Neville and Harry's birthday rested on somber times. The Order was under constant attack and not one of the members could shrug it off anymore. Marlene had been caught. She was killed along with her family just barely two weeks after the Order had last met. While attending that Funeral, the Order engaged in a painful battle with a group of Death Eater pledges who had come to prove their loyalty. Frank and Alice could only attend the private wake as they were undercover at the time and it pained them greatly. The Birthday party did not prove to lighten the mood as only Dumbledore's group could attend and neither Frank nor Alice could come, though they left Neville with Lily so he could enjoy the party.

"We have been making great progress," James read, choosing to read Alice's letter while the kids were asleep. They only had so long to read any letters sent as the invisible ink wouldn't show up after two hours and it only showed up in the first place when someone said the password. "Sora is the name of the ANGEL here. She is guarding the field and takes her job seriously. Through many conversations I have learned that there are angels in the lab that Takai is pleased with, but nothing as strong as Kira and Voldemort's daughter. However, Sora is supposedly very high up and is one of three ANGELS that have been successfully made."

"Damn, there are more?" Sirius sighed. "I was hoping he'd give up, not improve."

James nodded and read on. "The good news is that making an ANGEL now takes longer and uses a more expensive method. The bad news is that means Takai is looking at each ANGEL with more value and he is not willing to let another one go. I wish we could help Sora. You'd be surprised by some of the things she says."

"Skip that it's just guilt," Lily advised, not sure when Harry, Kira, and Neville would wake up. Though she was unaware that this point that Kira was already awake and trying to talk Trinidy into going back to sleep so she could sneak out onto her hidden balcony and listen in on the meeting.

Again James nodded and looked through the letter. He took a sip of tea and found the next important line. "She has an older brother who has been put in charge of guarding Voldemort's daughter."

"So there is someone guarding the child?" Remus asked.

"…If Voldemort or the mother finds out that Frank and Alice are there to learn about the lab then they'll be in trouble," Lilly worried. "I'd be very angry if someone was trying to make sure my daughter was taken away just so they could protect their own."

"Only if they are caught," said Remus. "We are the only ones who know they are even there. There is no way for Voldemort or the mother to know what they are up to."

James looked to Sirius out of the corner of his eye. Sirius felt a knot in his stomach. He turned his head towards Remus and Peter. Peter was way too much of a suck up to be a Death Eater. Besides, he'd had a hero worship on James since Hogwarts. Remus, however, was the smart one devoted to DADA.

"Sora says they consider the daughter to be an ANGEL already and therefore will not be letting harm come to her. Frank says he has not learned anything new and is trying to maintain a stature of mild interest towards the lab, without coming across as unnerved by it. So far things are looking good, but we worry about you all back there and hope you are well. Sincerely, Alice." James finished.

"Maybe they should leave," Peter worried, chewing off the last of his fingernails. "I mean, if you-know-who finds out…"

"If they leave then their time there will have been a waste," said Albus. "They have probably already talked it over and know the risks."

"So what do we do now?" Lily asked. "We've lost so many members and all the while Voldemort is just gaining new ones. If this doesn't end soon I fear the worst."

"Yes," nodded Remus, linking his fingers together. "If he makes it to the New Year he'll have the new angels on his side as well. Then I suppose whatever other creature Taka had made will come crawling out of the woodwork and we'll have to deal with them as well."

"The only thing we can do is try to expose them and hunt them down one by one," advised Dumbledore.

"Just like they're doing to us," sighed Lily.

-

James rode swiftly in the night. The sky was darkened by rain clouds, but no rain came to wash away the blood of the deaths that had consumed the Order. Dorcas was gone, they had yet to find all of Benjy, Gidion and Fabion had taken out five pledges each, but had met their end. Now, James rode from Caradoc's house, it being empty. That had been his safe house that he'd been supposed to go to after his mission. The problem was that Caradoc had gone missing. James was forced to stay in the house, having no time to go anywhere else.

He searched it top to bottom, making sure he kept his mask on so that if a spy jumped out they wouldn't know who it was. Life had become increasingly dangerous for Cota, as it seemed Voldemort had discovered he was alive. Every day Cota raced to school with all the speed and caution he could, and everyday he was followed and forced to battle. James rode with him whenever possible, but the mission had been three weeks without contact from anyone and his mind told him that his squire had met the fate of Zalik.

He urged Gyriph onward, desperately trying to make it to the next safe house before dawn. He'd passed a few towns already, and turned onto one of the riders trails with urgent speed. Gyriph was aching with exhaustion, but kept up the pace, knowing it could mean the life or death of James. They had traveled all night and by the time James caught sight of the safe house, he couldn't help but fear the worse. Hesitantly he dismounted and approached the door anxiously. Before he'd even stepped onto the porch, the door swung open and Mad-eye, Hagrid, and Sturgis helped him in. James was let rest as they explained their current situation and asked him for updates.

"I haven't seen Caradoc," said James, his heart laden with grief. "But I fear the worst, his house is abandoned."

Moody grunted and gave a sad nod. James watched him and saw the bandage on his nose from when Kira had kicked it. He told Dumbledore that he'd been feeling weird that day and figured someone had poisoned him for he felt the urge to kill Harry and Neville. Cota had been hit from behind with a lamp, so Kira took it upon herself to stand as back up. Moody picked her up, she let him have it.

"Have you heard from-" James began.

"Dumbledore said any decisions concerning Kira would await your return," Sturgis explained.

"Good kid," Moody grunted. He held no hard feelings towards her; in fact, getting kicked in the nose seemed to have gained him some respect towards the little girl. He said she knew the meaning of constant vigilance. Cota, however, was not as amused with the lamp experience. He now made all people who entered the house, state their business and show proof that they were supposed to be there. He'd ended up fighting for the three kids on every outing and was adapting the habit of being alert at all hours. He jumped at every little sound and was prepared to kill the maker. Trinidy was beside him on that as she was always at Kira's side, peering in every direction for an attack.

James collapsed back onto the couch and was awoken hours later for dinner. Sturgis proved to be a good host and catered to James's every need. Gyriph was set up on the porch with water and a large salad as Sturgis had no stable and wasn't knowledge about horses other than that they ate vegetables. After dinner, James mounted and prepared to ride again, thanking Sturgis for the hospitality. He arrived home hours later to the glorious sight of home. The toys were right where they should be, scattered about the lawn, the treehouse had been decorated with finger paint, and the front step supported a pine cone door knocker that Kira had made.

"Daddy!" said Kira, her head jerking up from her coloring book. She jumped up and ran for the door.

Lilly got to her feet, setting Harry in the crib with Neville, and ran after Kira. Cota and Sirius gave up their card game and rushed to meet him.

"Hello, princess," James greeted.

"Daddy, you're back!" sang Kira. "I missed you."

"Do did?" smiled James, lifting Kira up onto his hip.

"Uh hu," nodded Kira.

'Are you okay?' Lily mouthed, stopping suddenly and nearly being ran into by Sirius. James nodded and set Kira down, but she wasn't ready for him to leave without her again to she clung to his leg and stood on his shoe.

"My lord," Cota bowed, saluting James.

James let out a sigh of relief at the sight. His squire looked a little worse for wear, but despite a few injuries he seemed fine. "Cota," James nodded.

They party moved back into the house, James moving slower because Kira was still attached to his leg chanting "Don't ever leave again. Please. Don't EVER leave me again."

"I'm not going to leave you, I promise," said James, smiling down at her.

"Ever?" Kira asked.

"Ever," nodded James. "You ain't getting rid of me, kiddo."

Kira smiled; happy with that answer, and released her father, who reminded her it was way past bedtime. Kira hesitantly went up to bed, leaving Cota, Sirius, Lily and James to talk.

"I have a list of pledges," James explained. "The female death eater's name," he looked to Sirius. "It Bellatrix."

"My family sucks," sighed Sirius. "Course she always was a rotten slut."

"Seems like it, from what I heard the girl is hers," nodded James. "Voldemort spoke to them all, he's getting a little desperate, but his ego is as enormous as ever. I don't think we're equal to them anymore either. For every member we've lost, they've gained a few, though Fabion and Gidion seem to be cursed words among them."

"…James," said Sirius after an exceedingly long silence. "I want to protect you, but with Bellatrix on their side they know where I am. It'd kill me if I let you down so I think… I think you need to switch Secret Keepers."

"T-to who?" James asked, taken aback by this. Yes, Bellatrix was a risk but he'd never though t that Sirius would give up being secret keeper.

"They'd never suspect Peter," Sirius whispered just loudly enough for Lily and James to hear.

-

Lily sobbed into a handkerchief and James sat with his head in his hands, both of them were riddled with agonizing guilt and terrible sadness. Frank had been on the verge of a big discovery, but his owl had been intercepted and-

"It's all our fault," cried Lily. "They were protecting Kira, it's our fault."

"Frank and Alice refused to tell Bellatrix where Kira is," said Dumbledore solemnly. "They fulfilled their duty and that is never a fault."

"Tortured into madness," James whispered. "I'd rather they'd told."

"Let us not disgrace the memory," Dumbledore advised. "My sources tell me that Voldemort wasn't just trying to get an answer, he was setting an example for those he needed information from. I hate to say it, but what better example than one of his enemies."

"They want my daughter, well they're not getting her!" exclaimed Lily. "Not unless they pry her from my cold, dead fingers!"

"How many people have to die for your daughter, Lily?" Dumbledore asked, his tone sharp. "We've all made great sacrifices for that child and received nothing but trouble. The best we can do is bind her power, we should have enough members left to do that, and let them have her. I doubt she'll grow up to be much help to us and how many have to die in the process?"

James heard a rustle above him and looked up, but Kira had already dove back into her room. Harry was playing in the corner and Kira's mind flashed a command to kill him and become safe. Surely they'd like her more if they didn't have a back up child. She ripped the ribbon off the bottom of one of her dresses and crossed over to him, ready for the kill. The kneeled in front of Harry, tossed the ribbon behind him, crossed it in the front and prepared to pull. He looked calmly up at her, confused by the new game, and tears sprinkled down Kira's cheek. She released the ribbon and burst into sobs, enveloping her brother in a hug. She couldn't do it, no matter how much pain she was in she couldn't hurt Harry, not even if it meant a lot of pain for her.

Neville watched with little attention, he had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. Within an hour, Neville's grandmother came to get him, thanking the Potters for watching her son. That was the last time Kira and Harry saw Neville. The rest of the week passed in mourning tears. Cota took Kira to and from school and ballet. James spent more time in his office, and Lily had developed an urgency in her clients, thriving harder than ever to help them. The family was hardly ever together. Kira used her free time to train Candy, Harry was at work with Lilly, James also worked late, and Cota was busy with the start of a new school year.

"Ah, the Knights of Larceny," the preschool teacher greeted as George, Kira, and Fred turned in their multitudes of tickets. "Got a lot of tickets?"

"Yep," said George. "And we already heard that you were changing the tickets tomorrow so we're turning these in."

"Mm hmm," smiled the teacher. "You lot don't miss a thing, do you?"

They exchanged their tickets and marveled at their prizes. The twins had noticed Kira's new independent attitude. She acted as if her parents were on a very long vacation and she was on her own. Everyday she traded a few of her tickets to other kids in exchange for lunch and she was no longer waiting for anyone to pick her up, she put on her hovablades and headed out on her own. She didn't understand the anger towards her parents, but she felt they had betrayed her and figured they didn't want her anyway. Then there was a sadness which brought upon thoughts that if she left then no one else would die. She'd thought about running away and had finally decided to do it.

She packed her backpack and ignored Cota as he apologized and told her he'd be late picking her up. She simply muttered something about getting someone to take her home, and asked if she could take Candy. Cota hesitated, but he hadn't seen her smile in a long time so he agreed and they'd set out for school. Kira was quiet all day and when it came time to go she mounted Candy and said a final good-bye to her two best friends.

"Bye?" Fred questioned. "What do you mean? We're going to see you on Monday."

"Right?" George asked seriously, trotting after Kira as she urged Candy to keep walking. "We'll see you on Monday?" he understood the look in her eyes and was frightened.

"Of course," a light voice replied, making them all jump.

They looked for the source of the voice and saw an older man with twinkling eyes, half-moon spectacles, a long white beard, and a warm smile. Fred and George looked to him in surprise, but Kira simply cast her gaze away and told Candy to go. Dumbledore followed easily, leaving the twins to reluctantly find their mum. Kira kicked her heels into the horse, "Yah!" she urged. Candy picked up her feet into a trot

"I think you're still a little too young to ride home by yourself, Kira," smiled Dumbledore, taking hold of a reign and stopping Candy.

"I'm not going home," growled Kira, trying to pull the reign back.

Dumbledore maintained his smile and tight hold on the reign. "Would you like to talk about this?" he asked. "I know a lovely little shop down on Druselberry, they have the largest assortment of chairs I have ever seen."

Kira abandoned her attempt to pull the reign free, she reached forward, unhooked the bridle and gripped Candy's main. "Yah!" she commanded with a tight squeeze of her thighs. Candy jumped forward and the bridle slipped effortlessly off. She shot off in full gallop with Kira hanging on for dear life and Dumbledore staring after them.

"Talk about it," Kira spat. "Now he wants to talk about it. Ever since he met me he's been saying things behind my back and now he wants to talk! He thinks I'm a monster, doesn't he?"

Candy gave a whinny and galloped on.

"Sure he does," Kira agreed. "He doesn't want to protect me; he wants to make sure Voldemort doesn't get me. Wonder what he'd think if I found Voldemort?"

Again Candy whinnied, loping down the street and around a car.

"That's what I'll do," Kira nodded, feeling a tear run down her face. "I'll go find him and tell him I'll join if he doesn't hurt mommy and daddy. Yeah, that's what I'll do."

Candy turned and headed out of the town towards the fields. Kira was silent for a while, but kept glancing over her shoulder. Albus couldn't keep up, she knew that, but her plan seemed to have so many flaws now. Suddenly she was aware that she was wearing her mommy's favorite dress and she didn't have her unicorn bow and her room wasn't clean. It all hadn't mattered this morning but it mattered now. As Candy reached the field, Kira wasn't angry anymore. She felt like everything good in her life was behind her and that she wasn't even mad at her parents she was mad at Dumbledore.

Candy whinnied, and received an answering whinny. A very familiar whinny and then quick hoof beats. Cota raced forward and easily caught up with Kira.

"Do you want to stop and talk or keep going?" he asked simply, smiling a smile that showed he understood.

"Keep going," whimpered Kira. Cota nodded and together they raced on over the hills and past the farmhouses. It was only when they were miles away from anything that Kira stopped. Cota pulled back the reigns and Patrick slid to a stop. He sat there patently and waited until Kira finally looked up at him. Her eyes were full of tears. Cota dismounted and brushed the hair away from Kira's face. He pulled her off the pony and into his arms.

"I'm sorry," she cried.

Cota shook his head. "You've got nothing to be sorry for," he gave a gentle laugh. "You think you're the first one to just want to get away?"

He'd received an owl from Dumbledore, who had suspected that Kira had listened in during a bad part of one of the meetings. Seeing her now proved that she'd probably heard a lot of meetings.

-

James got home, slithered onto the couch and prepared to die. Then he noticed something odd. One, Fawkeys was waiting for him and there wasn't an order meeting that night, and two Kira wasn't there. He looked to Fawkeys and receives a letter, which read:

Dear James.

We need to talk. Right now your squire is tracking down your daughter, who was trying to run away. Takai may have found a way to communicate with her and we need to talk about binding her power. This is an urgent matter I beg you not to ignore. If I could I would bind the power of Voldemort's daughter instead, but all we have is Kira. I'll come to your house tonight at ten.

Albus Dumbledore.

James reread the letter three times before he completely understood it and bolted to the door. However, he need not go far as Patrick was walking down the path with Cota and Kira on board and Candy in tow. James let out a deep sigh of relief and hurried towards them.

"Lord James," Cota saluted, handing Kira to him.

James had no words to say. He looked into his daughters eyes and knew he had hurt her. He knew they'd gotten off track and he knew each member of his family was suffering beyond the help of Albus.

"Cota, take a night off and send Lily a letter to come home immediately," said James, holding Kira securely in his arms. "We need to have a family meeting."

-

"What's wrong?" Lily asked, rushing into the house and seeing that everyone looked okay.

"We need to talk," said James. "Have a seat."

"Really I should be getting back to work," argued Lily.

"No," James shook his head, making it clear that this wasn't negotiable. "Either we work this out of let Albus give his solution."

Hesitantly, Lily sat down and picked Harry up into her lap. She looked to Cota, who flashed a smile and made her smile back simply by gazing at her with his astounding eyes.

"Recently we have all committed a crime against each other," spoke James, his tone serious. "We ignored each other and for that we were condemned to nearly loose Kira today."

"What?" Lily's head snapped over to Kira so quickly her hair blocked her view and she had to brush it swiftly from her eyes.

"She's alright, but did anyone know she was upset?" James redirected the conversation to its original path. "No, we didn't. Cota, you have been doing nothing except work for the academy. You haven't seen your friends, and you barely come home to sleep at night. Lily, you're doing the same with work, as am I."

"If I'm not busy then I'm thinking of poor Alice, and Frank," Lily defended.

"We all have our excuses," spoke Cota. "But we have to give those up because they're not helping anyone."

"Right," nodded James. "United we stand… that's part of a message on the Zagan Academy walls, yet lately we've forgotten it. No more struggling by ourselves. Every night we will be in this room and we will talk for at least two hours."

"…I'm sorry," whimpered Kira.

"Kiramaku," whispered Cota. "You didn't do anything wrong."

"Yes," nodded James with a laugh. "Thank you for the awakening, but never do that again."

And so they talked. They talked and cried and laughed and then finally they argued until no one had anymore to say. The hours passed like minutes and as the last words flooded the room a strange calm replaced the voices and everyone felt together again. It was as if their talking had beaten down walls and now the room was open and they could finally see each other.

"So now what?" Lily asked, breaking the silence.

James looked to the clock, it was five. He stood up and pondered sending Kira out of the room, but he didn't feel that it was right to discuss her without her consent. They could not decide her fate and leave her out of it. James looked out the window where Patrick seemed to be reenacting something for Candy and Gyriph. Dragging his eyes from the escape of the outdoors, James turned to the four pairs of eyes and spoke.

"Now we have less than five hours to decide to bind K-" he stopped and looked to Kira. "Your powers, or not."

"I don't think it's right," said Lily. "She should be allowed the chance to defend herself."

"Forgive me, but I think Kira's special abilities may add too much pressure to her life," Cota proclaimed cautiously.

"You both serve good points," nodded James. "If Kira looses her powers, she's defenseless. However, to keep them is an enormous stress."

Four hours they argued points, keeping things as factual as possible, while minding the fact that Kira was in the room. It would have been easier if she hadn't been there. They could have argued each factor uninhibitedly, but James wanted her to hear both sides as in the end she had to live with the result and therefore it would be up to her to make the choice. In the end they had a pros and cons list, the most important one in Kira's life.

"Pro's," Cota read. "Ability to defend herself. More important to the base so they will not want her hurt. No chance of being hurt by the binding process. Will not have to deal with mental ailments presented by having one's power bound. Better chance of escaping if Voldemort ever got her. Cons. Voldemort could use her power if he ever got her. Takai won't want a powerless angel. No chance of her powers growing beyond her control. That's the basics, right?"

"Seems to be," nodded Lily. "Doesn't do the arguments justice, but those are the main points."

"Right," said James, turning to Kira. "We're not going to vote because that wouldn't be fair and we should all make this decision and agree on it. Do you want to keep your power?"

Kira stared back at him with large eyes full of the fear such a big decision consumed her with. Yet through this something inside her told her that if she lost her powers, Takai would still be after her and she'd have no way to fight him. Noname hadn't had any magic, but Takai still wanted her. Kira thought harder about her choice than any choice before. If she gave up her power then, maybe no one else in the order would have to die. Then again, Fabion and Gidion hadn't been killed because of her. Everything had seemed so much simpler that morning when she'd decided running away was for the best, but now, as tears filled her eyes, she couldn't let them take her power because it was a part of her and she didn't want to go through life feeling like some grandly important part of her was missing. What if with her power went her soul?

There were too many dangers and, though she admitted it was selfish, she wanted to keep her powers. She cried out she was sorry and Cota wrapped his arms around her and whispered into her ear until the tears stopped. He whispered,

"I will always fight for you. No matter what you chose, I will never leave you to deal with it alone. It would take a hundred men to keep me from you. So whatever you chose, you chose right and no one here will ever, not in a million years, disagree. We love you, Kirameku, and we trust you to know what is best for you."

"I-I-I w-want to k-keep th-them," stuttered Kira, waiting for an uproar. Yet everyone just seemed relieved and they did not lift a finger to quarrel.

"Then that's that," James breathed looking around the room.

"Actually, I agree," smiled Lily. "If she believes so strongly that she can control them then I have no objection."

"Kra!" chimed Harry, clapping his hands and making her smile.

"Alright," grinned James. "Well are we cooking dinner or is it pizza night again?"

"I'll cook dinner," proclaimed Lily, jumping to her feet so as to not watch her children eating pizza for the third times that week.

"I'll help," offered Cota.

Lily stopped and spun around with Harry perched on her hip. "While we're communicating," she began. "Dear, I love you like a second son and you have many extraordinary talents. But, darling, you can't cook."

"Fair enough," laughed Cota as Lily retreated into the kitchen. "Now I'm bored."

"Me too," Kira agreed.

James stopped the conversation right there by flicking on the TV and beholding the blessed sight of a Quidditch match. Both Kira and Cota turned their eyes to the screen, sat down, and shut up. After dinner the news revealed that Voldemort had struck again, five minutes after that news, Sirius showed up. He trudged inside, slumped down on the couch and waved a breathless hello.

"Padfoot," James greeted.

"You heard the news?" Sirius asked.

"Death Eaters killed again," James nodded.

"I saw Snivelous with them," spat Sirius. "He's all chummy with Malfoy."

Cota thought back to the voice he'd heard long ago on the night Zalik had died. Severus Snape was one of the Death Eaters from that night. One he'd forgotten about. Kira awoke from her after-dinner-nap and collapsed onto her poofy chair; her eyes were still puffy from crying.

'Poor thing's not handling this well,' Cota noted. He looked up at the clock, it was eight o'clock. Harry was asleep, but Kira was too burdened to sleep. Kneeling, Cota tapped her on the nose and scooped her into his arms and off the poof.

"Don't worry, Kirakira," he smiled. "Everything's going to be fine."

"You promise?" whimpered Kira, staring up in to Cota's eyes with a heart-breaking stare.

"Of course, honey," James cooed as Cota handed Kira to him. "And we're all here to make sure it is."

"…You won't leave me?" sniffed Kira.

"I'll never leave you," James promised. "When you came here I promised you'd be safe and no one would ever hurt you. I'm sticking to my promise, baby, don't you worry."

"Besides, Remus would go werewolf on anyone that hurt you," Sirius snickered evilly.

"None the less," Lily rolled her eyes at Sirius. "We are NOT trying to go against Albus. He is just doing what he strongly believes to be the right thing to do."

"Yeah, but-"

"No buts, Sirius," Lily shook her head. "We're all just upset about Frank and Alice. Dumbledore has got a good point, but he's just as upset about what happened to them as we are, if not more."

"Agreed," James nodded stoutly.

"Why doesn't Mr. Dumbledore like me?" Kira asked softly.

Everyone was silent, not wanting to answer, nor being able to think up one other than 'he doesn't hate you,' which seemed stupid. Trinidy fluttered in and absorbed the silence.

"Well, just lovely," she said, breaking the silence and making everyone jump. "I'm not exactly sure what's going on, but enough! This house was one of the remaining havens for joy!"

"Yeah, well," shrugged Sirius. "Joy left a few days ago."

"Be serious," said Trinidy.

"I am," grinned Sirius.

Trinidy turned about-faced and let out a groan. "Your parents had no idea what an irony that name would be."

"Speaking of names," spoke Lily, reminded of something. "To finish Kira's birth certificate she needs a middle name."

"A middle name?" Kira asked.

"Yeah, it's a name that usually only family and close friends know," Cota explained.

"Oh," said Kira.

"…Anastasia," smiled Lilly.

"What?" James questioned.

"The name of a princess," Lily explained. "And she could use multiple nicknames. Stacy, Asia, Tasi-"

"Anna," whispered James. Kira turned towards him and smiled. Everyone always had a nickname for her, but he'd call her Anna because that was what he'd always wanted to call his first daughter. It was a beautiful name. Anna-rose, Annabelle, Anna-Maria… Anastasia.

"I like it," smiled Kira. "And maybe lion can say it," she laughed.

"Anna!" said Harry, grinning and pointing at Kira.

"Perfect," Lily beamed. "Kira, Anastasia, Potter."

"So now it's official?" Sirius asked.

"I'll send in the forms right away," Lily replied, crossing the room.

"Hear that Anna?" James whispered. "You belong to me and Lily. No one else. Forever."

"… Who wants to make a run for it and you all can live at my house?" Prompted Sirius, grinning to prove he was being serious. Everyone gave a laugh, and then began to deeply consider that option. Kira smiled and a knock sounded from the front door.

"Rats," Sirius muttered.

"Well, it was a thought," sighed James. Rising to his feet and crossing to the door.

Battle stations. Cota stood behind James and to the left. Sirius was lower and to the right, Lily stood in front of her children. If by some chance Voldemort attacked, these positions would be the difference between life and death.

"It's alright," said Dumbledore from the other side of the door. So disappeared the Voldemort theory.

James pulled open the door and smiled welcomingly. "Ah, Albus, you're early."

"I apologize," smiled Dumbledore, though no one thought he was even slightly sorry. "Thought it best, you see."

"Come in, Come in," James invited, moving from the doorway. Albus entered the house and his eyes gazed around at the scene. Cota had inched towards Kira and was standing in front of her. Lily smiled as if she thought tonight would be a peaceful and pleasant evening, and Sirius had his arms crossed and looked impatient. Even the fairy seemed on edge, as if everyone had a different argument supporting the same thing ad they were going to put forth that argument until the very end.

The fireplace crackled merrily and happiness seemed to be creeping its way back into the house. Dumbledore showed no sign of letting up as he strode into the living room and was invited by Lily to have a seat, which he took.

"Can I get you anything, Albus?" Lily offered.

"Actually, I'd love a cup of tea," Albus smiled appreciatively.

Lily smiled back in what appeared to be a competition between the two of them. Brightest smile under the circumstances.

James and Sirius entered the room, looking uncomfortable. James was the first to snap out of it, it was his house after all. He set his pace to the dramatic tempo f someone who held lots of energy and thrived for fun. It was a pace that showed no regret and a welcoming for adventure. He flopped easily onto the couch, but did not offer a fake smile. Sirius remained standing, along with Cota, who remained in a respectable pose with his hand behind his back behind and to the left of James. Kira was quiet, as was Harry. Then James spoke and reassured them all.

"Did you manage to catch the game today?" he asked. "I missed the scores and I had quite a bit of gold on it."

Albus was willing to play that game. "No, I missed it as well. Hagrid has been showing me his pumpkin patch and so I missed the match."

"Cota?" James questioned.

"Apologies, my Lord, I had a class," Cota replied.

"…Cannons won. Seven hundred to a thousand," laughed Sirius. "I haven't got important things to get in the way."

"Well, that was my bet," grinned James. "I think I'll buy another house."

"How much did you bet?" Sirius gaped.

"Enough to send Kira through college," James replied simply, examining a button on his cloak. "I had a good feeling."

"Lucky sonuva-…"

"What's a sonuva?" Kira asked.

"…" Sirius didn't say.

"National bird of Gundalay villa," Cota replied without missing a beat.

"Here you are," sand Lily, entering the room with a tray of tea and cakes.

"Thank you," beamed Albus, taking a cup along with everyone else. They sat in silence as Albus sipped his tea and they all gulped it down in unease. When he was finished, Albus set down the cup carefully into its saucer and placed it on the coffee table.

"Now, I came this evening to again discuss the idea of binding Kira's power."

James set the pace and his companions followed. The mood was relaxed and at ease as he spoke. "Understood, yet again I wish to make it clear that we do not want her powers binded."

"She wouldn't have a chance under attack and could never get into Hogwarts," Lily added.

"It's not right to deny someone something they're born with," said Sirius.

"She wants to keep them," stated Cota.

"I understand all that," Dumbledore replied. "However, the best thing for Kira-"

"No one knows what's better for me than my family!" Kira interrupted, shocking everyone, even Kira. "If I loose my powers something bad will happen."

Albus retained his smile and turned his gaze to her. "What bad will happen?"

"… Veronica wrote me and told me that my dreams were true and if I lost my power something bad would happen," Kira explained.

"Veronica?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes, I wrote her about a dream I had," Kira replied. In her dream her brother was in trouble and she was powerless to do anything as she had no magic.

"And who is Veronica?" Albus requested.

"She goes to that school that Remus showed me," Kira proclaimed.

"Kira, I admire your opinion in this, but bad things happen in this world," said Albus. "Sometimes you need to know when to make a sacrifice for the good of your family."

James was outraged. How dare someone put that pressure on his daughter. Albus made it seem like Kira was the reason for all the death in the Order. He opened his mouth many times to speak, but found no voice.

Kira, however, knew of an answer. "Sometimes you need to know what's in your heart. For it is the only honest thing in the world. It can chase after false dreams, but it can also show you the way and is strongest when the right choice is made. The heart is fragile, but the right decision makes it stronger, and can never break it."

Lily recognized that statement from a cartoon Kira had been watching, but knew to hold her tongue and simply beamed down at her daughter. "The heart wants what it wants," she said.

"I do not wish for more death to come upon us," spoke Dumbledore.

"No one is dead because of Kira!" James spat. "We are all deeply concerned about Fred and Alice, but they went because we need information on possible weapons Voldemort could use! Take Kira's powers and they have to use the daughter, that doesn't mean they won't kill anyone."

"It appears I am outnumbered, among friends," Dumbledore replied, raising his hands into the air. "But think about that for a moment, if you will."

"Albus, we honor and value your opinions with great respect," said James. "But this is our daughter and the only person who has the right to decide what is best is us. We've spent many nights awake thinking about it, but in the end this is our choice."

Dumbledore sighed and looked at Kira. He saw the pretty little girl and found no evil in her. Her blond hair was shining and her eyes full of worry. Yet no anger, or hatred resided in her. "So it shall be," he said. "I support your decision."

"Believe us," said James. "It's the right one."

"I believe it," smiled Albus.

-

"Kira!" George greeted, enveloping her in a tight hug.

"Hey, you're here!" Fred grinned.

"Course," smiled Kira. "We're making it to the top today, right?"

"Yeah!" the twins chorused.

"Have fun today, Kira," Cota smiled. "Be good…. Don't give me that look…. Fine just be safe…. Reasonably safe?"

"Okay!" Kira chirped, hugging him goodbye.

"Ah, the knights of Larceny," the teacher greeted. "Come on inside, we're finger painting… I suppose I'll have to go over the rules again?"

"Bye, Kirakira," Cota waved mounting Patrick, who was happy as lots of kids were petting him.

As the kids ran inside, Cota took off for the academy. Things were back on track for most of the Potters, but Cota maintained most of his bad habits. He worked too hard and it seemed to James that he was preparing for some sort of final battle. A lot of the riders from 'that night' were often seen with him, helping him improve his skills as a rider. As the grand Halloween party approached, James took to the habit of making it painfully obvious that he wanted Cota to attend.

"What if-"

"It's one night, Coat," James interrupted. "Just one innocent night."

"A lot can happen in one night," Cotta muttered.

"We've heard nothing of plans to attack," James reminded him.

"…I know you wished to keep you and Sirius's decision to appoint Peter as Secret Keeper between you and them, but-"

"No buts, when things calm down we can always switch again, but right now I agree with Sirius," James again interrupted, linking his fingers together. "Who would suspect peter?"

With a sigh, the young squire was forced to accept the answer. "I'll go fill out the report on Toran's mission," he nodded, turning to leave.

With a triumphant laugh, James wielded the report as a trophy. "I did it during my lunch hour," he grinned. "You're going to the party.

-

"Lord James," Cota protested.

"Stop whining, you're going to that part and that is final…. Did I just say that?"

Lily nodded and soft laughter escaped from her throat. Kira was back at the tree with Harry, collecting leaves.

"They look like… fire!" Kira announced to Harry.

"Kra!" Harry replied.

"My name is?"

"Kra!"

"Kira!" Kira shrieked. "Key-rah!"

"Kra!"

"Lion!"

"Come inside you two, it's going to snow."

"Coming Mommy!"

"Stop staring at me, you're going to the party," James sang without looking at Cota. "And I wrote to your friends, Derek's coming to get you."

"But-"

"Stop."

"What ever happened to trust your instinct?" Cota pouted, looking child-like and cute as he did.

"What ever happened to I'm the lord, I know that's best?" James replied, trying to look equally cute and failing. "Merlin, I never thought I'd have to talk a teenager into going to a party."

"Everything will be fine, dear," snickered Lily, patting Cota on the shoulders. "Sirius is stopping by later and you can take Kira out trick-or-treating before you leave for the party."

"Yay!" Kira cheered and bolted up the stairs to get into her costume, even though it was hours before she had to.

Cota sighed, much to the amusement of Lily and James, and gave up the loosing battle.