A/N: You all seemed to like last chapter. For that, I'm grateful. I had writer's block. Horrible, I know. As I am reminding, in case you haven't, I suggest you read Lily and James: Their Story of Love before you continue reading this. I am going to assume from this point on that everyone has. A lot of things will be mentioned from that in later chapters. Mainly, when Lily and James do Auror work. So, I have a long weekend and I'm hoping everyone else does as well. Check out my other stories, I have about four others; all of which are different from this one. Please review!
Catch My Fall
Chapter 7-Concealment
"How in the world does Moody expect me to learn how to use an American accent?" Katy demanded, in her office reading their newest assignment.
"That's a tough one," Lily inferred. "Mine's pretty easy. All I need is a gray wig and I've got the old lady part set. Poor James has to dress up like a woman."
"An American accent though?" Katy questioned, reading the parchment. "Remind me why I'm becoming an Auror?"
"To catch all those bastards who're killing people," Lily informed.
"Oh yeah," Katy sighed. "Why do I have to be a bloody tourist?"
"Moody's going senile and has to get his kicks when he can," Lily provided. She followed Katy out of their office and into a room labeled, Auror Concealment and Disguise Closet.
"Who're we tracking today anyways?" Lily wondered.
"Moody reckons that there is going to be a meeting in Knockturn alley between the Death Eaters. You-Know-Who isn't going to be there but supposedly that's where they're to meet before going to see him. That way, we can overhear where they're Apparating to," Katy answered, picking up a fake camera. "Do you suppose this would help?"
"Yes," Lily answered. "Tourists love pictures. She was going through wigs and found an untidy, frazzled gray one. She had already gotten a shawl that smelled distinctly of mold. The things she did for her line of work. If they pulled this off today, they passed the testing in Concealment and Disguise.
Lily and Katy were ahead of most of the Aurors, other than James of course. The three of them were achieving what many did not. Being quick learners helped and the fact that they had experience with Voldemort and his Death Eaters was a plus. So far, they were a year ahead in their training.
"Look at this shirt," Katy commented. "It's some sort of flower print. Who in their right mind would wear this? Oh, and look, shoes with an artificial fish in them. I feel like I'm in the circus."
"These sunglasses are huge. I'll have to use a cane. I think I'll act as though I'm blind," Lily muttered. She was already seeing herself running into people down the street.
"This is not amusing," Katy screamed, seeing Moody pass down the hall. Lily could have sworn that she saw him chuckle a bit.
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Lily was dressed in disguise as Madam Chilling, a regular at the bar in which they were to be stationed at. Her dark glasses covered her green eyes, a sight Voldemort was all too familiar with. Her red hair was indisposed due to the messy wig placed carefully and securely on her head. She had looked in the mirror and could have sworn she'd aged 50 years.
She put her cane in front of her, opening the door to the bar. She used it as a crutch, a convincing alibi. She sat on the bar, looking around carefully. Sure enough, Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix Black, and Theodore Nott sat, talking in hushed whispered. Lily knew from paperwork that these three were allegedly the three most important Death Eaters. They were predicted to be stationed right in Voldemort's inner circle.
Lily said in a raspy voice she had practiced, "Scotch please," to the bartender. He started pouring the drink when Lily said, "Make it a double."
She scanned the bar. It was a small, shabby place with the name, 'Drunken Palace'. She found it quite appropriate. It was surprisingly unoccupied other than the three in the corner and herself. The bartender was cleaning dusty glasses and rearranging liquors on the shelves. The fireplace was burning quietly next to Malfoy, who was drinking carefully from his glass. When the bartender came round to fill his cup once more, it looked as though three galleons were placed into his hand. The bartender must have held a deal with the Death Eaters. Galleons for his silence.
The light was barely streaming in through the small windows. It was about three o'clock and yet the surroundings made it appear much later. The wooden paneled floor had several scratched, probably from discontented drunks.
She heard the door clank open but didn't dare look over. She heard the swishing of a camera on someone's neck and figured it was Katy. She heard two sets of footsteps though.
"Come on Charlene," Katy's well-rehearsed high-pitched voice said. Her American accent was actually quite accurate. "That man outside said we can get drinks here. This is an odd part of London."
"Wow, it sure is cozy in here," Charlene said. Lily had no idea who Charlene was supposed to be.
"Damn kids," Lily muttered in her voice just loud enough so the bartender could hear her.
Katy and 'Charlene' sat at the bar, only a few seats away from Lily.
"Look," Katy exclaimed. "She must be a regular."
Lily picked up her drink, first brushing her hand over the counter in what looked like a blind attempt to locate it, and then took a drink of the shot glass.
"Look at that handsome fellow over there," Charlene said, pointing a finger. "That blonde hair is quite fetching."
Lily had an idea of who was Charlene now and she tried her best not to giggle.
"It's rude to point, Charlene," Katy advised, pretending to blush in spite of her friend.
"Mona, I'm sorry. I just can't control myself," Charlene giggled.
Nott was now looking over at Charlene, licking his lips.
"Do you know where the ladies room is?" Katy asked the bartender. The man grunted in the direction near the three Death Eaters.
The two girls scuttled over to the restroom, closing the door. Lily noticed it was kept slightly ajar in hopes to listen. She heard the strained giggling coming from the bathroom.
"Now that those two twits are gone," Bellatrix sighed. "It's only a matter of time until the Dark Lord calls for us."
"Bella," Lucius spoke harshly. "It may not be safe to talk right now."
"There's only that old drunk over there. She's blind as far as I can tell," Bella said in sheer disgust. "Looks like a bum. No one would believe her even if she said anything."
"She's a mumbler," Nott observed. "No one could understand the blubbering fool anyway."
The three of them laughed cruelly. Quite suddenly, a small burst erupted at their table, like the sound of a hiss. A note fell at their table.
Lily noted to herself that this must have been a method of communication for the Death Eaters and Voldemort.
"4:30, 643 Linden Pkwy," Malfoy read in a low voice. Lily had heard it regardless.
As Katy and Charlene exited the bathroom, giggling loudly, Malfoy tore the note into shreds and threw it in the fireplace next to his chair. The three of them Apparated.
Lily took her cue. She stumbled over to one side and fell off her chair. She heard the bartender look over the bar at her crumpled figure. She felt the pounding of approaching footsteps and knew Katy and Charlene were making to pick her up.
"We'll take her to the nearest hospital," Charlene said. "You stay and look over your bar. That poor woman, must've drunk herself into a stupor."
"She seemed already drunk when she came in here," the bartender said.
"Won't be a problem," Katy assured him. She felt two sets of arms pick her up, one set much stronger than the other.
Once they reached outside, Katy and Charlene carried her down the block, far away. They reached an abandoned corner where no one was looking. The three of them Apparated to the Ministry.
Lily took off her wig, as did Katy and James. Lily smiled.
"We need to alert the Aurors and Moody," James said, breathlessly, fully aware he was still dressed as a girl. Katy, James, and Lily practically ran into the Aurors department.
"There's still time," Lily said breathlessly to Moody. "4:30, 643 Linden Pkwy."
"The Roberts' house," Moody cursed. Four Aurors Disapparated out of sight before their eyes.
"Thanks," Moody said. "You all passed."
Frank clapped James on the back before Disapparating.
"When will we be able to go on secret trips?" James complained.
"When we're Aurors," Lily answered sadly. The three of them had experienced part of the excitement. Being so close to the real thing made the longing even more powerful.
"I wish we could have went," Katy vented. She was throwing the fake camera on Moody's desk.
"Someday," Lily promised.
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"Mate, I didn't know being an Auror involved cross-dressing," Sirius admitted.
Everyone was over at Lily and James' house for a weekly gathering. That way, no one lost touch with each other. With such dark times ahead, it was important to keep in touch with loved ones, in case you never saw them again.
So, each Friday night, Lily cooked dinner for everyone with help from Katy and James. After dinner, they would sit in the living room, talking of work and news, sometimes new things learned at the Order.
That night, Dumbledore had announced a meeting the next day. No one knew why, seeing as they had just held a meeting three days previous.
Remus and Katy were holding hands, although seemingly extremely distant. Lily noticed this but did not pry. She figured their busy schedules were finally catching up with them. Sirius was lonely, but tried to remain cheerful in front of his friends. Peter was distant as well, as though he was withdrawing something from all of them.
"Dumbledore reckons that there's someone at the Ministry leaking information," Lily said. "I just don't know who would do that."
"Other than Malfoy?" James questioned. "We all know Malfoy tries to leak important information. As a school governor, he can't do much."
"This is getting too far out of hand," Katy said angrily. "There's no one we can trust."
"Sadly, that is indeed the case," Lily sighed. She looked over at James hopefully. His hazel eyes were sad, as were hers. She rubbed her hand against his.
At least she could always depend on him to be there. That was their agreement; their pact.
A/N: Hope you liked it. I am just taking you along on their journey to be Aurors. The next chapter is the Order meeting. Dumbledore has some suspicions. Please review.