surveying the circle that was enclosed about him. "I am unstoppable and invincible. There is only one man who rivals my powers and if I so wished, I could destroy him in an instant."

Dorcas felt her heart swell. Dumbledore more than rivaled Voldemort's powers, he surpassed them. Dorcas held no doubt that someday Dumbledore would kill Voldemort. It was inevitable as they were matched for one another; light against dark, good against evil.

"However," Voldemort said softly, pacing around the circle and peering beneath the hoods of his followers, "there are those who wish to oppose me."

Dorcas could feel her heart quicken. Where was this leading to? Voldemort had never held a meeting on the sheer purpose to update them on the obvious.

"Dumbledore has gathered a worthless army that he calls the Order of the Phoenix."

A hushed silence befell the room, particularly in Severus and Dorcas who waited in baited breath.

"This Order has done nothing to try to stop me," Voldemort said softly. "Until now."

Dorcas felt her breath catch in her throat. Her hands were shaking. How could Voldemort have possibly known? Only last night they had agreed to stop sitting around and prepare to fight.

"I have new information that this pathetic little army will now begin to fight our rising forces," Voldemort paused here, taking in the reactions of his followers. Dorcas managed to arrange her face into one of malice and determination.

"Our new targets are now those who are a part of this pathetic Order," he looked around, pacing once more, "Dumbledore himself, Frank and Alice Longbottom, who have already defied me, James and Lily Potter, who I will kill myself, Gideon and Fabian Prewett, who will not get away from my wrath. I do not know any others but they will become known as they attempt to take us by surprise."

Dorcas had to stop from sighing in relief. Luckily he hadn't known any members. She doubted whether he even knew about Lily, James, Frank, Alice, Gideon, and Fabian. They were people that he wanted dead and people that were openly honest about their alliances against him. He was taking an educated guess.

"Is there any other possibilities that any of you are aware of?"

At this a beautiful woman named Bellatrix Lestrange stepped forward. She was tall and dark and had heavy-lidded eyes that were averted downward in respect. "My Lord, if James Potter is in the Order than my cousin, Sirius Black, must surely be as well."

Dorcas felt her jaw drop and it stayed down until Severus pushed it up. Dorcas knew she was being obvious but Bellatrix had been one of her best friends at Hogwarts and she had quite liked her. But, she realized, they had both changed. She couldn't see how anyone could rat out their own cousin.

"How do you know this?" Voldemort asked her.

"James and Sirius have a legendary friendship. They are nearly brothers," Bellatrix said. Dorcas felt like running across the room and shutting her mouth. Voldemort could definitely use this information against James and Lily.

"Is that so?" Voldemort said quietly. "That is very useful information, I thank you Bellatrix."

Bellatrix looked smug as she stepped back in line. She flashed Dorcas a small smile and Dorcas returned it as well as she could. Voldemort then ended the meeting and told the Death Eater's to continue their work, whether it be spying or killing, and to be alert for members of the Order. "I will reward those who kill member's most graciously."

Dorcas turned to leave but she was caught by Bellatrix on the sleeve. "How are you Dorcas?" she asked.

Dorcas cleared her throat. "I'm fine and you?"

Dorcas was feeling very uncomfortable. Bellatrix Black had been one of Dorcas' closest friends. They had been rarely seen without one another at Hogwarts but that time had passed. Bellatrix had stayed the immature person that she was and had sunk so far into the Dark Arts that Dorcas didn't know who she was anymore. The two had slowly but surely lost their friendship and now, nearly eight years later, they hardly knew one another.

"I heard you messed up pretty bad last week," Bellatrix said, smiling wickedly. "I guess Dorcas is a proper name. Dorcas the dork!" she laugh raucously and did an impression of a very obviously stupid person.

Dorcas, instead of feeling insulted, burst out laughing. "My god Bellatrix, people used to tease me like that when I was in third year!"

Bellatrix narrowed her eyes. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

Dorcas spun around. Her blue eyes were flashing with anger and her black hair looked darker than the night sky. She knew she shouldn't lose her temper but she was furious at Bellatrix for betraying Sirius like that, even though there was no love shared between the cousins in the first place. "I mean to say that it's high time you grew up Bellatrix."

Bellatrix threw her head back and laughed. "I am grown up. I'm married and I have chosen a side to keep my loyalties at."

"And you think that makes you an adult?" Dorcas hissed at her once very close friend.

"It makes me wiser than you," Bellatrix whispered. The two were standing very close to one another and were glaring at each other in pure hatred.

"And what does that mean?"

"You playing your little games. I know you know who my cousin is Dorcas. I've spied on you before," Bellatrix said softly.

"What?" Dorcas seethed.

"Master was getting suspicious two years ago about your loyalties. I followed you to work one day," Bellatrix took another step forward and the two were now only centimeter's apart. "I saw how friendly you were with my worthless cousin."

"I'm just doing my job," Dorcas said in a deadly voice.

"I saved your life. I told him you were loyal only to him. You owe me."

Dorcas spat at her feet and pulled apart, "I owe you nothing."

"What are you still doing here?" the young and newest Death Eater, Barty Crouch, said. "Bellatrix, your husband, Rodolphus, left already."

Bellatrix glared at Barty (a young boy who was obsessed with her), and spun around. "You're lucky that we made that promise years ago, Dorcas." The two then Disapparated to their own respective homes, far away from one another.

--

Dorcas went straight to Order headquarters where a meeting was already being held. Bellatrix's words did not phase her in the least. She had made a pact with Bellatrix when they had both joined Voldemort years ago; neither of them would ever do anything to harm one another or make them vulnerable. Bellatrix might be a liar, an immature little brat, and a power hungry wench, but she would never break that promise.

Dorcas ran into the house, after receiving the parchment from Snape, and, without speaking to one another, they walked quickly to the meeting.

"Ah, we were just wondering where you were," Moody said. "Severus arrived awhile ago and he didn't know where you had gotten to."

"I'm very sorry," Dorcas said bowing her head, "I was speaking with an old. . .friend."

"What news do you have?"

Dorcas and Severus walked to their respective places and Dorcas cleared her throat. "Voldemort somehow knows that the Order is preparing to fight."

Shocked murmurs filled the room at this. Everyone glanced at one another with eyebrows raised and shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

"The Death Eaters are prepared to fight," Dorcas said loudly over the voices. "Their targets are still James and Lily, but now Alice and Frank, Gideon and Fabian, and Sirius have been added to the most wanted list."

Sirius didn't look stunned at this. He just leaned back in his chair thoughtfully and watched Dorcas in consideration. Dorcas didn't mention Bellatrix telling on Sirius because Sirius avoided telling anyone about his dark, pureblood family lines. The meeting ended shortly after and Moody went off to send a letter to Dumbledore while everyone else headed home.

Sirius walked with Dorcas back to their houses. "So how'd they know about me?"

"Bellatrix," Dorcas replied simply.

Sirius frowned, "That worthless cousin of mine? I haven't spoken with her since I was fifteen."

Dorcas shrugged, "She wants you dead."

"What took you so long to get back after the meeting?"

Dorcas sighed. "I had an argument with her."

Sirius raised his eyebrows. "Did you win?"

Dorcas smiled as she walked into her house, "I always do."

--

A/n: A little boring *sigh* Sorry! Please R & R!