Chapter 24
A Very Long Night

"I wish Romeo would let me at least talk to him," Jamie said, "I feel so helpless."

It had been a couple of hours since Jamie had arrived at Grimmauld Place with Romeo, James and her mother. The moment they arrived, Ginny invited Romeo to come with her and they went up the stairs to go to the guest room. Twenty minutes later, Ginny came down the stairs and confronted Jamie and James, telling them that Romeo wanted to be left alone and that they shouldn't bother him.

Since then, Jamie had been laying on the couch in the living room staring at the fire. James had come in with two butterbeers and walked over to Jamie.

"You heard Mum," James said, giving Jamie a bottle of butterbeer, "We need to leave him alone. And if you ask me, I think it is a good idea. He just found out his mother is gone if you don't remember!"

"Of course I remember, James!" Jamie said, "I was there when Dad told him, remember?"

James said nothing and sat down in a chair near the fire. He opened his butterbeer and took a sip.

"Look, I know you are still mad at me for what happened last night," Jamie said.

"Of course I am mad," James said, "Here I was, happy that my own sister had a date to the dance, and then I come to find out it is Romeo Malfoy? And then I find out that you are his girlfriend? Why wouldn't I be mad?"

"I knew you wouldn't understand," Jamie said.

"Where is that Jamie Potter I knew a few months ago who joked with me about Romeo Malfoy?" James asked, "We used to have fun bothering Romeo... and if you don't remember, we weren't the ones who started the feud. Romeo had tormented us at Hogwarts for what seems like... forever. Even before I was at Hogwarts, you told me how he was. And now... it seems like that was a different person who told me about how much of a git Romeo Malfoy was."

"Romeo isn't as much of a git as you think he is, James," Jamie said.

"Oh, but of course that is what you are saying now," said James, "Now that you are snogging him."

Jamie rolled her eyes and sat up. "Look, James," she said, "I actually know what he is like now. I took the time to sit down and talk with him. He saved my life, if you don't remember!"

"Yeah, I remember," James said, "And I thanked him for it. And all he did was give me that bloody smirk of his."

"Of course he did, James," said Jamie, "What would you have thought if he started to be nice to you?"

"I don't know," James said, "But I know for sure that I wouldn't have guessed he was doing it because he was snogging my sister!"

"For your information, we didn't have our first date until a week after he saved me," Jamie said.

"You have been with him for that long?" James said, "Why didn't I see it?"

"Because we made sure that you wouldn't see it," Jamie said, "We made sure that none of our friends knew it. That backfired on us after a while. Professor Lupin found out, then Jasmine, then Hagrid. Jane only found out yesterday morning because I told her."

"Wait a second," James said, "Jasmine knew? Oh, this makes perfect sense now. She nearly cursed us into what could have been oblivion because she knew you were going out with her ex-boyfriend!"

"The only reason she put the Imperius Curse on Joey was to get back at me and Romeo," said Jamie.

"So... so, everything that has happened," said James, "Happened because you are going out with Romeo. Joseph and Jane's relationship nearly ruined... me and you almost getting ourselves killed... and let's not forget that Rogue Bludger."

"You think it was her?" Jamie asked, "You think it was Jasmine who made that bludger go after me?"

"Well, who else could it have been?" James asked, "Jasmine has spent the last few months torturing us because of your relationship with Romeo. It all makes sense now... perfect sense."

James took another sip of his butterbeer, then looked back over at Jamie.

"So... does Dad know about you and Romeo?" he asked.

"No, he does not," Jamie said.

"And you don't want him to find out?" James asked, "Well, good luck with that. Your boyfriend is living under our roof now... I don't think it will be very long before Dad finds out about you two."

"I don't think you are right," Jamie said.

"And why do you say that?" James asked, "You said Professor Lupin knows. Jamie, Professor Lupin is one of Dad's best friends!"

"Professor Lupin already told me that he wouldn't be the one who tells my father about my love life," said Jamie.

"Okay, but that isn't the only snag in your plan," said James, "Didn't you hear our grandfather? The Order is back. They are going to keep their eye on Romeo. They are going to make sure he is protected. You will be lucky to get ten minutes with Romeo alone."

"They aren't going to invade Romeo's personal life like that, James," Jamie said, "Dad invited Romeo here so that he would be protected, yes. But he isn't going to have Romeo guarded day and night. Romeo just can't leave the house without protection."

"Okay, but this brings back the other snag," James said, "Our father. Dad doesn't know about you and Romeo, and your relationship isn't going to keep secret from him if you are spending time with Romeo. Dad thinks you and Romeo still don't get along. Mum even apologized to me earlier for Romeo staying here. She thinks we can't stand him!"

Jamie paused and thought this over in her mind. When she came to a decision, she spoke up.

"Then I will just have to talk to Dad," said Jamie, "I think that, after I have a long talk with him, he will see that Romeo isn't a bad person. He doesn't think like that right now, does he? He invited him into our house."

"For protection, Jamie," James reminded her, "Dad knows that Romeo is in danger. Which brings up a good point. Do you really think Dad will like you being in a relationship with someone who has a target on their back?"

"Oh, and you don't think that hasn't crossed my mind?" Jamie said.

Jamie looked back toward the fire, thinking that the red and orange coals would give her the answers to her problems.

"I still wish I could talk to Romeo," she said, "I know he needs someone to talk to. He can't lock himself in that room all day. And I am the only person who I think he will talk to right now."

"He doesn't want to talk right now, Jamie," James said, "He barely talked at the Ministry. He barely even moved a muscle."

Jamie was going to respond, but suddenly she heard a noise coming from the fireplace. A second later, her father's head appeared in the fire.

"Oh, Jamie, James," Harry said, coughing a bit, "Go... go get your mother. I need to talk to her."

"I am here, honey," Ginny said, walking into the living room, "Something wrong?"

"Hermione, Ron, Tonks, Remus, and the kids should be there pretty soon," Harry said, "They said they needed to get some stuff and would arrive in a while. Oh, and your mother said she would come as well."

"And what about you?" Ginny said.

"Sorry, Ginny," said Harry, "Your father is having some trouble with the other members of the Wizengamot. A few of the members of the Wizengamot were there when the Second War was going on. They remember the confusion about the Order. I don't know how long this is going to take. Your brothers, as well as the other members of the Order, should get here soon. We hope that we can get them to talk to the council. Most of the Wizengamot were strong supporters of Scrimgeour, and they think that all of the Death Eaters are either dead or in prison."

"But what about Pansy Malfoy?" Ginny said, "And the Dark Mark? Those weren't accidents, Harry!"

"I know that, Ginny," Harry said, "We are trying to get that through the heads of the Wizengamot. But some of those wizards are pretty thick-minded. Only a few of the members are even shaken from the news of the Dark Mark. They think it was some trick some wanna-be punk did."

"But... before last night, the Dark Mark wasn't seen for nearly eighteen years, Harry," Ginny said, "The Dark Mark isn't something that was taught to anyone unless they were from Voldemort's Death Eaters. Only a Death Eater would know it."

"Yes, I know that," Harry said, "Which is exactly what your father is trying to say. Well, I better get going, Ginny. I just wanted to give you the news. Expect our friends anytime soon."

"Sure will, Harry," said Ginny.

"I will be home later," said Harry, "This is going to be a very long night I am afraid."

Harry's head disappeared from the fire.

"Well, I have been working on dinner," Ginny told Jamie and James. I made some sandwiches. I guess I better go see if Romeo wants anything... poor kid."

"I will take the stuff to him," Jamie said, standing up, "Anyway, you can stay down here and wait for everyone."

"Oh, all right," Ginny said.

Jamie followed her mother into the kitchen. She put a couple of the sandwiches on a plate and took a Butterbeer, then headed up the stairs.

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Jamie knew this was her perfect chance to talk to Romeo. And even if Romeo didn't want to talk, she was going to force it out of him. Romeo wasn't going to lay in his room and disappear from the world, and he would definitely not disappear from Jamie's life!

"Romeo, it's Jamie," Jamie said, when she reached the guest room, "I have some sandwiches for you."

"I don't want any," Jamie heard Romeo said in a hoarse voice, "Leave it."

"Romeo, I am coming in!" Jamie said, "I am not going to watch you drown in self depression."

Jamie tried to open the door, but it was locked. She rolled her eyes and took out her wand.

"Alohomora," she said.

The door didn't open. Romeo had locked the door with the same charm Jamie was trying to use when she wanted to lock herself in the dormitory. And even in his depression, Romeo was still able to use the charm.

"Romeo..." Jamie said, "Please... open the door."

Jamie heard nothing on the other side of the door. She was about to say something again, but heard the door unlock. Jamie smiled and opened the door. Romeo was laying in his bed, his face toward the wall.

"Set the food down," Romeo said, "I will eat later."

"Didn't you hear me, Romeo?" Jamie said, "I am not going to leave you like this. I want to talk. Even if you don't want to talk, you can still listen!"

Romeo gave a deep sigh and turned around. He sat up slowly and faced Jamie.

"Fine, sit down," he said.

Jamie walked over to the bed and set the food on the bedside table, then sat down on the bed beside Romeo.

"Romeo," Jamie said, "I understand how you are feeling. I know..."

"No you don't, Jamie!" Romeo said.

"Then tell me, Romeo," said Jamie, a tear falling down her cheek.

"My mother is dead, Jamie," Romeo said, "My father is... who knows where he is. It was him who killed my mother, I know it. That Dark Mark was a warning sign. It means he is coming after me. And as long as the Order is keeping me here, you and all of your family and friends are in danger. Believe me... you don't understand!"

"The Order is going to protect you, Romeo," Jamie said.

"Oh yes, Jamie," said Romeo, "They will protect me... or they will at least try to protect me. My father is on a mission of
his own. Remember, he is out for revenge. People who are out for revenge have a power that many do not know about."

Romeo sighed then continued.

"Here I was," said Romeo, "Ready for Christmas Break. When I thought I was going to go back to my home, I was happy. Even if I know I wasn't going to have fun, I still was happy. Because it meant you would be away from the danger I have to face."

"Is that why you wanted to go home?" Jamie asked, "You wanted to go so that I would be safe? Romeo, I am safe with my father. And now I know I am safe because you are here."

"You think I can protect you from my father?" Romeo said, "I can't protect you, Jamie. I thought I could protect you. I can't protect anyone. I thought I could protect my mother, Jamie... and now..."

Romeo broke into tears.

"And now I don't have a chance to anymore!" Romeo said, tears coming down his face, "And I know it is my fault..."

"It isn't your fault," Jamie said, leaning into Romeo and hugging him, "Whoever killed your mother, your father or whoever it was, is the one to blame. Not you..."

"I am never going to see my mother again, Jamie," Romeo said, "And I know it is because of my father. I want to kill him, Jamie. I want him to suffer, just like he is making me suffer!"

"Romeo, this is nonsense," Jamie said, "You aren't thinking straight. You need to get some sleep."

Romeo sighed. "Yeah... you are right," Romeo said, "I do need some sleep."

"But first you need to eat," Jamie said, "You haven't eaten since breakfast."

"Thanks for coming up here, Jamie," Romeo said, "I needed to talk to you. I just didn't know it."

"I wasn't going to let you stay up here and not let anyone talk to you," Jamie said, "I love you..."

"I love you too," Romeo said.

Jamie kissed Romeo, and they held each other for what seemed like hours, but it was only a couple minutes. When Jamie got up, she gave the sandwiches to Romeo.

"I will be back in a little bit," Jamie said, "You eat. You will feel better. I promise."

Romeo smiled, and Jamie walked out of the room.

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When Jamie walked back downstairs and into the living room, Jane and Richie had arrived with their parents.

"Tonks and Remus aren't here yet, are they?" Ron asked his sister, who had walked into the room with some bottles of butterbeer.

"No, but Harry said they should be here soon," Ginny said.

"Any news on how Dad was doing with the Wizengamot?" Ron asked.

"Harry said that it isn't going well," Ginny said, "He said that Dad was waiting for some of the members of the Order so that they could talk to the council, but..."

"Well, then maybe we should be there," Hermione said, "We are a part of the Order."

"And we are the only part of the Order that is here right now," Ginny said, "We need to stay here to keep watch over Romeo."

"Hey, where is Romeo?" Jane asked, "How is he feeling?"

"I just left his room," Jamie said, "When I gave him some sandwiches, he sounded like he was fine. He was upset, but that is quite understandable."

The door bell rang and Ginny hopped up and walked out of the room. A minute later, she came back with Joseph, Lupin and Tonks.

"I hope you don't mind, Ginny," Remus said, "I was planning on going to the Ministry. I think your father needs all the help he can get. Bringing back the Order is our top priority right now. I feel that the wizarding world will soon need the Order of the Phoenix more than they think they will." Remus turned to his wife and began to talk again. "You stay here with Joseph and the others. I don't think I will be too long, but I am going to stay as long as it takes."

"Just be careful," Tonks said, hugging her husband.

"Don't worry," Remus said, "I will be fine."

Remus left the livingroom.

"Well," Ginny said, "I have sandwiches in the kitchen. I think we all need a bite to eat. The kitchen is, as you all know, big enough for all of us."

Jamie watched the others walk into the kitchen and then looked at the fireplace. Everything was happening very fast. Professor Lupin was right. The Wizarding World, as well as the whole world, needed the Order of the Phoenix. If the Wizengamot didn't let the Order of the Phoenix return... well... Jamie didn't want to even think about what would happen. Jamie shook herself mentally and headed into the kitchen with her family and friends.

Hope ya liked this chapter... next chapter will be in a different point-of-view.

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