Chapter 46: A Meeting with the Order

"The Headboy and I are planning a Halloween dance," Hermione said at breakfast.

"That should be interesting," Ginny said with a smile.

"Yeah," Ron mumbled as he fumbled for a piece of toast.

"Honestly Ron, get some sleep," said Hermione as she helped him.

"Can't," was all Ron said in response. Hermione and Ginny shared a confused look.

A small black owl came and dropped a single piece of paper folded in half into Faith's lap. She picked it up and opened it gently. On it was scribbled the words

I need 6 galleons and 4 knuts.

"Another Order meeting?" Remus said as he spied the piece of paper in Faith's hand.

"Yup. Same time," She said causing the piece of paper to turn into ash. Remus nodded and proceeded to munch on a piece of toast.

"How is Astronomy?" She asked.

"Fine…How is Divination?" He asked.

"Hate it. I think the students can tell. Everyone seems to be 'dying' at least three times this week. I wish Sarah would get back soon. I hear Severus is enjoying teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts very much," Faith said as she grabbed a large cup of coffee.

"That is so gross," Remus said making a face.

"Sirius thinks so too. He hates Severus," Faith nodded.

"I mean the coffee," Remus said smiling.

"Ohhhh…" Faith said staring at the cup in her hand. Remus gave a chuckle as he bit into a piece of toast.

"Well, toast is gross," Faith retorted.

"Toast is delicious," Remus said taking a large bite as if to spite her.

"Crumpets are better," Faith said sneering. Remus rolled his eyes.

"Your just hateful because your going to be stuck teaching Divination for the rest of the school year," said Remus with a smile.

"Don't joke like that," Faith said her tone becoming serious.

"I don't joke. Sarah is going to stay the year at home with baby Catherine," said Remus as he got up from the table.

"Ugh! That's not fair!" Faith called after him as he left the Great Hall with a smile on his face and saying

"Faith-0, Remus-2,"

"I hate the Floo network," grumbeled Faith as she rolled out of a fireplace. She was covered head to foot in white ash.

"You look quite amusing though," Sarah giggled. She held cradled to her chest a bundle of pink.

"I'm sure," Faith muttered as she sat on the floor. She gave a quick shake of her head and an avalanche of ash fell out of her hair.

"Hey Sarah, did you see whe-What happened to you?" asked Sirius as he came into the room holding several pieces of paper. Faith looked up at him with a glare and he cracked a smile.

"Well…it's a new look, but I like it," He smirked.

"I thought so too," laughed Sarah.

"Bloody comedians," Faith said rolling her eyes as she reached for her wand.

"October 3rd, meeting 37 of the Order of the Phoenix." An elderly woman screeched.

"Thank you Cecila," Dumbeldore said wincing from the woman's high-pitched voice. The entire Order sat about a long table. Dumbeldore was at the head. Seated on his right was Arthur Weasley, Remus, and Sarah followed by other members of the Order. On his left was Mad Eye Moody, Sirius and Faith.

"We've lost two Order members in just the last month," One man at the far end of the table declared.

"And what of this prophecy? We helped guard it, but will we ever learn of what it is?" A young woman asked.

"At the moment? No," Dumbeldore replied as he adjusted his half moon spectacles.

"Do we have a plan of action against..you-know-who? We are quite literally at war with him! He and his deatheaters will crush us if we don't act soon!" hollered one man at the end of the table.

"Shut up Jack," Several people said at once very flatly.

"Shut up! No! I'm sick and tired of being told to shut up! I have a voice and I will bloody well use it. The deatheaters are ruthless. They will be pounding on our door any day now!" He said jumping out of his seat.

"Jack, The only way Voldemort would be able to figure out where the Order and whose in it is if he came here. The only way he could come here is if someone told him how," said Sarah calmly.

"Someone will tell him where we are," Jack said raising his hands high up in the air. His voice was loud and frantic.

"Please," several people muttered.

"And who, pray tell, would tell Voldemort where we are?" McGonagall asked her voice becoming stiff and her lips pursed.

"Oh don't be so easily fooled Minerva. The answer is so plainly obvious. Did anyone forget we have two genuine deatheaters here in our presence?" Jack asked looking at the Order. Severus and Faith stiffened in their seats.

"That's right. We do. We have two deatheaters right here!" hollered Jack as he pointed an accusing bony white finger at Faith and then Severus. The two were at their feet in an instant.

"Are you trying to accuse me of something sir? Because if you are you'd better watch what you say!" snapped Severus. His voice was full of venom and Faith just shot daggers at Jack.

"Or what? Going to send your master after me? How much longer until he comes after us? Everyone knows you sent him after the Potters and Longbottoms. Its only a matter of time before he comes for the Order" Jack spat. Faith made a move to go after Jack but Sirius jumped up and grabbed her. Sarah and Remus jumped to their feet at that instant.

"You are way out of line!" hollered Remus as Sarah seemed to be smoking at the ears.

"How dare you! How could you even suggest that I would sell anyone out to Voldemort. Especially my friends?" Faith bellowed as Sirius still held her tight.

"We were spying for Dumbeldore. For the Order. Everyone knows that," said Severus sternly.

"Spying? Yes, you were spying. But not for the Order,"

"IMPEDIMENTA!" someone yelled. Jack went whirling backwards and landed on the floor with a loud thud. Everyone stared down at Jack and then up at the person who'd sent him barreling backwards. It wasn't Faith or Severus. It wasn't even Sirius, Remus or Sarah. With wand still raised, McGonagall stood there with a look of ice on her face.

"I agree with Jack…how can we be so sure that Mrs. Black and Mr. Snape aren't spying for you-know-who?" a frail woman in the back asked.

"Are you kidding me? Of course they aren't spies," Charlie Weasley said with a shocked look on his face.

"I think we should take a vote on it," said Jack as he picked himself up off the floor. Several people nodded.

"Fine. We'll take a vote," Arthur Weasley said his face turning white.

"Not with them here," The frail woman in the back said. Dumbeldore looked troubled. He looked down at his hands and then up at Faith and Severus.

"If you two could kindly step out…" Dumbeldore said softly.

"Sure," Faith said as Sirius released her. She and Severus left the room.

"This is bloody bullshit," Faith muttered as she and Severus stood out in the hall.

"How could they think us for traitors?" asked Severus to no one in particular.

"I just can't-" Faith started but cut herself off. Her jaw went rigid and she just shook her head stiffly. She leaned back against the wall and stared down at her feet.

"It is unbelievable…" Severus said softly as he watched Faith. The thought of him being alone with Faith excited him. Ever since Sirius had returned, Severus never had a minute alone with Faith. He wondered if Sirius had something to do with it.

"I mean…us…deatheaters? And he accused me of practically killing James and Lily!" shouted Faith as she looked up. Her eyes looked glassy and her face was red. Severus nodded and stood over her. He put his arm out and against the wall. Faith looked up at him and he said

"Everyone in that room knows you didn't kill Lily or James, They'll realize that your not a deatheater,"

"But what about you? I'm not the only one that's been accused," she asked. Severus felt his heart rise. That meant she worried about him. Maybe…Maybe she did care after all.

"Don't worry about me," he said carefully as he bent closer down to her. He was going to kiss her until she stopped him.

"Severus," she breathed. He looked at her confused. "I'm married," she continued. Severus looked down at his feet, he pushed himself away from Faith and muttered "I know,".

At that instant the door opened and Sirius, Remus and Sarah walked out and into the hall.

"You've been kicked out of the Order," Sirius said slowly to Faith.