Chapter 3

Back in his dormitory, James received anything but peace and quiet. Sirius immediately jumped out of his bed and helped James heal his minor cuts and bruises. Peter jumped anxiously on his bed, waiting until James finally was able to recount his exceptional defeat of the Death Eaters. James merely looked at him in despair. It had been all but an exceptional defeat.

Recounting his run in with the two evil wizards, and then his (pleasant yet also irritating) surprise, James left nothing out, except for what had happened outside the Common Room. The words hadn't meant much, but the facial expressions…they had meant everything, and the exchange of looks was something James considered to be very personal between him and Lily.

Lily, on the other hand, could barely sleep. She had bathed, washed her cut clean, and lay on her four poster bed, looking at nothing in particular, yet seeing the night's events playing over and over in her head.

She had seen James walk out of the castle and had followed him from the Common Room. She had seen him greet a dog and then she saw…she saw a stag. James was an animagus. That only meant that the other four were too. But how? Certainly this had been accomplished illegally. Lily made a sound that resembled a grunt. So James Potter and Company were a lot smarter than she had given any of them credit for. She wanted to ask him so many questions – since when, for one, and why a stag? She had then climbed to the top of a tree, careful not to rip her robes, and she had only to wait about an hour when the same (rather magnificent) stag reappeared, this time alone, and looking much more distressed. The stag had dove into a brush, and James had been crawling on the ground, looking for something. His glasses. Lily shrugged. She had been about to scream at him that he had finally been caught, but ruffling of the leaves had changed her mind, and she saw, to her great horror, that two hooded wizards – wand at the ready – were making their way towards the defenceless Head Boy. She had wanted to do something, perhaps hex them, stupefy them, anything, but she had been so shocked, so nervous, that all her limbs had frozen still. It had taken a long while to climb down the tree, sneak into the comfort of a larger tree, and only when James had shown courage not even Godric Gryffindor himself could rival, she decided to make her move.

He had been angry with her. Of course he had! He had specifically warned her to stay away from the Marauders – or was it him? – this term. He knew they were after him, he had to have known. Something clicked in Lily head. Ah, so that's why he's been acting more mature. The prospect of dying has made him realise… she cut herself short. That had been an evil thought, something not even a Slytherin would think up. James had been brave enough to face two Death Eaters, knowing he didn't stand a chance against one of them. He had known he was to die; he just wanted to put up a fight. The green-eyed girl shuddered. How does one face imminent death? Lily found herself admiring James, hoping that if she were ever to be faced with this dilemma, she would handle herself much in the same way as James – courageously fighting until death. She closed her eyes and secretly wished that James would be left alone.

The next morning, the entire school was buzzing about there having been Death Eaters on school grounds. There had been a few deaths at Hogsmead and, naturally, people extrapolated that information to include Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall reassured the first years (and second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh years as well, though they tried to look unaffected) that the Death Eaters had not made it past the school gates, hadn't even considered it. James and Lily knew otherwise, however they kept this information to themselves.

Unexpectedly enough, Lily sat beside the Head Boy during breakfast, making no conversation. Sirius looked at them suspiciously, thinking that something other than fighting evil wizards had happened last night, but, seeing the confused look on James' face, his suspicions died down. So it was Lily that was playing at something.

"Pleased to see you this morning, Evans," Sirius said through a half-faked grin.

"Likewise," she said solemnly, and resumed her (if you could call it eating, as she was only nibbling bits and pieces off her muffin) breakfast. James had shot Sirius a glance that told him he would see him later. Sirius, uncomfortable with the idea of letting James out of his sight, grudgingly rose from his bench and headed out of the Great Hall.

"What is it, Evans?" He wasn't sure he had the right to inquire.

"We're back to addressing each other by last names, are we?" she raised an eyebrow, her green eyes bearing into his, searching for something.

"Sorry, Lily." She smiled casually. "How can I be of service to you today?"

But Lily shot him a glare. "Don't even think about it, Potter. You're not my servant. You don't owe me anything."

"Lily, that's…I don't know about Muggles, but wizards work this way." She looked at him a bit confused. "A life for a life. We are bonded. I owe you what is called a life debt. I am forever indebted to you."

"Well that doesn't mean you have to treat me like a queen. Nothing happened last night, James, there were no Death Eaters in the school grounds, there were no students running around outside, there – "

"Potter, Evans, the Headmaster wishes to speak with you." The colour drained from Lily's face as the words were uttered from the deputy Headmistress.

James and Lily followed McGonagall as best they could. She walked swiftly for an older woman, and James' legs were still weakened from the Cruciatus curse. He dared not complain, however, since, as Lily had pointed out, nothing had happened the night before.

"Vomit Beans" she said, and the door to the Headmaster's office opened, allowing the two students to step onto the spinning stairs, bringing them up to his actual study.

"Come in, come in," came the soothing voice from beyond the door when the stairs had barely just finished spinning. James opened the door and let Lily walk in first, although she would have preferred walking in behind James, so she could hide behind him. Not that she was a coward, she was just slightly afraid of Dumbledore's reaction.

"It has come to my attention to me that both of you were out of your dormitories last night around the time of the attacks. Am I right?" James nodded. His mind drifted to the present situation. The headmaster, tall and lean, had sat at his desk, sitting straight although leaning on the books sprawled out in front of him, looking through them over his spectacle. The fact that they had not been offered a seat was a bad sign. Lily nodded after James did. She would follow his lead…he hoped.

"And where, can I ask, were you, Mr Potter."

"I was outside, sir."

"And you, Miss Evans?"

"I was too, Headmaster."

Dumbledore smiled. "Right," he said. "And what, may I ask, were you to doing outside at this late hour? Especially you, Mr Potter, who knows your life is in very real danger at the present moment!"

James kept his nerves under control. Lily, he thought, just go along with this please! "Well, Headmaster, my fellow Head Girl and I had gotten in a bit of an argument, as Professor McGonagall may have informed you – "

"She has," he interrupted.

"and I wanted Evans to get it through her thick skull that – "

"Mr Potter, there is no need for name calling."

"Yes, Sir, er no Sir, sorry. I just, I get really into my arguments, I guess because I can also be quick tempered." Dumbledore smiled at the understatement. "In any case, the argument was actually never brought up, and we ended up talking about other things. I guess we thought we shouldn't be yelling at each other if we didn't want to get caught, and so we just walked and talked until…well, they came."

"And how did you manage to slip past Mr Filch and his cat? How did you manage to walk the halls of this I can say top-security castle, when ghosts are always floating about?" That's when James knew Dumbledore had seen them through the cloak.

"I have an invisibility cloak, sir." Dumbledore's eyes lit up momentarily. "It's somewhat of a family heirloom. It's been in the family for generations, though my Grandfather gave it to my father who gave it back to him since he did not like its colours – I know, it's an invisible cloak, but my father is peculiar in that way – and he gave it to me on September first, seven years ago."

"Such a precious gift to give such a young boy. One who, I no doubt can guess, your grandfather knew how mischievous he was."

"Yes, sir. But he knew the Headmaster at the time, and thought that it wouldn't bother him much, although, if you want to, Sir, I will send it home immediately."

"No, Mr Potter, I believe it is extremely handy that you were given this cloak. It has, after all, saved your life, has it not?" James merely nodded. He was baffled. "Right. Now, I know what happened last night. One of your friends may have let a few words slip – do not blame him this. I am the Headmaster, James, and thus have the right to demand the truth from my pupils, no?" James agreed. "You survived the Cruciatus Curse, if I am not mistaken."

"Yes sir." He almost had said "Sorry, sir" but thought better of it.

"That is a feat only few can claim to have survived without a slightest scar. You are, it seems, a far more gifted wizard than pranks and riddles then, James." James' cheeks regained some colour, although in abundance. "Miss Evans, you also had a hand in James' survival and for that, I cannot thank you enough. But now, let us get down to business. Please, sit." Once again, Dumbledore waved his hand and two chairs swept underneath his two pupils who automatically sat down, and pulled them up to his desk. Being offered a seat was always a good sign. James' years of getting in trouble provided this as fact.

"As you very well know, the world is at war. Lord Voldemort is gaining more power, more followers, and in so doing causing havoc and chaos across the world. What I am about to reveal to you now must be kept a secret, for it is a secret to all except those who are included. The knowledge of it will change both your lives. Do you wish for me to continue?" Lily nodded her head, whilst James said "please". "It is called The Order of the Phoenix, a non-ministry organization that has set out to stop Voldemort and his Death Eaters and protect those who are unable to do so."

"Like Aurors," chimed in James.

"Yes, like Aurors, except not affiliated with the Ministry of Magic. They are elite wizards and witches who excel in whatever is demanded of them – and that does not necessarily mean school subjects, but definitely implies that bravery, secrecy, and the determination to succeed is always present. Our cause is just, and must be appointed to those who value life, treasure relationships, and, of course, are willing to die for their cause. I extend an invitation to you, Lily Evans, and you, Mr Potter, to join me and The Order upon graduation from Hogwarts."

James mouth opened, but no words came out. This was an honour he never knew he could be offered.

"Perhaps it was luck that kept you both alive, last night, or perhaps it was skill and determination. But what I know is that together, you managed to help me imprison two Death Eaters and reveal some of Voldemort's more secret plans. For that, I owe you recompense, but I doubt that a candy will suffice. As you are also efficient, courageous, and loyal, this makes you, to me, most valuable to our cause. This is why I offer you the opportunity to continue to work against Voldemort and his army, and to devote yourself to restore peace and tranquility back to our world." A look of pain or uncertainty flickered across Dumbledore's eyes. James figured that the Headmaster must have had to fight against himself to offer this to two of his students.

"I would be honoured, Headmaster," Lily's voice was soft, resolute.

"And I would be too, Sir, however – "

"Your friends also have a certain, can we say, talent for danger. I will speak to them individually as the moment arises. For now, however, let us concentrate on you two. You will speak of the Order to no one – not even Mr Black, James – and you will spend two hours a week taking lessons from a certain member of the order, who will teach you spells, jinx, and hexes that you will most definitely never learn in your Defence Against the Dark Arts classes. I will send word when it is time. Until then, I do believe you both have class? Off you go, now."

James and Lily stood, sharing a secret look of bewilderment, excitement, and curiosity, and turned towards the door.

"Oh, and Mr Potter," James turned, "You would make any wizard or witch proud." James flushed, thanked the Headmaster, and headed for the door.

Lily followed on his heels.

The two Head Pupils did not get another chance to talk to each other until later that Friday, after Quidditch practice (where James faked a hit by a bludger to the arm, was rushed to the hospital wing and Madam Pince was finally able to heal the quite large cut on his shoulder, leaving only the tiniest scar.

"So what did he say then?" Sirius had asked, Peter hiding behind him. Remus, whose night had gone as bad as Lily's and James', was listening from his own hospital bed.

"I'm not in much trouble. Something about two hour detention." James hated to lie to Sirius, but he did not want to betray Dumbledore's trust. Being a part of the Order meant that James would be able to save his family from … he would keep them alive, and save more people and their families too. No one, not even Snivellus, deserved to die at the mercy of Voldemort…well, maybe Snivellus did….but no! Wipe that out of your head!

"And Evans?" asked Peter.

"Well, Wormtail, she got off too, same as me – detention, two hours a week."

Peter's face paled, "Sorry, I really didn't mean for you two to get in so much trouble."

James faked a stern look, which quickly dissipated as Lily walked into the room. "Potter," she said, "I have a question." James sighed, the other Marauders went over to Moony's bed. "How's tomorrow morning?" James shrugged.

"How's tomorrow morning for you?"

"Tomorrow morning is fine for me, Po – er – James. So I guess I'll see you in the kitchens at seven?"

"The kitchens at seven." James waited for her to turn around, but she showed no sign of wanting to leave. "Uh, Lily?"

"James?"

"Would you like to er – sit down?"

She shook her head as thought just realising she was still standing beside James' bed. "No, sorry, I'll see you tomorrow at seven. And, something about no robes. Something about a cloak…" that meant to wear Muggle clothes and bring the invisibility cloak. James smiled and nodded. With a slight smile, Lily turned on her heels and walked out the door.