Note from Nikki: (heh, like my new set up?) Well, here is another update. Nothing much to say here, I just hope you like the chapter and what I've got planned. *grins* Please read and review! Thanks!

To the Reviewers:

Noa9: Thanks hunni! I always love hearing from you! I'm glad you enjoyed that last chapter. Eeek. . .what'd you do to your back? I'm glad it's better now but whatever you did, I need to try it. Missing school is always a good thing and I don't think my parents believe the "I don't feel so good" deal too much anymore.

Muffinlover: Hehe, good at writing gore? Thanks! Lol! I try to make it as detailed and moving as I can. . .but sometimes I can't pull it off too well. I'm glad you liked that chapter and as always, I love hearing from you *hugz*

Mojo: Heya hunni! Glad you liked the chapter. Ugh, I hate when fanfiction doesn't allow you to review chapters. It's so annoying *rolls eyes* Thanks for reviewing! Love ya girl!

HiddenFlame: Well you were back but I haven't heard from you so now I'm wondering if you're gone again, lol! Have you been busy with school and stuff or did you get the internet taken away? Well, thanks for sticking with my stories and reviewing hunni! *hugz*

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"There is a spy within these walls," Dumbledore's voice boomed angrily. "Let he or she be aware that in the end, they will pay for their crimes."

Dorcas scanned the room, leaning back against her wooden chair. Everyone looked nervous, people shuffled in their seats as they glanced at several people. Who was this mysterious traitor? Who was this person who had them all lost and confused? Dorcas knew that this spy was slowly breaking apart the Order from within. There was an unspoken suspicion among everyone. People wondered if so and so was the spy or wondered where so and so was last night.

Dorcas sighed and sat up, the meeting having finally concluded. Some days she just wished that it would all end. That they could live in a time of peace again without having to worry about murderers, and spies, and betrayers. Would there ever be such a time? From the way things looked now, Dorcas was seriously doubting it.

"What are you thinking about?" Gideon asked, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his head on her shoulder.

"Nothing," Dorcas sighed, leaning against him.

"Well, don't you look like the happy couple," Lily said lightly.

Dorcas smiled at her red headed friend. Lily was now several months pregnant. Her robes stretched to fit over her round belly. Her hand rested comfortably on top of it and occasionally fell down to rub it lovingly. Dorcas knew that Lily would be a wonderful mom. She would be the type to stand by the Hogwarts Express and wave goodbye until the train was completely out of sight. Dorcas almost pitied her poor child. How embarrassing it would be to have your mother kissing you in front of everyone, sobbing that her little baby is all grown up. Dorcas didn't have any trouble imagining Lily in this situation.

"We are a happy couple," Dorcas confirmed, kissing Gideon. The two had just celebrated their three month anniversary and they knew that the night was definitely not over yet.

The three of them laughed their way to the kitchen where the table was literally groaning beneath platters and platters of food. Dorcas saw Sirius at the end of the table, waiting impatiently for everyone to take a seat. He was eyeing the turkey hungrily, his fork already in his hand and his napkin set neatly on his lap.

"Hungry?" Dorcas asked, taking a seat.

"Very," Sirius agreed. He seemed almost happy until Gideon took a seat next to Dorcas. He scowled and looked down at his plate, avoiding Dorcas' curious gaze. She hadn't had the opportunity to talk to Sirius yet about her relationship with Gideon. Why was he so jealous? He couldn't possibly still have feelings for her, could he?

"We will now do our remembrance," Moody called loudly. Everyone fell silent and Dorcas was relieved at the interruption, breaking the awkward silence for her.

Member's of the Order took one another's hands until they formed a great circle, each of their heads bowed in respect. And, one by one, they went around the table, reciting the names of the fallen hero's in this war against evil.

"I remember Benjy Fenwick," Dorcas said strongly. His smiling face filled her mind before it was replaced with the nightmare she had been led to three months ago. She closed her eyes and listened to the names of each of her lost friends.

When they were done reciting the many names, they dug into the food, eating enough to feed an entire city. When they were done, people mingled around the kitchen talking lazily but tensely. Always people's mind were on the constant threat of the spy.

"What'd I miss?" Peter asked, dashing over to the corner where Dorcas, Gideon, Sirius, James, Lily, and Remus were lounging around.

"Oh, you know," Remus said, frowning. "Only the whole meeting and dinner."

Peter cursed but Dorcas could see that he wasn't really all that bothered. What was going on with the little man? He was rarely seen these days and when he was around, a notable difference could be perceived. He was thinner and yet more. . .cheerful. Somehow.

"Where have you been lately Wormtail?" Sirius asked, his eyes narrowed.

"Yah," James agreed. "We haven't seen you around."

"Oh," Peter replied. "You know, I've been busy."

"It almost seems like you are this mysterious spy. . ." Gideon commented lightly.

There was complete silence before everyone burst out laughing.

"Bloke doesn't have the brains, do ya?" Sirius asked, clapping him on the back.

Peter smiled feebly but didn't laugh, perhaps taking insult to the joke aimed his way. Dorcas knew how he must feel. She didn't like how people pointed to her and accused her of betraying the Order. How they could think that, she didn't know. The Order was the only thing that was keeping her sane these days. The Order and Gideon.

"No, it's not Peter," Sirius said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. He slowly turned to Remus. "It could be Remus though."

This thought didn't seem quite as ludicrous. Remus was a smart man. An uncomfortable silence followed Sirius' statement before James broke the tension with, "That wasn't funny Sirius."

"You never know," Sirius muttered, eyeing Remus from the corner of his eye.

"And I could be the spy too," James said loudly.

"And Gideon too," Sirius replied.

"ENOUGH," Dorcas yelled. "Stop acting like a little kid, Sirius. Pointing fingers at your friends will not do anything."

"Whoever said Gideon was my-"

"Don't finish that Sirius," Dorcas replied angrily. "Don't you dare finish that."

She took Gideon's hand and began stomping her way toward the door.

"Don't leave Dorcas," Lily cried. "He's just being an idiot."

"Well he needs to stop being an idiot," Dorcas replied coldly.

She watched as Lily turned on Sirius, her eyes flashing. James, who had been standing behind Sirius, yelped and fell backward. Dorcas would have laughed if she hadn't have been so angry with Sirius. James and Frank were vulnerable little kittens these days. Their wives completely scared them with their deathly mood swings and absurd cravings. James patted Sirius on the back and said softly, "I'll pray for you mate," before dashing away to get drinks, or so was his excuse.

"Hey, come here," Gideon said, pulling Dorcas outside.

"I'm sorry. I really don't know what's gotten into Sirius lately."

"He doesn't like me," Gideon said smiling grimly. "I won your heart."

"It's so ridiculous," Dorcas breathed. "It didn't work between us! It was a mutual breakup!"

"He'll get over it," Gideon replied. He really didn't seem bothered by Sirius' behavior at all. On the contrary, he seemed excited as he pulled Dorcas through the forest.

"Where are we going?" Dorcas asked, her eyes furrowed in confusion. Why on earth was he leading her into the forest in the middle of the night?

"I found this really beautiful place that I want you to see," Gideon replied. He stopped abruptly before turning to her, he had a white cloth in his hand and his eyes were dancing.

"What are you-?" Dorcas began, a grin slowly coming to her stoic features.

"It's a surprise. I'm going to blindfold you." With that said, he wrapped the cloth around her eyes and took a hold of her hands, leading her over roots and rocks, helping her make her way through the forest.

"Gideon!" Dorcas laughed. "You're crazy. Where are you taking me?"

He didn't reply, only chuckled and pulled her onward. Just when Dorcas was about to stop and refuse to move any further until she got some answers, they stopped walking. She could hear a roar that she couldn't identify and could feel a warm breeze touch her face.

"Ready?" Gideon asked.

"Of course," Dorcas replied, feeling excited for the first time in years.

In one swift movement, the blindfold left her eyes. Dorcas gasped as she gazed around her. A waterfall tumbled down a small cliff in light sheets. It fell into a pleasant stream with flowers surrounding it. "It's beautiful!" she breathed.

When she turned back to Gideon to see his reaction, she was completely astounded to see that he was on one knee, looking up at her nervously.

"Uuuh. . .what are you doing?" Dorcas asked uncertainly.

"I love you Dorcas Meadowes," he began. "I love you more than anything or anyone. I loved you the moment that I met you. I will love you for the rest of my life and even beyond that."

Dorcas suddenly got an idea of what he was doing. She clapped her hand to her mouth and thought that she might faint. "Oh my God."

Gideon laughed as he reached into the folds of his robes, pulling out a small case. Grinning, he opened this case and pulled out a diamond ring, a beautifully shaped, diamond ring.

"Oh my God!" Dorcas shrieked, covering her eyes.

"Dorcas Meadowes, will you marry me?"

Dorcas found that her voice wasn't working when she went to answer. Finally, after a moment of silence, she managed to choke out, "Yes!"

Gideon relaxed visibly as he slid the beautiful ring onto her finger. He laughed and leaped up, throwing his arms around her. Dorcas nearly fell over backward but grabbed onto his neck and allowed herself to be swung around.

Happiness was too small a word to describe what Dorcas felt. For once in her life, she was beyond happy. She knew she would remember this day for the rest of her life, the way Gideon smiled at her, the way he purposed. Everything. For once, something had gone right in her life.

"How'd I do?" Gideon asked after they had finished their hugging and kissing.

"Pretty damn good if I must say so myself," Dorcas replied lightly. "I only wondered why it took you so long to ask."

Gideon looked worried, "Well, I didn't want to move too fast and I really wanted you to know how much I love you and everything and-"

Dorcas laughed at his flustered look before she covered his mouth. "I was kidding."

"Oh."

She threw her arms around him again, not wanting to be away from him for a single second. "When should we get married?"

"What's wrong with tomorrow?" he asked.

Dorcas raised her eyebrows, grinning. "Tomorrow?"

"You're right. That's too fast."

"I didn't say that was too fast."

"But you need to get a wedding dress. And we have to do a little bit of planning."

"Oh, true," she sighed.

"Next week?"

"Sounds good!"

"Alright, next week it is."

Dorcas laughed again and threw herself at her future husband. He gasped and toppled over, falling into the warm water of the spring.

"Ow!"

"Oops, are you okay?"

He pulled her in after him and kissed her passionately on the lips. "I am now."

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A/n: Yay! They're engaged! *dances around happily* What'd you think?? REVIEW!!