DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER.

Severus passed through the hallway leading up to the main doors of the castle, pulling his trunk behind him after having said goodbye to Professor Slughorn. Slughorn had been quite surprised when Severus had informed him about his decision to become an auror, but had nevertheless wished him the best of luck, followed by a big hug.

As Severus walked through the hallway, he noticed Sirius standing near the castle doors looking gloomy. Severus went up to him and asked, "Hey Sirius, what's the matter? You look upset." Sirius replied, "Yeah. I just wish he'd listen." "Who?" asked Severus. Sirius replied, "My brother Regulus Black. He and I used to be really close, but as we grew up, we started to drift apart from each other. You know how I couldn't stand my biological parents' pureblood mania. Well, he on the other hand was the perfect son in their eyes. He agrees with it all, and the last time I spoke to him before I ran away to live with James, he was already planning to join Voldemort. He's always been obsessed with him."

Severus nodded and said, "Sounds kind of similar to Lily and Petunia. They drifted apart as they grew older, although the reasons were different in that case." Sirius continued, "But that's not the end. Just yesterday, after hearing the speech you and James gave, I thought I should perhaps try to connect with Regulus, at least make him see what he's leading himself into, what he's letting himself be forced into, perhaps even offer to let him come with us. So, I tried to talk to him this morning, but he hardly even acknowledged me. He just won't listen! I just wish he would. I sometimes wish he had run away with me!"

Severus placed a hand on Sirius shoulder and said, "Look Sirius, I understand your intentions, but some people just don't change overnight."

"I know, but I can't help feel like, I should have done more for him."

"You did whatever you could. Ultimately, as we grow up from children to adults, we all have to make our own choices. You made yours, and he made his."

"You're right. I guess there's no point in trying to convince him any longer. He's made his choice. He joined Voldemort a long time ago it seems. He told me today."

Severus looked at him with concern and said, "He made his choice. I'm more than glad that mine wasn't the same as his. You also made the right choice. And don't forget that we have James, Lily, Remus and Peter. You have James as your brother in all but blood, just as Lily is my sister in all but blood."

That evening when the Hogwarts Express reached Kings Cross Station, the Marauders and Lily all got out but did not head for the barrier straight away. For, they were all going to be staying with James' parents, who were sure to be on this side of the barrier. Severus had been invited to live there by James, Fleamont and Euphemia and had been happy to accept. And soon, Lily and James would be married.

Eventually, the group found Fleamont and Euphemia standing together and James and Sirius hurried over to them in excitement. Fleamont and Euphemia hugged everyone, and Euphemia placed a kiss to everyone's cheek.

Fleamont then said, "James, Severus, I'm so proud of you. That speech of yours was so good! The wizarding world definitely needed something like that."

Upon seeing James' and Severus' surprised and confused looks, he explained, "The speech that you gave at Hogwarts just yesterday was published in today's Daily Prophet. It's all over the news! We're so happy about what you did!"

James smiled and replied, "Thanks Dad, but I wonder how it got out into the press like that." Severus suggested, "Who knows. Perhaps Professor Dumbledore has something to do with this." Euphemia beamed and said, "Anyway, we must be getting home. Come along dears."

Sometime later, they were all gathered in James' ancestral home, Potter Manor. It was quite a huge place to say the least. There were dozens of rooms in every corridor, and a huge garden surrounding the Manor. There was even an indoor pool and an outdoor pool. This place was magnificent. Severus smiled as he imagined the life that he and his newly found family were going to enjoy. Perhaps one day, he would even be an Uncle, with Lily and James' kids running away from him saying stuff like 'Run away from Uncles' after playing a prank on him, although he hoped it wouldn't be extreme.

After some hours, it was time for dinner and the elder Potters, the Marauders and Lily gathered together for their meal. However, just as they were about to begin eating, there came the sound of someone making a floo call. Fleamont went over to the fireplace nearby to see Dumbledore's head in there.

Dumbledore spoke, "Good Evening Fleamont. I am sorry if am causing any inconvenience but I wish to speak with James, Lily and Severus concerning an important matter. Is it alright if I come in?" Fleamont responded, "Oh, of course. That's absolutely no problem at all. In fact, I'm sure they'll be quite exited to know how their speech got out." Dumbledore just laughed a sweet old grandfatherly laugh.

A few minutes later, Dumbledore was sitting along with everyone else for dinner. James and Severus were wondering what the matter could be while waiting for the conversation to begin.

Fleamont started off by saying, "My boys were wondering how their speech got out into the news. Severus thinks you might have had something to do with it." Severus said, "That's true Professor. While James and I felt that we needed to say something, we weren't quite expecting it to be all over the news the very next day, especially since we gave it in Hogwarts."

Dumbledore simply chuckled before saying, "Well, you are right my dear boy. I indeed had something to do with it. And by the way, please, just call me Albus. I am no longer your professor." Lily smiled and said, "It's not going to be easy to 'not' call you Professor, especially after calling you that for seven years."

Dumbledore smiled at Lily before he continued, "James and Severus were very right to give that speech. We all need to unite and stand up if we are to win this war. So, I decided to have that speech published in the news and asked the Daily Prophet to publish your speech, which they did immediately."

James smiled and said, "Thank you so much Professor… I mean, Albus. But more than that, we all want to be a part of this fight."

Dumbledore replied, "I had a feeling you would say that James. In fact, that is what I wish to discuss with you."

Everyone straightened up immediately before Dumbledore continued, "Some years ago, I started an organization called the Order of the Phoenix which is dedicated to fighting Voldemort. Unfortunately, our members are much less in number than Voldemort's followers. However, after the speech was published, several more decided to join me and fight directly, rather than simply from the ministry, today itself. In fact, I want to ask you if you would all be interested in joining the Order."

Euphemia looked at James, Sirius, Remus, Lily and Severus before saying, "If you all wish to join and fight, I will not say anything against it. Fleamont and I will give you all our full support. The only thing I have to say about this is, whatever you decide, be sincere about it."

James and Sirius smiled at her before turning to Dumbledore. It was Severus who spoke up first, "James, Sirius and I for sure wish to be directly involved as much as possible. We are also planning to become aurors and join the fight. I for one am more than happy to join to Order. We will all join the Order and fight alongside you." James said, "I second that." Lily said, "I'm all for joining right away." Remus, Sirius and Peter also enthusiastically agreed to join the Order.

Dumbledore looked at them and said, "Very well. Then tomorrow evening at 7:30 pm, there will be a meeting at Hogwarts, in which you shall be formally inducted into the order. Many of our members are quite excited to meet you."

The next evening at 7:30, James, Lily, Severus, Sirius, Remus and Peter stood in front of the doors leading to the Great Hall. This was to be their first Order meeting, the night that they would be declared as a part of the Order.

The doors opened and the group walked inside to be greeted by a big group of wizards and witches sitting in the Great Hall having some refreshments. Dumbledore was the first one to receive them. He greeted them saying, "Good Evening to all of you. Welcome to the Order of the Phoenix. Some of our members are quite excited to meet you."

As if on cue, some members of the Order immediately strode up to them and began to introduce themselves.

A fairly built wizard with long dark brown hair, a moustache and the beginnings of a beard (movie description in OOTP), came over and greeted them saying, "Good Evening, my name is Edgar Bones. Pleased to meet you Mr. Potter, Ms. Evans, Mr. Snape, Mr. Black, Mr. Lupin, and Mr. Pettigrew." "It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Bones. I quite look forward to fighting alongside you." Severus replied.

Edgar responded, "Oh please, just call me Edgar."

Next, a black haired wizard and a blonde haired witch, a couple, both dressed in emerald green robes, came over to them and introduced themselves. The wizard spoke, "Good Evening. My name's Andrew Greengrass and this is my wife Eliza Greengrass. My family has been neutral so far, but after hearing that fantastic speech, I realized that I had to pick a side. I finally decided to join Dumbledore and fight." Sirius responded, "Quite a pleasure to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass. Looks like I'm not the only one from an ancient pureblood family that's among the sacred 28 here!"

"No you're not," responded a familiar brown haired wizard approaching with a very familiar witch who had short hair. "Frank Longbottom! I can't believe it! I'm just so happy to see you again!" James exclaimed and launched into a hug with Frank. Lily went and hugged the witch crying out, "Alice! I'm just so glad to see you!" Alice replied excitedly, "Oh my goodness! You're joining too! I signed up just yesterday!"

Frank said to James, "It's been at least a year since we last saw each other in school. I heard you really made a great head boy." He then turned to Severus and shook his hand saying, "I'm pleased to welcome you as a friend and an ally, Severus Snape. Any friend of James is a friend of mine." Severus replied, "It's a pleasure to meet you as a friend and an ally, Frank Longbottom. I look forward to fighting alongside you all."

A familiar half giant came over towards them now. "Hagrid," exclaimed Remus, "So good to see you. Are you in the Order too?" Hagrid hugged them all and responded, "Of course I am. Quite an honor to help Dumbledore against You-Know-Who. One day, he'll go down, just like Grindelwald did!"

There were several others who came to meet them, including the Prewett Twins, Gideon and Fabian, their sister Molly Weasley who was holding two baby boys, also twins named Fred and George, and her husband Arthur Weasley who was holding a small two year old boy named Percy and being followed by two older boys Bill and Charlie, all of them their own children.

A few minutes later, a square-jawed witch with yellowish brown hair came up to them and introduced herself saying, "Good Evening. My name is Amelia Bones."

Suddenly, Lily looked at her and exclaimed, "Amelia? Amy, is that you?!"

Amelia looked at Lily for a few moments before breaking out into a smile and rushing to hug her. "Lily Evans! It's got to be you. I didn't think we'd be meeting anytime soon ever since I graduated!" Amelia exclaimed. Lily replied, "I'm so excited to see you after three years! Oh my God! It's you!"

After they pulled out of the hug, Lily turned to the others behind her and said, "This is my friend Amelia Bones. We were quite close friends before she graduated." Severus looked quite surprised but smiled and said, "I didn't know you were quite close, although I knew you often spoke to each other. It's quite a pleasure to meet you Amelia Bones." Amelia responded, "Just Amelia will do."

Lily then pulled Severus and James forward and said, "Amelia, I'd like you to meet Severus Snape, my brother in all but blood." Amelia responded, "That's so sweet! Pleased to meet you Mr. Snape." Severus replied smilingly, "Just call me Severus please."

Amelia then turned to James and said, "Well well, James Potter is it? I remember you were quite a thickheaded prankster back in the days when I was still a student." Severus said, "James can still be very silly, but he definitely changed into a responsible mature person. Otherwise, there's no way my sister would have ever fallen for him." Lily added, "That's right. In fact, he's my fiancé."

Amelia's eyes widened and she said, "Congratulations Lily. James is quite lucky to have you. I heard he was quite a responsible head boy last year." Severus added, "In fact, they all changed for the better, even though they can still be very silly!"

Sirius' eyebrows shot up and Remus and Peter simply smiled.

Amelia then said to James, "You are quite a lucky man James. I'm more than happy to know we'll all be in this together."

Sirius, Remus and Peter then went up to Amelia and shook hands with her. Sirius shook her hand very enthusiastically saying, "I'm quite happy that we'll all be in this together Amelia. Any friend of James and Lily is a friend of mine." Amelia simply smiled in response and nodded her head.

The group then went over to a large table in the middle of the hall as the meeting was about to start now. And Lily and the five Marauders were formally inducted into the Order of the Phoenix that night.

"CONSTANT VIGILANCE, I REPEAT CONSTANT VIGILANCE IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE! ALWAYS REMEMBER, CONSTANT VIGILANCE!"

Senior Auror Alastor Moody, also known as Mad-Eye-Moody, thundered as he looked at his three newest students, James Potter, Severus Snape, and Sirius Black who had signed up just the day after being inducted into the Order of which, Moody himself was a member.

"Now you," Moody barked, pointing at Sirius, "which place is the dumbest place to keep your wand?" Sirius answered, "The back pocket of your pants." "Correct! Always be alert. Constant Vigilance!" Moody barked in response.

Moody walked back and forth, analyzing his new students. All of a sudden he pointed his wand at James without any warning and shouted, "Stupefy."

James instinctively dodged to the side using his quidditch reflexes, and the stunner missed him by inches.

Moody said, "Good one Potter. You used your quidditch reflexes didn't you? Always use your strengths."

And with that, Moody went off into teaching the new auror trainees, constantly telling them to be 'constantly vigilant'.

It had now been about two weeks since James, Severus and Sirius had started their training. They were currently having dinner at Bones Manor just after an Order meeting which had been held there that evening. As they all ate, Severus noticed Sirius staring at Amelia, who was currently engaged in conversation with her brother, Edgar.

Severus tapped Sirius on the shoulder and asked him, "Why do you keep on staring at Amelia like that? What is it with you?"

Sirius replied, as if he were reciting multiplication tables, "She's quite beautiful. In fact, I think I quite like her."

Severus did not say anything, but simply went back to eating his food.

NOTE: I know Amelia Bones actually had close cropped grey hair according to the books, but for certain characters, I will be going by their appearance in the movies. And, Amelia Bones had shoulder length yellowish brown hair in the movie HP Order of the Phoenix.

Also, some chapters will be a little dark here and there like for example, Voldemort's raids on muggle neighbourhoods and certain statements, but there won't be anything that's too morbid, for example, bashing of Dumbledore or the Weasleys or the Potters or anybody for that matter. And it'll be decent content, so don't worry.