Okey-dokey. Another chappie for you all. But beware! I am still
suffering writer's block, and I only have about another three in hand!
Argh! Not to mention GCSE exams. Evil things, those. Very evil.
Anyway, hope you like the chapter.
Chapter 28 – Meetings
James and Lily had explained – a lot – to Moody and the others. However, both had extremely good references, and since Voldemort was concentrating on Britain in his attacks, they needed all the Aurors they could find. Their applications for jobs were soon accepted, though they kept their return quiet. It was safest for them if Voldemort didn't find out about their return.
But Kathryn knew that James and Lily were fated to face Voldemort three times and escape. While they had once – in the summer between Sixth and Seventh-year – it didn't count, because it was all four of them. She wondered when James and Lily would face him. And how.
It soon emerged at the next Order of the Phoenix meeting.
Dumbledore smiled at the Order.
"I'd like to welcome two new members who should have been here when their friends joined. Lily Evans and James Potter, come forward." He ordered.
They obeyed.
"Do you swear to always fight on the side of right? Do you swear never to give information to Voldemort? Do you swear never to betray this Order and your friends and colleagues to Voldemort?" Dumbledore asked.
"I do so swear." Lily and James replied in unison.
"Then sign."
He handed James a quill and contract. On it were all the names of the Order. He read them and followed with his own name, then handed it to Lily. She did the same.
"Welcome to the Order of the Phoenix." Dumbledore told them. "Sit down."
Nervously, James and Lily sat down together near Kathryn and Sirius.
Dumbledore began the meeting. "We have reason to expect an attack on Diagon Alley at Hallowe'en. Since it's very busy both during the day and during the night, it is a prime target. If Voldemort does do this, it'll be the worst attack of his rise. Luckily his other attacks have usually been foiled due to prior knowledge." Eyes flicked towards Kathryn, who held Sirius' hand firmly. "But if the worst comes to the worst, we need everyone to be ready. Peter, Radella, does St. Mungo's have enough supplies?"
"Enough for a minor attack and the usual problems of Hallowe'en, but no, not enough if all of Diagon Alley was attacked. We'll begin stockpiling. I'll talk to people. There's guaranteed to be those who suspect. And I know people who won't ask questions. I can talk to the Healers who I know'll be there, not to mention the best and those on call." Radella nodded.
"I can get the guys to start making other potions and amulets, particularly those for healing. We've not done much. If we can k-keep to the potions for both serious and non-serious injuries we should be okay." Peter explained. His workplace had branched out into making amulets and suchlike as well as growing plants and making potions.
"What news in the Ministry?" Dumbledore asked Moody.
"Crouch is passing a bill. The rise in attacks, no matter how minor, is worrying them all. He's giving Aurors the power to kill rather than capture, maybe even use the Unforgivables. He's becoming almost as ruthless as the Death Eaters. We need to watch out for him. It's worrying behaviour in a Head of Department."
"What about the Minister?"
"Buster? There's no worries there. He's fair, not so harsh as Crouch." Moody explained.
"Kathryn, any news from the Department of Mysteries?" Dumbledore asked.
The Order hushed. James and Lily were startled. Kathryn hadn't revealed this bit of news.
"Not much. I work for them more as an Auror who knows their secrets, can get hold of anything pertaining to their department than anything else. There're no prophecies about Voldemort. Nothing pertaining to time travel missing. I think we're okay. However, there's something worrying me." Kathryn explained.
"What?"
"There's a locked room in the Department of Mysteries. It holds the greatest force imaginable. It's the one thing Voldemort least understands, but that's what scares me. What if Voldemort discovers how powerful what that room contains is? If he unleashes it – and it wouldn't surprise me if he tried – he could never control it. Very few could. Only a few marked people would be able to." Kathryn sighed. "We don't what he might do!"
"What does the room contain?" Dumbledore asked.
"Love." Kathryn answered, almost ruefully. She looked round at the others as they began muttering. "Pure, raw, unadulterated love. Some of the Unspeakables have jobs studying it. Voldemort could never control it. That's why the door is kept locked at all times."
"Can anyone control it?" Dumbledore wanted to know.
"There must be some people – who can control that much love. And it's pure love. Untouched by greed, lust, insanity. Love for parents, husband, wife, children, family, friends. The love that means someone would gladly die for another. I know some people who contain that aspect. I know them very well." Kathryn's eyes bored into Dumbledore's as she spoke. "Love can cause the most destruction and give the greatest protection."
Years later Albus Dumbledore would wonder on those words, wonder as to exactly how much she knew of the future and how much she intended to change it when she could.
The meeting continued. The entire Order was placed on ultra-alert in preparation for an attack from Voldemort.
One they knew was to have disastrous consequences.
"You did WHAT?" Kathryn asked, aghast as Lily told her story.
"I, er, influenced him into thinking I was a Russian dignitary so he wouldn't question why I was in the best rooms, having stowed away." Lily blushed.
James, however, laughed. "Ah, fair Flower, you learnt from the best."
"Knew that you boys had a bad effect on us." Kathryn groaned.
Sirius smirked. "Well, you don't want to hear about the effect you girls have on us boys."
Kathryn snorted and blushed. "Sorry, I'd forgotten how innuendo-laced everything gets when you two are together."
Sirius grinned. "And I'd forgotten about how often we're insulted when you two are together."
Lily laughed. "I missed this. I can't believe I let that... I let that bitch convince me to run away. I mean, I'm the one supposed to be influencing others, not the other way around!"
"Ah, Bellatrix has those eyes and that way of causing you to trust her. It doesn't actually work on me, I'm a family member, and Kat, because Kat's too good at Occlumency."
"When did you learn Occlumency?" Lily asked.
"I got one of the Aurors to teach me. It's very helpful. I'm trying to convince Dumbledore to teach me Legilimency. They're especially good skills for Aurors to have." Kathryn smiled.
They were in their house once more. They had invited the others, but they had too much to do, or were too tired. Kathryn and Sirius were snuggled on the sofa, Lily and James in armchairs.
"So what's happening with you two?" Sirius wanted to know and was in no mood to put it tactfully.
"What?" James asked.
"I think he means what's going on with your relationship. I mean, you deserted each other for two years, yet never technically called it off, unless it was in those notes to each other neither of you read." Kathryn explained.
James and Lily went red.
"Umm, I think that means we're still together." Lily murmured.
"Neither of you had a relationship where you were?" Kathryn checked.
"No!" Lily answered, appalled.
"No way!" James replied, annoyed.
"And you still love each other?"
"YES!" They answered, a little too loudly, together.
"Then I'd say you're still boyfriend and girlfriend, thank goodness!" Kathryn pretended to wipe her brow with relief.
"Why 'thank goodness'?" James asked, suspiciously.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Sirius smirked.
"So you know too?" Lily checked.
Sirius nodded. "Alas, my love could not keep such a thing to herself. Even though she had yelled it for the entire train to hear." He snickered.
Kathryn whacked him lightly, which was difficult to do in her current position – leant against his chest with his arms round her waist.
Lily blinked. As did James.
"Oo-kay." Lily frowned. "I think I'm going to go to bed."
"Me too." James nodded sleepily. He then looked around. "I wondered what was wrong with this place. It's way too tidy with you two neat freaks living here."
"Hey!" Kathryn and Sirius protested in unison.
James grinned. "What?"
"We should go to bed too, you know." Sirius told his betrothed.
"Mm, do we have to?" Kathryn asked, settling back on his chest.
"Yep. C'mon. I'll even read you a bedtime story." Sirius smirked.
Kathryn pursed her lips to stop herself from grinning and rolled her eyes. "Very well."
Sirius pulled her up the stairs to their room and sweet slumber.
"Evans, you'll be partnering Longbottom from now on. Potter, Orenda. Since you all worked so well together on your exam." Moody informed them gruffly.
"Anything today?" Kathryn asked.
"Operation. Orenda, Potter, you'll be going out with two of our more experienced Aurors, Laden and Davids. They'll explain the situation to you." He pointed to two Aurors, his face stern.
James and Kathryn left, heading towards the two Aurors.
A dark-skinned powerful looking man and stern, stocky woman greeted them.
"Len Davids." The man introduced himself, smiling.
"Andrea Laden." The woman nodded.
"You newbies?" Davids asked.
"How'd'you guess?" Kathryn asked, fluttering her eyelashes and pretending to look innocent.
"Like that look ever works, Mystique." James scoffed. "James Potter."
"Ah, you're the kid who ran away." Laden observed.
James looked like he was going to protest, no I'm not a kid thank you very much, but Kathryn stomped on his instep. He winced.
"Kathryn Orenda."
"And you're the one Moody said we should look out for."
"Why?"
"He reckons you'll be running the department in a few years' time."
Kathryn snorted. "Yeah, right, like I want a bounty on my head."
Davids grinned wolfishly. "Yep, Crouch has definitely got that."
Kathryn grinned.
"So, what's the assignment?" James asked.
"There's been some unusual traces of magic around here." Laden pointed to a coloured area on a map. "We've been told to check it out. Think it could be the Dark Arts."
"Voldemort?" Kathryn looked up sharply.
"We don't know. That's why we're going in. Stealth and spy operation. Don't leave any evidence we were there. We just want a look. No heroics unless we say so." Laden ordered.
Kathryn put her hands up in a defensive gesture. "Hey don't look at me. You're the senior Aurors."
"Don't you forget it, missy." Davids told her.
Kathryn raised a brow.
"Mystique..." James told her warningly.
Laden frowned. "Why is he calling you Mystique?"
"Nickname at school. Girls called me it because of being mysterious. Boys called me it after the witch and my ancestor."
"You're descended from Mystique?"
"Yeah, being an Orenda an' all." Kathryn shrugged.
"Why did they call you after the witch?" Davids asked as they proceeded to an Apparation point having read through their briefs.
"We called all of 'em after witches. Kat was Mystique, Lily was Medea, Alura was Morgana and Radella was Nimuë." James explained.
"Yeah, we never really had any nicknames for you boys, did we?" Kathryn frowned. "Oh well, when the time comes..."
"You really graduated top in your class?" Laden asked Kathryn.
"Nah. It was joint with Sirius. He always did better in Potions and Stealth and Tracking." Kathryn explained. "I was Disguise, Transfiguration and Healing gal."
They arrived at their Apparation point.
"C'mon." Laden ordered.
They nodded and Apparated out of there.
That evening, Kathryn stumbled into the house, exhausted.
James was waiting for Lily, and both Lily and Sirius weren't back yet.
She winced at she walked up the stairs and ran a bath. Carefully she peeled away her clothing, careful not to disturb the wounds that covered her back. Lacerations that no one else knew of. That she didn't know of. She didn't know how she got them, only that they had appeared sometime between finishing the assignment – which had amounted to nothing – and getting home.
"Ugh." She complained.
Carefully she added a Healing potion to her bathwater, it appeared as bubble bath so none would suspect.
She stepped into the bath, flinching as the hot water seared her skin and the potion began to mend it.
The hot water lulled her so much, and she was so tired...
"Kathryn?" Sirius asked, poking his head through the door.
She was asleep in the bathtub. He thanked Merlin for the charm that kept a person floating if they fell asleep. He shook her awake.
"What? No, I'm awake." Kathryn exclaimed, splashing.
"Really?" Sirius asked, an amused smirk on his face.
She flung water at him. "I am. I was just tired."
"I'm not surprised, you haven't been sleeping well recently." He told her, a look of concern on his face.
"And whose fault is that?" Kathryn demanded, pulling herself out of the bath and securing a towel round her body and another around her hair.
Sirius grinned. "Not entirely mine. Besides, I mean when you're actually asleep. Nightmares? Visions?" He asked.
Kathryn nodded. "Yeah. Some. It's Voldemort and his followers and these attacks. They're too shadowy, the visions, I can't pinpoint anything. They just seem to be sent to hurt me."
Sirius hugged her close. "It'll be fine. Voldemort will be defeated. You saw it, remember?" He smiled.
Kathryn nodded, but didn't smile. After all, the losses of Voldemort's destruction were terrible.
"C'mon." Sirius told her. "Put something on and eat. We've got a job to do tonight."
"What?" Kathryn frowned.
"Dumbledore wants us at Hogwarts. They're worried about an attack, remember?"
Kathryn nodded. "Yeah. Okay, just give me a minute."
Sirius smiled, kissed her forehead and left.
Kathryn sighed.
'What's wrong with me?'
There had been no attack. A week later, the Marauders and Enchanted met up in the Three Broomsticks, where James and Lily suffered a slightly cold reception at first.
"We haven't had any word." Remus accused.
"No letters, news, nothing. Just the notes you wrote to Kat and Sirius. Have you any idea how worried we were?" Radella demanded.
"I'm sorry... it was just..." James' voice trailed off.
"Bellatrix deceived them. You know what she's like with those eyes. Why someone who wouldn't use the trust they seem to invoke to their own advantage couldn't have had them I don't know." Sirius groaned, frustrated.
"Because Fate decided to do that?" Kat suggested. "Look, James and Lily were under a trust spell at the time, they were worried for the people they loved... it wasn't their fault. On the bright side, Lily didn't have to suffer Petunia and Vernon's grotesque wedding." She giggled.
"That's a good point. I knew something good had to come out of it." Lily mused.
"Still, you shouldn't have left!" Alura informed them.
"Trick, remember? Besides, it was only because we were trying to protect you." James replied.
It took at least half an hour to convince them that they had done it to protect them. Eventually Remus, Radella, Alura, Damion and Peter forgave them. (A/N: Yeah, Peter's there. Doesn't do much, does he? Well, until he betrays Lily and James, that is. Stupid rat.)
"Now what?" Lily asked.
"Now we start to plan the wedding!" Alura crowed.
"Wedding? What wedding?" James replied.
"Mine and Damion's. We're getting married on New Year's Day. Which only gives us two months to plan everything!" Alura replied.
"Uh oh, she's going into obsessive mode again." Sirius commented.
"How about some more drinks?" Kathryn suggested.
Everyone gave their orders as Alura began to talk to them about the wedding, which, it seemed, she had been planning for years. Kathryn was still surprised that the couples had lasted so long. It was unusual for teens to stay together for that long, especially from the age of sixteen. They were now all twenty, well, Damion was twenty-one, he had his birthday in September. Kathryn still didn't want to think that James and Lily would be dead before they reached twenty-five.
Kathryn went to the bar. "Nine Butterbeers, Rosmerta." She called. Frank and Alice were not with them.
"Coming up, Kathryn." The witch replied, smiling. Kathryn and Sirius were regulars in the pub, even though they lived in London.
Kat leant against the bar, waiting. She had always liked this place. It had a warm, friendly feel. She recognised a couple of the Seventh-years in it, guessing they must have got permission from Dumbledore, much as she and her friends had every once in a while, to come into Hogsmeade on a Friday evening.
Then suddenly it hit Kathryn, what Alura had said. Two months. Hallowe'en was the next day. The three pairs of Aurors had wangled their way onto an assignment on Diagon Alley. She prayed that they could stop Voldemort.
"Here y'go." Rosmerta smiled.
"Thanks, Rosmerta." Kathryn grinned, taking the tray from her.
As she did though, she was hit by a vision that sent the tray from her hands, her knees to the floor and her entire body into excruciating pain.
"Kat!" Sirius suddenly yelled as Rosmerta stared, completely nonplussed as to what was happening.
Kathryn wasn't aware of anything around her. She was in the grips of a terrifying vision...
------------
"Ah, James Potter, Lily Evans. At last we meet. I see you didn't take our warning seriously." Voldemort hissed.
James smiled at him inanely. "Oh, we did. We then found out that our friends and family were in danger anyway and that we could do a fat lot of good hiding. So we came back when they came to collect us."
Voldemort gave an equally inane, but far more sinister, smile. "You must be very brave to speak to me like that. Or very foolish."
Lily laughed. "Why would that be? Just because you're a jumped up, half- blood with a serious mental disorder..."
Voldemort threw out a curse in seconds that Lily swiftly dodged.
Oops. Lily thought aloud.
Oops? You insulted the madman to the point where he's trying to murder us and all you can say is 'oops'? James demanded crossly, again in thought- speech, because he was trying not to get hit with the Cruciatus.
Voldemort turned from them. The sight he clearly revelled in was horrific. Diagon Alley was ablaze. The stench of charred flesh and fresh blood assaulted the senses. Bodies were strewn over the cobblestones. And another body was strung up, swinging from the neck. He'd been lynched.
The body turned. Lily and James went pale and then began to attack in earnest. The body belonged to Sirius Black.
"You bastard!" James yelled. "Stupefy!"
Voldemort deflected it. "Protego!"
"Sirius. Oh God, if Sirius is dead... Where's Kat?" Lily shrieked from behind her own shield.
"The Seer? Oh, she's safe. No, I wouldn't kill her. She's valuable. I believe Lucius is 'teaching' her obedience."
Lily choked. There was only one thing that could be construed as. Especially when Lucius Malfoy hated Kathryn so much. He seemed to take after his ancestors in more ways than one.
Lily and James were surrounded.
"You'd do well to say your last goodbyes now." Voldemort sneered.
James and Lily, still in shock from what had happened to their best friends, froze. They tried to put up a shield, but their wands were Summoned away. They began a spell, but were Silenced.
NO! Lily shrieked.
"One curse to kill the lovers. The Heirs shall never be, not with two never to be born." Voldemort sneered, a sinister smile on his face.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!"
Kathryn watched in horror as the bodies of James Potter and Lily Evans fell to the ground, their arms entwined about each other.
------------
"Kat?" Sirius' voice broke through her dismay.
Kathryn turned over and was violently sick. Those images. It couldn't happen...
"What was it?" Sirius asked.
Kathryn wiped her mouth, rinsed it carefully and burst into tears.
"Sirius." She murmured. "He killed you... All of you..."
"What?"
"Tomorrow. The attack... Lynched... Avada Kedavra..." Kathryn moaned and then fell into unconsciousness.
"Kat?" Sirius asked worried.
Radella was swiftly at her friend's side.
"She's unconscious. That vision put incredible strain on her body. She's never had one which had such physical effects. It must have been terrible."
"She said something about an attack, tomorrow. And Voldemort. And him killing us." Sirius stated.
Madam Rosmerta was busily clearing away the broken glass and now the vomit. She couldn't blame Kathryn, not after the pain the young woman had clearly been through.
"Is she alright?"
"No. Let's get to Hogwarts. Madam Pomfrey's dealt with these things before. And we can fire-call Elise. See if she's ever had visions with these side-effects."
No one could see in the dark that Kathryn's unconscious form smiled.
A/N: How was that? I'm trying to cut down on the lovey-dovey stuff a little, especially with what's coming up in the next chapter...
Oh yes, and a cliffhanger, isn't it? Why do you think Kathryn is smiling when she's seen that future?
Anyway, to reviewers:
Raclswt: Glad you like it. You're anxious to know what happens later, are you? Well, you just need to remember something of Kat's visions and what Dumbledore told them about the Elemental Guardians to begin to piece together everything. I hope this chapter was long enough for you!
Jenevieve: Thanks. Nope you hadn't reviewed before! I know there's lots of kissing. What can I say? You should meet the couples in my year! Glad you like it though. But there will be a bit less kissing in later chapters, though no less suggestions! I can't help it!
Sk8erWitch: Okay, here's the cookie and brownie. Chucks food full of chocolatey goodness across digital realm I hope you got them. You liked it then? Good. Yes, James does have explaining to do. And he didn't even yell at Kat for calling him Jamie!
Tina: What the hell is AIM? Anyway, I don't think they'll be leaving the country again. This is going to be a long fic, but it will include Part 2, as well. There's another three chapters written, and at least another ten after that. Problem is that I'm getting inspired for Part 2, which is just annoying! Anyway, thanks! I know what it feels like to be procrastinating. I'm doing that a lot at the moment. Mother yells in background Only joking! I'm revising really hard for my GCSEs, honest! Except my revising 'really hard' and someone else's might have different definitions!
polgarathesorceress2: Lucky? About what? GCSEs aren't great, no matter if I get study leave. Oh, alright, that bit's quite good! Thanks for reviewing. I read yours too!
Anyway, thanks to everyone who has read. Now, maybe, will you review? And if you like it, would you, maybe, tell your friends? Hey, if you shamelessly advertise my story, I'll shamelessly advertise yours!
Sorry, I'm a bit mad. I hope you enjoyed that chapter.
Any ideas for weddings/births/confrontations etc. are gratefully accepted, and will be recognised and thanked! I'll even dedicate chapters to you!
Lol, Tanydwr
Anyway, hope you like the chapter.
Chapter 28 – Meetings
James and Lily had explained – a lot – to Moody and the others. However, both had extremely good references, and since Voldemort was concentrating on Britain in his attacks, they needed all the Aurors they could find. Their applications for jobs were soon accepted, though they kept their return quiet. It was safest for them if Voldemort didn't find out about their return.
But Kathryn knew that James and Lily were fated to face Voldemort three times and escape. While they had once – in the summer between Sixth and Seventh-year – it didn't count, because it was all four of them. She wondered when James and Lily would face him. And how.
It soon emerged at the next Order of the Phoenix meeting.
Dumbledore smiled at the Order.
"I'd like to welcome two new members who should have been here when their friends joined. Lily Evans and James Potter, come forward." He ordered.
They obeyed.
"Do you swear to always fight on the side of right? Do you swear never to give information to Voldemort? Do you swear never to betray this Order and your friends and colleagues to Voldemort?" Dumbledore asked.
"I do so swear." Lily and James replied in unison.
"Then sign."
He handed James a quill and contract. On it were all the names of the Order. He read them and followed with his own name, then handed it to Lily. She did the same.
"Welcome to the Order of the Phoenix." Dumbledore told them. "Sit down."
Nervously, James and Lily sat down together near Kathryn and Sirius.
Dumbledore began the meeting. "We have reason to expect an attack on Diagon Alley at Hallowe'en. Since it's very busy both during the day and during the night, it is a prime target. If Voldemort does do this, it'll be the worst attack of his rise. Luckily his other attacks have usually been foiled due to prior knowledge." Eyes flicked towards Kathryn, who held Sirius' hand firmly. "But if the worst comes to the worst, we need everyone to be ready. Peter, Radella, does St. Mungo's have enough supplies?"
"Enough for a minor attack and the usual problems of Hallowe'en, but no, not enough if all of Diagon Alley was attacked. We'll begin stockpiling. I'll talk to people. There's guaranteed to be those who suspect. And I know people who won't ask questions. I can talk to the Healers who I know'll be there, not to mention the best and those on call." Radella nodded.
"I can get the guys to start making other potions and amulets, particularly those for healing. We've not done much. If we can k-keep to the potions for both serious and non-serious injuries we should be okay." Peter explained. His workplace had branched out into making amulets and suchlike as well as growing plants and making potions.
"What news in the Ministry?" Dumbledore asked Moody.
"Crouch is passing a bill. The rise in attacks, no matter how minor, is worrying them all. He's giving Aurors the power to kill rather than capture, maybe even use the Unforgivables. He's becoming almost as ruthless as the Death Eaters. We need to watch out for him. It's worrying behaviour in a Head of Department."
"What about the Minister?"
"Buster? There's no worries there. He's fair, not so harsh as Crouch." Moody explained.
"Kathryn, any news from the Department of Mysteries?" Dumbledore asked.
The Order hushed. James and Lily were startled. Kathryn hadn't revealed this bit of news.
"Not much. I work for them more as an Auror who knows their secrets, can get hold of anything pertaining to their department than anything else. There're no prophecies about Voldemort. Nothing pertaining to time travel missing. I think we're okay. However, there's something worrying me." Kathryn explained.
"What?"
"There's a locked room in the Department of Mysteries. It holds the greatest force imaginable. It's the one thing Voldemort least understands, but that's what scares me. What if Voldemort discovers how powerful what that room contains is? If he unleashes it – and it wouldn't surprise me if he tried – he could never control it. Very few could. Only a few marked people would be able to." Kathryn sighed. "We don't what he might do!"
"What does the room contain?" Dumbledore asked.
"Love." Kathryn answered, almost ruefully. She looked round at the others as they began muttering. "Pure, raw, unadulterated love. Some of the Unspeakables have jobs studying it. Voldemort could never control it. That's why the door is kept locked at all times."
"Can anyone control it?" Dumbledore wanted to know.
"There must be some people – who can control that much love. And it's pure love. Untouched by greed, lust, insanity. Love for parents, husband, wife, children, family, friends. The love that means someone would gladly die for another. I know some people who contain that aspect. I know them very well." Kathryn's eyes bored into Dumbledore's as she spoke. "Love can cause the most destruction and give the greatest protection."
Years later Albus Dumbledore would wonder on those words, wonder as to exactly how much she knew of the future and how much she intended to change it when she could.
The meeting continued. The entire Order was placed on ultra-alert in preparation for an attack from Voldemort.
One they knew was to have disastrous consequences.
"You did WHAT?" Kathryn asked, aghast as Lily told her story.
"I, er, influenced him into thinking I was a Russian dignitary so he wouldn't question why I was in the best rooms, having stowed away." Lily blushed.
James, however, laughed. "Ah, fair Flower, you learnt from the best."
"Knew that you boys had a bad effect on us." Kathryn groaned.
Sirius smirked. "Well, you don't want to hear about the effect you girls have on us boys."
Kathryn snorted and blushed. "Sorry, I'd forgotten how innuendo-laced everything gets when you two are together."
Sirius grinned. "And I'd forgotten about how often we're insulted when you two are together."
Lily laughed. "I missed this. I can't believe I let that... I let that bitch convince me to run away. I mean, I'm the one supposed to be influencing others, not the other way around!"
"Ah, Bellatrix has those eyes and that way of causing you to trust her. It doesn't actually work on me, I'm a family member, and Kat, because Kat's too good at Occlumency."
"When did you learn Occlumency?" Lily asked.
"I got one of the Aurors to teach me. It's very helpful. I'm trying to convince Dumbledore to teach me Legilimency. They're especially good skills for Aurors to have." Kathryn smiled.
They were in their house once more. They had invited the others, but they had too much to do, or were too tired. Kathryn and Sirius were snuggled on the sofa, Lily and James in armchairs.
"So what's happening with you two?" Sirius wanted to know and was in no mood to put it tactfully.
"What?" James asked.
"I think he means what's going on with your relationship. I mean, you deserted each other for two years, yet never technically called it off, unless it was in those notes to each other neither of you read." Kathryn explained.
James and Lily went red.
"Umm, I think that means we're still together." Lily murmured.
"Neither of you had a relationship where you were?" Kathryn checked.
"No!" Lily answered, appalled.
"No way!" James replied, annoyed.
"And you still love each other?"
"YES!" They answered, a little too loudly, together.
"Then I'd say you're still boyfriend and girlfriend, thank goodness!" Kathryn pretended to wipe her brow with relief.
"Why 'thank goodness'?" James asked, suspiciously.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Sirius smirked.
"So you know too?" Lily checked.
Sirius nodded. "Alas, my love could not keep such a thing to herself. Even though she had yelled it for the entire train to hear." He snickered.
Kathryn whacked him lightly, which was difficult to do in her current position – leant against his chest with his arms round her waist.
Lily blinked. As did James.
"Oo-kay." Lily frowned. "I think I'm going to go to bed."
"Me too." James nodded sleepily. He then looked around. "I wondered what was wrong with this place. It's way too tidy with you two neat freaks living here."
"Hey!" Kathryn and Sirius protested in unison.
James grinned. "What?"
"We should go to bed too, you know." Sirius told his betrothed.
"Mm, do we have to?" Kathryn asked, settling back on his chest.
"Yep. C'mon. I'll even read you a bedtime story." Sirius smirked.
Kathryn pursed her lips to stop herself from grinning and rolled her eyes. "Very well."
Sirius pulled her up the stairs to their room and sweet slumber.
"Evans, you'll be partnering Longbottom from now on. Potter, Orenda. Since you all worked so well together on your exam." Moody informed them gruffly.
"Anything today?" Kathryn asked.
"Operation. Orenda, Potter, you'll be going out with two of our more experienced Aurors, Laden and Davids. They'll explain the situation to you." He pointed to two Aurors, his face stern.
James and Kathryn left, heading towards the two Aurors.
A dark-skinned powerful looking man and stern, stocky woman greeted them.
"Len Davids." The man introduced himself, smiling.
"Andrea Laden." The woman nodded.
"You newbies?" Davids asked.
"How'd'you guess?" Kathryn asked, fluttering her eyelashes and pretending to look innocent.
"Like that look ever works, Mystique." James scoffed. "James Potter."
"Ah, you're the kid who ran away." Laden observed.
James looked like he was going to protest, no I'm not a kid thank you very much, but Kathryn stomped on his instep. He winced.
"Kathryn Orenda."
"And you're the one Moody said we should look out for."
"Why?"
"He reckons you'll be running the department in a few years' time."
Kathryn snorted. "Yeah, right, like I want a bounty on my head."
Davids grinned wolfishly. "Yep, Crouch has definitely got that."
Kathryn grinned.
"So, what's the assignment?" James asked.
"There's been some unusual traces of magic around here." Laden pointed to a coloured area on a map. "We've been told to check it out. Think it could be the Dark Arts."
"Voldemort?" Kathryn looked up sharply.
"We don't know. That's why we're going in. Stealth and spy operation. Don't leave any evidence we were there. We just want a look. No heroics unless we say so." Laden ordered.
Kathryn put her hands up in a defensive gesture. "Hey don't look at me. You're the senior Aurors."
"Don't you forget it, missy." Davids told her.
Kathryn raised a brow.
"Mystique..." James told her warningly.
Laden frowned. "Why is he calling you Mystique?"
"Nickname at school. Girls called me it because of being mysterious. Boys called me it after the witch and my ancestor."
"You're descended from Mystique?"
"Yeah, being an Orenda an' all." Kathryn shrugged.
"Why did they call you after the witch?" Davids asked as they proceeded to an Apparation point having read through their briefs.
"We called all of 'em after witches. Kat was Mystique, Lily was Medea, Alura was Morgana and Radella was Nimuë." James explained.
"Yeah, we never really had any nicknames for you boys, did we?" Kathryn frowned. "Oh well, when the time comes..."
"You really graduated top in your class?" Laden asked Kathryn.
"Nah. It was joint with Sirius. He always did better in Potions and Stealth and Tracking." Kathryn explained. "I was Disguise, Transfiguration and Healing gal."
They arrived at their Apparation point.
"C'mon." Laden ordered.
They nodded and Apparated out of there.
That evening, Kathryn stumbled into the house, exhausted.
James was waiting for Lily, and both Lily and Sirius weren't back yet.
She winced at she walked up the stairs and ran a bath. Carefully she peeled away her clothing, careful not to disturb the wounds that covered her back. Lacerations that no one else knew of. That she didn't know of. She didn't know how she got them, only that they had appeared sometime between finishing the assignment – which had amounted to nothing – and getting home.
"Ugh." She complained.
Carefully she added a Healing potion to her bathwater, it appeared as bubble bath so none would suspect.
She stepped into the bath, flinching as the hot water seared her skin and the potion began to mend it.
The hot water lulled her so much, and she was so tired...
"Kathryn?" Sirius asked, poking his head through the door.
She was asleep in the bathtub. He thanked Merlin for the charm that kept a person floating if they fell asleep. He shook her awake.
"What? No, I'm awake." Kathryn exclaimed, splashing.
"Really?" Sirius asked, an amused smirk on his face.
She flung water at him. "I am. I was just tired."
"I'm not surprised, you haven't been sleeping well recently." He told her, a look of concern on his face.
"And whose fault is that?" Kathryn demanded, pulling herself out of the bath and securing a towel round her body and another around her hair.
Sirius grinned. "Not entirely mine. Besides, I mean when you're actually asleep. Nightmares? Visions?" He asked.
Kathryn nodded. "Yeah. Some. It's Voldemort and his followers and these attacks. They're too shadowy, the visions, I can't pinpoint anything. They just seem to be sent to hurt me."
Sirius hugged her close. "It'll be fine. Voldemort will be defeated. You saw it, remember?" He smiled.
Kathryn nodded, but didn't smile. After all, the losses of Voldemort's destruction were terrible.
"C'mon." Sirius told her. "Put something on and eat. We've got a job to do tonight."
"What?" Kathryn frowned.
"Dumbledore wants us at Hogwarts. They're worried about an attack, remember?"
Kathryn nodded. "Yeah. Okay, just give me a minute."
Sirius smiled, kissed her forehead and left.
Kathryn sighed.
'What's wrong with me?'
There had been no attack. A week later, the Marauders and Enchanted met up in the Three Broomsticks, where James and Lily suffered a slightly cold reception at first.
"We haven't had any word." Remus accused.
"No letters, news, nothing. Just the notes you wrote to Kat and Sirius. Have you any idea how worried we were?" Radella demanded.
"I'm sorry... it was just..." James' voice trailed off.
"Bellatrix deceived them. You know what she's like with those eyes. Why someone who wouldn't use the trust they seem to invoke to their own advantage couldn't have had them I don't know." Sirius groaned, frustrated.
"Because Fate decided to do that?" Kat suggested. "Look, James and Lily were under a trust spell at the time, they were worried for the people they loved... it wasn't their fault. On the bright side, Lily didn't have to suffer Petunia and Vernon's grotesque wedding." She giggled.
"That's a good point. I knew something good had to come out of it." Lily mused.
"Still, you shouldn't have left!" Alura informed them.
"Trick, remember? Besides, it was only because we were trying to protect you." James replied.
It took at least half an hour to convince them that they had done it to protect them. Eventually Remus, Radella, Alura, Damion and Peter forgave them. (A/N: Yeah, Peter's there. Doesn't do much, does he? Well, until he betrays Lily and James, that is. Stupid rat.)
"Now what?" Lily asked.
"Now we start to plan the wedding!" Alura crowed.
"Wedding? What wedding?" James replied.
"Mine and Damion's. We're getting married on New Year's Day. Which only gives us two months to plan everything!" Alura replied.
"Uh oh, she's going into obsessive mode again." Sirius commented.
"How about some more drinks?" Kathryn suggested.
Everyone gave their orders as Alura began to talk to them about the wedding, which, it seemed, she had been planning for years. Kathryn was still surprised that the couples had lasted so long. It was unusual for teens to stay together for that long, especially from the age of sixteen. They were now all twenty, well, Damion was twenty-one, he had his birthday in September. Kathryn still didn't want to think that James and Lily would be dead before they reached twenty-five.
Kathryn went to the bar. "Nine Butterbeers, Rosmerta." She called. Frank and Alice were not with them.
"Coming up, Kathryn." The witch replied, smiling. Kathryn and Sirius were regulars in the pub, even though they lived in London.
Kat leant against the bar, waiting. She had always liked this place. It had a warm, friendly feel. She recognised a couple of the Seventh-years in it, guessing they must have got permission from Dumbledore, much as she and her friends had every once in a while, to come into Hogsmeade on a Friday evening.
Then suddenly it hit Kathryn, what Alura had said. Two months. Hallowe'en was the next day. The three pairs of Aurors had wangled their way onto an assignment on Diagon Alley. She prayed that they could stop Voldemort.
"Here y'go." Rosmerta smiled.
"Thanks, Rosmerta." Kathryn grinned, taking the tray from her.
As she did though, she was hit by a vision that sent the tray from her hands, her knees to the floor and her entire body into excruciating pain.
"Kat!" Sirius suddenly yelled as Rosmerta stared, completely nonplussed as to what was happening.
Kathryn wasn't aware of anything around her. She was in the grips of a terrifying vision...
------------
"Ah, James Potter, Lily Evans. At last we meet. I see you didn't take our warning seriously." Voldemort hissed.
James smiled at him inanely. "Oh, we did. We then found out that our friends and family were in danger anyway and that we could do a fat lot of good hiding. So we came back when they came to collect us."
Voldemort gave an equally inane, but far more sinister, smile. "You must be very brave to speak to me like that. Or very foolish."
Lily laughed. "Why would that be? Just because you're a jumped up, half- blood with a serious mental disorder..."
Voldemort threw out a curse in seconds that Lily swiftly dodged.
Oops. Lily thought aloud.
Oops? You insulted the madman to the point where he's trying to murder us and all you can say is 'oops'? James demanded crossly, again in thought- speech, because he was trying not to get hit with the Cruciatus.
Voldemort turned from them. The sight he clearly revelled in was horrific. Diagon Alley was ablaze. The stench of charred flesh and fresh blood assaulted the senses. Bodies were strewn over the cobblestones. And another body was strung up, swinging from the neck. He'd been lynched.
The body turned. Lily and James went pale and then began to attack in earnest. The body belonged to Sirius Black.
"You bastard!" James yelled. "Stupefy!"
Voldemort deflected it. "Protego!"
"Sirius. Oh God, if Sirius is dead... Where's Kat?" Lily shrieked from behind her own shield.
"The Seer? Oh, she's safe. No, I wouldn't kill her. She's valuable. I believe Lucius is 'teaching' her obedience."
Lily choked. There was only one thing that could be construed as. Especially when Lucius Malfoy hated Kathryn so much. He seemed to take after his ancestors in more ways than one.
Lily and James were surrounded.
"You'd do well to say your last goodbyes now." Voldemort sneered.
James and Lily, still in shock from what had happened to their best friends, froze. They tried to put up a shield, but their wands were Summoned away. They began a spell, but were Silenced.
NO! Lily shrieked.
"One curse to kill the lovers. The Heirs shall never be, not with two never to be born." Voldemort sneered, a sinister smile on his face.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!"
Kathryn watched in horror as the bodies of James Potter and Lily Evans fell to the ground, their arms entwined about each other.
------------
"Kat?" Sirius' voice broke through her dismay.
Kathryn turned over and was violently sick. Those images. It couldn't happen...
"What was it?" Sirius asked.
Kathryn wiped her mouth, rinsed it carefully and burst into tears.
"Sirius." She murmured. "He killed you... All of you..."
"What?"
"Tomorrow. The attack... Lynched... Avada Kedavra..." Kathryn moaned and then fell into unconsciousness.
"Kat?" Sirius asked worried.
Radella was swiftly at her friend's side.
"She's unconscious. That vision put incredible strain on her body. She's never had one which had such physical effects. It must have been terrible."
"She said something about an attack, tomorrow. And Voldemort. And him killing us." Sirius stated.
Madam Rosmerta was busily clearing away the broken glass and now the vomit. She couldn't blame Kathryn, not after the pain the young woman had clearly been through.
"Is she alright?"
"No. Let's get to Hogwarts. Madam Pomfrey's dealt with these things before. And we can fire-call Elise. See if she's ever had visions with these side-effects."
No one could see in the dark that Kathryn's unconscious form smiled.
A/N: How was that? I'm trying to cut down on the lovey-dovey stuff a little, especially with what's coming up in the next chapter...
Oh yes, and a cliffhanger, isn't it? Why do you think Kathryn is smiling when she's seen that future?
Anyway, to reviewers:
Raclswt: Glad you like it. You're anxious to know what happens later, are you? Well, you just need to remember something of Kat's visions and what Dumbledore told them about the Elemental Guardians to begin to piece together everything. I hope this chapter was long enough for you!
Jenevieve: Thanks. Nope you hadn't reviewed before! I know there's lots of kissing. What can I say? You should meet the couples in my year! Glad you like it though. But there will be a bit less kissing in later chapters, though no less suggestions! I can't help it!
Sk8erWitch: Okay, here's the cookie and brownie. Chucks food full of chocolatey goodness across digital realm I hope you got them. You liked it then? Good. Yes, James does have explaining to do. And he didn't even yell at Kat for calling him Jamie!
Tina: What the hell is AIM? Anyway, I don't think they'll be leaving the country again. This is going to be a long fic, but it will include Part 2, as well. There's another three chapters written, and at least another ten after that. Problem is that I'm getting inspired for Part 2, which is just annoying! Anyway, thanks! I know what it feels like to be procrastinating. I'm doing that a lot at the moment. Mother yells in background Only joking! I'm revising really hard for my GCSEs, honest! Except my revising 'really hard' and someone else's might have different definitions!
polgarathesorceress2: Lucky? About what? GCSEs aren't great, no matter if I get study leave. Oh, alright, that bit's quite good! Thanks for reviewing. I read yours too!
Anyway, thanks to everyone who has read. Now, maybe, will you review? And if you like it, would you, maybe, tell your friends? Hey, if you shamelessly advertise my story, I'll shamelessly advertise yours!
Sorry, I'm a bit mad. I hope you enjoyed that chapter.
Any ideas for weddings/births/confrontations etc. are gratefully accepted, and will be recognised and thanked! I'll even dedicate chapters to you!
Lol, Tanydwr