Before it Began
By. SkyQuill
Summary
James knew he was in love at first sight, but what would it take for Lily to love him back? Read their story leading up to their deaths and discover the dangers they faced and the loves and friendships they shared.
Disclaimer
I do not own most of the characters and places or anything else that may seem familiar. J.K. Rowling has the exclusive claim to this as well as the general plot that formed this fanfic.
Chapter 11: The Order of the Phoenix
Lily yawned widely and slowly got out of bed. Her legs still ached from the dancing she and James had done at the wedding yesterday. Puffy eyed and still sluggish from sleep she proceeded to get dressed and went downstairs for breakfast. Cadence and Calli' were still asleep so she tiptoed out of the room as quietly as possible. At the bottom of the stairs she greeted Mrs. Summers and sat down at the table. As she munched on a piece of buttered toast she flipped to the Classifieds section of the Daily Prophet and began reading the Classifieds section of the Daily Prophet. Cadence and Callidora joined her when she was halfway through.
"Anything good?" Calli' asked as she buttered a piece of toast.
"Yeah, listen to this. Three bedrooms, flat located just outside of Canterbury in a small wizarding community. Shop beneath, owners are renting out the upstairs. Please contact Arlene and Andrew Fortescue for more information. Cadence nodded approvingly.
"I like the sound of that. What kind of shop is beneath it?" she asked. Lily shrugged,
"I dunno but I reckon we have time to check it out before meeting Dumbledore." Cadence's look of intrest faded and was replaced by a very sour face.
"Cadence, it's probably just regarding our NEWTs or something." Callidora said encouragingly.
"Well whatever, it's not like I really care. Lets just focus on getting a place. I want to have our own living quarters before we start work." Cadence replied, her head held high and her voice haughty. Lily and Callidora nodded agreeably. Lily wanted to begin auror training soon yet she did want to have a secure place to live before she began. From what she understood, it took a lot of work and was very time-consuming. Callidora had recently been signed to the Kenmare Kestrels and Callidora had decided she might like to work with magical creatures. She was especially interested in working with Hippogriffs. Her aunt and uncle owned a breeding farm and they were prepared to take Cadence on.
"So how shall we go?" Calli' asked, looking quite excited.
"Go where?" asked Mr. Summers as he strode into the kitchen where the girls were sitting.
"We've found an ideal place to move dad." Cadence replied.
"Ah, I see. Well I don't know much about, well, your type of transportation so 'll leave it to you." Mr. Summers responded lightly. They watched him out of the kitchen and then Lily spoke up.
"Why not apparate?"
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"So this is the place, is it?" Calli' said casting an appraising glance at the building. It was a small two-level shop/house with chipped blue siding and white trimming. A sign over the store entrance store read, A and A Best Wizarding Robes. A rickety old staircase had been build on the side of the building leading up to the housing part.
"Yes I suppose so." Lily replied as she glanced up and down the small street. It was a small, entirely wizarding street. Shops and a few scattered houses decorated the sides of the dusty road. Beside the Robe shop was a small white house Lily presumed belonged to the Fortescue's.
"Well, c'mon. Let's not stand here all day." Cadence said impatiently and led the two others into the small shop. Lily was amazed when she stepped inside. It appeared as though a concealed enlargement charm had been placed on the building for the moment they stepped inside the whole appearanc changed. From the outside it had looked as though only a few racks of clothes would be crammed into a small area with a low ceiling. However, they were now in a magnificent, high-ceilinged room. Dozens upon dozens of stands and racks were spaciously placed throughout the wide room. Grinning slightly, the three girls approached the large oak till.
"Hello dears, finding everything you need?" a squat witch asked, beaming up at them from her small stature.
"Yes, thanks. We're actually here regarding your ad about the flat upstairs." Lily explained.
"Oh I see. Lovely. I'll take you up there myself, just let me get my husband to watch the store for a moment." the witch that must have been Arlene Fortescue said happily, "ANDREW!" A tall balding man hurried out from the back at his wife's call.
"Yes dear?" he asked, surveying the girls.
"These girls are here to look upstairs, watch the store, would you?" she replied. And without waiting for an answer she snatched a pair of keys from a drawer and beckoned for the girls to follow. Arlene Fortescue led them back outside and up the dingy staircase, chatting away happily.
"My son Florean used to live here but he just got himself a place in Diagon Alley." she said conversationally as she fumbled to unlock the door, "He's opened up an ice cream shop. No ambition at all but it does seem to be quite popular."
"Oh yes." Cadence said exchanging an amused look with Calli' and Lily, "We've been there and it's just brilliant." Arlene beamed as she let them in.
"Now it's not much." she said modestly. Lily felt her jaw drop. Like the shop downstairs, the flat seemed to also have been under the effects of an enlarging charm. Lush blue material carpeted the floor while white walls gleamed above them. Lily walked awestruck into a spacious living room which had a small window facing the street below and a large brick firepace on one of the walls. Across from the living room was the kitchen. Although slightly small it's polished oak counters and stone tiled floor gave it a comfterable feel. Lily then followed Callidora into a small hallway which broke off into three bedrooms with each their own bathroom. Cadence who was the most picky of them all was beaming.
"It's amazing." Cadence exclaimed turning to face Arlene, "We'll take it." Lily and Calli' couldn't have agreed more.
"Lovely. You're free to move in anytime you like. And we'll send your monthly rent up regularly." Mrs. Fortescue responded looking relieved. " I hope you'll enjoy it." Lily nodded as she handed the keys over to Calli' and hurried back downstairs.
"Well that settles that." Cadence said brightly. "Should we start moving in?"
"Maybe tonight, we've still got to attend Dumbledore's metting." Calli' responded calmly. Lily glanced down at her watch at this reminder and felt her stomach plumet. It was already ten after three. Swearing she gasped,
"Sorry Cadence but we've really got to run. We'll meet you back at your house later and we can begin moving in." And without waiting for a response Lily exchanged a look with Calli' and they both apparated with a soft 'pop'.
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Lily and Callidora apparated right into the midst of Hogsmeade. After straightening her emerald robes out, Lily began running down the street, Callidora on her heels. Without looking back they crossed the Hogwarts grounds and dashed into the castle. As they rounded the corner which held the entrance to Dumbeldore's office they met up with James Potter and the other marauders.
"Hello!" James exclaimed, grinning at Lily's surprised expression. He gave her a quick peck on the lips before she opened her mouth to speak.
"What're you doing here?" Lily gasped, completely forgetting that they were already late.
"Dumbledore wanted us to come." Remus replied, "Now we'd better hurry if we don't want to be later then we already are." Lily glanced sideways at Calli' who shrugged then followed behind Peter. James grabbed her hand as they approached the stone gargoyle.
"Er, what's the password?" Calli' asked as they all stared at it blankly. A new voice from behind them answered,
"It would be Sugar Quills." They all spun around to see Dumbeldore striding towards them serenely. He didn't seem at all perturbed by their lateness.
"Sorry we're late." Lily muttered moments later when they had all climbed onto the moving staircase the gargoyle had revealed.
"Not to worry." Dumbledore replied, his eyes twinkling, "I was just visiting the kitchens enjoying a cup of tea when you arrived and had lost track of time. So no harm done." Feeling slightly bemused, Lily entered Dumbeldore's magnificent office with James by her side. Dumbledore conjured up chairs with a wave of his wand and gestured for them to sit down. Then he turned his back on them and began sorting out a few papers. While they waited for him to speak Sirius leaned over across James and addressed Lily.
"Where's Cadence?" he hissed.
"At home. She wasn't invited." Lily responded. Then she turned to James, "Oh and we've found a place to move too."
"Really?" James replied looking pleased. But he had no chance to say much else because Dumbledore had just turned around to face them all.
"Now' i've called you all here regarding a very serious and important matter I wish to discuss." he began, looking at them from down his crooked nose. "You have all proven great skill when facing dark wizards on that Hogsmeade trip in June, and I think it is fitting that because of your abilities, and trustworthiness, I invite you to join the Order of the Phoenix."
"The Order of the- What sir?" James asked, looking politely befuddled. Dumebledore smiled at him,
"The Order of the Phoenix Mr. Potter. It is a secret society comprised of wizards and witches like yourselves you are comitted to stopping Voldemort's reign of power." Peter fell off his chair at the mention of Voldemort's name and Callidora gasped, but otherwise a shiver of excitement seemed to resonate from Lily and the others.
"And you're asking us to join?" Sirius asked. "Why not Cadence then? I mean Cadence Summers." Dumbledore frowned slightly,
"It is difficult and risky asking too many people to join at a time. So I called upon you because you've already proven yourselves against the death eaters. I have also asked the entire group of the , Marauders are you called? Simply because they have faced, er, other dangers before."
"You mean the werewolf thing?" Lily blurted before she had paused to think. Callidora looked puzzled and Remus shot Lily a sharp look. "I er- mean. Sorry I was, er, daydreaming." Calli' thankfully seemed to accept this and Remus visibly relaxed. 'Sorry' she mouthed to him. He accepted her apology with a small nod.
"So my offer stands. If you do not accept, which is perfectly acceptable, I will merely need to erase your memory with a mild memory charm. And before you consider the issue, I must tell you that by joining this society, you will be placing yourselves under great risk. Members often have to go on dangerous missions at times and I cannot prevent the possibility of injury, or even death." Dumbledore said seriously. Lily's mind worked furiously, if she joined, she could help stop Voldemort, something she was going to do as an auror anyways. Why not join? Everyone is in danger whether in it or not. Before Lily could give her answer Sirius cut in.
"Who else is in the Order?"
"I'm afraid I can't tell you that. Not unless you join at least. It's too much of a possibility that a death eater could try and get the information out of you. Although I will be placing a memory charm on those of you who do not wish to join, memory charms can be broken." Dumbledore replied. "Although I think it's safe to tell you your friends Alice and Frank Longbottom have joined." Lily and Callidora gasped. They hadn't had the faintest idea.
"Well I know I am going to join." James said after a moment of shocked silence.
"Me too!" Sirius piped up, his eyes shining with excitement.
"Count me in." Remus said quietly. Peter nodded,
"M-me too!" Callidora and Lily exchanged looks.
"I think i'd like to enter." Lily said quietly. She saw James frown worriedly from the corner of her eye.
"No you won't." He said. The words that came out were controlling but his voice was full of concern.
"It's my decision!" Lily burst out angrily before she could help it.
"I know it is. It's just, well, you could get hurt." James replied indignantly. Ignoring Dumbledore's amused expression Lily retorted,
"Oh and you think I don't care if you get hurt!" James glared at her and Lily stared back, her fiery temper flaring. She didn't know why his concern bothered her so much but she was a big girl.
"I never thought i'd see the day Lily and James arguing about concern for each other rather then contempt." Sirius said. Dumbledore chuckled from behind his death.
"It's well, oh nevermind." Lily spluttered, her face flushing with embaressment.
"Ms. Prewett, I think seeing as Ms. Evans here is determined we are waiting for your answer now." Dumbledore said.
"Oh well, I dunno..." Calli' said her cheeks going bright pink. "It's just, I don't really feel comfterable..."
"Perfectly understandable." Dumbledore said. Lily nodded to show her support. She felt James shoot her another glare which she ignored.
"Well then it's settled." Dumbeldore continued, "You will be notified whenever a meeting is to occur. I will send word with one of the other members." Dumbledore then ushered Callidora out of the room and told them the address of headquarters. He also explained a few rules and situations to them and finally dismissed them. Lily, James, Peter, Remus and Sirius exited his office and waited for Callidora to re-enter. She still had to had her memory modified. When she finally came out they all walked down to the village of Hogsemeade. Callidora had a slightly dazed expression on her face and didn't question why they were at Hogwarts. Lily figured it must have been the after effects of the spell.
"Well, i'll see you all later I suppose." Remus said once they had reached the end of Hogwart's grounds. Callidora didn't answer but continued to stare at the sky. LIly nodded politely and gave James a quick hug and rather frosty kiss on the cheek.
"See you later then." she muttered avoiding his gaze. He nodded and apparated. Following his example Calli' apparated as well with Lily departing seconds after her.
Lily and Calli' arrived outside the Summers' house seconds later. Lily checked around nervously to make sure no muggle neighbors had noticed. Fortunately nobody was around to witness them popping out of thin air. They usually didn't apparate because the Summers' house was located in a Muggle community. Callidora knocked on the door then turned to look at Lily.
"Where were we again?" she asked, her eyes coming back into sharper focus. Lily hesitated, thinking hard.
"We just met Proffesor Dumbledore. He wanted to make sure we were coping okay after Serena's death."
"Oh. Weird, I can't really remember." Calli' responded but just then the door opened.
"Finally!" Cadence explained, "Mom's just been helping me pack our stuff."
"Oh, great." Lily said happily, "What about furniture?"
"Well we've still got loads from when my Grandmother died so we can take that. It's all very nice." Cadence replied reassuringly as she stepped back to let them in, "So what did Proffesor Dumbledore want?"
"Just to make sure we were doing okay because of, well, Serena." Callidora said matter-of-factly. Lily had to stifle her laughter. So Callidora and Lily helped Cadence finish packing and then they levitated everything into the living room and to the fireplace. Mrs. Summers was all teary eyed and kept muttering things like,
"All grown up..." and "Moving out already, it seems only yesterday..." Using a special type of floo powder the girls loaded their stuff into the fireplace in seperate loads and threw the dust down. Bright green flames engulfed the loads immediatly, transporting them to their new house. Finally they were all done. After a teary farewell and a handshake from Mr Summers the girls stepped into the now soot covered grate and using the proper floo powder set off.
Wow, Lily thought, we're finally starting our life as adults. And this Order of the Phoenix thing...I'll finally get a chance to help in the war against Voldemort. And to prevent unessecary deaths, like Serena's. I only hope James will come to accept that i've joined as well... Well, I guess it begins.
A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed! I got a fantastic response from that last chapter and you have no idea how much it all means to me. :) Anyways here's the next chapter. Hope you enjoy!