Chapter Five - Recovering Breath

Don't ask me how, but in the end Potter managed to get us out from the square without my orientation. I was too scared to guide even my shadow, and I saw his face, strangely serious. I had never seen Potter that way. Actually, I never felt like that once before. It wasn't fear, rather shock, I guess. Potter could have put a chimera in front of me that time, and I'd difficultly display any reaction. I couldn't believe that could there's someone dead by Avada at a muggle square so near my house.

-So, - he said, taking a deep breath and looking down to the street. - Where is your house, at last?

-Right… there - I said, pointing feebly a direction. My hand was trembling, and I couldn't hide it fast enough to don't let him realize it.

We resumed walking, and after a little break of silence, he said:

-Evans, are you really alright??

-I am, I'm just a little… shocked. - I told him, making a big effort to recompose myself. - But Potter, are you sure that your parents want you to be a Eater?

-Nope, my parents would never want it. - he said. - The matter is my uncles. They're the family's richest. Very influential, friends of Malfoy's. And anyone can see that they're looking for more people to be part of these idiots who follow that guy called…

-You-Know-Who. - I completed. - Let's avoid his name, at least for a while. I didn't recovered totally from that fright yet. But what do you really think that was? He?

-Ahh, I don' think so. Taking in consideration what I have heard, he wouldn't come until here just to murder a muggle, by himself. Either he'd bring with him his Death Eaters or would ask one of them to do the task.

-Hear me, don't your parents worry with you when you summon this way? - I asked, but right them I cleaned my throat; I was starting to talk to Potter as he was my friend.

-Not today. - he answered. - They know that it's just because that damn dinner.

We were almost arriving home.Potter looked up the muggles' houses, seeming a little curious. When we finally reached my house, I suddenly froze inside, seeing Petunia at the doorway. That was smelling as confusion… She looked to Potter from up to down, and then to me, seeming to be so shocked as I was a few minutes before.

I almost could read her thoughts. If he was walking with me, that boy beside me should be as abnormal as me.

-Is this your sister? - Potter inquired, aloud enough to don't let Petunia hear us. I just nodded in answer.

Petunia was looking to me.

-Who… Who is this guy??

Once that the subject was already himself, Potter felt more relaxed. He was used to have all attentions. He put out his hand for my sister, trying to be optimistical.

-Hi, my name's James Potter.

My sister just stared at him. I knew what was happening: she was stuned barely because he was daring to think that she would touch him someway. Then Potter gave up it and guarded again his hand.

-Is he one of these aberrations with whom you walk?? - she said, turning to me. I felt my ears get red. Potter was watching all this scene without know what, when and how do something.

-Is it of your concern, by chance? - I retorted. - Is there anyone else at home?

-How do you know…?

-What are you talking about? - I asked, confused. - I know nothing…

Petunia growled furiously and then got out the doorway. From where I was I could see a person sat on an odd chintz armchair. My jaw fell when I saw who was.

Albus Dumbledore.

Took by an urge, I pushed Petunia aside and entered the room. Potter came running behind me, finally moving some of his muscles again.

-Professor Dumbledore? - I exclaimed.

The Hogwarts Headmaster looked up to me grievously, and then noticed Potter behind me.

-I believe - he said, very slowly, leaving me more anxious. - that I shall pay some explanations to you, Miss Evans. And, even you are here too, for you either, Mr. Potter.

I couldn't resist the urge to exchange a look with Potter.

-Sir, do you already… know about we have seen? The muggle man stiff? - he said.

-I had came here precisely to warn your family, Lily, about something that happened this afternoon.

-I went to a walk and I found Potter there, then we found the stiff… It was Avada Kedavra, wasn't it, Professor?

-That man whom you saw was a muggle of my trust, who knew wizard's secret. He carried the secret of an organization that I have kept to try to refrain Lord Voldemort's power…

A shudder crossed my entire body. Even Potter trembled a little hearing the name.

-…the Order of The Phoenix. - completed Dumbledore, without disturb himself with our true spasm with the name of You-Know-Who. - We used a spell on him, with his permission, to don't let he find out about our existence. But today I found out about a betrayer inside our organization. He revealed our loyal's identity to Voldemort - I shuddered again here - and he were murdered today, after been forced to reveal the Order of The Phoenix existence.

Potter was already sat on my sofa, without, of course, ask for any permission. But at that time, it didn't have any importance.

-And why did you tell us all these things, Professor? - I asked.

-Because there was a big tumult at that same square where you had been today afternoon, Lily. A battle of a few Order members against several Death Eaters. Lord Voldemort was among them, came personally to draw out Scott's secret. Many muggles were obliviated, and it doesn't make a great deal of time since the Ministry men been there.

I was scouring my arms to don't let them shudder again. Potter, for his once, was serious and it took five minutes since the last time he passes his hand through his hair.

-This means that… - Potter spoke very slowly. - If Evans had gotten out her home a little bit before than she really did, she could… had been at the middle of all that confusion?

-Worse than it, James - Dumbledore said, looking seriously to me then. - You may consider yourself very lucky. You could be dead now, if Voldemort had noticed that a muggle-born witch lives nearby there. He'd appear and would kill your whole family just to have some fun and to celebrate his Order discovery.

I swallowed some air.

-The ideal was you to spend your holidays at anywhere else, a wizard place, to don't let any attention turn to your family. I'll try to have some ideas and then I'll send you an owl.

Dumbledore stood up and with him, Potter.

-About you, Potter, I'm glad to see you here. I know that you were one of the boys invited to be Death Eaters and I'm delighted that they can't count on you.

Potter nodded, mute of pure surprise, and with a wave of his wand, Dumbledore made his armchair disappear. Then, with a farewell smile, he disapparated. I stood gazing upon the window curtain, without know what to say. Potter was looking to me now.

-Evans…

-What?

-I don't know what sort of craziness I could had done if you'd die today.